Abstract: A window mounting system for optical sensors including a removable connection for window replacement, an alignment system to assure precision registration of the window or dome with the sensor internal optics, and thermal insulation to limit heat transfer from the window to the optics housing and sensor. The removable connection maintains precise optical alignment of curved domes with significant optical power, yet also is effective with simple flat windows.

Abstract: A window mounting system for optical sensors including a removable connection for window replacement, an alignment system to assure precision registration of the window or dome with the sensor internal optics, and thermal insulation to limit heat transfer from the window to the optics housing and sensor. The removable connection maintains precise optical alignment of curved domes with significant optical power, yet also is effective with simple flat windows.

Abstract: A lens structure includes a nonplastic first lens having a first-lens central optical region lying in the light path, and a first-lens rim between the first-lens central optical region and a first-lens periphery of the first lens. The first-lens rim includes a first-lens mating surface. A nonplastic second lens has a second-lens central optical region lying in the light path, and a second-lens rim between the second-lens central optical region and a second-lens periphery of the second lens. The second-lens rim includes a second-lens first mating surface conformable to the first-lens mating surface and in a facing and contacting relation to the first-lens mating surface. The first lens and the second lens are aligned to within a first-lens/second-lens tolerance of not greater than about 0.00005 inch. The first-lens first mating structure and the second-lens first mating surface may be diamond-point machined to the high tolerances, and then assembled.

Abstract: An athermalization compensation device (26, 126, 226) includes a frustoconical outer ring (51, 251), with opposite edge portions (53, 54, 253) offset radially and axially, and with a relatively low coefficient of thermal expansion. An inner ring (52, 252) has a relatively high coefficient of thermal expansion. In response to a temperature change, the inner ring exerts on the radially inner edge of the outer ring a force which flexes the outer ring so that the inner edge moves radially and axially in relation to the outer edge, in a manner which changes an axial dimension of the device. In an alternative embodiment, the outer ring has circumferentially spaced slots (264) extending into it from its radially inner edge, and the inner ring has a respective portion (281) disposed in each slot.