Field installable laser alignment tool

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12242012-B2
Application number	US-202217812925-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 15, 2022
Priority date	Aug 11, 2021
Publication date	Mar 4, 2025
Grant date	Mar 4, 2025

Abstract

Apparatus and associated methods relate to an alignment system including an alignment source module (ASM) and an alignment indicator module (AIM) configured to be releasably coupled to a first unit and a second unit, respectively, of a pair of optoelectronic arrays. In an illustrative example, the ASM may be oriented, when coupled, to emit an optical beam in substantial alignment with a first optical axis of the first unit. The AIM may, for example, be configured, when coupled, to provide a visible indication when the optical beam is within a predetermined near-alignment orientation range relative to a second optical axis of the second unit. Each of the AIM and the ASM may, for example, be configured to axially couple along respective longitudinal axes of the first unit and the second. Various embodiments may advantageously facilitate manipulation of the pair of optoelectronic arrays into near alignment with each other.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An alignment system comprising:
an alignment source module configured to releasably couple to a first unit of a pair of optoelectronic arrays such that the alignment source module is oriented to emit an optical beam in substantial alignment with a first optical axis of the first unit; and,
an alignment indicator module configured to releasably couple to a second unit of the pair of optoelectronic arrays such that the alignment indicator module provides a visible indication when the optical beam is within a predetermined near-alignment orientation range relative to a second optical axis of the second unit,
wherein:
the predetermined near-alignment orientation range comprises angles outside of a precision alignment range defined by the pair of optoelectronic arrays,
each of the alignment source module and the alignment indicator module is configured to axially couple along a longitudinal axis of the respective unit of the pair of optoelectronic arrays, the longitudinal axis being substantially parallel with an array of optical elements of the respective unit, and,
the alignment source module is configured to be in pluggable electrical connection with the first unit and physically removable from the first unit prior to a precision alignment.

2. The alignment system of claim 1 , wherein the alignment source module further comprises a switch operably coupled to the alignment source module and configured to selectively activate the optical beam.

3. The alignment system of claim 2 , wherein the switch is operably coupled to a touch input, wherein operating the touch input toggles an activation and a deactivation of the optical beam.

4. The alignment system of claim 1 , wherein the alignment source module further comprises a second alignment indicator module.

5. The alignment system of claim 1 , wherein the alignment indicator module further comprises a second alignment source module.

6. The alignment system of claim 1 , wherein the visible indication of the alignment indicator module is observable from a wide viewing angle relative to the second optical axis.

7. The alignment system of claim 6 , wherein the wide viewing angle is at least 10 degrees on either side of the second optical axis.

8. An alignment system comprising:
an alignment source module configured to releasably couple to a first unit of a pair of optoelectronic arrays such that the alignment source module is oriented to emit an optical beam in substantial alignment with a first optical axis of the first unit; and,
an alignment indicator module configured to releasably couple to a second unit of the pair of optoelectronic arrays such that the alignment indicator module provides a visible indication when the optical beam is within a predetermined near-alignment orientation range relative to a second optical axis of the second unit,
wherein:
the predetermined near-alignment orientation range comprises a range of misalignment angles larger than a predetermined precision orientation range defined by a precision alignment module external to the alignment source module, the precision alignment module being configured to perform a subsequent precision alignment process, and,
each of the alignment source module and the alignment indicator module is configured to axially couple along a longitudinal axis of the respective unit of the pair of optoelectronic arrays, the longitudinal axis being substantially parallel with an array of optical elements of the respective unit.

9. The alignment system of claim 8 , wherein the alignment source module is configured to be in pluggable electrical connection with the first unit.

10. The alignment system of claim 8 , wherein the alignment source module further comprises a switch operably coupled to the alignment source module and configured to selectively activate the optical beam.

11. The alignment system of claim 10 , wherein the switch is operably coupled to a touch input, wherein operating the touch input toggles an activation and a deactivation of the optical beam.

12. The alignment system of claim 8 , wherein the alignment source module further comprises a light emitting indicator module configured to generate at least one visual indicium in response to activation of the optical beam.

13. The alignment system of claim 12 , wherein the light emitting indicator module further comprises a touch input.

14. The alignment system of claim 8 , wherein the alignment source module further comprises a second alignment indicator module.

15. The alignment system of claim 8 , wherein the alignment indicator module further comprises a second alignment source module.

16. The alignment system of claim 15 , wherein the alignment source module is a first alignment source module and further comprises a light emitting indicator module configured to generate at least one visual indicium in response to detection of an optical beam from the second alignment source module.

17. The alignment system of claim 8 , wherein the alignment indicator module comprises at least one reflective surface configured to generate the visible indication in response to the optical beam contacting the at least one reflective surface.

18. The alignment system of claim 8 , wherein the visible indication of the alignment indicator module is observable from a wide viewing angle relative to the second optical axis.

19. The alignment system of claim 18 , wherein the wide viewing angle is at least 10 degrees on either side of the second optical axis.

20. The alignment system of claim 8 , wherein at least one of the alignment indicator module and the alignment source module comprise a pass-through connector module.

21. The alignment system of claim 8 , wherein the precision alignment module is integrated into the pair of optoelectronic arrays.

Assignees

• Banner Eng

Inventors

• Gelineau Matthew Michael
• Klesk John

Classifications

• F16P3/144

  using light grids · CPC title

• G01V8/20

  using multiple transmitters or receivers · CPC title

• G08B21/18

  Status alarms (G08B21/02 takes precedence) · CPC title

• G01V13/00 Primary

  Manufacturing, calibrating, cleaning, or repairing instruments or devices covered by groups G01V1/00 – G01V11/00 · CPC title

• G01B11/27 Primary

  for testing the alignment of axes {(means for centering or aligning a light guide within a ferrule G02B6/3834)} · CPC title