Molded lens with integral mount and method
AssigneeCorning Incorporated
InventorsJefferey A. Demerritt, Mark L. Morrell, Robert V. Vandewoestine
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Abstract
Sealed precision optical assemblies are provided by a mold-in-place (MIP) process wherein a glass preform for a lens or other optical element is molded and sealed directly into a one-piece metal support for the element in a single precision molding step. The product is a sealed glass/metal assembly incorporating a non-interlocking mechanical seal, the seal being hermetic yet free of supplemental sealing materials, and the optical axis of the glass element being at a precise predetermined location and in a predetermined alignment relative to one or more reference surfaces on the metal support.
Claims8
An integral optical assembly comprising a molded glass optical element positioned within and forming a seal with a circumferential metal support member, wherein:
- the optical element is formed of a glass selected from the group consisting of alkali phosphate, alkali fluorophosphate, alkali aluminophosphate, and alkali fluoroaluminophosphate glasses;
- the metal forming the support member has a composition selected from the group consisting of steel and brass;
- and
- the seal interface between the glass optical element and the metal support member is substantially free of supplemental organic and inorganic sealing materials.
An integral optical assembly comprising a molded glass lens positioned within and forming a seal with a one-piece circumferential metal support member, wherein:
- the metal forming the support member has an average expansion coefficient (20.degree.--300.degree. C.) above about 170.times.10.sup.-7 /.degree. C. and a composition selected from the group consisting of austenitic stainless steel and brass;
- the lens is formed of a glass selected from the group consisting of alkali phosphate, alkali fluorophosphate, alkali aluminophosphate, and alkali fluoroaluminophosphate glasses;
- the seal is a hermetic seal;
- and
- the seal interface between the lens and the support member is substantially free of supplemental organic and inorganic sealing materials.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.