Patent ID: 7522793

Claim:
A device for coupling beam guides of oppositely-positioned optical systems for transmission of beams via a beam transition between the optical systems, comprising: a connecting device; and a mechanical centering arrangement; wherein the connecting device includes a magnetic coupling arrangement in a coupling area for producing a coupling connection, and wherein the mechanical centering arrangement includes components situated on the opposite optical systems and coupled in such a way that mechanical centering arrangement, in conjunction with magnetic force of the magnetic coupling arrangement, causes the beam guides to self-center; wherein the magnetic coupling arrangement includes one of: a) at least two electromagnets which are situated opposite each other and forming a pair; and b) at least one electromagnet and one magnetically attractable material situated opposite to the at least one electromagnet; and wherein the components of the mechanical centering arrangement include a plurality of v-shaped grooves, a planar surface and a plurality of centering bodies; each centering body engaging with one of: a) two oppositely oriented v-shaped grooves, and b) the planar surface and a v-shaped groove oriented oppositely to the planar surface, and at least one centering body engaging with the planar surface and the v-shaped groove oriented oppositely to the planar surface.