Mirror mount

{
  "publication_number": "US5353167A",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "A",
  "title": "Mirror mount",
  "abstract": "A unique lens or mirror mount having adjustable constraints at two key locations to allow for \"X\" and \"Y\" tilts of the mirror only. The device uses two pair of flexures of a type such that the pivots of the mirror gimble are rigidly fixed in all planes allowing the device to have zero stacking tolerance and zero wear over time.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A mount structure for a mirror or lens comprising: (a) a base having a mounting block, said block having side surfaces; (b) a first pair of flexures connected to and protruding from opposing portions of said side surfaces of said block in a first plane and defining a first axis of rotation; (c) a ring mounted to said block via only said first pair of flexures; (d) a second pair of flexures connected to and protruding from said ring on opposing sides of said ring and at right angles to said first plane, and defining a second axis of rotation; (e) acceptor means for holding a lens or mirror, mounted to said ring via only said second pair of flexures; (f) first axis driver means for rotating said acceptor means about said first axis of rotation, said first axis driver means contacting said acceptor means at a point along said first axis of rotation; and (g) second axis driver means for rotating said acceptor means about said second axis of rotation, said second axis driver means contacting said acceptor means at a point along said second axis of rotation.",
    "2. A mount structure as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first plane is horizontal and said first axis of rotation is horizontal, and wherein said second plane is vertical and said second axis of rotation is vertical.",
    "3. A mount structure for a mirror or lens comprising: (a) a base having a mounting block, said block having side surfaces; (b) a first pair of flexures connected to and protruding from opposing portions of said side surfaces of said block in a first plane and defining a first axis of rotation; (c) a ring mounted to said block via only said first pair of flexures; (d) a second pair of flexures connected to and protruding from said ring on opposing sides of said ring and at right angles to said first plane, and defining a second axis of rotation; (e) acceptor means for holding a lens or mirror, mounted to said ring via only said second pair of flexures; (f) first axis driver means for rotating said acceptor means about said first axis of rotation, said first axis driver means contacting said acceptor means at a point along said first axis of rotation; and (g) second axis driver means for rotating said acceptor means about said second axis of rotation, said second axis driver means contacting said acceptor means at a point along said second axis of rotation wherein said mounting block is surrounded by said ring, said first pair of flexures connect said block to said ring via an inner edge of said ring, and said second pair of flexures connect said ring to said acceptor means via an outer edge of said ring.",
    "4. A mount structure as claimed in claim 3 wherein said acceptor means comprises a mirror cup, further including a fully reflective mirror mounted in said mirror cup.",
    "5. A mount structure for a mirror or lens comprising: (a) a base having a mounting block, said block having side surfaces; (b) a first pair of flexures connected to and protruding from opposing portions of said side surfaces of said block in a first plane and defining a first axis of rotation; (c) a ring mounted to said block via only said first pair of flexures; (d) a second pair of flexures connected to and protruding from said ring on opposing sides of said ring and at right angles to said first plane, and defining a second axis of rotation; (e) acceptor means for holding a lens or mirror, mounted to said ring via only said second pair of flexures; (f) first axis driver means for rotating said acceptor means about said first axis of rotation, said first axis driver means contacting said acceptor means at a point along said first axis of rotation; and (g) second axis driver means for rotating said acceptor means about said second axis of rotation, said second axis driver means contacting said acceptor means at a point along said second axis of rotation wherein said ring is surrounded by said mounting block, said first pair of flexure connected said block to said ring via an outer edge of said ring, and said second pair of flexures connect said ring to said acceptor means via an inner edge of said ring.",
    "6. A mount structure as claimed in claim 5 wherein said acceptor means comprises a mirror cup, further including a partially reflective, partially transmissive mirror mounted in said mirror cup.",
    "7. A mount structure as claimed in claim 5 further including a lens mounted in said acceptor means.",
    "8. A mount structure for a mirror or lens comprising: (a) a base having a mounting block, said block having side surfaces; (b) a first pair of flexures connected to and protruding from opposing portions of said side surfaces of said block in a first plane and defining a first axis of rotation; (c) a ring mounted to said block via only said first pair of flexures; (d) a second pair of flexures connected to and protruding from said ring on opposing sides of said ring and at right angles to said first plane, and defining a second axis of rotation; (e) acceptor means for holding a lens or mirror, mounted to said ring via only said second pair of flexures; (f) first axis driver means for rotating said acceptor means about said first axis of rotation, said first driver means including a cantilever arm which contacts said acceptor means at a point along said first axis of rotation; and (g) second axis driver means for rotating said acceptor means about said second axis of rotation, said second driver means including a cantilever arm which contacts said acceptor means at a point along said second axis of rotation.",
    "9. A mount structure as claimed in claim 8 wherein said first plane is horizontal and said first axis of rotation is horizontal, and wherein said second plane is vertical and said second axis of rotation is vertical.",
    "10. A mount structure as claimed in claim 8 wherein said ring is surrounded by said mounting block, said first pair of flexures connect said block to said ring via an outer edge of said ring, and said second pair of flexures connect said ring to said acceptor means via an inner edge of said ring.",
    "11. A mount structure as claimed in claim 8 wherein said acceptor means comprises a mirror cup, further including a fully reflective mirror mounted in said mirror cup.",
    "12. A mount structure as claimed in claim 8 wherein said acceptor means comprises a mirror cup, further including a partially reflective, partially transmissive mirror mounted in said mirror cup.",
    "13. A mount structure as claimed in claim 8 further including a lens mounted in said acceptor means."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "1. Field of the Invention\n\nThe United States Government has rights in this invention pursuant to Contract No. W-7405-ENG-48 between the United States Department of Energy and the University of California for the operation Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.\n\nThis invention relates to a mechanical mount useful for mirrors or transmissive lenses. More specifically it relates to a mount which allows for extremely high precision and high bandwidth operation which is useful in laser isotope systems.\n\n2. Description of the Related Art\n\nIn laser isotope systems, optical systems are subject to changes in temperature of the ambient environment. Even when the temperature for such an environment is controlled, excursions of several degrees are still typical. Optic holders respond to this change in environmental temperature by tilting. This may be measured in units of microradians of tilt per degree of environmental temperature change (e.g., μr/c).\n\nIn addition to this linear relationship between tilt and temperature change, thermal hysteresis occurs when after a temperature excursion an optic holder does not return to its original position. This thermal hysteresis may be characterized in terms of the difference between its initial and final tilts for a specified temperature excursion. Thermal hysteresis also has units of μr/C but for meaningful interpretation, the magnitude of the temperature excursion must also be specified. A temperature excursion of 10C is useful for characterizing this effect.",
  "cpc": [
    "G02B 7/1827",
    "G02B 7/1825"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "G02B 7/182"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "US Department of Energy"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Thomas C. Kuklo",
    "Donald A. Bender"
  ],
  "filing_date": "1992-07-22",
  "publication_date": "1994-10-04",
  "grant_date": "1994-10-04",
  "priority_date": "1992-07-22",
  "application_number": "US-91724492-A",
  "family_id": "25438529",
  "cited_by_count": 49,
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}