Patent ID: 9684146
Date: 2017-06-20
CPC Classifications: F16C,G02B

Claim:
1. A temperature insensitive locking apparatus for use with large optical mounts used in precision-aligned laser systems comprising: a rigid base structure; an optical yoke having a pair of pivot shafts extending therefrom which define a rotational axis of symmetry, and the optical yoke providing a mount for an optical component; two locking nuts each having an internal threaded portion spaced apart from an internal taper; two flexurized spring collets which each couple a respective one of the pivoting shafts to the rigid base structure, the two flexurized spring collets having a first end and a second end, the first end forming a sleeve which separates a respective one of the pivoting shafts from the rigid base structure and the second end comprises a plurality of flexures, and an external threaded portion being located between the plurality of flexures and the sleeve; and the mating internal and external threads join a respective one of the two locking nuts with a respective one of the two flexurized spring collets so that the internal taper engages with the plurality of flexures as the locking nut is rotated clockwise engaging the mating internal and external threads, providing an increased level of a radial clamping force onto the pivot shafts by compressing the plurality of flexures thereby reducing crosstalk and lock-and-walk in the precision-aligned laser system.