Precision alignment device
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
InventorNelson E. Jones
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Apparatus for providing automatic alignment of beam devices having an associated structure for directing, collimating, focusing, reflecting, or otherwise modifying the main beam. A reference laser is attached to the structure enclosing the main beam producing apparatus and produces a reference beam substantially parallel to the main beam. Detector modules containing optical switching devices and optical detectors are positioned in the path of the reference beam and are effective to produce an electrical output indicative of the alignment of the main beam. This electrical output drives servomotor operated adjustment screws to adjust the position of elements of the structure associated with the main beam to maintain alignment of the main beam.
Claims8
In apparatus for producing a main beam along a path through an initially aligned structure for directing, collimating, focusing, reflecting, or otherwise modifying said main beam, an automatic alignment system for said structure, comprising:
- laser means fixedly attached to said structure for providing a reference beam directed along a first path substantially parallel with said path of said main beam through said structure;
- one or more liquid dielectric optical switches disposed in said first path of said reference beam for diverting at least a portion of said reference beam to a second path;
- a plurality of quad cell detectors disposed in said second path of said reference beam for outputting electrical signals indicative of the departure of said structure from said initial alignment;
- and
- adjustment means contacting said structure and operatively connected to said detectors for altering the position of said structure in response to said electrical signals from said detectors, to return said structure to said initial alignment.
A method for maintaining alignment of an initially aligned structure for directing, collimating, focusing, reflecting, or otherwise modifying a main beam along a path, comprising the steps of:
- producing a laser beam along a first path parallel to the path of said main beam;
- diverting at least a portion of said reference beam angularly to a second path through one or more liquid dielectric optical switches;
- detecting said reference beam with quad-cell detectors located in said second path, said detectors outputting an electrical signal indicative of misalignment of said main beam;
- and
- adjusting said structure in response to said electrical signal received from said detectors so that said structure returns to the position of said initial alignment.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.