Patent · US Expired

Rigid thermally stable structure for supporting precision devices

US4157802A · kind A · utility

21Cited by
14References
14Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJul 15, 1977
Grant dateJun 12, 1979
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 15, 1997

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T428/24149
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A rigid thermally stable structure provides a platform on which devices may be supported in precise positional relationships. The platform is provided by a thin plate of material having a coefficient of thermal expansion which is relatively low, such as may be fabricated from an iron nickel alloy of the type manufactured under the trade names Invar and Super-Invar. A rigid base of material which may have a high thermal expansion coefficient is also provided. The thin plate is attached to the rigid base by an array of posts which imparts thereto the rigidity of the base for preventing flexural movement of the plate while permitting the base and plate to move with respect to each other as their longitudinal dimensions change with temperature. The thin plate therefore provides a rigid and thermally stable platform.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.