Precision translator

A precision translator for focusing a beam of light on the end of a glass fiber which includes two turning fork-like members rigidly connected to each other. These members have two prongs each with its separation adjusted by a screw, thereby adjusting the orthogonal positioning of a glass fiber attached to one of the members. This translator is made of simple parts with capability to keep adjustment even in condition of rough handling.

The present invention relates to an apparatus for aligning articles; and, 
more particularly, it relates to a precision translator for focusing a 
beam of light on the end of a glass fiber. 
It is a common practice in the present optical field to focus a beam of 
light on the end of a very small glass fiber. To attain this, a device 
having the capability of an extraordinary precise adjustment is needed. 
Furthermore, the alignment must be maintained even in conditions of rough 
handling in the most stringent environment. Also, prevailing conditions 
can make subsequent adjustment almost impossible in situations where a 
misalignment could result in loss of data during costly experiments. 
The apparatus in the known prior art for alignment applications are large 
and bulky. Furthermore, once alignment has been achieved, the operation of 
locking this apparatus in place usually upsets the adjustment. Also, since 
the prior art apparatus consist of a number of separate movable parts the 
slight misfunctioning of any part may cause roughness and jerkiness in the 
motion of the fiber or other object to be aligned making very difficult 
the alignment process. 
These and other unique problems associated with such aligning devices 
require a very strong, compact and economical construction. In addition 
the device must have the capability to adjust the position of an object 
retained therein with high accuracy while locking that position in place 
in order to resist rough handling in very stringent environments. 
It is accordingly, a general object of the invention to provide a device 
for accurate aligning of a glass fiber with a beam of light. 
Another object of the invention is to provide an aligning device capable of 
keeping its adjustment even with subsequent rough handling in a stringent 
environment. 
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will be 
apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the 
following detailed description and the accompanying drawings of a 
preferred embodiment of the invention. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
An apparatus is provided to precisely position and keep alignment of an 
object. The apparatus utilizes two orthogonal rigidly connected tuning 
fork-like members, one of which is to attach an object to be aligned such 
as a glass fiber. The tuning fork-like members are movably mounted on a 
base. The separation of the prongs of each member is adjusted by a screw, 
thereby adjusting the orthogonal positioning of the glass fiber. 
A difference between the invention and prior art apparatus is that the 
invention consists of few and very simple parts while the apparatus in the 
known prior art are complex and bulky in nature with many movable parts. 
An advantage of the invention is that the alignment can be maintained even 
in conditions of rough handling. Another advantage of the invention is 
that the simplicity of its parts will lower the construction costs 
providing a very competitive product in the market.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiment of the 
invention, which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
While the invention will be described in connection with a preferred 
embodiment of aligning glass fibers, it will be understood that it is not 
the intention to limit the invention to that embodiment or to the specific 
described use. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, 
modifications, and equivalents, as may be included within the scope of the 
invention defined in the appended claims. 
Referring to FIG. 1, the precision translator generally indicated at 1 is 
shown. The two main parts of this device are tuning-fork like members 12 
and 13. Member 12 includes a pair of prongs 16 and 17, while member 13 
includes a pair of prongs 14 and 15. Prong 14 of member 13 is provided 
with an adjustment screw 10 while prong 17 of member 12 is provided with 
an adjustment screw 11. The adjustment motion of the translator 1 is 
caused by screw 10 in prong 14 which thrusts against a plate 22 carried by 
prong 15. Similarly screw 11 in prong 17 thrusts against a plate 21 
carried by prong 16. Members 12 and 13 are rigidly attached to one another 
by means of screws 23 and 24 passing through both members, as shown in 
FIG. 1. The prongs 16 and 17 of member 12 each include a right angle bend 
for compactness (see FIG. 2). An optical fiber or other object to be 
positioned is held within a ferrule and inserted in a hole 18 in prong 17 
of member 12 and retained in the hole by screw 25. Each of screws 10 and 
11 may have a steel ball (not shown) inserted on its end. In order to 
reduce friction, plates 21 and 22, made of polished steel, for example, 
are positioned so that the screws 10 and 11 or the steel ball may be 
pressed upon. Each screw 10 and 11 controls an essentially orthogonal and 
independent motion of the optical fiber by transferring motion from one 
member to the other. The prongs of each member 12 and 13 act as lever arms 
so that for any advance or retraction of screws 10 and 11, the 
corresponding motion of the optical fiber is proportionally less. In 
general, the closer the hole 18 is to the axis of member 12 the less 
directional effect the motion of member 13 has on it. 
The translator 1 is first put into a position of preliminary adjustment by 
means of the sliding base 19 of the mounting fixture 20, as shown in FIG. 
2. The sliding base 19 is slidably moved by means of the turn knob or 
screw 26 (See FIG. 1). Next, final adjustment is accomplished by means of 
screws 10 and 11 as translator 1 is sequentially slid into proper position 
with respect to the focal point of the beam of light. 
The various components of translator 1 may be made of the following 
materials: members 12 and 13 of 4140 tool steel; plates 21 and 22 and 
sliding base 19 of 01 tool steel; and mounting fixture 20 of brass. 
The foregoing description of a preferred embodiment of the invention has 
been presented for the purpose of illustration and description. It was 
chosen to best explain the principles of the invention and their practical 
application to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize 
the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are 
suited to the particular use contemplated.