US4556316A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Interferometer spectrometer having simplified scanning motion control
Assignee: AIR & WATER TECHNOLOGIES Corp A Co OF NJ
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Filing: 1983-03-01
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Granted: 1985-12-03
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Expires: 2003-03-01
Abstract
Abstract A spectrometer is disclosed having an interferometer in which: (a) the variable-length arm has a moving retroreflector (copy A to A in summary). The pivoted linkage comprises three or more arms each having its upper end pivotally connected to a supporting structure and its lower end pivotally connected to a carrier for the retroreflector. The stationary folding mirror blocks approximately half of the open face of the retroreflector, causing the radiation which enters the unblocked half of the retroreflector to be reflected back to the retroreflector after it has traveled diagonally across the retroreflector and then been reflected toward the folding mirror.
Inventors
- 👤 Walter M. Doyle
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 15:41
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01J; G01J3/00; G01J3/28; G01J3/45; G01J3/453; G01J3/4535
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
151 words
For use in a spectrometer having means for receiving and integrating successive analytical interferograms provided by an analytical beam, an interferometer, of the type having a fixed-length arm and a variable-length arm which is varied to cause spectral scanning, comprising: a supporting structure adapted to carry a moving reflector in the variable-length arm; a plurality of arms pivotally connected to and suspended from the supporting structure; a retroreflector pivotally carried by the arms; a linear electro-magnetic motor for causing reciprocating motion of the retroreflector; and a flat stationary mirror located adjacent to and facing the retroreflector, and partially blocking the open end of the retroreflector so as to receive a beam reflected by the retroreflector and to reflect that beam back to the retroreflector, thereby compensating for the shearing motion of the retroreflector as it travels, and also increasing the resolution of the interferometer for a given amount of retroreflector travel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
151 words
For use in a spectrometer having means for receiving and integrating successive analytical interferograms provided by an analytical beam, an interferometer, of the type having a fixed-length arm and a variable-length arm which is varied to cause spectral scanning, comprising: a supporting structure adapted to carry a moving reflector in the variable-length arm; a plurality of arms pivotally connected to and suspended from the supporting structure; a retroreflector pivotally carried by the arms; a linear electro-magnetic motor for causing reciprocating motion of the retroreflector; and a flat stationary mirror located adjacent to and facing the retroreflector, and partially blocking the open end of the retroreflector so as to receive a beam reflected by the retroreflector and to reflect that beam back to the retroreflector, thereby compensating for the shearing motion of the retroreflector as it travels, and also increasing the resolution of the interferometer for a given amount of retroreflector travel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein there are at least three arms supporting the retroreflector.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 2 which is so structured that two of the arms are aligned with one another on opposite sides of the retroreflector, and which also comprises a bracing link interconnecting the two aligned arms.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1 which also comprises: a stationary flat mirror at the end of the fixed-length interferometer arm.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 1 which also comprises: a reference beam optical system which provides a reference interferogram for synchronizing the starting points of successive scans of the analytical beam.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the analytical and reference beams are provided by the same source and follow parallel paths through the interferometer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
77 words
The apparatus of claim 6 which also comprises: a first stationary flat mirror at the end of the fixed-length interferometer which reflects the analytical beam; and a second stationary flat mirror at the end of the fixed-length interferometer arm which reflects the reference beam; the second stationary flat mirror being secured to the first stationary flat mirror and having its reflecting surface parallel to but axially spaced from the reflecting surface of the first stationary flat mirror.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The interferometer of claim 1 which also comprises: ball bearings at each pivotal connection of each arm to the supporting structure and to the retroreflector.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3936193A
Cited
US4383762A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-12-02 | 1989-06-03 | 1989-12-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-12-02 | 1993-06-03 | 1993-12-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-12-02 | 1997-06-03 | 1997-12-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |