US4533449A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Rapid surface figuring by selective deposition
Assignee: Applied Biosystems Inc
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Filing: 1984-04-16
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Granted: 1985-08-06
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Expires: 2004-04-16
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus and method for reshaping an optical surface by the controlled deposition of material thereon. A deposition source is disposed adjacent the optical surface to be reshaped and moved relative to the surface under control of a computer depositing material onto the surface for reforming it into a predetermined shape.
Inventors
- 👤 Harold Levenstein
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 17:23
CPC Classifications
C; C23; C23C; C23C14/00; C23C14/04; C23C14/22; C23C14/54; C23C14/542; C23C14/545; C23C14/547
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
135 words
An apparatus for figuring an optical surface, comprising: a platform for supporting an optical element whose surface is to be figured, a material deposition source comprising a circular magnetron disposed adjacent said platform and adapted to be moved relative thereto, a vacuum chamber enclosing said source and platform, means for moving said platform relative to said source to vary the amount of material deposited onto said surface in accordance with a predetermined surface figure, interferometer means for measuring the figure of said surface, computer means connected to said interferometer means and storing a model of the desired surface figure, said computer means comparing the measured and stored surface to provide signals for moving said platform relative to said source to vary the amount of material deposited on said surface in accordance with the stored model.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
135 words
An apparatus for figuring an optical surface, comprising: a platform for supporting an optical element whose surface is to be figured, a material deposition source comprising a circular magnetron disposed adjacent said platform and adapted to be moved relative thereto, a vacuum chamber enclosing said source and platform, means for moving said platform relative to said source to vary the amount of material deposited onto said surface in accordance with a predetermined surface figure, interferometer means for measuring the figure of said surface, computer means connected to said interferometer means and storing a model of the desired surface figure, said computer means comparing the measured and stored surface to provide signals for moving said platform relative to said source to vary the amount of material deposited on said surface in accordance with the stored model.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
88 words
A method for figuring the surface of an optical element comprising the steps of: sputtering material from a source onto the surface of the optical element, moving the optical element relative to the source to vary the amount of material deposited on the surface in accordance with a predetermined surface figure, periodically measuring the figure of the surface, comparing the measured figure with a desired figure for generating signals for moving the optical element relative to the source to cause the measured figure to simulate the desired figure.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
88 words
A method for figuring the surface of an optical element comprising the steps of: sputtering material from a source onto the surface of the optical element, moving the optical element relative to the source to vary the amount of material deposited on the surface in accordance with a predetermined surface figure, periodically measuring the figure of the surface, comparing the measured figure with a desired figure for generating signals for moving the optical element relative to the source to cause the measured figure to simulate the desired figure.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 2 including the step of: stamping out a blank with a specular surface and a figure approximating the desired figure prior to the steps of sputtering and moving.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 3 including the steps of: providing a vacuum around the source and optical element.
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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) | 1988-08-05 | 1989-02-04 | 1989-08-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-08-05 | 1993-02-04 | 1993-08-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-08-05 | 1997-02-04 | 1997-08-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |