Lens positioner with five degrees of freedom

{
  "publication_number": "US4099852A",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "A",
  "title": "Lens positioner with five degrees of freedom",
  "abstract": "A device for positioning lenses precisely with five degrees of freedom (three translations and two angular rotations). The unique features of the device are its compact design, large clear aperture, and high degree of positioning accuracy combined with five degrees of freedom in axis motion. Thus, the device provides precision and flexibility in positioning of optical components. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention described herein was made in the course of, or under, Contract No. AT(29-1)-1183, with the United States Energy Research and Development Administration.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A lens positioner for positioning lenses precisely with five degrees of freedom of motion consisting of three translations and two angular rotations in combination with a vacuum chamber and means for supporting same in said vacuum chamber, whereby said lens positioner can be remotely controlled, said lens positioner comprising: a base assembly, an X-stage assembly movably mounted with respect to said base assembly, a Y-stage assembly movably mounted with respect to said X-stage assembly, actuator means for individually moving said X-stage and Y-stage assemblies, three torsion assemblies operatively supported by said Y-stage assembly, actuator means for individually moving said torsion assemblies, and means movably connected to said torsion assemblies for retaining at least one lens, whereby selective activation of said actuator means, produces translations in X, Y, and Z axis motions and angular rotations α and β of the lens retaining means; said supporting means comprising a support and feed-through spool operatively mounted in an opening in said vacuum chamber, said support and feed-through spool having flanged end sections, one of said flanged end sections being secured to said base assembly of said lens positioner, the other of said flanged end sections being adapted to be connected to apparatus for directing a light beam through said lens positioner into said vacuum chamber, said support and feed-through spool being additionally provided with means for sealably securing therein an electrical feed-through assembly, said electrical feed-through assembly being operatively connected to said actuators of said lens positioner and to a remotely located actuator controller."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "With the advent of the laser fusion development effort, substantial effort has been directed to optical systems for efficient handling of the laser light. Under the present laser fusion development efforts, fusion fuel containing pellets are imploded in vacuum chambers by laser light energy directed onto the pellets via optical components. Thus, precision and flexibility in positioning of optical components is essential to these efforts which application requires physical and performance characteristics beyond the capabilities of the large and bulky optical component positioners which are known in the prior art. Thus, a need has existed for positioners having the capability for use in applications requiring precision and flexibility in the remote positioning of optical components in electro-optical systems operating in extreme environments.\n\nThe present invention provides a device for positioning optical, electrical, and mechanical components with the precision and flexibility required for laser fusion or other development applications, by providing for positioning accuracy of lenses, for example, combined with five degrees of freedom in axis motion. These five degrees of freedom in axis motion consist of three translations (X, Y, Z) and two angular rotations (α, β), while being incorporated in a device of compact design, a large clear aperture, and a high degree of positioning accuracy.\n\nTherefore, it is an object of this invention to provide a device for positioning optical components.",
  "cpc": [
    "G02B 7/08",
    "B25J 21/00",
    "G02B 7/023"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "B25J 21/00",
    "G02B 7/02",
    "G02B 7/08"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "US Department of Energy"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Marian W. Kobierecki",
    "Frederick Rienecker, Jr."
  ],
  "filing_date": "1976-10-05",
  "publication_date": "1978-07-11",
  "grant_date": "1978-07-11",
  "priority_date": "1976-10-05",
  "application_number": "US-72963276-A",
  "family_id": "24931913",
  "cited_by_count": 39,
  "citations": [
    "DK63545C",
    "US3215391A",
    "US3511462A"
  ]
}