Mechanical joint for use in fiber optic imaging systems
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- directing light from a light source into an optical fiber, the optical fiber being threaded through an aperture of a neck of a mechanical joint, the mechanical joint being mechanically attached to an actuator along an inner surface of a collar of the mechanical joint, the neck and the collar being mechanically coupled via a flexural element extending from the neck to the collar; and
operating the actuator to vary an orientation of a first end of the optical fiber extending from the mechanical joint according to a spiral pattern.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
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.
10 Citations
27 Claims
-
1. A method comprising:
-
directing light from a light source into an optical fiber, the optical fiber being threaded through an aperture of a neck of a mechanical joint, the mechanical joint being mechanically attached to an actuator along an inner surface of a collar of the mechanical joint, the neck and the collar being mechanically coupled via a flexural element extending from the neck to the collar; and operating the actuator to vary an orientation of a first end of the optical fiber extending from the mechanical joint according to a spiral pattern. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
-
-
13. An apparatus, comprising:
-
an optical fiber; an actuator configured to generate a force to vary an orientation of a first end of the optical fiber according to a spiral pattern; and a joint mechanically coupling the actuator to the optical fiber, wherein the joint is configured to couple the force generated by the actuator to the optical fiber, and wherein the joint comprises; 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. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
-
Specification