# US 11,029,503 B2 · Optical system mounts

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- Number: US 11,029,503 B2
- Document ID: US11029503B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/137,857
- Filed: 2018-09-21
- Published: 2020-03-26
- Granted: 2021-06-08
- Earliest claimed: 2018-09-21
- Assignees: Goodrich Corporation
- Applicants: Goodrich Corporation
- Inventors: Davis Lange; Luke N. Asselin; Christopher William Helmke
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11029503B2

## CPC

- G02B 7/1827: {Motorised alignment}
- G02B 15/02: by changing, adding, or subtracting a part of the objective, e.g. convertible objective
- B64D 47/08: Arrangements of cameras
- G02B 7/1828: {using magnetic means}
- G02B 26/0816: {by means of one or more reflecting elements}
- G03B 9/08: Shutters
- G03B 17/17: with reflectors arranged in beam forming the photographic image, e.g. for reducing dimensions of camera
- G02B 27/0149: {characterised by mechanical features (G02B27/0176 takes precedence)}
- G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- B64D: EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT
- G03B: APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR (optical parts of such apparatus G02B; photosensitive materials or processes for photographic purposes G03C; apparatus for processing exposed photographic materials G03D)

## Abstract

An optical system mount arrangement includes a stop, a mount for an optical element, and an electromagnet. The mount has a first position and a second position, the mount abutting the stop in the first position and the mount spaced apart from the stop in the second position. The electromagnet is fixed relative to the stop and is arranged to exert a holding force when the mount is in the first position. Optical systems, vehicles carrying optical systems, and methods moving optical elements in optical systems are also described.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An optical system mount arrangement, comprising:
a stop;
a mount for an optical element having a first position and a second position, the mount abutting the stop in the first position, the mount spaced apart from the stop in the second position;
an electromagnet fixed relative to the stop configured and adapted to exert a holding force when the mount is in the first position;
a drive motor operatively connected to the mount for movement between the first and second positions; and
a controller operatively connected to the drive motor and the electromagnet, wherein the controller includes machine readable instructions configured to:
move the mount to the first position;
exert a holding force on the mount with the electromagnet in the first position;
de-energize the electromagnet; and
move the mount from the first position to the second position,
wherein the electromagnet is de-energized prior to moving the mount from the first position to the second position.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The optical system mount arrangement as recited in claim 1, further comprising a voltage source disposed in electrical communication with the electromagnet.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The optical system mount arrangement as recited in claim 2, where the voltage source is a variable voltage source for tuning holding force generated by the electromagnet.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The optical system mount arrangement as recited in claim 2, further comprising a controller operatively connected to the electromagnet to engage and disengage a holding force.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The optical system mount arrangement as recited in claim 1, wherein the mount is constructed from a ferromagnetic material.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The optical system mount arrangement as recited in claim 1, further comprising a ferromagnetic insert fixed within the mount.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The optical system mount arrangement as recited in claim 1, wherein the first position is an upright alignment position.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The optical system mount arrangement as recited in claim 1, further comprising a post constructed from a non-magnetic material.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The optical system mount arrangement as recited in claim 8, wherein the electromagnet is disposed within a pocket defined in the post.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

A vehicle carrying an optical system mount arrangement as recited in claim 1, wherein the stop is fixed relative to the vehicle, wherein the first position is an upright alignment position, and, and wherein the optical element is a mirror.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

An optical system, comprising:
an optical system mount arrangement as recited in claim 1, wherein the first position is an upright alignment position, and further comprising a mirror fixed to the mount;
a voltage source disposed in electrical communication with the electromagnet, wherein the voltage source is a variable voltage source for tuning holding force generated by the electromagnet;
a drive motor operably connected to the mount for movement between the first and second positions; and
a controller operatively connected to the electromagnet to engage and disengage a holding force, the controller operatively connected to the drive motor to move the mount between the first position and the second position.

### Claim 12

A method a preventing movement of an optical element in an optical system, comprising magnetically attracting a movable mount on which the optical element is fixed toward a stop with magnetic force using a controller, wherein the controller is operatively connected to a drive motor and an electromagnet, wherein the controller includes machine readable instructions configured to:
move the mount to the first position and exert a holding force on the mount with the electromagnet in the first position.

### Claim 13

A method of moving an optical element in an optical system, comprising:
at an optical system mount arrangement including a post with a stop, a mount for an optical element having a first position and a second position, the mount abutting the stop in the first position, the mount spaced apart from the post in the second position, an electromagnet fixed to the post, a drive motor operatively connected to the mount for movement between the first and second positions, and a controller operatively connected to the drive motor and the electromagnet, via the controller;
moving the mount to the first position;
exerting a holding force on the mount with the electromagnet;
de-energizing the electromagnet; and
moving the mount from the first position to the second position, wherein the electromagnet is de-energized prior to moving the mount from the first position to the second position.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The method as recited in claim 13, wherein the holding force is exerted by the electromagnet after moving the mount to the first position.

### Claim 15 (depends on 13)

The method as recited in claim 13, wherein the holding force is generated by energizing the electromagnet.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The method as recited in claim 15, wherein the electromagnet is energized after moving the mount to the first position.