Optical element support system and method
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorDavid Greenwald
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An optical element support system and a method of supporting an optical element are provided. The optical element includes an optical axis, an arcuate front surface, and a back surface. The optical element support system includes an axial support system that provides axial support to the optical element in a direction parallel to the optical axis of the optical element, and further includes a lateral support system that provides lateral support to the optical element in one or more directions perpendicular to the optical axis of the optical element that is offset from a center-of-gravity of the optical element.
Claims21
An optical element support system, comprising:
- an optical element comprising an optical axis, an arcuate front surface, and a back surface;
- an axial support system configured to provide axial support to the optical element in a direction parallel to the optical axis of the optical element;
- and
- a lateral support system comprising a pad positioned about a circumferential edge of the optical element, the lateral support system configured to provide lateral support to the optical element in one or more directions perpendicular to the optical axis of the optical element that is offset from a center-of-gravity of the optical element to apply a moment to the optical element, wherein the axial support system is configured to apply a counter-moment to the optical element.
An optical element support system, comprising:
- an optical element housing;
- an optical element positioned in the optical element housing, the optical element comprising an optical axis, an arcuate front surface, and a back surface;
- and
- a support system comprising a plurality of support leg pairs coupled between the back surface of the optical element and a back wall of the optical element housing, wherein each of the plurality of support leg pairs intersect at a point of intersection defining a plane that is offset from a center-of-gravity of the optical element to apply a moment to the optical element, wherein the support system is configured to apply a counter-moment to the optical element.
An optical element support system, comprising:
- an optical element housing;
- an optical element positioned in the optical element housing, the optical element comprising an optical axis, an arcuate front surface, and a back surface;
- an axial support system configured to provide axial support to the optical element in a direction parallel to the optical axis of the optical element;
- and
- a lateral support system comprising a plurality of tangent arms coupled between the optical element housing and a circumferential edge of the optical element, wherein each of the tangent arms are in a plane offset from a center of gravity of the optical element, to apply a moment to the optical element, wherein the axial support system is configured to apply a counter-moment to the optical element.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.