US3693301A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for producing optical elements with aspherical surfaces
Assignee: Bpifrance Financement SA
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Filing: 1971-01-19
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Granted: 1972-09-26
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Expires: 1991-01-19
Abstract
Abstract A method for producing optical elements with aspherical surfaces with a pneumatic device for deforming the plates to be formed into optical elements. The plates are deformed by reducing the pressure in a central chamber independently of the reduction of pressure in one or more concentric annular chambers. Toroidal sealing members are provided between the chambers and serve as supports for the plate to be deformed. The invention is particularly useful in optical instruments for astronomy.
Inventors
- 👤 Gerard Lemaitre
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 23:15
CPC Classifications
B; B24; B24B; B24B13/00; B24B13/0043; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S359/00; Y10S359/90
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
113 words
A device for producing a circular aspherical optical element by pneumatic deformation of a planar circular optical plate, comprising: a. a circular chamber of a depth greater than the thickness of said plate; b. means for sealing the periphery of said plate against the circumference of said circular chamber; c. an annular sealing support for said plate, dividing said circular chamber into a central circular chamber and an annular chamber concentric with said central circular chamber, said support serving to seal said last named chambers from each other, and d. means for reducing the pressure in said central circular chamber and in said annular chamber independently of each other and to different degrees.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
113 words
A device for producing a circular aspherical optical element by pneumatic deformation of a planar circular optical plate, comprising: a. a circular chamber of a depth greater than the thickness of said plate; b. means for sealing the periphery of said plate against the circumference of said circular chamber; c. an annular sealing support for said plate, dividing said circular chamber into a central circular chamber and an annular chamber concentric with said central circular chamber, said support serving to seal said last named chambers from each other, and d. means for reducing the pressure in said central circular chamber and in said annular chamber independently of each other and to different degrees.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said annular sealing support is at least one toroidal sealing element.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
A device as claimed in claim 2, wherein another toroidal sealing element is arranged about the periphery of the plate, the annular chamber therefore being delimited by the toroidal sealing elements.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
A device as claimed in claim 2, wherein there are two annular chambers, and the means comprise toroidal sealing elements arranged at different distances from the median plane of the plate to be deformed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the annular sealing supports are supported on a base plate, and the stiffness of the base plate is a function of the stiffness of the plate to be deformed.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
102 words
The method of producing a predetermined aspherical optical surface by pneumatic action on both sides of a planar or spherical optical element, which comprises working one entire surface of said element in the normal manner, while selectively deforming said element in a central and at least one annular area by vacuum, to different degrees, and after surfacing and polishing said one face of said element, turning said element over and working the entire other surface of said element in the normal way while again selectively deforming said element in a central and at least one annular area by vacuum to different degrees.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
102 words
The method of producing a predetermined aspherical optical surface by pneumatic action on both sides of a planar or spherical optical element, which comprises working one entire surface of said element in the normal manner, while selectively deforming said element in a central and at least one annular area by vacuum, to different degrees, and after surfacing and polishing said one face of said element, turning said element over and working the entire other surface of said element in the normal way while again selectively deforming said element in a central and at least one annular area by vacuum to different degrees.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
79 words
A method for producing aspherical optical elements comprising the steps of supporting a plate element to be deformed on at least one circular support, the portion within the support defining a first portion and the portion outside the support defining a second portion reducing the pressure over the first portion and the second portion independently of one another and to different degrees thereby deforming the plate, and then surfacing the deformed element on one face and then the other.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
79 words
A method for producing aspherical optical elements comprising the steps of supporting a plate element to be deformed on at least one circular support, the portion within the support defining a first portion and the portion outside the support defining a second portion reducing the pressure over the first portion and the second portion independently of one another and to different degrees thereby deforming the plate, and then surfacing the deformed element on one face and then the other.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the faces of the element are finished with polishing tools such that each face has a different profile.
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) | 1975-09-26 | 1976-03-27 | 1976-09-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-09-26 | 1980-03-27 | 1980-09-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-09-26 | 1984-03-27 | 1984-09-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |