US4447130A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Light-weight mirror blank for astronomical purposes and method of making a supporting framework for such blanks
Assignee: Heraeus Quarzglas GmbH and Co KG
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Filing: 1982-04-07
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Granted: 1984-05-08
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Expires: 2002-04-07
Abstract
Abstract A light-weight mirror for astronomical purposes is disclosed. The mirror consists of a mirror plate, a back plate and a supporting framework disposed between them and consisting of a plurality of rows of tubes. The rows of tubes are staggered one from the other. Each tube in a row has a line or strip of contact with two adjacently disposed tubes of the next row. The tubes are welded together along the contact line or strip. The thickness of the tube wall is reduced in the area of the contact line or strip.
Inventors
- 👤 Uwe Christiansen
- 👤 Karlheinz Rau
- 👤 Anton Steinkohl
- 👤 Bruno Streb
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 22:27
CPC Classifications
C; C03; C03B; C03B23/00; C03B23/20; C03B23/207; G; G02; G02B; G02B5/00; G02B5/08; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/24; Y10T428/24149
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
165 words
In a light-weight mirror blank for astronomical purposes, having a mirror plate of transparent vitreous silica or high-silica glass, a back plate of transparent or opaque vitreous silica or high-silica glass, a supporting framework of transparent or opaque vitreous silica or high-silica glass, disposed between the mirror plate and the backplate comprising several rows of tubes, the rows of tubes being staggered and the individual tubes being permanently bonded to the mirror plate and the back plate, and the tube axes being parallel to one another and to the mirror axis, the improvement wherein the tube rows are staggered such that each tube of a row has a contact line or contact strip with two adjacent tubes of an adjacent row, the wall thickness of the tubes in the area of contact line or contact strip is reduced with respect to the rest of the thickness of the wall of the tube and the tubes are welded together along the contact line or contact strip.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
165 words
In a light-weight mirror blank for astronomical purposes, having a mirror plate of transparent vitreous silica or high-silica glass, a back plate of transparent or opaque vitreous silica or high-silica glass, a supporting framework of transparent or opaque vitreous silica or high-silica glass, disposed between the mirror plate and the backplate comprising several rows of tubes, the rows of tubes being staggered and the individual tubes being permanently bonded to the mirror plate and the back plate, and the tube axes being parallel to one another and to the mirror axis, the improvement wherein the tube rows are staggered such that each tube of a row has a contact line or contact strip with two adjacent tubes of an adjacent row, the wall thickness of the tubes in the area of contact line or contact strip is reduced with respect to the rest of the thickness of the wall of the tube and the tubes are welded together along the contact line or contact strip.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
55 words
A mirror blank according to claim 1, wherein the wall thickness of the tubes in the area of the contact line or strip is reduced by 10 to 50% with respect to the rest of the wall thickness of the tube, and the rest of the wall tube thickness amounts to 0.8 to 5 mm.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
A mirror blank according to claim 1, wherein the tubes have a square or rectangular cross section, and the tube wall thickness is reduced in the area of the corners.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
A mirror blank according to claim 3, wherein said corners are rounded.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
A mirror blank according to claim 4, wherein said tubes are disposed in a checkerboard pattern leaving an interspace between the individual tubes of a row of tubes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
A mirror blank according to claim 1, wherein the tubes have a circular cross section and the areas of each tube that are reduced in their wall thickness are formed as raised ribs.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
A mirror blank according to claim 1, wherein the tubes have a triangular cross section, and that the tubes of a row are disposed abutting one another such that the base lines of the triangular cross sections form a straight line.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1987-05-08 | 1987-11-07 | 1988-05-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-05-08 | 1991-11-07 | 1992-05-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-05-08 | 1995-11-07 | 1996-05-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |