# US 12,181,098 B2 · Composite frames for opto-mechanical support structures > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,181,098 B2 - Document ID: US12181098B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/679,489 - Filed: 2022-02-24 - Published: 2023-08-24 - Granted: 2024-12-31 - Earliest claimed: 2022-02-24 - Assignees: Goodrich Corporation - Applicants: Goodrich Corporation - Inventors: Mark R. Gurvich; Brian J. Smith - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12181098B2 ## CPC - B29C 33/52: soluble or fusible {(in particular used in injection moulding B29C45/4457)} - F16M 11/12: in more than one direction - B29C 70/38: Automated lay-up, e.g. using robots, laying filaments according to predetermined patterns {(application heads for tyres B29D30/28)} - B29C 70/382: {Automated fiber placement [AFP]} - G02B 7/02: for lenses {(supports for magnifying lenses G02B25/002)} - B29L 2012/00: Frames - G02B 7/00: Mountings, adjusting means, or light-tight connections, for optical elements - B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00) - F16M: FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS - B29L: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES ## Abstract A frame for an opto-mechanical support structure includes an interconnected lattice of frame composite rods defined about an interior space with interstices defined between the frame composite rods. A method of making an opto-mechanical frame includes forming a frame of interconnected lattice of frame composite rods using one or more Automated Fiber Placement (AFP) around a mandrel. The method includes removing the mandrel from an interior space of the frame after forming the frame. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A frame for an opto-mechanical support structure comprising: an interconnected lattice of fiber-reinforced frame composite rods defined about an interior space with interstices defined between the frame composite rods; and wall panels mounted to an exterior aspect of the lattice for protection of the interior space; and an optical-mechanical assembly with an objective lens, an entirety of which is mounted inside the lattice, wherein at least one of the interstices defines an optics or opto-mechanical aperture and at least one of the wall panels includes a panel aperture therethrough which is aligned with the optics or opto-mechanical aperture of the at least one of the interstices and the objective lens is aligned with the optics or opto-mechanical aperture of the at least one of the interstices from within the lattice. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The frame as recited in claim 1, wherein the lattice of frame composite rods includes a plurality of continuous loop frame composite rods interconnected with the lattice. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The frame as recited in claim 1, wherein the lattice of frame composite rods includes a plurality of dis-continuous loop frame composite rods interconnected with the lattice. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The frame as recited in claim 1, wherein the frame composite rods are unidirectionally fiber reinforced polymer-matrix composite elements. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The frame as recited in claim 4, wherein intersections of the frame composite rods include interlaying composite individual layers or groups of layers. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The frame as recited in claim 1, wherein at least one of the frame composite rods includes a cross-sectional profile selected from the group consisting of: constant thickness, non-constant thickness where one surface of the cross-sectional profile is flat, non-constant thickness where opposed surfaces are both non-flat, one rib extending from an external surface or base, multiple ribs extending from a base or external surface, a hollow shape, a hollow shape with an insert inside, multiple different materials in layers varied through thickness of the cross-sectional profile, and multiple different materials in layers varied through thickness and width of the cross-sectional profile. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The frame as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one of the interstices defines the optics or opto-mechanical aperture for equipment used for transmission or receiving information. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The frame as recited in claim 1, wherein at least one of the frame composite rods forms a continuous loop that extends across more than one surface surrounding the interior space. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The frame as recited in claim 8, wherein the interior space is six-sided and wherein at least one of the frame composite rods forms a continuous loop that extends across all six sides of the interior space. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The frame as recited in claim 8, wherein the interior space is six-sided and wherein at least one of the frame composite rods forms a continuous loop that extends across three different sides of the interior space. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The frame as recited in claim 8, wherein the interior space is six-sided and wherein at least one of the frame composite rods forms a continuous loop that extends across four different sides of the interior space. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) An assembly of two or more frames as recited in claim 1, wherein the two or more frames are connected together as a three-dimensional gimbal. ### Claim 13 An optical and/or imaging assembly, comprising: an objective lens; and a frame for an opto-mechanical support structure comprising: an interconnected lattice of fiber-reinforced frame composite rods defined about an interior space in which an entirety of the objective lens in mounted with interstices defined between the frame composite rods; and wall panels mounted to an exterior aspect of the lattice for protection of the interior space, wherein at least one of the interstices defines an optics or opto-mechanical aperture, at least one of the wall panels includes a panel aperture therethrough which is aligned with the optics or opto-mechanical aperture of the at least one of the interstices and with which the objective lens is aligned from within the interior space and the frame is provided as two or more frames connected together as a three-dimensional gimbal.