US3678308A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Scanning device
Assignee: Raytheon Co
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Filing: 1970-05-27
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Granted: 1972-07-18
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Expires: 1990-05-27
Abstract
Abstract A mirror is oscillated through an angular arc defined by arc terminal points. Springs absorb the kinetic energy of halt at the terminal points, the springs returning the energy to the mirror thereby reversing the direction of oscillation thereof. Magnetic means coupled to the mirror provides a source of force to induce oscillation of the mirror and to bias the mirror to a position off the center point of the arc of oscillation when operative. The magnetic means is so driven by a square wave signal, having twice the frequency of oscillation, to create an intermittent force on the mirror that one portion of the square wave force aids movement of the mirror from its center point of oscillation towards one of the terminal points and another portion of the square wave force acts against movement (and spring energy) of the mirror from the terminal point towards the center point. Too slow or too fast movement of the mirror is compensated for by the square wave force. The mirror therefore moves at a substantially constant angular velocity between the terminal points.
Inventors
- 👤 Spencer D Howe
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 14:57
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B26/00; G02B26/08; G02B26/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
300 words
A scanning device comprising: a mirror moveable through an arc of oscillation bounded by arc terminal points about an axis of oscillation, said mirror having a pair of support ends on the axis of oscillation; a stationary frame having journal means pivotally supporting said mirror at one of said support ends and a flexure pivot supporting said mirror at the other of said support ends, said flexure pivot being unstressed when said mirror is at the center point of the arc to center said mirror between the arc terminal points, a pair of abutments secured to said frame and positioned orthogonally to and on opposite sides of the axis of oscillation, a spring member having a pair of cantilever arms of spring material secured to said mirror and positioned orthogonally to and on opposite sides of the axis of oscillation, said arms having portions thereon contactable with said frame abutments at the arc terminal points and capable of storing energy when stressed; a magnetic driver secured between said frame and said mirror at said journal means, said driver comprising an electromagnet secured to said frame and having a plurality of radially extending bosses evenly distributed in a radial manner about the axis of oscillation and a rotor of magnetic material secured to said mirror and having a plurality of radially extending bosses evenly distributed in a radial manner about the axis of oscillation, said electromagnet bosses and said rotor bosses being alternately spaced in a peripheral manner from one another and a source of electrical energy coupled to said electromagnet for supplying a square wave signal thereto; said mirror oscillable in response to supply of the square wave signal to said electromagnet and to rebounding of said mirror between said abutments upon contact therewith of said spring member cantilever arms.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
300 words
A scanning device comprising: a mirror moveable through an arc of oscillation bounded by arc terminal points about an axis of oscillation, said mirror having a pair of support ends on the axis of oscillation; a stationary frame having journal means pivotally supporting said mirror at one of said support ends and a flexure pivot supporting said mirror at the other of said support ends, said flexure pivot being unstressed when said mirror is at the center point of the arc to center said mirror between the arc terminal points, a pair of abutments secured to said frame and positioned orthogonally to and on opposite sides of the axis of oscillation, a spring member having a pair of cantilever arms of spring material secured to said mirror and positioned orthogonally to and on opposite sides of the axis of oscillation, said arms having portions thereon contactable with said frame abutments at the arc terminal points and capable of storing energy when stressed; a magnetic driver secured between said frame and said mirror at said journal means, said driver comprising an electromagnet secured to said frame and having a plurality of radially extending bosses evenly distributed in a radial manner about the axis of oscillation and a rotor of magnetic material secured to said mirror and having a plurality of radially extending bosses evenly distributed in a radial manner about the axis of oscillation, said electromagnet bosses and said rotor bosses being alternately spaced in a peripheral manner from one another and a source of electrical energy coupled to said electromagnet for supplying a square wave signal thereto; said mirror oscillable in response to supply of the square wave signal to said electromagnet and to rebounding of said mirror between said abutments upon contact therewith of said spring member cantilever arms.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
146 words
An oscillating device comprising an element journalled to a frame and moveable at a substantially constant velocity about an axis in an arc of oscillation bounded by arc terminal points, means on said frame defining the arc terminal points, a force producing means external to said element including means for generating an input signal, coupled between said element and said frame and coupled to said signal generation means for actuation upon receipt of the input signal to inDuce oscillation of said element relative to said frame at the substantially constant velocity, and resilient means secured to said element and coupling said element and said frame at the arc terminal points and acting in conjunction with said force producing means upon the actuation thereof for oscillating said element at substantially constant angular velocity and at a frequency determined only by the input signal to said force-producing means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
146 words
An oscillating device comprising an element journalled to a frame and moveable at a substantially constant velocity about an axis in an arc of oscillation bounded by arc terminal points, means on said frame defining the arc terminal points, a force producing means external to said element including means for generating an input signal, coupled between said element and said frame and coupled to said signal generation means for actuation upon receipt of the input signal to inDuce oscillation of said element relative to said frame at the substantially constant velocity, and resilient means secured to said element and coupling said element and said frame at the arc terminal points and acting in conjunction with said force producing means upon the actuation thereof for oscillating said element at substantially constant angular velocity and at a frequency determined only by the input signal to said force-producing means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
A device as in claim 2 further including element positioning means coupled between said element and said frame for positioning said element at a desired position when said force producing means is inoperative, said force producing means being further operable to initiate motion of said element from the desired position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
A device as in claim 3 wherein said element positioning means comprises a cross-axis flexure pivot.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
A device as in claim 2 wherein said resilient means comprises a spring member contactable with said said frame.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
A device as in claim 2 wherein said input signal generating means includes impulse generating means for obtaining alternate acceleration and deceleration of the movement of said element during the oscillation thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
78 words
A device as in claim 9 wherein said resilient means includes means for moving said element in a cycle having a direction of oscillation, and said alternating means includes means operable on said element to reinforce said resilient means in the direction of oscillation during a portion of the cycle and to oppose said resilient means in a direction opposite to the direction of oscillation during another portion of the cycle to obtain the alternate acceleration and deceleration.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
116 words
An oscillating device comprising an element journalled to a frame for movement about an axis in an arc of oscillation, an external force producing means comprising an electromagnetic driver having a stator secured to said frame and a rotor secured to said element and including means coupled to said driver for actuation thereof, said driver being operable upon actuation thereof to induce oscillation of said element relative to said frame, and bias means coupled between said element and said frame only during the movement at the ends of the arc of oscillation and acting in conjunction with said force producing means upon the actuation thereof for causing oscillation of said element at substantially constant angular velocity.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
116 words
An oscillating device comprising an element journalled to a frame for movement about an axis in an arc of oscillation, an external force producing means comprising an electromagnetic driver having a stator secured to said frame and a rotor secured to said element and including means coupled to said driver for actuation thereof, said driver being operable upon actuation thereof to induce oscillation of said element relative to said frame, and bias means coupled between said element and said frame only during the movement at the ends of the arc of oscillation and acting in conjunction with said force producing means upon the actuation thereof for causing oscillation of said element at substantially constant angular velocity.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
A device as in claim 6 wherein said stator and said rotor are each provided with bosses radially extending about the axis of oscillation and relatively moveable in response to the existence of magnetic flux.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
A device as in claim 7 wherein said stator bosses are peripherally spaced from said rotor bosses to initiate the movement of said element.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-07-18 | 1976-01-17 | 1976-07-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-07-18 | 1980-01-17 | 1980-07-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-07-18 | 1984-01-17 | 1984-07-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |