Electromechanically controlled optical element
US6606429B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 28, 1999 |
| Grant date | Aug 12, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 28, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/3572
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An optical switch utilizing an actuator to move an optical element into or out of an optical pathway is described. The optical element may be coupled to a movable shuttle and driven by a motor between two rest positions. The shuttle may be latched in the rest positions. The optical element's position may be controlled with a stop that contacts the shuttle to provide accuracy and precision about multiple axes. The material used to construct the actuator's components may aid in repeatedly positioning the optical element with precision. The actuator may incorporate features that allow the optical element to be passively aligned in a bank of actuators to make a M×N switch.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.