Retractable device, of the light shield type, for an optical instrument such as a space telescope
AssigneeAlcatel
InventorRodolphe André Krawczyk
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A retractable device (20), of a light shield type, is mounted on an optical instrument (10), such as a space telescope. The device comprises rods (22, 24) articulated about the optical instrument (10), within planes containing its axis (12), and a flexible and opaque covering (26), carried by these rods (22, 24). Motor units such as torsion springs integrated into the articulation devices (28, 30) of the rods allow the device (20) to be changed from a retracted configuration into an active configuration.
Claims13
A retractable device for hindering the entry of parasitic light through an opening in an optical instrument having a longitudinal optical axis, said device comprising:
- rods articulated to move in planes that include said optical axis;
- a flexible and opaque covering carried by said rods;
- and
- command devices configured to pivot the rods between a retracted configuration in which the covering is positioned around the optical instrument and an active configuration in which the covering extends beyond said opening,
- wherein the rods in said retracted position are positioned at an angle of at least about 90 degree from the optical axis.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.