US20130201571A1 - Hinge mechanism for small optics and related methods - Google Patents
Hinge mechanism for small optics and related methods Download PDFInfo
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- US20130201571A1 US20130201571A1 US13/365,399 US201213365399A US2013201571A1 US 20130201571 A1 US20130201571 A1 US 20130201571A1 US 201213365399 A US201213365399 A US 201213365399A US 2013201571 A1 US2013201571 A1 US 2013201571A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- base
- mirror segment
- hinge assembly
- bearing
- mirror
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Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B24—GRINDING; POLISHING
- B24B—MACHINES, DEVICES, OR PROCESSES FOR GRINDING OR POLISHING; DRESSING OR CONDITIONING OF ABRADING SURFACES; FEEDING OF GRINDING, POLISHING, OR LAPPING AGENTS
- B24B19/00—Single-purpose machines or devices for particular grinding operations not covered by any other main group
- B24B19/22—Single-purpose machines or devices for particular grinding operations not covered by any other main group characterised by a special design with respect to properties of the material of non-metallic articles to be ground
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B24—GRINDING; POLISHING
- B24B—MACHINES, DEVICES, OR PROCESSES FOR GRINDING OR POLISHING; DRESSING OR CONDITIONING OF ABRADING SURFACES; FEEDING OF GRINDING, POLISHING, OR LAPPING AGENTS
- B24B15/00—Machines or devices designed for grinding seat surfaces; Accessories therefor
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- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B7/00—Mountings, adjusting means, or light-tight connections, for optical elements
- G02B7/18—Mountings, adjusting means, or light-tight connections, for optical elements for prisms; for mirrors
- G02B7/182—Mountings, adjusting means, or light-tight connections, for optical elements for prisms; for mirrors for mirrors
- G02B7/1822—Mountings, adjusting means, or light-tight connections, for optical elements for prisms; for mirrors for mirrors comprising means for aligning the optical axis
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- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B7/00—Mountings, adjusting means, or light-tight connections, for optical elements
- G02B7/18—Mountings, adjusting means, or light-tight connections, for optical elements for prisms; for mirrors
- G02B7/182—Mountings, adjusting means, or light-tight connections, for optical elements for prisms; for mirrors for mirrors
- G02B7/1822—Mountings, adjusting means, or light-tight connections, for optical elements for prisms; for mirrors for mirrors comprising means for aligning the optical axis
- G02B7/1824—Manual alignment
Definitions
- the hinge assembly further includes a linear actuator that is secured to the base and configured to finely adjust the attitude of the mirror segment when in an operational position.
- the hinge assembly may further include two flexures, positioned on opposite sides of the mirror segment base, which couple the mirror segment base to the base. Two linear actuators may be provided to move the mirror segment base with respect to the base with the flexures providing the connection of the mirror segment base to the base.
- the hinge assembly 50 includes a generally U-shaped base 52 having a back wall 54 and two side walls 56 , 58 extending from the back wall.
- the base 52 further includes a tongue portion 60 that extends from the back wall 54 between the two side walls 56 , 58 in a direction parallel to the side walls.
- the tongue portion 60 includes an upper surface 62 , which, along with an inner surface 64 of the back wall 54 , defines a shelf of the base 52 .
- Each of the first and second linear actuators 116 , 118 also includes a support, which is connected to the mirror segment base 80 , and a piston, which is connected to the respective arm portion 86 or 88 of the mirror segment base.
- the flexures 102 enable the friction/stiction-free movement of the mirror segment base 80 with respect to the base 52 in limited degrees of freedom.
- the third portions 108 of the flexures 102 are much more compliant in motion normal to their large surface than in other directions and allow mirror segment base 80 motion predominantly in “up/down” relative to the surface 70 and rotation about the long axis of the mirror segment 66 (when in the operational configuration).
- Acting in concert with actuator 110 actuators 116 , 118 provide piston motion of the mirror segment relative to the surface 62 .
- each linear actuator 110 , 116 , 118 may be a reduced voltage micro linear actuator (model no. SQL-RV-1-8) sold under the brand name SQUIGGLE® by New Scale Technologies, Inc. of Victor, N.Y.
- the mirror segment 66 may be moved between the operational position illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 and the stowed position illustrated in FIG. 6 by activating a separate mechanism not shown herein.
- the mechanism may be any suitable motor configured to move the mirror segment 66 , or a simple coiled spring that in the use position applies the projection 112 against the actuator 110 .
- the mirror segment 66 may be precisely manipulated so that the mirrored surface 70 of the mirror segment achieves a certain plane by operating the first, second and third linear actuators 110 , 116 , 118 .
- a controller 120 may be provided to control the operation of the first, second, and third linear actuators 110 , 116 , 118 .
- the controller 120 may be a MC-3000-RV linear action controller provided by New Scale Technologies, Inc., or some other similar controller provided by New Scale Technologies, Inc.
- a method of fabricating bearing seats is described. As shown, a glass block 122 is provided. A hole 124 is bored through the glass block 122 along axis C with a diamond grit hole saw, for example. Once the hole 124 is bored, a ceramic bearing may be used to grind a spherical seat 126 . By using a ceramic bearing having a diameter the same as the ceramic bearing used during operation of the hinge assembly, the profile of the bearing seat 126 matches the outer surface of the ceramic bearing. Once formed, a ceramic bearing 128 may be inserted into the bearing seat 126 .
- the bearing is fabricated from silicon nitride, which is extremely hard, especially when compared to glass and selected metals, such as aluminum. Since silicon nitride is hard, a typical grinding grit or compound can be chosen that is significantly harder than the bearing seat material and much softer than the bearing. These harness differences enable the effective use of bearings as grinding tools.
- a bearing may be selected for use as a grinding tool that matches the size and shape of its respective bearing seat.
- a series of bearings may be used to grind the bearing seat in a sequential manner.
- a first bearing may be used with larger and possibly harder grit to quickly remove most of the material to create the seat. Then, if an intermediate grinding step is not used, the actual bearing that is used in the optical assembly may be used with a very fine, minimum hardness grit and used as a final grind tool to make the bearing seat match the surface of the actual bearing being used.
- aspects and embodiments provide a hinge assembly that is capable of precisely manipulate the movement of a mirrored surface that achieves the objects of the present disclosure.
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- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Optics & Photonics (AREA)
- Pivots And Pivotal Connections (AREA)
Abstract
A hinge assembly for a deployable mirror includes a base, a mirror segment base coupled to the base, a mirror segment coupled to the mirror segment base by two bearings, and at least one linear actuator secured to the base and capable of adjusting the mirror segment. Other embodiments of the hinge assembly are further disclosed.
Description
- This disclosure relates to mechanisms for deploying segmented minors of an optical system, and more particularly to a mechanized hinge that is configured to adjust components of the optical hinge that are moved between use and storage positions.
- Some optical systems must be physically smaller for storage or delivery than in use. To achieve more compact configurations, optical elements (such as mirrors) may be moved closer to each other for storage than in use and retained with precision to their use position, or the optical components may be separated into parts and moved into a smaller volume for storage and returned to an operational position with precision, or both.
- Some optical systems, such as optical systems employed by NASA, are designed to be delivered in a compact, stowed configuration, and expanded to an operational configuration. NASA currently reduces the size for delivery relative to use only for large, expensive systems. This is predominantly because the mechanisms to enable compaction and later use as an optical system are complex, bulky and expensive. It is relatively easy to reduce the distance between optical components and then restore operational configuration for use. Reducing the dimensions of a single optical component such as a primary mirror is a much more challenging task. The accuracy required for the positioning between components is on the order of a thousandth of an inch. If a single optical component, such as a primary mirror, is composed of multiple physical segments, the accuracy of positioning relative to one another required is on the order of a millionth of an inch. In very small systems, the current techniques and mechanisms used to position the multiple segments of a single optical component are larger and more costly than the entire small system. Further, the required sub-mechanisms are not available to enable current techniques and mechanisms in the size required.
- It would be beneficial to provide a hinge mechanism for an optical system having segmented mirrors that exhibits a high degree of precision, and is of relatively low complexity and cost.
- One aspect of the disclosure is directed to a hinge assembly for a deployable mirror. In one embodiment, the hinge assembly comprises a base, a mirror segment base coupled to the base, a mirror segment coupled to the mirror segment base by two bearings, and at least one linear actuator secured to the base and capable of adjusting the mirror segment.
- Embodiments of the hinge assembly further may include at least two flexures configured to couple the mirror segment base to the base. Each flexure may include a first portion connected to the mirror segment base, a second portion connected to the base and a third portion connecting the first portion to the second portion. Each flexure may be fabricated from metal material. The at least one linear actuator may include a first linear actuator secured to the base and capable of adjusting the mirror segment, and second and third linear actuators secured to the base and configured to move the mirror segment base. Each of the first, second, and third linear actuators may be an ultrahigh resolution micro linear actuator. Each bearing may be fabricated from ceramic material. In a certain embodiment, each bearing may have a maximum surface roughness of 0.5 Ra and a maximum deviation from spherical shape of 0.000003 inches.
- Another aspect of the disclosure is directed to a hinge assembly comprising a mirror segment base including a body having two inwardly facing first and second bearing seats formed therein, a mirror segment including a outer, oppositely facing surfaces having outwardly facing third and fourth bearing seats formed therein, and first and second bearings each fabricated from ceramic material having a maximum surface roughness of 0.5 Ra and a maximum deviation from spherical shape of 0.000003. In a particular embodiment, the first bearing is positioned between mating first and third bearing seats of the mirror segment base and the mirror segment, respectively, and the second bearing is positioned between mating second and fourth bearing seats of the mirror segment base and the mirror segment, respectively.
- Embodiments of the hinge assembly further may include a base, with the mirror segment base being coupled to the base. The hinge assembly further may comprise a first linear actuator secured to the base and configured to adjust the mirror segment, and/or at least two flexures configured to couple the mirror segment base to the base. Each flexure may include a first portion connected to the mirror segment base, a second portion connected to the base and a third portion connecting the first portion to the second portion. Each flexure may be fabricated from metal material. The hinge assembly further may comprise second and third linear actuators secured to the base and configured to adjust the mirror segment base position. Each of the first, second, and third linear actuators may be an ultrahigh resolution micro linear actuator.
- Yet another aspect of the disclosure is directed to a hinge assembly comprising a base, a mirror segment base coupled to the base, a mirror segment coupled to the mirror segment base by two bearings, and means for adjusting the mirror segment.
- Still other aspects, embodiments, and advantages of these exemplary aspects and embodiments, are discussed in detail below. Embodiments disclosed herein may be combined with other embodiments in any manner consistent with at least one of the principles disclosed herein, and references to “an embodiment,” “some embodiments,” “an alternate embodiment,” “various embodiments,” “one embodiment” or the like are not necessarily mutually exclusive and are intended to indicate that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described may be included in at least one embodiment. The appearances of such terms herein are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.
- Various aspects of at least one embodiment are discussed below with reference to the accompanying figures, which are not intended to be drawn to scale. The figures are included to provide illustration and a further understanding of the various aspects and embodiments, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, but are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. Where technical features in the figures, detailed description or any claim are followed by references signs, the reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the figures and description. In the figures, each identical or nearly identical component that is illustrated in various figures is represented by a like numeral. For purposes of clarity, not every component may be labeled in every figure. In the figures:
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FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hinge mechanism of an embodiment of the present disclosure; -
FIG. 2 is a front elevational view with portions in cross section of the hinge mechanism shown inFIG. 2 ; -
FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of an interface of a bearing and a bearing seat of a bearing assembly of the hinge mechanism shown inFIGS. 1 and 2 ; -
FIG. 4 is a is a top perspective view of a hinge mechanism of another embodiment of the present disclosure with a mirror segment shown in an operational position; -
FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of the hinge mechanism shown inFIG. 4 ; -
FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view with portions in cross section of the hinge mechanism shown inFIGS. 4 and 5 with the mirror segment shown in a stowed position; and -
FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of a method for fabricating a bearing seat of a hinge mechanism. - Aspects and embodiments are directed to a hinge assembly that is configured to adjust the position of deployed segments of a mirror, such as petals of a sectored mirror, for example, which are moved from a compact, stowed condition to an operational position. In one embodiment, the hinge assembly includes a base, a mirror segment base that is coupled to the base, and a mirror segment that is coupled to the mirror segment base by two bearings. In a certain embodiment, each bearing is fabricated from ceramic material, such as silicon nitride, having a surface roughness of approximately 0.5 Ra and a maximum deviation from spherical shape of 0.000003 inches. The construction of the bearing system enables the precise movement and adjustment of the mirror segment with respect to the mirror segment base.
- The hinge assembly further includes a linear actuator that is secured to the base and configured to finely adjust the attitude of the mirror segment when in an operational position. The hinge assembly may further include two flexures, positioned on opposite sides of the mirror segment base, which couple the mirror segment base to the base. Two linear actuators may be provided to move the mirror segment base with respect to the base with the flexures providing the connection of the mirror segment base to the base.
- Also, the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. Any references to embodiments or elements or acts of the systems and methods herein referred to in the singular may also embrace embodiments including a plurality of these elements, and any references in plural to any embodiment or element or act herein may also embrace embodiments including only a single element. The use herein of “including,” “comprising,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” and variations thereof is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. References to “or” may be construed as inclusive so that any terms described using “or” may indicate any of a single, more than one, and all of the described terms.
- To the drawings, and more particularly to
FIGS. 1 and 2 , there is illustrated a hinge assembly, generally indicated at 10, which provided a proof of concept for a bearing construction of the present disclosure. Specifically, thehinge assembly 10 includes amirror segment 12 and abase 14 that pivotally supports the mirror segment. As shown, themirror segment 12 includes abody 16 having a mirroredsurface 18 that may form part of an optical system. In one embodiment, thebody 16 of themirror segment 12 further includes opposing side surfaces 20, 22, each having respective bearingseats seat 24 is formed insurface 20 at a lower end of the surface. Similarly, bearingseat 26 is formed insurface 22 at a lower end of the surface. The arrangement is that the bearingseats hinge assembly 10 proceeds below. - The
base 14 of thehinge assembly 10 has a fixedbearing block assembly 28 and a movablebearing block assembly 30, with both bearing block assemblies being secured to a top 32 of thebase 14. As shown, the fixedbearing block assembly 28 includes a body in the form of a block having a bearingseat 34 formed therein. The movablebearing block assembly 30 includes afirst block portion 36 that is mounted on thebase 14 and a second,movable block portion 38 that includes a bearingseat 40 formed therein. Thesecond block portion 38 is positioned to take up all gaps among themirror segment 12, the fixedbearing block assembly 28, the second block portion, and the bearings described below by a pair of screws, each indicated at 42, that control the movement of the first block portion in orthogonal directions. The vertical example of the pair of screws immobilizes thesecond block portion 38 after all the gaps are eliminated. The bearing seats 34, 40 are positioned so that the bearingseat 34 of the block of the fixedbearing block assembly 28 faces the bearingseat 40 of thefirst block portion 36 of the movablebearing block assembly 30. By manipulating thescrews 42, the bearingseat 40 of thesecond block portion 38 can be positioned so that the bearings and the bearing seats 34, 40 are in full contact and that no clearances exist that allow uncontrolled motion. The only motion that is allowed is the rotation of themirror segment 12 about the axis A. - The fixed
bearing block assembly 28 further includes afirst bearing 44 that is positioned in the bearingseat 34 of the block of the fixed bearing block assembly and the bearingseat 24 provided in theside surface 20 of themirror segment 12. Similarly, the movablebearing block assembly 30 includes asecond bearing 46 that is positioned in the bearingseat 40 of thesecond block portion 38 of the movable bearing block assembly and the bearingseat 26 provided in theside surface 22 of the mirror segment. The pair of oppositely facing bearingseats mirror segment 12 facerespective bearing seats bearing block assembly 28 and the movablebearing block assembly 30. As described above, the arrangement is such that by manipulating thescrews 42 of the movablebearing block assembly 30, thesecond bearing 46 may be firmly seated in theirrespective bearing seats second bearing 46 results in thefirst bearing 44 being firmly seated in itsrespective bearing seats - In one embodiment, and with further reference to
FIG. 3 , each bearing 44, 46 may be a small-diameter bearing, e.g., 0.25 inch diameter, fabricated from ceramic material, such as silicon nitride. In a certain embodiment, each bearing 44, 46 may have a maximum surface roughness of 0.5 Ra and a maximum deviation from spherical shape of 0.000003. As used herein, surface roughness is designated by roughness average (Ra), but may be indicated by other methods of measurement, such as root mean square (RMS). The construction of each bearing 44, 46 with itsrespective bearing seats mirror segment 12 with respect to thebase 14.FIG. 3 illustrates a precise nature of an outer surface of one of the bearings, e.g., bearing 44 with respect to an edge of a bearing seat, e.g., bearingseat 24. One possible method of fabricating the bearing seats 24, 26, 34, 40 will be discussed below with reference toFIG. 7 . - In operation, the
mirror segment 12 may be pivotally moved about an axis A extending through the first andsecond bearings second bearings seats mirror segment 12 about thebase 14. The benefits of this construction within optical systems will be apparent as the description of thehinge mechanism 10 proceeds. - Referring to
FIGS. 4-6 , a hinge assembly that can be used within an optical system is generally indicated at 50. As shown, thehinge assembly 50 includes a generallyU-shaped base 52 having aback wall 54 and twoside walls tongue portion 60 that extends from theback wall 54 between the twoside walls tongue portion 60 includes anupper surface 62, which, along with aninner surface 64 of theback wall 54, defines a shelf of thebase 52. - The
hinge assembly 50 further includes amirror segment 66, which is schematically illustrated inFIGS. 4-6 .FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate themirror segment 66 in an operational position.FIG. 6 illustrates themirror segment 66 in a stowed position. As withmirror segment 12, themirror segment 66 includes abody 68 having a mirroredsurface 70 that may form part of the optical system. In one embodiment, thebody 68 of themirror segment 66 further includes opposing side surfaces 72, 74, each having respective bearingseats seat 76 is formed inside surface 72 at a lower end of the side surface. Similarly, bearingseat 78 is formed inside surface 74 at a lower end of the side surface. The arrangement is that the bearingseats mirror segment 66. - The
hinge assembly 50 further includes amirror segment base 80 that is positioned above the shelf of thebase 52. Themirror segment base 80 includes aU-shaped body 82 having aback portion 84 positioned near theback wall 54 of thebase 52 and twoarm portions side walls arm portions mirror segment base 80 includeinner surfaces bearing seats seat 94 of thearm portion 86 faces the bearingseat 96 of theother arm portion 88. Themirror segment 66 is positioned between thearm portions mirror segment base 80 and is pivotally secured to the mirror segment base by a pair ofbearings bearings bearings respective bearing seat mirror segment 66 with respect to themirror segment base 80. - The
hinge assembly 50 further includes two flexures, each indicated at 102, that are provided to secure themirror segment base 80 to thebase 52. Eachflexure 102 includes afirst portion 104 that is connected to the arm portion (86 or 88) of themirror segment base 80, asecond portion 106 that is connected to the side wall (56 or 58) of thebase 52, and athird portion 108 that extends between thefirst portion 104 and thesecond portion 106. As used herein, a flexure is a hinge that allows motion by bending a load element. A typical flexure is a part that joins together two other parts. For example, a flexure may be made by attaching a long strip of a flexible element to one part, such as the base, to a second part, such as the mirror segment base. Theflexures 102 described herein are simple in design, inexpensive to manufacture, compact, lightweight, have zero friction and stiction, and are easy to repair or replace. In one embodiment, eachflexure 102 is fabricated from any suitable metal material that enables the movement of themirror segment base 80 with respect to thebase 52. In a certain embodiment, eachflexure 102 is fabricated from material that can be repeatedly flexed without degradation. Thus, pliable materials, such as metal, are particularly suited for the optical system disclosed herein. Such pliable materials are capable of being flexed repeatedly without failing. Theflexures 102 may be used with other elements (not shown), such as springs. - In order to adjust the
mirror segment 66 about thebearings FIGS. 5 and 6 , thehinge assembly 50 includes a firstlinear actuator 110, which is suitably secured to an end surface of thetongue portion 60 of thebase 52. The firstlinear actuator 110 is constructed to enable the adjustment of themirror segment 66 in rotation around axis B operating alone, or in piston orthogonally to theback surface 54 when used in concert withactuators linear actuator 110 includes a support, which is connected to thetongue portion 60 of thebase 52, and a piston, which forces away aprojection 112 of asurface 114 of themirror segment 66 that is opposite to the mirroredsurface 70 to accomplish rotation around axis B. - Once the
mirror segment 66 is deployed in the operational configuration, it may be desirable to precisely position the mirroredsurface 70 of the mirror segment. In order to finely move themirror segment 66 in motions other than that provided byactuator 110, the mirror segment base may be moved by second and thirdlinear actuators upper surface 62 of thetongue portion 60 of thebase 52. The second and thirdlinear actuators tongue portion 60 of the base so that they engagearm portions mirror segment base 80. Each of the first and secondlinear actuators mirror segment base 80, and a piston, which is connected to therespective arm portion flexures 102 enable the friction/stiction-free movement of themirror segment base 80 with respect to the base 52 in limited degrees of freedom. Thethird portions 108 of theflexures 102 are much more compliant in motion normal to their large surface than in other directions and allowmirror segment base 80 motion predominantly in “up/down” relative to thesurface 70 and rotation about the long axis of the mirror segment 66 (when in the operational configuration). Acting in concert withactuator 110,actuators surface 62. In one embodiment, eachlinear actuator - During operation, the
mirror segment 66 may be moved between the operational position illustrated inFIGS. 4 and 5 and the stowed position illustrated inFIG. 6 by activating a separate mechanism not shown herein. The mechanism may be any suitable motor configured to move themirror segment 66, or a simple coiled spring that in the use position applies theprojection 112 against theactuator 110. Themirror segment 66 may be precisely manipulated so that the mirroredsurface 70 of the mirror segment achieves a certain plane by operating the first, second and thirdlinear actuators controller 120 may be provided to control the operation of the first, second, and thirdlinear actuators controller 120 may be a MC-3000-RV linear action controller provided by New Scale Technologies, Inc., or some other similar controller provided by New Scale Technologies, Inc. - Referring to
FIG. 7 , a method of fabricating bearing seats is described. As shown, aglass block 122 is provided. Ahole 124 is bored through theglass block 122 along axis C with a diamond grit hole saw, for example. Once thehole 124 is bored, a ceramic bearing may be used to grind aspherical seat 126. By using a ceramic bearing having a diameter the same as the ceramic bearing used during operation of the hinge assembly, the profile of thebearing seat 126 matches the outer surface of the ceramic bearing. Once formed, aceramic bearing 128 may be inserted into thebearing seat 126. - One benefit of the method of fabricating bearing seats described herein is that the method is repeatable, thus capable of providing a reliable and accurate interface between the bearing and the bearing seat. In one embodiment, as mentioned above, the bearing is fabricated from silicon nitride, which is extremely hard, especially when compared to glass and selected metals, such as aluminum. Since silicon nitride is hard, a typical grinding grit or compound can be chosen that is significantly harder than the bearing seat material and much softer than the bearing. These harness differences enable the effective use of bearings as grinding tools. In one embodiment, a bearing may be selected for use as a grinding tool that matches the size and shape of its respective bearing seat. In another embodiment, a series of bearings may be used to grind the bearing seat in a sequential manner. For example, a first bearing may be used with larger and possibly harder grit to quickly remove most of the material to create the seat. Then, if an intermediate grinding step is not used, the actual bearing that is used in the optical assembly may be used with a very fine, minimum hardness grit and used as a final grind tool to make the bearing seat match the surface of the actual bearing being used.
- Thus, aspects and embodiments provide a hinge assembly that is capable of precisely manipulate the movement of a mirrored surface that achieves the objects of the present disclosure.
- Having described above several aspects of at least one embodiment, it is to be appreciated various alterations, modifications, and improvements will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Such alterations, modifications, and improvements are intended to be part of this disclosure and are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description and drawings are by way of example only.
Claims (20)
1. A hinge assembly for a deployable mirror, the hinge assembly comprising:
a base;
a mirror segment base coupled to the base;
a mirror segment coupled to the mirror segment base by two bearings; and
at least one linear actuator secured to the base and capable of adjusting the mirror segment.
2. The hinge assembly of claim 1 , further comprising at least two flexures configured to couple the mirror segment base to the base.
3. The hinge assembly of claim 2 , wherein each flexure includes a first portion connected to the mirror segment base, a second portion connected to the base and a third portion connecting the first portion to the second portion.
4. The hinge assembly of claim 3 , wherein each flexure is fabricated from metal material.
5. The hinge assembly of claim 2 , wherein the at least one linear actuator includes a first linear actuator secured to the base and capable of adjusting the mirror segment, and second and third linear actuators secured to the base and configured to move the mirror segment base.
6. The hinge assembly of claim 5 , wherein each of the first, second, and third linear actuators is an ultrahigh resolution micro linear actuator.
7. The hinge assembly of claim 1 , wherein each bearing is fabricated from ceramic material.
8. The hinge assembly of claim 7 , wherein each bearing has a maximum surface roughness of 0.5 Ra and a maximum deviation from spherical shape of 0.000003 inches.
9. A hinge assembly for a deployable mirror, the hinge assembly comprising:
a mirror segment base including a body having two inwardly facing first and second bearing seats formed therein;
a mirror segment including a outer, oppositely facing surfaces having outwardly facing third and fourth bearing seats formed therein; and
first and second bearings each fabricated from ceramic material having a maximum surface roughness of 0.5 Ra and a maximum deviation from spherical shape of 0.000003 inches,
wherein the first bearing is positioned between mating first and third bearing seats of the mirror segment base and the mirror segment, respectively, and the second bearing is positioned between mating second and fourth bearing seats of the mirror segment base and the mirror segment, respectively.
10. The hinge assembly of claim 9 , further comprising a base, the mirror segment base being coupled to the base.
11. The hinge assembly of claim 10 , further comprising a first linear actuator secured to the base and configured to adjust the mirror segment.
12. The hinge assembly of claim 11 , further comprising at least two flexures configured to couple the mirror segment base to the base.
13. The hinge assembly of claim 12 , wherein each flexure includes a first portion connected to the mirror segment base, a second portion connected to the base and a third portion connecting the first portion to the second portion.
14. The hinge assembly of claim 13 , wherein each flexure is fabricated from metal material.
15. The hinge assembly of claim 11 , further comprising second and third linear actuators secured to the base and configured to adjust the mirror segment base.
