Abstract An apparatus is disclosed for linearly displacing an optical lens along the optical axis thereof. The apparatus is formed of a pair of resilient diaphragms secured between the lens and a reference frame in spaced, parallel relationship to one another and in orthogonal relationship to the optical axis. A compression spring is disposed for producing a force acting in a direction and along a line which is coincident with the optical axis of the lens. A control device, the displacement of which can be accurately determined, is disposed for applying a force to one end of the spring. The spring constant of one or both of the diaphragms is of greater value than the value of the spring constant of the compression spring so that a relatively large displacement of the control device within the compression range of the spring will produce a relatively small displacement of the optical lens. The lens, therefore, can be accurately positioned, and the resulting displacement of the lens can be accurately determined by measuring the displacement of the control device.
Inventors
👤 Derek Jones
👤 William F Flockhart
👤 Andre Jean Guyon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number—
JurisdictionUS
Data Sourcegoogle_patents
Last Synchronized2026-10-28 17:56
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B7/00; G02B7/02; G02B7/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
129 words
A microlinear positioning apparatus comprising, a. a stationary base; b. an optical element supported for linear movement along a fixed axis with respect to said base; a. first resilient means having a first spring constant and affixed to said optical element to provide yielding support thereto upon said base; b. a movable positioning device; and c. second resilient means having a second spring constant, significantly smaller than said first spring constant, arranged between said positioning device and said optical element to transmit to said optical element a force along said axis commensurate with the relationship between displacement of said positioning device and said second spring constant, said optical element thereby being displaced along said axis a distance commensurate with the relationship between said force and said first spring constant.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
129 words
A microlinear positioning apparatus comprising, a. a stationary base; b. an optical element supported for linear movement along a fixed axis with respect to said base; a. first resilient means having a first spring constant and affixed to said optical element to provide yielding support thereto upon said base; b. a movable positioning device; and c. second resilient means having a second spring constant, significantly smaller than said first spring constant, arranged between said positioning device and said optical element to transmit to said optical element a force along said axis commensurate with the relationship between displacement of said positioning device and said second spring constant, said optical element thereby being displaced along said axis a distance commensurate with the relationship between said force and said first spring constant.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said first resilient means includes a first diaphragm secured to the said base at an outer periphery thereof, said optical element being secured to a central portion of said first diaphragm.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
53 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said first diaphragm is secured to one end of said optical element, and wherein said first resilient means further includes a second diaphragm secured to said base at an outer periphery thereof and to the other end of said element at a central portion thereof.