US3846007A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for defocus compensation of a convergent beam scanner
Assignee: United States Department of the Army
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Filing: 1973-10-23
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Granted: 1974-11-05
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Expires: 1993-10-23
Abstract
Abstract The inherent defocusing caused by deflecting a convergent light beamed image at the surface of a rotating mirror is minimized by shifting the axis of rotation as the mirror is rotated. The required motion is provided by essentially rolling the mirror over a cylindrical surface.
Inventors
- 👤 M Masutani
- 👤 W Flogaus
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 20:54
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B26/00; G02B26/08; G02B26/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
In an optical scanning system, wherein a linear array of electro-optical elements is optically coupled to a lens system by a variable reflector having at least one planar scanning mirror, the improvement which comprises: a drive means interconnecting said array and said mirror to provide relative rotation therebetween only about an axis in the plane of the reflecting surface on said mirror parallel to said linear array and to provide relative translation therebetween only normal to said linear array the rotation and translation being interrelated such that said reflecting surface maintains a tangential relationship with a right circularly cylindrical reference surface having an axis in fixed parallel relationship to said linear array.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
112 words
In an optical scanning system, wherein a linear array of electro-optical elements is optically coupled to a lens system by a variable reflector having at least one planar scanning mirror, the improvement which comprises: a drive means interconnecting said array and said mirror to provide relative rotation therebetween only about an axis in the plane of the reflecting surface on said mirror parallel to said linear array and to provide relative translation therebetween only normal to said linear array the rotation and translation being interrelated such that said reflecting surface maintains a tangential relationship with a right circularly cylindrical reference surface having an axis in fixed parallel relationship to said linear array.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
109 words
An optical scanning system according to claim 1 wherein said drive means comprises: at least one edge support member having an outer surface coincident with said reference surface; a housing member attached to edge support member and extending behind said mirror; a spring support member attached to said housing member beHind said mirror; a compression spring member mounted on said spring support member and pressing on the back of said mirror near the center thereof; and first and second solenoids mounted on said housing member each magnetically coupled to an opposite end of said mirror, whereby push-pull excitation of said solenoids produces a smooth rocking action of said mirror.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
61 words
An optical scanning system according to claim 2 wherein: said edge support member includes circumferential contours on its outer surface; said scanning mirror includes a straight edge rail with mating contours to engage said circumferential contours; and non-slip means are connected between said edge rail and said support member to prevent relative movement between contacting portions thereof in a circumferential direction.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
An optical scanning system according to claim 3 wherein: said edge rail is mounted at a small angle with said reflecting surface.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1136761A
Cited
US1438974A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-11-04 | 1978-05-06 | 1978-11-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-11-04 | 1982-05-06 | 1982-11-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-11-04 | 1986-05-06 | 1986-11-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |