# US 10,309,829 B2 · Micromirror spectrophotometer assembly > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,309,829 B2 - Document ID: US10309829B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/035,061 - Filed: 2018-07-13 - Published: 2018-12-06 - Granted: 2019-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2017-06-01 - Assignees: Process Sensors Corporation - Applicants: Westco Scientific Instruments, Inc - Inventors: Jerome J. Workman, Jr.; John Coates; David Naranjo - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10309829B2 ## CPC - G01J 3/021: {using plane or convex mirrors, parallel phase plates, or particular reflectors} - G01J 3/0202: {Mechanical elements; Supports for optical elements} - G01J 3/0229: {using masks, aperture plates, spatial light modulators or spatial filters, e.g. reflective filters} - G01J 3/0262: {Constructional arrangements for removing stray light} - G01J 3/0291: {Housings; Spectrometer accessories; Spatial arrangement of elements, e.g. folded path arrangements} - G01J 3/0297: {Constructional arrangements for removing other types of optical noise or for performing calibration} - G01J 3/18: using diffraction elements, e.g. grating (gratings per se G02B) - G01J 3/28: Investigating the spectrum (using colour filters G01J3/51) - G01J 2003/2866: {Markers; Calibrating of scan} - G01J: MEASUREMENT OF INTENSITY, VELOCITY, SPECTRAL CONTENT, POLARISATION, PHASE OR PULSE CHARACTERISTICS OF INFRARED, VISIBLE OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT; COLORIMETRY; RADIATION PYROMETRY (light sources F21, H01J, H01K, H05B; investigating properties of materials by optical means G01N) ## Abstract Aspects of a micromirror spectrophotometer assembly are described. In one example case, an instrument includes a diffraction grating to disperse broadband light over a range of wavelengths, a detector, a digital micromirror device (DMD) configured to scan through and reflect at least a portion of the range of wavelengths toward the detector, and a base platform having a number of integrally formed assembly mounts. The assembly mounts are formed to align and secure the diffraction grating, the detector, the DMD, and other optical components of the instrument in a predetermined arrangement. The instrument can also include a reference paddle having a reference material for calibration of the instrument, and a rotatable sample tray to rotate a sample placed on the sample tray for measurement. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A platform for an instrument, comprising: a plurality of assembly mounts integrally formed as a base platform to align and secure a diffraction grating, a detector, a digital micromirror device (DMD), and at least one optical component in a predetermined arrangement, wherein: the plurality of assembly mounts comprise a plurality of integral seats to align and secure the at least one optical component in a predetermined arrangement relative to the diffraction grating, the detector, and the DMD. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The platform of claim 1, wherein the plurality of assembly mounts comprise: a first integral seat formed for a first optical component of a focusing optics assembly; and a second integral seat for a second optical component of the focusing optics assembly, the first integral seat and the second integral seat being separated by a predetermined spacing along an optical pathway that extends along the at least one of the plurality of assembly mounts. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The platform of claim 1, wherein: a first of the plurality of assembly mounts is aligned along a first optical pathway in the instrument; a second of the plurality of assembly mounts is aligned along a second optical pathway parallel to the first optical pathway in the instrument; and a third of the plurality of assembly mounts is aligned along a third optical pathway at an angle with respect to at least one of the first optical pathway and the second optical pathway. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The platform of claim 3, wherein: the at least one optical component comprises a plurality of optical components; the plurality of optical components are aligned and secured in the first, second, and third of the plurality of assembly mounts; and an assembly mount cover is secured over the first, second, and third of the plurality of assembly mounts. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The platform of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of assembly mounts is aligned at one end of an optical pathway to secure a light source and an entrance optics assembly. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The platform of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of assembly mounts is positioned to secure a diffraction grating at an intersection of first and second optical pathways. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The platform of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of assembly mounts includes a number of baffles integral to the base platform. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The platform of claim 1, wherein the base platform is continuously formed from a single material using an additive manufacturing process. ### Claim 9 An instrument, comprising: a diffraction grating to disperse broadband light over a range of wavelengths; a detector; a digital micromirror device (DMD) configured to scan through and reflect at least a portion of the range of wavelengths toward the detector; a base platform to align and secure the diffraction grating, the detector, the digital micromirror device (DMD), and at least one optical component in a predetermined arrangement; and a reference paddle, wherein: the reference paddle includes a reference material for calibration of the instrument; and a motor is configured to rotate the reference paddle to cover a sample window of the instrument for calibration of the instrument. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The instrument of claim 9, further comprising: a sample motor comprising a shaft that extends through a sample platform of the instrument; and a sample tray mechanically coupled to the shaft of the sample motor, wherein the sample motor is configured to rotate a sample placed on the sample tray for measurement. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The instrument of claim 9, wherein: the base platform comprises a plurality of assembly mounts to align and secure the diffraction grating, the detector, the DMD, and the at least one optical component in the predetermined arrangement; and the plurality of assembly mounts comprise a plurality of integral seats to align and secure the at least one optical component in a predetermined arrangement relative to the diffraction grating, the detector, and the DMD. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The instrument of claim 11, wherein at least one of the plurality of assembly mounts comprises: a first integral seat formed for a first optical component of a focusing optics assembly; and a second integral seat for a second optical component of the focusing optics assembly, the first integral seat and the second integral seat being separated by a predetermined spacing along an optical pathway in the instrument. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The instrument of claim 11, wherein: a first of the plurality of assembly mounts is aligned along a first optical pathway in the instrument; a second of the plurality of assembly mounts is aligned along a second optical pathway parallel to the first optical pathway in the instrument; and a third of the plurality of assembly mounts is aligned along a third optical pathway at an angle with respect to at least one of the first optical pathway and the second optical pathway. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The instrument of claim 11, wherein at least one of the plurality of assembly mounts is aligned at one end of an optical pathway to secure a light source and an entrance optics assembly. ### Claim 15 A platform for an instrument, comprising: a plurality of assembly mounts integrally formed as a base platform to align and secure a diffraction grating, a detector, a digital micromirror device (DMD), and at least one optical component in a predetermined arrangement, wherein the plurality of assembly mounts comprise: a first integral seat formed for a first optical component of a focusing optics assembly; and a second integral seat for a second optical component of the focusing optics assembly, the first integral seat and the second integral seat being separated by a predetermined spacing along an optical pathway. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The platform of claim 15, wherein: a first of the plurality of assembly mounts is aligned along a first optical pathway in the instrument; a second of the plurality of assembly mounts is aligned along a second optical pathway parallel to the first optical pathway in the instrument; and a third of the plurality of assembly mounts is aligned along a third optical pathway at an angle with respect to at least one of the first optical pathway and the second optical pathway. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The platform of claim 15, wherein at least one of the plurality of assembly mounts is aligned at one end of an optical pathway to secure a light source and an entrance optics assembly. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The platform of claim 15, wherein at least one of the plurality of assembly mounts is positioned to secure a diffraction grating. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The platform of claim 15, wherein at least one of the plurality of assembly mounts includes a number of baffles integral to the base platform. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The platform of claim 15, wherein the base platform is continuously formed from a single material using an additive manufacturing process.