Abstract: An optical element mount is effective in high G environments to protect brittle optical elements in which tensile stresses are generated on surface S2 without degrading optical performance. A flexible spacer formed of a relatively low-stiffness material supports an optical element having a tapered outer periphery in an optical seat having a complementary tapered surface. When the optical assembly is exposed to the high G environment, the inertial loading drives the optical element in the aft direction into the flexible spacer and seat. This puts the optical element into a plate bending condition thereby inducing tensile stress on S2 which is at least partially offset by a compressive stress caused by the reaction force normal to the tapered interface. The stresses, both compressive and tensile, placed on the optical element in the high G environment can be very large.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 11, 2007
Date of Patent:
June 16, 2009
Assignee:
Raytheon Company
Inventors:
Gary H. Johnson, Douglas M. Beard, John A. Thomas, Rene D. Perez