Mechanical joint for use in fiber optic imaging systems
First Claim
1. An apparatus, comprising:
- an optical fiber;
an actuator; and
a joint mechanically coupling the actuator to the optical fiber, the joint comprising;
a neck extending along an axis, the optical fiber being threaded through an aperture extending along the axis through the neck, wherein the optical fiber is attached to the joint at a surface of the neck facing the axis,a collar extending along the axis, wherein the actuator is mechanically attached to the joint at an inner surface of the collar facing the axis, anda flexural element extending radially from the neck to the collar, wherein the flexural element comprises one or more beams extending between the neck and the collar, andwherein during operation, the joint couples a force from the actuator to the optical fiber to vary an orientation of a portion of the optical fiber extending from the neck with respect to the axis.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An example apparatus includes an optical fiber, an actuator, and a joint mechanically coupling the actuator to the optical fiber. The joint includes a neck extending along an axis. The optical fiber is threaded through an aperture extending along the axis through the neck. The optical fiber is attached to the joint at a surface of the neck facing the axis. The joint also includes a collar extending along the axis. The actuator is mechanically attached to the joint at an inner surface of the collar facing the axis. The joint also includes a flexural element extending radially from the neck to the collar. During operation, the joint couples a force from the actuator to the optical fiber to vary an orientation of a portion of the optical fiber extending from the neck with respect to the axis.
8 Citations
24 Claims
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1. An apparatus, comprising:
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an optical fiber; an actuator; and a joint mechanically coupling the actuator to the optical fiber, the joint comprising; a neck extending along an axis, the optical fiber being threaded through an aperture extending along the axis through the neck, wherein the optical fiber is attached to the joint at a surface of the neck facing the axis, a collar extending along the axis, wherein the actuator is mechanically attached to the joint at an inner surface of the collar facing the axis, and a flexural element extending radially from the neck to the collar, wherein the flexural element comprises one or more beams extending between the neck and the collar, and wherein during operation, the joint couples a force from the actuator to the optical fiber to vary an orientation of a portion of the optical fiber extending from the neck with respect to the axis. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification