Patent · US Expired

Adjustable optical signal collimator

US7010193B1 · kind B1 · utility

2Cited by
9References
33Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 30, 2003
Grant dateMar 7, 2006
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 30, 2024

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG02B6/32
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A collimating device having adjustable features that facilitate proper optical alignment of components positioned within the collimator is disclosed. In one embodiment, the collimating device includes a collimating portion including a collimating element, a core portion containing an optical device, and at least one adapter portion. An engagement surface on one end of the collimating portion is shaped to engage a corresponding engagement surface on one end of the adapter portion to form an adjustment point. An additional adjustment point is defined between another end of the adapter portion and an end of the core portion. These adjustment points enable the collimating portion to be maneuvered with respect to the core portion in order to align the collimating device. Minimal clearances between the adjustment point surfaces minimize the amount of adhesive needed to bond the collimator portion together after alignment, thereby producing a more stable and secure collimating device.

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