US4993801A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical head
Assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
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Filing: 1989-12-27
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Granted: 1991-02-19
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Expires: 2009-12-27
Abstract
Abstract An optical head is disclosed which comprises a light source such as a diode laser and an optical element, for example, a collimating lens. The collimating lens and the diode laser are mounted along a common optical axis. A thermoelectric cooling element is provided in the head to control the temperature of the diode laser. In order to precisely locate the collimating lens relative to the diode laser, the housing of the collimating lens is mounted directly onto the barrel of the diode laser.
Inventors
- 👤 Sanwal P. Sarraf
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 16:07
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/42; G02B6/4201; G02B6/4219; G02B6/422; G02B6/4226; G02B6/4204
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
76 words
An optical head comprising: a diode laser disposed along an optical axis of said optical head, said laser comprising a chip of semiconductor material and a barrel through which a laser beam is emitted; and a collimating lens located along said optical axis, said lens including a lens housing and at least one lens element in said housing, said lens housing being mounted directly on the barrel of said laser by means of a threaded connection.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
76 words
An optical head comprising: a diode laser disposed along an optical axis of said optical head, said laser comprising a chip of semiconductor material and a barrel through which a laser beam is emitted; and a collimating lens located along said optical axis, said lens including a lens housing and at least one lens element in said housing, said lens housing being mounted directly on the barrel of said laser by means of a threaded connection.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
An optical head, as defined in claim 1, wherein said lens housing includes an annular flange for adjusting the position of said lens element relative to said chip.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
An optical head, as defined in claim 1, wherein said housing and said lens barrel are formed of the same material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
An optical head, as defined in claim 3, wherein said material is brass.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
An optical head, as defined in claim 3, wherein said material is steel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
An optical head, as defined in claim 1, wherein a thermoelectric cooling element is mounted in a position to control the temperature of said laser and said lens housing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
An optical head, as defined in claim 6, wherein said laser is mounted to an insulator ring.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
An optical head, as defined in claim 7, wherein said cooling element is supported in said insulator ring.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
An optical head, as defined in claim 8, wherein said insulator ring is supported in a tubular housing.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
An optical head, as defined in claim 1, wherein said lens includes a plurality of lens element in said housing.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
81 words
An optical head comprising: a diode laser disposed along an optical axis of said optical head, said laser comprising a chip of semiconductor material and a barrel through which a laser beam is emitted; a collimating lens located along said optical axis, said lens including a lens housing and at least one lens element in said housing, said lens housing being threadably received on the barrel of said diode laser; and a tubular support for receiving said laser and said lens.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
81 words
An optical head comprising: a diode laser disposed along an optical axis of said optical head, said laser comprising a chip of semiconductor material and a barrel through which a laser beam is emitted; a collimating lens located along said optical axis, said lens including a lens housing and at least one lens element in said housing, said lens housing being threadably received on the barrel of said diode laser; and a tubular support for receiving said laser and said lens.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
An optical head, as defined in claim 11, wherein said laser is mounted to an insulator ring which is received in said support.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
An optical head, as defined in claim 12, wherein a thermoelectric cooling element is received in said insulator ring.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-02-18 | 1994-08-20 | 1995-02-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-02-18 | 1998-08-20 | 1999-02-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-02-18 | 2002-08-20 | 2003-02-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |