Patent US4828367A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4828367A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Interferometer bearing assembly
Assignee: Varian Australia Pty Ltd
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Filing: 1988-02-16
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Granted: 1989-05-09
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Expires: 2008-02-16
Abstract
Abstract An interferometer bearing assembly including a fixed glass rail, a movable carriage that carries both the movable interferometer mirror and the drive coil for the linear motor, and a mechanism for biasing the carriage onto the rail. The glass rail has two optically flat faces defining a normally horizontal line of intersection. The carriage is a rigid structure with plastic surface portions that provide a bearing interface for contacting the flat faces of the glass rail. To improve stability and reduce the possibility of any transverse movement, the carriage is downward biased, preferably by providing an overlying glass plate with a downwardly-facing flat surface, and mounting a spring-loaded plastic element to the top of the carriage. The plastic element contacts (and slides along) the flat glass surface and transmits a downward force to the carriage.
Inventors
- 👤 Raul Curbelo
- 👤 David C. Brown
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-10 02:01
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B7/00; G02B7/18; G02B7/182; G02B7/1822; G02B7/1827; G02B7/1828; G01; G01J; G01J3/00; G01J3/28; G01J3/45; G01J3/453; G01J3/4535
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
115 words
In an interferometer wherein a reflector is reciprocated relative to a fixed structure, an interferometer bearing assembly for allowing a drive source to impart precise linear motion to the reflector, comprising: a first element having first and second non-parallel flat faces, said flat faces being characterized by a line of intersection; and a second element having means defining bearing surfaces configured to contact said flat faces; one of first and second elements being mounted to the fixed structure and the other of said first and second elements being adapted to carry the reflector and to couple to the drive source so as to provide relative motion along an axis parallel to said line of intersection.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
115 words
In an interferometer wherein a reflector is reciprocated relative to a fixed structure, an interferometer bearing assembly for allowing a drive source to impart precise linear motion to the reflector, comprising: a first element having first and second non-parallel flat faces, said flat faces being characterized by a line of intersection; and a second element having means defining bearing surfaces configured to contact said flat faces; one of first and second elements being mounted to the fixed structure and the other of said first and second elements being adapted to carry the reflector and to couple to the drive source so as to provide relative motion along an axis parallel to said line of intersection.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
94 words
In an interferometer wherein a movable reflector is reciprocated relative to a fixed structure, an interferometer bearing assembly for allowing a drive source to impart precise linear motion to the movable reflector, comprising: guide means defining first and second non-parallel flat faces, said flat faces being characterized by a line of intersection; and means for rigidly mounting said guide means to the fixed structure; and a carriage having means defining bearing surfaces configured to contact said flat faces, said carriage being adapted to carry the movable reflector and to couple to the drive source.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
94 words
In an interferometer wherein a movable reflector is reciprocated relative to a fixed structure, an interferometer bearing assembly for allowing a drive source to impart precise linear motion to the movable reflector, comprising: guide means defining first and second non-parallel flat faces, said flat faces being characterized by a line of intersection; and means for rigidly mounting said guide means to the fixed structure; and a carriage having means defining bearing surfaces configured to contact said flat faces, said carriage being adapted to carry the movable reflector and to couple to the drive source.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The interferometer bearing assembly of claim 2, and further comprising: means for biasing said carriage against said guide means, whereupon said carriage is constrained to move along an axis parallel to said line of intersection.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
The interferometer bearing assembly of claim 3 wherein said means for biasing comprises: a spring-loaded first element mounted to said carriage; and a second element, mounted to the fixed structure, and having a flat surface facing said first element for engaging said first element.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The interferometer bearing assembly of claim 2 wherein said flat faces of said guide means face away from each other.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The interferometer bearing assembly of claim 2 wherein said flat faces of said guide means are oriented at 90° to one another.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The interferometer bearing assembly of claim 2 wherein said flat faces terminate proximate said line of intersection.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The interferometer bearing assembly of claim 2 wherein said guide means comprises an elongated glass body.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
The interferometer bearing assembly of claim 2 wherein said means defining bearing surfaces comprise first and second pluralities of plastic bearing elements, each contacting a respective flat face of said rail.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
122 words
In an interferometer wherein a movable reflector is reciprocated relative to a fixed structure, an interferometer bearing assembly for allowing a drive source to impart precise linear motion to the movable reflector, comprising: an elongate rail, formed of glass and having first and second non-parallel flat faces, said flat faces being characterized by a line of intersection; means for rigidly mounting said rail to the fixed structure; a carriage having means defining plastic bearing surfaces configured to contact said flat faces, said carriage being adapted to carry the movable reflector and to couple to the drive source; and means for biasing said carriage against said rail, whereupon said carriage is constrained to move along an axis parallel to said line of intersection.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
122 words
In an interferometer wherein a movable reflector is reciprocated relative to a fixed structure, an interferometer bearing assembly for allowing a drive source to impart precise linear motion to the movable reflector, comprising: an elongate rail, formed of glass and having first and second non-parallel flat faces, said flat faces being characterized by a line of intersection; means for rigidly mounting said rail to the fixed structure; a carriage having means defining plastic bearing surfaces configured to contact said flat faces, said carriage being adapted to carry the movable reflector and to couple to the drive source; and means for biasing said carriage against said rail, whereupon said carriage is constrained to move along an axis parallel to said line of intersection.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The interferometer bearing assembly of claim 10 wherein said flat faces of said rail are oriented at 90° to one another.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The interferometer bearing assembly of claim 10 wherein said flat faces terminate proximate said line of intersection.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
32 words
The interferometer bearing assembly of claim 10 wherein said means defining plastic bearing surfaces comprise first and second pluralities of plastic bearing elements, each contacting a respective flat face of said rail.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The inteferometer bearing assembly of claim 13 wherein said plastic bearing elements are formed of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
44 words
The interferometer bearing assembly of claim 10 wherein said means for biasing comprises: a spring-loaded plastic element mounted to said carriage; and a glass element, mounted to the fixed structure, and having a flat surface facing said plastic element for engaging said plastic element.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
134 words
In an interferometer wherein a movable reflector is reciprocated relative to a fixed structure, an interferometer bearing assembly for allowing a drive source to impart precise linear motion to the movable reflector, comprising: an elongate rail, formed of glass and having outwardly facing first and second non-parallel flat faces, said flat faces being characterized by and terminating near a line of intersection; means for rigidly mounting said rail to the fixed structure; a carriage having first and second pluralities of plastic bearing element, each plurality contacting a respective flat face of said rail, said carriage being adapted to carry the movable reflector and to couple to the drive source; and means for biasing said carriage against said rail, whereupon said carriage is constrained to move along an axis parallel to said line of intersection.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
134 words
In an interferometer wherein a movable reflector is reciprocated relative to a fixed structure, an interferometer bearing assembly for allowing a drive source to impart precise linear motion to the movable reflector, comprising: an elongate rail, formed of glass and having outwardly facing first and second non-parallel flat faces, said flat faces being characterized by and terminating near a line of intersection; means for rigidly mounting said rail to the fixed structure; a carriage having first and second pluralities of plastic bearing element, each plurality contacting a respective flat face of said rail, said carriage being adapted to carry the movable reflector and to couple to the drive source; and means for biasing said carriage against said rail, whereupon said carriage is constrained to move along an axis parallel to said line of intersection.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
The interferometer bearing assembly of claim 16 wherein said flat faces of said rail are oriented at 90° to one another.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
44 words
The interferometer bearing assembly of claim 16 wherein said means for biasing comprises: an upwardly biased spring-loaded plastic element mounted to said carriage; and a glass element, mounted to the fixed structure, and having a flat horizontal, downwardly-facing surface for engaging said plastic element.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4710001A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-05-08 | 1992-11-07 | 1993-05-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-05-08 | 1996-11-07 | 1997-05-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-05-08 | 2000-11-07 | 2001-05-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |