Differential adjustment apparatus
AssigneeThorlabs, Inc.
InventorsAlex Ezra Cable, Jason Matthew Mills
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A differential adjuster that utilizes a tool interface for affecting either a coarse adjustment or a fine adjustment is presented. The differential adjuster includes an intermediate actuator sleeve with a tool interface to accommodate a tool for performing adjustments. The intermediate actuator sleeve includes a first threaded surface operatively engaging a housing to adjust the position of the intermediate actuator sleeve relative to the housing, and a second threaded surface operatively engaging a push rod to adjust the position of the intermediate actuator sleeve relative to the push rod. The first threaded surface contains threads that are a different pitch than the second threaded surface.
Claims34
A differential adjuster, comprising:
- an intermediate actuator sleeve with a first threaded surface, a second threaded surface, and a tool interface,
- wherein the first threaded surface contains threads that are a different pitch than the second threaded surface;
- and
- a push rod that engages the second threaded surface, the push rod moving at a rate related to the difference in pitch between the first threaded surface and the second threaded surface when the intermediate actuator sleeve is rotated relative to a housing that engages the first threaded surface by a tool that engages the tool interface of the intermediate actuator sleeve,
- wherein a dowel pin engages both the housing and the push rod, thereby preventing the push rod from rotating with respect to the housing.
A differential adjuster, comprising:
- an intermediate actuator sleeve including a first threaded surface and a second threaded surface of different pitch;
- a main body engaged with the first threaded surface of the intermediate actuator sleeve, the main body including a threaded surface to provide a coarse adjustment;
- and
- a push-rod engaged with the second threaded surface of the intermediate actuator sleeve and coupled to the main body to restrict the relative rotational motion between the push-rod and the main body,
- wherein the main body includes a coarse tool interface,
- wherein a dowel pin engages both the main body and the push rod, thereby constraining the push rod from rotating with respect to the main body.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.