US3729266A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for automatically directing and maintaining a beam of electromagnetic radiation relative to earth horizontal
Assignee: HAMILTON KENT MANUFACTURING COMPANY Inc
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Filing: 1971-06-18
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Granted: 1973-04-24
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Expires: 1991-06-18
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for maintaining the direction of a beam of electromagnetic radiation relative to earth horizontal comprising an optical reflector, a pendulum connected to the reflector and a mounting frame supporting said reflector and said pendulum by independent gimbal suspension whereby said reflector moves responsive to pendulum motion through one-half the rotational angle of said pendulum, correcting an optical path in accordance with changes in the position of the pendulum relative to the mounting frame. Apparatus units utilizing coherent light beams are a specific embodiment.
Inventors
- 👤 M Mason
- 👤 K Wood
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 01:27
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B27/00; G02B27/64; G02B27/646; G02B27/648
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
107 words
Apparatus for directing and maintaining the direction of a beam of electromagnetic radiation relative to earth horizontal which comprises a housing, said housing containing and supporting: a. a source for projecting a beam of electromagnetic radiation, b. means for shaping and directing said beam, c. means for self-leveling the beam comprising (1) a rotatable reflector which intercepts and re-directs said beam and (2) a pendulum rotatable in a conical volume, said pendulum being spaced from said source and controlling the angular position of said reflector whereby said beam will follow a predetermined angle relative to earth horizontal irrespective of minor variations in the attitude of said housing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
107 words
Apparatus for directing and maintaining the direction of a beam of electromagnetic radiation relative to earth horizontal which comprises a housing, said housing containing and supporting: a. a source for projecting a beam of electromagnetic radiation, b. means for shaping and directing said beam, c. means for self-leveling the beam comprising (1) a rotatable reflector which intercepts and re-directs said beam and (2) a pendulum rotatable in a conical volume, said pendulum being spaced from said source and controlling the angular position of said reflector whereby said beam will follow a predetermined angle relative to earth horizontal irrespective of minor variations in the attitude of said housing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 in which said source is a laser, and there is interconnecting means between said reflector and said pendulum driving said reflector through one-half the angular displacement of said pendulum.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said reflector is mounted by a first gimbal and said pendulum is suspended by a second gimbal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said interconnecting means is a rod fixed rigidly with said reflector and coupled loosely with said pendulum.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a second reflector positioned to intercept said beam from said rotatable reflector and means for adjusting the angle of said second reflector to set said predetermined angle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 5 in which the adjustment means is calibrated.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
87 words
Apparatus for correcting the position of a beam of electromagnetic radiation relative to earth horizontal comprising: a. a rotatable reflector positioned to intercept said beam at an angle; b. a gimbal supporting said rotatable reflector for rotation about two mutually perpendicular axes; c. a pendulum; d. a gimbal suspending said pendulum so as to permit free movement within a conical volume; e. coupling means coupling said rotatable reflector to said pendulum so as to rotate said rotatable reflector through one-half of the angle moved by said pendulum.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
87 words
Apparatus for correcting the position of a beam of electromagnetic radiation relative to earth horizontal comprising: a. a rotatable reflector positioned to intercept said beam at an angle; b. a gimbal supporting said rotatable reflector for rotation about two mutually perpendicular axes; c. a pendulum; d. a gimbal suspending said pendulum so as to permit free movement within a conical volume; e. coupling means coupling said rotatable reflector to said pendulum so as to rotate said rotatable reflector through one-half of the angle moved by said pendulum.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus according to claim 7 in which said coupling means comprises a rod, means rigidly coupling said rod to said rotatable reflector and means loosely coupling said rod to said pendulum.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said means loosely coupling said rod to said pendulum comprises means containing a knife-edged aperture with said rod slidably positioned therethrough.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said pendulum is supported in a container of damping liquid.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus according to claim 10 further comprising means for rendering said pendulum immovable.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus according to claim 7 comprising a reflector with calibrated adjustment means for intercepting a beam from said rotatable reflector and directing it from said apparatus at a calibrated angle with respect to earth horizontal.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus according to claim 7 in which the distance between the axes of the gimbals is equal to the distance from the axis of the second-mentioned gimbal to the location where the coupling means contacts the pendulum.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-04-23 | 1976-10-23 | 1977-04-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-04-23 | 1980-10-23 | 1981-04-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-04-23 | 1984-10-23 | 1985-04-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |