Patent US3700304A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3700304A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical switch mechanism
Assignee: FREQUENCY CONTROL PRODUCTS Inc A CORP OF NY
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Filing: 1970-08-03
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Granted: 1972-10-24
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Expires: 1990-08-03
Abstract
Abstract An optical switching mechanism including a vibrator having a pair of parallel reeds which are sustained in vibration at a rate determined by the resonance characteristic of the vibrator, the free ends of the reeds being ganged together by a headpiece. The arrangement is such that as the reeds sway simultaneously from side to side, the headpiece is caused to undergo a translating movement substantially free of an arcuate component. Mounted on the headpiece is a triangular reflecting element whose apex, in the static state of the vibrator, is aligned with a beam of incident radiant energy, whereby as the element, in the dynamic state, shifts to either side of the beam, the beam is deflected by the angled faces of the element in alternate directions.
Inventors
- 👤 Frank Dostal
- 👤 Charles Badowski
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 21:49
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04B; H04B10/00; G; G01; G01J; G01J1/00; G01J1/10; G01J1/20; G01J1/34; G01J1/36
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
91 words
An optical mechanism for modulating a beam of radiant energy, said mechanism comprising: A. a vibrator having a pair of parallel reeds of the same fixed length anchored at their feet, and a headpiece ganging together the free ends of the reeds, B. means to sustain said vibrator in vibration at its resonance frequency whereby as the reeds swing back and forth, the headpiece thereon is caused to undergo translation without an accompanying arcuate component, and C. an optical element mounted on said headpiece in a position to intercept said beam.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
91 words
An optical mechanism for modulating a beam of radiant energy, said mechanism comprising: A. a vibrator having a pair of parallel reeds of the same fixed length anchored at their feet, and a headpiece ganging together the free ends of the reeds, B. means to sustain said vibrator in vibration at its resonance frequency whereby as the reeds swing back and forth, the headpiece thereon is caused to undergo translation without an accompanying arcuate component, and C. an optical element mounted on said headpiece in a position to intercept said beam.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
59 words
A mechanism as set forth in claim 1, wherein said element is a reflector having a triangular formation defined by an apex and a pair of angled faces, said apex in the static state of the vibrator being aligned with said beam whereby said beam is alternately reflected by said faces when the vibrator is in the dynamic state.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
A mechanism as set forth in claim 2, wherein said apex is flattened and transparent to provide reference pulses.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
A mechanism as set forth in claim 2, wherein said faces are disposed at right angles to each other to cause the beam to be reflected in opposing directions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
A mechanism as set forth in claim 1, wherein said reeds are electromagnetically driven at a point intermediate the free ends and the feet thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A mechanism as set forth in claim 1, wherein said element is semicylindrical to effect a scanning action of a beam incident thereto.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
A mechanism as set forth in claim 1, wherein said element is a diffraction grating having alternate bands which are opaque and transparent to produce a scanning or modulating action of a beam incident thereto.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
A mechanism as set forth in claim 1, wherein said element is a vane for periodically chopping an incident beam.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
A mechanism as set forth in claim 8, wherein said vane includes a slit to intercept said beam.
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) | 1975-10-24 | 1976-04-24 | 1976-10-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-10-24 | 1980-04-24 | 1980-10-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-10-24 | 1984-04-24 | 1984-10-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |