Lens mount assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10095089-B2
Application number	US-201615156865-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 17, 2016
Priority date	May 17, 2016
Publication date	Oct 9, 2018
Grant date	Oct 9, 2018

Abstract

A lens mount assembly is configured to support a lens assembly having a lens ring and at least one lens secured to the lens ring. The lens mount assembly includes a ring mount having an annular body with at least two retaining arms that project from the annular body, a flexure configured to be secured to the ring mount, and at least two bellows. Each bellows is configured to be secured to a respective retaining arm of the at least two retaining arms of the ring mount. The at least two bellows further are configured to engage the flexure.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A lens mount assembly configured to support a lens assembly having a lens ring and at least one lens secured to the lens ring, the lens mount assembly comprising:
a ring mount including an annular body having at least two retaining arms that project from the annular body;
a compliant, annular flexure configured to be secured to the ring mount, the flexure being sized to fit within the at least two retaining arms of the ring mount; and
at least two bellows, each bellows being configured to be secured to a respective retaining arm of the at least two retaining arms of the ring mount, the at least two bellows further being configured to engage the flexure.

2. The lens mount assembly of claim 1 , wherein each retaining arm of the at least two retaining arms project perpendicularly from the annular body of the ring mount.

3. The lens mount assembly of claim 2 , wherein the at least two retaining arms include three retaining arms and the at least two bellows include three bellows.

4. The lens mount assembly of claim 3 , wherein the three retaining arms are spaced equidistant from one another.

5. The lens mount assembly of claim 3 , wherein each retaining arm includes a tab portion that projects over the lens assembly when the lens assembly is assembled onto the ring mount.

6. The lens mount assembly of claim 5 , wherein each tab portion includes a first opening sized to receive at least a portion of the bellows therein and a second opening sized to receive a positioning pin or fastener to secure the retaining arm of the ring mount of the lens mount assembly in place.

7. The lens mount assembly of claim 3 , wherein the ring mount further includes three feet, which are spaced between adjacent retaining arms.

8. The lens mount assembly of claim 7 , wherein the feet are positioned equidistant between adjacent retaining arms.

9. The lens mount assembly of claim 7 , wherein each foot includes a retaining edge to firmly secure the flexure within the ring mount.

10. The lens mount assembly of claim 9 , wherein the flexure is sized to fit within the ring mount, and is engaged by the three feet of the ring mount with the retaining edges of the ring feet surrounding an outer edge of the flexure.

11. The lens mount assembly of claim 1 , wherein each bellows includes two cylindrical end pieces and a bellow positioned between the end pieces.

12. The lens mount assembly of claim 11 , wherein a first end piece includes an outer surface that is configured to engage a tab portion of the retaining arm of the ring mount within an opening of the tab portion, the outer surface and the opening being threaded to allow for fine adjustment.

13. The lens mount assembly of claim 12 , wherein a second other end piece is configured to be seated within a boss of a tab portion of the lens ring when assembled.

14. The lens mount assembly of claim 11 , wherein a space between the end pieces that is surrounded by the bellow is filled with a fluid that is configured for use in single phase heat transfer applications.

15. A lens mount assembly configured to support a lens assembly having a lens ring and at least one lens secured to the lens ring, the lens mount assembly comprising:
a ring mount including an annular body having three retaining arms that each project from the annular body;
a flexure configured to be secured to the ring mount; and
three bellows, each bellows being configured to be secured to a respective retaining arm of the three retaining arms of the ring mount, the three bellows further being configured to engage the flexure,
wherein each retaining arm of the three retaining arms project perpendicularly from the annular body of the ring mount,
wherein the ring mount further includes three feet, which are spaced between adjacent retaining arms, and
wherein the flexure includes three wide portions, each wide portion having an opening formed therein to receive a fastener therein to secure the flexure to the feet of the ring mount.

16. A method of assembling a lens assembly including a lens ring and at least one lens to a lens mount assembly including a ring mount having an annular body including at least two retaining arms that project from the annular body, a compliant, annular flexure and at least two bellows, the method comprising:
securing the flexure of the lens mount assembly to the ring mount of the lens mount assembly, the flexure being sized to fit within the at least two retaining arms of the ring mount;
positioning the lens ring of the lens assembly against the flexure so that tab portions of the lens ring is aligned with tab portions of the ring mount; and
securing the bellows to the ring mount so that the bellows engage the lens ring.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the flexure is secured to feet of the ring mount by at least two fasteners.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the at least two fasteners are accessed through openings provided in the ring mount.

19. The method of claim 16 , wherein the bellows are secured to the ring mount by a plurality of fasteners.

20. An optical platform comprising:
a housing; and
an optical device configured to be supported by the housing, the optical device comprising
a lens assembly, and
a lens mount assembly configured to support the lens assembly, the lens mount assembly comprising
a ring mount including an annular body having at least two retaining arms that project from the annular body,
a compliant, annular flexure configured to be secured to the ring mount, the flexure being sized to fit within the at least two retaining arms of the ring mount, and
at least two bellows, each bellows being configured to be secured to a respective retaining arm of the at least two retaining arms of the ring mount and to engage the flexure.

Assignees

• Raytheon Co

Inventors

• Po Li Chiao
• Mcvey Ray

Classifications

• H04N23/55

  Optical parts specially adapted for electronic image sensors; Mounting thereof · CPC title

• H04N23/51

  Housings · CPC title

• G02B7/021 Primary

  for more than one lens · CPC title

• G02B7/004

  Manual alignment, e.g. micromanipulators · CPC title

• G02B13/008

  designed for infrared light · CPC title