Tilt-in-place alignment system and method
First Claim
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1. A component mounting system comprising:
- a) a ball which is adapted to be fixed to a component to be aligned, the ball and component together forming a ball-and-component assembly;
b) a socket into which the ball-and-component assembly is placed;
c) a collar which is adapted to be mounted to the socket, whereby the socket and collar capture the ball-and-component assembly between them, the collar also having springs which make contact with the ball portion of the ball-and-component assembly whereby the assembly is relative free to pivot into angular alignment but is relatively fixed translationally, the springs being adapted to be attached to the ball portion of the ball-and-component assembly when the assembly has been properly aligned.
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Abstract
Disclosed is a mounting system and method in which symmetrical springs are used about a collar in a gimbal system to capture an assembly of a ball and an optical or other type of component. Once captured within the mounting system, the ball/component assembly can pivot until an optimal alignment is reached. Once the optimal alignment is reached, the ball/component assembly is fixed using laser welding.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A component mounting system comprising:
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a) a ball which is adapted to be fixed to a component to be aligned, the ball and component together forming a ball-and-component assembly;
b) a socket into which the ball-and-component assembly is placed;
c) a collar which is adapted to be mounted to the socket, whereby the socket and collar capture the ball-and-component assembly between them, the collar also having springs which make contact with the ball portion of the ball-and-component assembly whereby the assembly is relative free to pivot into angular alignment but is relatively fixed translationally, the springs being adapted to be attached to the ball portion of the ball-and-component assembly when the assembly has been properly aligned. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A component mounting system comprising:
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a) a ball which is adapted to be fixed to a component to be aligned, the ball and component together forming a ball-and-component assembly;
b) a socket having a circular opening into which the ball-and-component assembly may be placed, the socket comprising raised features located symmetrically about the inner circumference of its circular opening;
c) a collar which is adapted to be mounted to the socket, the collar also having a circular opening therein, whereby the socket and collar are adapted to capture the ball-and-component assembly within their respective circular openings, the collar also having springs that are located generally symmetrically about the circular opening wherein the springs are adapted to make contact with the ball portion of the ball-and-component assembly, whereby the assembly may be pivotally aligned when captured by the socket and collar but is relatively fixed translationally, wherein the springs being adapted to be attached, after alignment, to the ball portion of the ball-and-component assembly to hold the assembly in place.
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17. The component mounting system wherein the springs are shaped like fins which protrude from the collar.
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18. A method for aligning an optical component, the method comprising:
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a) affixing the optical component to a ball to form a ball-and-component assembly;
b) placing the ball-and-component assembly into a socket;
c) fastening a collar to the socket, capturing the ball-and-component assembly within the collar/socket assembly, the collar having springs that are mechanically biased against the ball portion of the ball-and-component assembly;
d) pivoting the ball-and-component assembly into position; and
e) affixing the springs to the ball portion of the ball-and-component assembly, thereby fixing the pivotal alignment of the ball-and-component assembly relative to the collar/socket assembly. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21)
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Specification