Patent US3776637A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3776637A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Circular involute reflector for providing a variable pathlength
Assignee: RTX Corp
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Filing: 1972-12-14
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Granted: 1973-12-04
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Expires: 1992-12-14
Abstract
Abstract A rotatable reflection surface in the form of a circular involute is disclosed. The reflector provides a variable pathlength for a beam of radiant energy over a range that is related to the change in radius of curvature of the involute. A general description of the physical characteristics of the reflector as well as a mathematical verification of these characteristics is provided. The reflector operation is discussed and several immediately applicable embodiments including an optical pathlength modulator, a Fourier spectrometer and an optical heterodyning receiving system are shown.
Inventors
- 👤 R Hecht
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 18:22
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B5/00; G02B5/08; G02B5/10; G01; G01J; G01J3/00; G01J3/28; G01J3/45; G01J3/453
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
104 words
The method of modulating the pathlength of a beam of radiant energy with a reflector having a surface in the form of a circular involute including the steps of: locating the reflector in the path of the beam; focussing the beam; directing the focussed beam so that the focussed rays are focussed substantially on the circle of involution of the reflector; directing the focussed beam further at the reflector to form an angle of incidence that is substantially normal to the surface; and rotating the reflector while maintaining the beam normal to the surface and the focussed rays tangent to the circle of involution.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
104 words
The method of modulating the pathlength of a beam of radiant energy with a reflector having a surface in the form of a circular involute including the steps of: locating the reflector in the path of the beam; focussing the beam; directing the focussed beam so that the focussed rays are focussed substantially on the circle of involution of the reflector; directing the focussed beam further at the reflector to form an angle of incidence that is substantially normal to the surface; and rotating the reflector while maintaining the beam normal to the surface and the focussed rays tangent to the circle of involution.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method according to claim 1 in which the reflector is rotated at a constant angular velocity thereby causing the pathlength to be modulated at a linear rate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
A reflector surface comprising a spiral curve in the form of a circular involute.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
A reflector surface comprising a spiral curve in the form of a circular involute.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The invention according to claim 3 in which the reflector surface comprises more than one continuous segment.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
104 words
A modulator for cyclically varying the pathlength of an input beam of radiant energy comprising: a beam splitter for dividing the input beam into a first split beam which travels in a first direction and a second split beam which travels in a second direction; means for focussing the first split beam; and a rotatable circular involute reflector surface for reflecting the focussed beam back to the beam splitter, through the focussing means and along the same path followed in the forward direction whereby the reflected beam and the second split beam recombine at the beam splitter and are reflected in the second direction.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
104 words
A modulator for cyclically varying the pathlength of an input beam of radiant energy comprising: a beam splitter for dividing the input beam into a first split beam which travels in a first direction and a second split beam which travels in a second direction; means for focussing the first split beam; and a rotatable circular involute reflector surface for reflecting the focussed beam back to the beam splitter, through the focussing means and along the same path followed in the forward direction whereby the reflected beam and the second split beam recombine at the beam splitter and are reflected in the second direction.
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) | 1976-12-03 | 1977-06-04 | 1977-12-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-03 | 1981-06-04 | 1981-12-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-03 | 1985-06-04 | 1985-12-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |