# US 9,753,244 B2 · Positioning mechanism for aligning an optical device and an image sensor > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,753,244 B2 - Document ID: US9753244B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/446,553 - Filed: 2012-04-13 - Published: 2013-10-17 - Granted: 2017-09-05 - Earliest claimed: 2012-04-13 - Assignees: Raytheon Canada Limited - Applicants: Peter Rozitis - Inventors: Peter Rozitis - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9753244B2 ## CPC - G02B 7/023: {permitting adjustment} - G03B 5/00: Adjustment of optical system relative to image or object surface other than for focusing - G03B 17/12: with means for supporting objectives, supplementary lenses, filters, masks, or turrets - G03B 43/00: Testing correct operation of photographic apparatus or parts thereof - H04N 23/54: Mounting of pick-up tubes, electronic image sensors, deviation or focusing coils - H04N 23/55: Optical parts specially adapted for electronic image sensors; Mounting thereof - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS - G03B: APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR (optical parts of such apparatus G02B; photosensitive materials or processes for photographic purposes G03C; apparatus for processing exposed photographic materials G03D) - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION ## Abstract A positioning mechanism for aligning an optical device and an image sensor is disclosed. The positioning mechanism includes a base operable with a support for an image sensor, a tube operable with an optical device, and an adjuster disposed between the base and the tube. In one aspect, the adjuster is positionable relative to the base in a translational degree of freedom and two rotational degrees of freedom. In another aspect, the tube is positionable relative to the adjuster in two translational degrees of freedom, and a rotational degree of freedom. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A positioning mechanism for aligning an optical device and an image sensor, comprising: a base operable with a support for an image sensor; a tube operable with an optical device; and an adjuster disposed between the base and the tube, wherein the adjuster is positionable relative to the base along an axis in a translational degree of freedom and about two axes in two rotational degrees of freedom, and wherein, at an interface of the adjuster and the tube, the tube is positionable relative to the adjuster along two axes in two translational degrees of freedom, and about an axis in a rotational degree of freedom. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The positioning mechanism of claim 1, wherein the adjuster is positionable relative to the base by at least one jack screw, and wherein the tube is positionable relative to the adjuster by at least two set screws. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The positioning mechanism of claim 2, further comprising at least one fastener to couple the adjuster and the base. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The positioning mechanism of claim 2, wherein two of the at least two set screws are located substantially diametrically opposed to one another to provide for an adjustment in a first translational degree of freedom. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The positioning mechanism of claim 4, wherein two of the at least two set screws are located substantially diametrically opposed to one another to provide for an adjustment in a second translational degree of freedom. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The positioning mechanism of claim 4, wherein the at least two set screws are threaded into the adjuster. ### Claim 7 (depends on 2) The positioning mechanism of claim 2, wherein the tube includes a groove to interface with the at least two set screws. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The positioning mechanism of claim 7, wherein an interaction between the groove and the at least two set screws is configured to induce a preload between the tube and the adjuster. ### Claim 9 (depends on 2) The positioning mechanism of claim 2, wherein the at least one jack screw comprises three jack screws to provide for an adjustment in a translational degree of freedom and two rotational degrees of freedom. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The positioning mechanism of claim 9, wherein the three jack screws are located about a circle substantially equiangular from one another. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The positioning mechanism of claim 9, further comprising a fastener paired with each of the three jack screws to couple the adjuster and the base. ### Claim 12 (depends on 2) The positioning mechanism of claim 2, wherein the at least one jack screw is threaded into the base. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The positioning mechanism of claim 1, further comprising an o-ring disposed between the adjuster and the base. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The positioning mechanism of claim 1, further comprising an adhesive port in the adjuster to allow an adhesive to bond the adjuster and the base to one another. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The positioning mechanism of claim 1, further comprising an adhesive port in the adjuster to allow an adhesive to bond the tube and the adjuster to one another. ### Claim 16 An optics system, comprising: an optical device; an image sensor mounted on a support; and a positioning mechanism for aligning the optical device and the image sensor, the positioning mechanism having a base coupled to the image sensor support, a tube coupled to the optical device, and an adjuster disposed between the base and the tube, wherein the adjuster is positionable relative to the base along an axis in a translational degree of freedom and about two axes in two rotational degrees of freedom, and wherein, at an interface of the adjuster and the tube, the tube is positionable relative to the adjuster along at least two axes in at least two translational degrees of freedom, and about an axis in a rotational degree of freedom to align the optical device relative to the image sensor. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The optics system of claim 16, wherein an overall stacked length of the base, tube, and adjuster is sized to provide a suitable distance between the optical device and the image sensor. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The optics system of claim 16, wherein the positioning mechanism forms part of a substantially sealed enclosure for the image sensor. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The optics system of claim 16, further comprising an adhesive that bonds the tube and the adjuster to one another and that bonds the adjuster and the base to one another. ### Claim 20 A method of facilitating alignment of an optical device and an image sensor, comprising: providing a positioning mechanism for aligning an optical device relative to an image sensor, the positioning mechanism having a base operable with a support for the image sensor, a tube operable with the optical device, and an adjuster disposed between the base and the tube; facilitating movement of the adjuster relative to the base along an axis in a translational degree of freedom and about two axes in two rotational degrees of freedom; and facilitating, at an interface of the adjuster and the tube, movement of the tube relative to the adjuster along two axes in two translational degrees of freedom, and about an axis in a rotational degree of freedom.