Methods and apparatus for positioning optical prisms
Assignee3M Innovative Properties Company
InventorsSimon Magarill, Blake E. Sansbury
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An optical assembly (11) is formed by individually positioning a plurality of prisms (15) using mechanical reference surfaces (19) which are associated with the prism's diagonal (13) and are preferably formed by extensions of a first sub-prism (17A) beyond a second sub-prism (17B). The mechanical references surfaces and a first side of the prism engage fixed mechanical references (23) associated with a housing. A locking element (21) engages a second side of the prism and forces the mechanical reference surfaces and the first side of the prism against the fixed mechanical references to achieve accurate positioning of the prism's diagonal (13).
Claims14
An optical assembly comprising:
- (A) at least one prism which has a top, a bottom, a plurality of sides, and a diagonal which has a top and a bottom, said prism comprising:
- (i) first and second sub-prisms, each of which has a surface that is parallel to the diagonal, and
- (ii) a first mechanical reference surface for the top of the diagonal and a second mechanical reference surface for the bottom of the diagonal;
- and
- (B) a housing comprising:
- (i) a plurality of fixed mechanical references, each of which is adapted to engage one of the first mechanical reference surface, the second mechanical reference surface, or a first side of the prism;
- and
- (ii) a locking element which engages a second side of the prism and presses the first side and the first and second mechanical reference surfaces against the plurality of fixed mechanical references.
A prism which has a top, a bottom, a plurality of sides, and a diagonal which has a top and a bottom, said prism comprising:
- (A) first and second sub-prisms, each of which has a surface that is parallel to the diagonal;
- (B) a first mechanical reference surface for the top of the diagonal which comprises an extension of the parallel-to-the-diagonal surface of the first sub-prism above the parallel-to-the-diagonal surface of the second sub-prism;
- and
- (C) a second mechanical reference surface for the bottom of the diagonal which comprises an extension of the parallel-to-the-diagonal surface of the first sub-prism below the parallel-to-the-diagonal surface of the second sub-prism.
A method for positioning a prism, said prism having a diagonal which has a top and a bottom, said method comprising:
- (A) providing a first mechanical reference surface for the top of the diagonal;
- (B) providing a second mechanical reference surface for the bottom of the diagonal;
- (C) providing a plurality of fixed mechanical references, each of which is adapted to engage one of the first mechanical reference surface or the second mechanical reference surface;
- and
- (D) applying a force to the prism to press the first and second mechanical reference surfaces against the plurality of fixed mechanical references.
A method for positioning a prism, said prism (i) having a diagonal which has a top and a bottom and (ii) comprising first and second sub-prisms, each of which has a surface that is parallel to the diagonal, said method comprising:
- (A) providing a first mechanical reference surface for the top of the diagonal which comprises an extension of the parallel-to-the-diagonal surface of the first sub-prism above the parallel-to-the-diagonal surface of the second sub-prism;
- (B) providing a second mechanical reference surface for the bottom of the diagonal which comprises an extension of the parallel-to-the-diagonal surface of the first sub-prism below the parallel-to-the-diagonal surface of the second sub-prism;
- (C) providing a plurality of fixed mechanical references, each of which is adapted to engage one of the first mechanical reference surface or the second mechanical reference surface;
- and
- (D) applying a force to the prism to press the first and second mechanical reference surfaces against the plurality of fixed mechanical references.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.