Adjustable link for kinematic mounting systems

Patent · Wed Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1997

OSTI ID:871023

Hale, Layton C ^[1]

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1. Livermore, CA

An adjustable link for kinematic mounting systems. The adjustable link is a low-cost, passive device that provides backlash-free adjustment along its single constraint direction and flexural freedom in all other directions. The adjustable link comprises two spheres, two sockets in which the spheres are adjustable retain, and a connection link threadly connected at each end to the spheres, to provide a single direction of restraint and to adjust the length or distance between the sockets. Six such adjustable links provide for six degrees of freedom for mounting an instrument on a support. The adjustable link has applications in any machine or instrument requiring precision adjustment in six degrees of freedom, isolation from deformations of the supporting platform, and/or additional structural damping. The damping is accomplished by using a hollow connection link that contains an inner rod and a viscoelastic separation layer between the two.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• Assignee: Regents of University of California (Oakland, CA)
• Patent Number(s): US 5642956
• Application Number: 08/590375
• OSTI ID: 871023
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

adjustable
link
kinematic
mounting
systems
low-cost
passive
device
provides
backlash-free
adjustment
single
constraint
direction
flexural
freedom
directions
comprises
spheres
sockets
retain
connection
threadly
connected
provide
restraint
adjust
length
distance
six
links
degrees
instrument
support
applications
machine
requiring
precision
isolation
deformations
supporting
platform
additional
structural
damping
accomplished
hollow
contains
inner
rod
viscoelastic
separation
layer
single direction
kinematic mount
separation layer
adjustable link
six degrees
passive device
mounting systems
inner rod
six degree
kinematic mounting
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