US3620606A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical system support apparatus
Assignee: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
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Filing: 1970-05-13
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Granted: 1971-11-16
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Expires: 1990-05-13
Abstract
Abstract An optical mirror support system is disclosed having a mirror supported by a plurality of supporting elements arranged along discrete contact regions so as to deform the mirror reflective surface in a manner producing a deformation pattern which qualitatively causes a diffraction pattern by the optical aperture having an idealized or optimized image quality. A preferred or optimized ratio of the distances between adjacent families of support elements and the distance between adjacent support elements of the same family, has been found.
Inventors
- 👤 Hubert F A Tschunko
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 06:20
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B5/00; G02B5/08; G01; G01M; G01M11/00; G01M11/005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
140 words
In combination with a mirror having a rear support surface, an optical axis and an aperture; said mirror forming a reflective surface, a mirror support system comprising a plurality of support elements which engage contact regions on said support surface, said contact regions being so disposed that lines joining most closely adjacent contact regions describe a plurality of substantially uniform, nonintersecting and substantially concentric, proportionally spaced, geometrical, deformation patterns in the mirror surface, said deformation patterns caused by said mirror support elements qualitatively producing an optimized diffraction pattern, and wherein said plurality of support elements are arranged in a plurality of families about said optical axis of said mirror and the range of the ratio distances R between adjacent families of support elements to the distance C between adjacent support elements of the same family is approximately 1.1 to 2.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
140 words
In combination with a mirror having a rear support surface, an optical axis and an aperture; said mirror forming a reflective surface, a mirror support system comprising a plurality of support elements which engage contact regions on said support surface, said contact regions being so disposed that lines joining most closely adjacent contact regions describe a plurality of substantially uniform, nonintersecting and substantially concentric, proportionally spaced, geometrical, deformation patterns in the mirror surface, said deformation patterns caused by said mirror support elements qualitatively producing an optimized diffraction pattern, and wherein said plurality of support elements are arranged in a plurality of families about said optical axis of said mirror and the range of the ratio distances R between adjacent families of support elements to the distance C between adjacent support elements of the same family is approximately 1.1 to 2.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
The combination as defined in claim 1 wherein said plurality of support elements are arranged in a plurality of families about the optical axis of said mirror and the radial spacing R between families of support elements are of different distances.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The combination as defined in claim 1 wherein the distance C between adjacent contact regions of support elements of the same family of contact regions are of different distances.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The combination as defined in claim 1 wherein said ratio of the distances R to C is approximately 1.5.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
An optical mirror support system according to claim 1 wherein said mirror aperture is circular and said deformation patterns form concentric circles.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
An optical mirror support system according to claim 1 wherein said mirror reflective surface is circular and the most closely adjacent contact regions lie on a family of circles concentric with the axis of said circular mirror surface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
An optical mirror support system according to claim 1 wherein said mirror reflective surface is elliptical and the most closely adjacent contact regions lie on a family of ellipses about the axis of said mirror surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
144 words
In combination with a mirror having a rear support surface and an aperture, said mirror forming a mirror reflective surface, a mirror support system comprising a plurality of support elements which engage contact regions on said support surface, said contact regions being so disposed that lines joining most closely adjacent contact regions describe a plurality of deformation patterns in the mirror reflective surface, said deformation patterns caused by said mirror support elements qualitatively matching the idealized diffraction pattern produced by said mirror aperture and wherein said mirror reflective surface is circular and the most closely adjacent contact regions lie on a family of circles concentric with the axis of said circular mirror surface wherein the range of the ratio distances R between adjacent families of support elements to the distance C between adjacent support elements of the same family is approximately 1.1 to 2.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
144 words
In combination with a mirror having a rear support surface and an aperture, said mirror forming a mirror reflective surface, a mirror support system comprising a plurality of support elements which engage contact regions on said support surface, said contact regions being so disposed that lines joining most closely adjacent contact regions describe a plurality of deformation patterns in the mirror reflective surface, said deformation patterns caused by said mirror support elements qualitatively matching the idealized diffraction pattern produced by said mirror aperture and wherein said mirror reflective surface is circular and the most closely adjacent contact regions lie on a family of circles concentric with the axis of said circular mirror surface wherein the range of the ratio distances R between adjacent families of support elements to the distance C between adjacent support elements of the same family is approximately 1.1 to 2.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
An optical mirror support system according to claim 8 wherein the radial spacing R between families of contact regions are of different distances.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
An optical mirror support system according to claim 8 wherein the distance C between adjacent contact regions of the same family of contact regions are of different distances.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-11-15 | 1975-05-17 | 1975-11-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-11-15 | 1979-05-17 | 1979-11-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-11-15 | 1983-05-17 | 1983-11-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |