US3907436A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical alignment device providing a virtual pivoting laser
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1974-02-05
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Granted: 1975-09-23
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Expires: 1994-02-05
Abstract
Abstract An arrangement for orienting optical elements includes a pivoting mirror mounted for rotational adjustment at the point of intersection (the real pivot point) of two orthogonal rotational axes. The reflected beam emerges from the real pivot point at a variable angle as rotational adjustments to the mirror are made. The reflected beam passes through a second (output) lens which forms an image, the virtual pivot point, of the real pivot point at a distance in front of the output lens. The position of the virtual pivot point can be adjusted to position it on the input aperture of the optical element to be aligned. This is done by moving the output lens along its axis and by shifting it vertically and horizontally at right angles to its axis.
Inventors
- 👤 George J Wolga
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 20:28
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01B; G01B11/00; G01B11/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
149 words
The combination with a means for emitting a beam of radiant energy, means to allow variation in the direction of the beam and means to guide such beam in a path such that the beam always passes through a virtual pivot point in space at a distance from the emitting means while the direction of the beam passing through such virtual pivot point varies in at least two orthogonal directions, means defining a real pivot point along said path, including means for imaging the beam from said real pivot point at said virtual pivot point, and means mounting said imaging means for movement with respect to said variation allowing means along its axis to vary the distance of the virtual pivot point from the real pivot point and in two orthogonal directions transverse to its axis independently of the direction varying means and the real pivot point defining means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
149 words
The combination with a means for emitting a beam of radiant energy, means to allow variation in the direction of the beam and means to guide such beam in a path such that the beam always passes through a virtual pivot point in space at a distance from the emitting means while the direction of the beam passing through such virtual pivot point varies in at least two orthogonal directions, means defining a real pivot point along said path, including means for imaging the beam from said real pivot point at said virtual pivot point, and means mounting said imaging means for movement with respect to said variation allowing means along its axis to vary the distance of the virtual pivot point from the real pivot point and in two orthogonal directions transverse to its axis independently of the direction varying means and the real pivot point defining means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
62 words
The combination as claimed in claim 1, said direction varying means comprising a plane pivoting mirror mounted in said path for angular adjustment about transverse intersecting axes with the front surface of the mirror including the point of intersection of said axes, said point constituting the real pivot point, adjustment of the mirror producing the change in the direction of the beam.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
60 words
The combination as claimed in claim 2, said imaging means being convergent and having an axis, which includes a fixed mirror in said path between the pivoting mirror and the convergent imaging means, the surface of said fixed mirror being substantially to the surface of said pivoting mirror when the beam passes through the axis of the convergent imaging means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The combination as claimed in claim 3, which includes a frame mounted for lineal movement in the direction of the axis of the convergent imaging means, said frame carrying said imaging means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The combination as claimed in claim 4, said guiding means including divergence correction lens means in said path between said emitting means and said convergent imaging means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The combination as claimed in claim 1, said beam emittiNg means comprising a laser.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3724953A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-09-22 | 1979-03-24 | 1979-09-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-22 | 1983-03-24 | 1983-09-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-22 | 1987-03-24 | 1987-09-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |