Optical Dome Retention Wire for Clear-Aperture Fail-Safe Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional secondary retention systems for optical domes in high-accuracy optics often obstruct the clear aperture and fail to provide effective fail-safe retention, especially under high pressures or forces.
Innovation Solution
A secondary retention system comprising a retention wire disposed within a retention channel formed by mount and optical member grooves, which engages upon primary retention failure to maintain optical alignment without obstructing the clear aperture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional secondary retention systems are configured to provide fail-safe retention, then retention reliability is improved, but they obstruct the clear aperture and negatively affect optical performance
Solution Approach 1:
The secondary retention system components (retention groove, retention channel, and retention member) are extracted and positioned specifically at the periphery of the optical dome, outside the clear aperture region. This extraction allows the retention function to be separated from the optical path, eliminating obstruction while maintaining fail-safe retention capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The retention system transitions from a two-dimensional surface mounting approach to a three-dimensional peripheral structure. The retention groove is formed at the peripheral edge of the optical dome, creating a vertical depth dimension that allows retention members to engage without protruding into the clear aperture, thus resolving the conflict between retention strength and optical clarity.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If secondary retention components are positioned to be outside the clear aperture, then optical performance is improved, but retaining functionality becomes less effective
Solution Approach 1:
The retention groove is formed with a curved profile that follows the spherical or aspherical geometry of the optical dome's peripheral edge. This curved configuration allows the retention groove to engage the retention member effectively while remaining outside the clear aperture, maintaining both optical performance and retaining strength through geometric optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The retention channel is nested within the retention groove, creating a hierarchical structure where the retention member fits inside the channel which is itself formed within the groove at the peripheral edge. This nested configuration maximizes the retention engagement depth and strength while keeping the entire structure confined to the peripheral region outside the clear aperture.
3Strength
If retention members are configured to engage deeply for strong retention, then retaining strength is improved, but they protrude into the clear aperture and obstruct optical path
Solution Approach 1:
The retention groove and retention channel are pre-formed at the peripheral edge of the optical dome during manufacturing, before assembly. This preliminary preparation ensures that when the retention member is installed, it engages deeply with the pre-formed groove structure for maximum retaining strength, while the pre-positioned peripheral location guarantees no protrusion into the clear aperture.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for retaining an optical member about a mount can comprise a mount, an optical member having a first end and a second end, a primary retention system operable to secure the second end of the optical member to the mount, and a secondary retention system operable to secure the second end of the optical member to the mount. The secondary retention system can comprise a mount retention groove formed in the mount, an optical member retention groove formed in the optical member, the mount retention groove in the mount and the optical member retention groove in the optical member forming a retention channel upon the optical member being secured to the mount via the primary retention system, and a retention wire disposed within the retention channel. The secondary retention system activates to cause the retention wire to engage the mount retention groove of the mount and the optical member retention groove of the optical member upon movement of the optical member and at least partial failure of the primary retention system to retain the optical mount securely coupled to the mount.