16. The hinge assembly of claim 15 , wherein each of the first, second, and third linear actuators is an ultrahigh resolution micro linear actuator.
17. A hinge assembly for a deployable mirror, the hinge assembly comprising:
a base;
a mirror segment base coupled to the base;
a mirror segment coupled to the mirror segment base by two bearings; and
means for adjusting the mirror segment.
18. The hinge assembly of claim 17 , further comprising a first linear actuator secured to the base, and at least two flexures configured to couple the mirror segment base to the base.
19. The hinge assembly of claim 18 , wherein each flexure includes a first portion connected to the mirror segment base, a second portion connected to the base and a third portion connecting the first portion to the second portion.
20. The hinge assembly of claim 18 , further comprising second and third linear actuators secured to the base and configured to adjust the mirror segment base.
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Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US13/365,399 US20130201571A1 (en) | 2012-02-03 | 2012-02-03 | Hinge mechanism for small optics and related methods |
US14/161,205 US9884399B2 (en) | 2012-02-03 | 2014-01-22 | Hinge mechanism for small optics and related methods |
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US13/365,399 US20130201571A1 (en) | 2012-02-03 | 2012-02-03 | Hinge mechanism for small optics and related methods |
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US14/161,205 Continuation US9884399B2 (en) | 2012-02-03 | 2014-01-22 | Hinge mechanism for small optics and related methods |
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US20130201571A1 true US20130201571A1 (en) | 2013-08-08 |
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US13/365,399 Abandoned US20130201571A1 (en) | 2012-02-03 | 2012-02-03 | Hinge mechanism for small optics and related methods |
US14/161,205 Active 2033-09-03 US9884399B2 (en) | 2012-02-03 | 2014-01-22 | Hinge mechanism for small optics and related methods |
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Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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WO2016126302A1 (en) | 2015-02-06 | 2016-08-11 | Raytheon Company | Systems for sparse aperture optical alignment and related methods |
US9884399B2 (en) | 2012-02-03 | 2018-02-06 | Raytheon Company | Hinge mechanism for small optics and related methods |
US11496657B2 (en) * | 2018-04-13 | 2022-11-08 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Camera assembly having rotatable reflective member and electronic device comprising same |
Family Cites Families (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2703263A (en) * | 1952-11-14 | 1955-03-01 | Mercury Engineering Corp | Connecting rod |
US6819550B2 (en) * | 2001-11-08 | 2004-11-16 | Apple Computer, Inc. | Computer controlled display device |
US6768582B1 (en) | 2002-08-09 | 2004-07-27 | Goodrich Corporation | System for deploying the petals of a sectored mirror of an optical space telescope |
US6972885B2 (en) * | 2003-06-24 | 2005-12-06 | Drs Sensors & Targeting Systems, Inc. | Precision mirror displacement assembly |
US20100297391A1 (en) * | 2004-02-25 | 2010-11-25 | General Nanotechnoloy Llc | Diamond capsules and methods of manufacture |
US20130201571A1 (en) | 2012-02-03 | 2013-08-08 | Raytheon Company | Hinge mechanism for small optics and related methods |
-
2012
- 2012-02-03 US US13/365,399 patent/US20130201571A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
2014
- 2014-01-22 US US14/161,205 patent/US9884399B2/en active Active
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US9884399B2 (en) | 2012-02-03 | 2018-02-06 | Raytheon Company | Hinge mechanism for small optics and related methods |
WO2016126302A1 (en) | 2015-02-06 | 2016-08-11 | Raytheon Company | Systems for sparse aperture optical alignment and related methods |
US11496657B2 (en) * | 2018-04-13 | 2022-11-08 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Camera assembly having rotatable reflective member and electronic device comprising same |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US9884399B2 (en) | 2018-02-06 |
US20140134928A1 (en) | 2014-05-15 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: RAYTHEON COMPANY, MASSACHUSETTS Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:THERIAULT, PHILIP CHRISTOPHER;REEL/FRAME:027652/0477 Effective date: 20120131 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |