Corner cube retroreflector mount

• US 8,083,359 B2
• Filed: 11/20/2007
• Issued: 12/27/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/20/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: MKS Instruments Incorporated
• Original Assignee: MKS Instruments Incorporated
• Inventors: Mohazzab, Masoud, Cafferty, Michael Scott
• Primary Examiner(s): Doak, Jennifer L.
• Application Number:
  US11/943,084
• Publication Number:
  US 20090128910A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,498 Days
• Field of Search: 359/526, 359/529, 359531-533, 359/549, 359/535, 248/346.01, 24834603-3465, 248/900, 248/542, 248688-689
• US Class Current: 359/529
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/122 cube corner, trihedral or triple reflector type
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 7/182 for mirrors

Abstract

A retroreflector adapted to be mounted to a motor including a first, second, and third petal having a mutually perpendicular first, second, and third reflective surface that form a retroreflective surface. A base is directly connected to at least one of the first, second, or third petal so as to minimize a vertical profile of the retroreflector. The base is removably connected to the motor with a fastening mechanism. A spatial distance between the fastening mechanism and at least one of the first, second, or third petal minimizes a stress from the motor propagated to the retroreflective surface.

Claims

1. A retroreflector adapted to be mounted to a motor comprising:

a first, second, and third petal comprising a mutually perpendicular first, second, and third reflective surface that form a retroreflective surface, the first, second, and third petals are adhered to each other to form the retroreflective surface; and

a base directly connected and adhered to at least one of the first, second, or third petal so as to minimize a vertical profile of the retroreflector, the base being removably connected to the motor with a fastening mechanism wherein a spatial distance between the fastening mechanism and at least one of the first, second, or third petal minimizes a stress from the motor propagated to the retroreflective surface, the base having an indentation that the first petal is adhered to; and

a room-temperature vulcanizing silicone is disposed between the indentation in the base and the second and third petal.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the petals and base form a unitary structure.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the petals and base are aluminum and the first, second, and third surface are coated to form the reflective surface.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the base is glass.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the fastening mechanism comprises a plurality of passages.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein screws are threaded in the passages to mount the retroreflector to the motor.

7. A retroreflector adapted to be mounted to motor comprising:

a first, second, and third petal comprising a mutually perpendicular first, second, and third reflective surface that form a retroreflective surface; and

a base directly connected to at least one of the first, second, or third petal so as to minimize a vertical profile of the retroreflector, the base being removably connected to the motor with a fastening mechanism wherein a spatial distance between the fastening mechanism and at least one of the first, second, or third petal minimizes a stress from the motor propagated to the retroreflective surface, wherein the motor is a linear flexure motor.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the petals and base form a unitary structure.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the petals and base are aluminum and the first, second, and third surface are coated to form the reflective surface.

10. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the base is glass.

11. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the fastening mechanism comprises a plurality of passages.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein screws are threaded in the passages to mount the retroreflector to the motor.

13. A retroreflector assembly adapted to be attached to a motor comprising:

a first petal comprising a first reflective surface, a second petal comprising a second reflective surface, and a third petal comprising a third reflective surface wherein the first, second and third petal are connected to each other to form a retroreflective surface; and

a base wherein one of the first, second, or third petal is connected to the base so as to minimize a vertical profile of the retroreflector, the base being removably mounted to the motor with a fastening mechanism wherein a spatial distance between the fastening mechanism and the petals minimizes a stress propagated to the retroreflective surface, the base comprising an indentation adapted to receive the first, second and third petal; and

a room-temperature vulcanizing silicone is disposed between the indentation in the base and at least one of the second or third petal.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the base and petals are glass.

15. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the base and petals are formed from a material having a stable thermal cycle over time.

16. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the base and petals are formed from a material having minimal hysteresis.

17. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the fastening mechanism comprises a plurality of passages.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein screws are threaded in the passages to mount the base to the motor.

19. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein adhesive is disposed between the first petal and the indentation in the base.