# US 10,481,421 B2 · Mounting ring for maintaining optical device alignment > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,481,421 B2 - Document ID: US10481421B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/292,041 - Filed: 2019-03-04 - Published: 2019-09-05 - Granted: 2019-11-19 - Earliest claimed: 2018-03-02 - Assignees: Gooch and Housego PLC - Applicants: Gooch & Housego PLC - Inventors: Robert W. Dew; Carl D. Brunetta; Thomas E. Stenger; Gabe S. Nau; Thomas C. Walker - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10481421B2 ## CPC - G02F 1/0305: {Constructional arrangements (G02F1/0327 - G02F1/05 take precedence)} - G02B 7/008: {with means for compensating for changes in temperature or for controlling the temperature; thermal stabilisation} - G02B 7/181: {with means for compensating for changes in temperature or for controlling the temperature; thermal stabilisation} - G02F: OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS ## Abstract An optical mount includes a mount material in a closed geometry with an outer surface sized for matching internal dimensions of an outer housing, and an inner surface including spaced apart inward extending contacting features providing contact points that collectively define an inner opening sized for securing an optical device including a crystal within. At least one feature gap or a recessed portion is between the inward extending contacting features. Edge holders are adapted for receiving corners of the optical device can be the protrusion pair or inner notches. The outer surface includes at least one outer notch between the inward extending contacting features. The edge holders and outer notch(es) are for each acting as hinge points opening or pinching depending on a direction of force on the optical mount for responding with flexure when there is a dimensional change in the crystal, mount material, or the housing. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An optical mount, comprising: a mount material shaped in a closed geometry with an outer surface having sized for matching internal dimensions of an outer housing, and an inner surface comprising a plurality of spaced apart inward extending contacting features with each providing contact points that collectively define an inner opening that is sized for securing an optical device including a crystal within, and a feature gap or a recessed portion between the inward extending contacting features; edge holders adapted for receiving corners of the optical device comprising a protrusion pair or inner notches; the outer surface including at least one outer notch between the inward extending contacting features; wherein the edge holders and the outer notch are for each acting as hinge points opening or pinching depending on a direction of force for the optical mount responding with flexure when there is a dimensional change in the crystal, in the mount material, or in the housing. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The optical mount of claim 1, wherein the inward extending features comprise the protrusion pair, and wherein protrusions in the protrusion pairs have the feature gap in between, and wherein the protrusions in the protrusion pairs each include distal ends that are angled at 80 to 100 degrees relative to one another. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The optical mount of claim 1, wherein the inward extending features comprise side wall surfaces, and wherein between the inward extending features there is the recessed portion. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The optical mount of claim 3, wherein the outer surface includes an outer protrusion over the inner notches. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The optical mount of claim 3, wherein there are a plurality of the outer notches that along with the inner notches are evenly spaced around a circumference of the optical mount. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The optical mount of claim 1, wherein the mount material comprises a polymer having an elasticity of 0.1 to 10 GPa at room temperature. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The optical mount of claim 6, wherein the polymer comprises a polyaryletherketone (PAEK) polymer. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The optical mount of claim 1, wherein the mount material is a single solid structural body. ### Claim 9 A method of mounting an optical device within an outer housing, comprising: providing an optical mount comprising a mount material shaped in a closed geometry with an outer surface sized for matching internal dimensions of the housing and an inner surface having a plurality of spaced apart inward extending contacting features with each providing contact points that collectively define an inner opening that is sized for securing the optical device that includes a crystal within, and a feature gap or a recessed portion between the inward extending contacting features, and edge holders adapted for receiving corners of the optical device comprising the protrusion pair or inner notches, wherein the outer surface includes at least one outer notch between the inward extending contacting features, and positioning the optical device within the optical mount to position the corners of the optical device in the edge holders, and positioning the optical device within the optical mount within the housing; wherein the edge holders and the outer notch are for each acting as hinge points opening or pinching depending on a direction of force for the optical mount responding with flexure when there is a dimensional change in the crystal, in the mount material, or in the housing. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein the optical devices comprises the crystal between a pair of electrodes. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein the inward extending features comprise the protrusion pair, and wherein protrusions in the protrusion pairs have the feature gap in between, and wherein the protrusions in the protrusion pairs each include distal ends that are angled at 80 to 100 degrees relative to one another. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein the inward extending features comprise side wall surfaces, and wherein between the inward extending features there is the recessed portion. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the outer surface includes a plurality of outer protrusions and a plurality of the outer notches between the plurality of outer protrusions. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein the plurality of outer notches and the inner notches are evenly spaced around a circumference of the optical mount. ### Claim 15 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein the outer surface further comprises outer protrusions over the inner notches. ### Claim 16 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein the mount material comprises a polymer having an elasticity of 0.1 to 10 GPa at room temperature. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein the polymer comprises a polyaryletherketone (PAEK) polymer. ### Claim 18 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein the closed geometry comprises a ring-shape and wherein the inner surfaces define a rectangle. ### Claim 19 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein the mount material is a single solid structural body.