US5801891A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flat mirror mounting flexure
Assignee: Harris Corp
•
Filing: 1997-04-14
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Granted: 1998-09-01
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Expires: 2017-04-14
Abstract
Abstract A flexure structure for mounting an element such as a mirror in an optical device to a frame such as a telescope support structure includes a flexure blade defining a fork having three coplanar tines. A first mounting pad is located on the center tine for attaching the flexure blade to the mirror. A pair of mounting feet are located on the outside tines for attaching the flexure blade to the frame. The relative sizes of the tines being such that zero moment is applied to the mirror by the flexure structure when the mirror is displaced relative to the frame.
Inventors
- 👤 Carl A. Lloyd
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 18:17
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B7/00; G02B7/18; G02B7/182
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
91 words
A flexure structure for mounting an element to a frame, comprising: a) a flexure blade defining a fork having three coplanar tines; b) first mounting means located on a center tine for attaching the flexure blade between the frame and the element; c) second mounting means located on outside tines for attaching the flexure blade between the frame and the element; d) the relative sizes of the tines being such that zero moment is applied to the element by the flexure structure when the element is displaced relative to the frame.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
91 words
A flexure structure for mounting an element to a frame, comprising: a) a flexure blade defining a fork having three coplanar tines; b) first mounting means located on a center tine for attaching the flexure blade between the frame and the element; c) second mounting means located on outside tines for attaching the flexure blade between the frame and the element; d) the relative sizes of the tines being such that zero moment is applied to the element by the flexure structure when the element is displaced relative to the frame.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The flexure structure claimed in claim 1, wherein the flexure blade is titanium.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
72 words
The flexure structure claimed in claim 1, wherein the mounting means located on the center tine is a pad adapted to be attached to the element by an adhesive and the mounting means located on the outside tines is a pair of feet arranged perpendicularly to the plane of the flexure blade, one foot on each tine, each foot defining a hole and adapted to be attached to the frame by screws.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
The flexure structure claimed in claim 3, wherein the holes in the feet are elongated in a direction normal to the blade to allow adjustment of the position of the flexure structure relative to the frame during attachment of the flexure structure to the element.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
86 words
The flexure structure claimed in claim 1, wherein the element is a rectangular mirror, the frame surrounds the element, and wherein the flexure structure is attached between one edge of the rectangular mirror and one side of the frame, and further comprising: a) a second flexure structure similar to said flexure structure attached between the opposite edge of the mirror and the frame; and b) a third flexure structure similar to the first flexure structure attached between an adjacent edge of the mirror and the frame.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The flexure structure claimed in claim 1, wherein the element is a mirror.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The flexure structure claimed in claim 1, wherein the element is a solid state image sensor.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
JPS61275709A
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US4850674A
Cited
US5313333A
Cited
US5383168A
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US5550669A
Cited
US5532882A
Cited
US5526193A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-08-31 | 2002-03-02 | 2002-09-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-08-31 | 2006-03-02 | 2006-09-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-08-31 | 2010-03-02 | 2010-09-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |