Optical surface-mount lens cell
AssigneePTS Corporation
InventorDavid Paul Anderson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus and method for housing an optical element are provided. A ring is configured with a symmetry that corresponds to that of the optical element and for bonding with the optical element on an optical surface at a periphery of the optical element. An axial retaining spring may be provided for securing the optical element within an optical-system assembly. The axial retaining spring includes axial constraint fingers to engage a subsequent optical component and structures adapted to apply a point load at selected locations on the optical element.
Claims38
A cell for housing an optical element that forms part of an optical-system assembly, the cell comprising:
- a ring having a symmetry corresponding to that of the optical element and configured for bonding with the optical element on an optical surface at a periphery of the optical element, the ring further being configured for bonding to a second optical element at an optical surface at a periphery of the second optical element.
A method for housing an optical element that forms part of an optical-system assembly, the method comprising:
- aligning an optical axis of the optical element to be coincident with a symmetry axis of a ring;
- bonding an optical surface of the optical element with the ring at a periphery of the optical element;
- aligning an optical axis of a second optical element to be coincident with the symmetry axis of the ring;
- and
- bonding an optical surface of the second optical element with the ring at a periphery of the second optical element.
An axial retaining spring for securing a first optical component to a second optical component, the axial retaining spring comprising:
- a body having a symmetry axis corresponding to a common symmetry of the first and second optical components;
- a plurality of axial constraint fingers extending from the body substantially parallel to the symmetry axis and configured to engage the second optical component;
- and
- a plurality of structures on the body adapted to apply a point load at selected locations on the first optical component.
An optical-system assembly comprising:
- a first optical component including:
- a first optical element;
- a second optical element;
- and
- a ring having a symmetry corresponding to that of the first optical element, wherein the ring is bonded with the first optical element on an optical surface at a periphery of the first optical element and bonded with the second optical element on an optical surface at a periphery of the second optical element;
- and
- a second optical component including:
- a base;
- an additional optical element housed by the base;
- and
- a plurality of engagement members connected with the base and configured for engagement with the ring of the first optical component.
A method for fabricating an optical-system assembly, the method comprising:
- aligning an optical axis of a first optical element to be coincident with a symmetry axis of a ring;
- bonding an optical surface of the optical element with the ring at a periphery of the optical element;
- aligning an optical axis of a second optical element to be coincident with the symmetry axis of the ring;
- bonding an optical surface of the second optical element with the ring at a periphery of the second optical element;
- and
- securing the ring to a base.
An optical-system assembly comprising:
- first optical means having a first optical axis;
- second optical means having a second optical axis:
- support means having a symmetry axis, wherein the support means is bonded on an optical surface of the first optical means such that the first optical axis is coincident with the symmetry axis and bonded on an optical surface of the second optical means such that the second optical axis is coincident with the symmetry axis;
- interface means connected with the support means;
- and
- engagement means comprised by an optical component, the engagement means being engaged with the interface means.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.