Patent ID: 6527632
Filing Date: 2003-03-04
Classification: B24B

Abstract:
A conformable lap for finishing optical surfaces, comprising:a rigid base surface defining a base curvature; a work surface extending adjacent to the base surface for contacting a selected optical surface and conforming to the curvature of the selected optical surface; a selectively conformable substance forming a layer extending between the rigid base surface and the work surface and selectively changeable between solid and non-solid forms, wherein the substance in its non-solid form permits movement of the work surface relative to the base surface to conform to the curvature of the selected optical surface, and the substance in its solid form fixes the work surface in a position conforming to the curvature of the selected optical surface and retains said conforming position during finishing of the selected optical surface; wherein the selectively conformable substance includes a thermoplastic which is in its solid form at or below approximately the ambient temperature of the lap and is changeable into its non-solid form in response to the application of thermal energy thereto; wherein said conformable lap further comprises means for controlling the temperature of the substance for selectively changing the substance between the solid and non-solid forms; wherein the rigid base surface is formed of a thermally-conductive material, and the means for controlling the temperature of the substance includes means for introducing a temperature-controlled fluid into thermal communication with the base surface for controlling the temperature of the base surface and, in turn, controlling the temperature of the conformable substance in thermal communication with the base surface; and wherein the means for introducing a temperature-controlled fluid includes a discharge end having at least one opening for introducing relatively hot fluid to an approximately central portion of the base surface and a plurality of openings for introducing relatively cold fluid to central and side portions of the base surface.