Microscope collision protection apparatus

Patent · Tue Oct 23 04:00:00 EDT 2001

OSTI ID:874079

DeNure, Charles R ^[1]

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1. Pocatello, ID

A microscope collision protection apparatus for a remote control microscope which protects the optical and associated components from damage in the event of an uncontrolled collision with a specimen, regardless of the specimen size or shape. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes a counterbalanced slide for mounting the microscope's optical components. This slide replaces the rigid mounts on conventional upright microscopes with a precision ball bearing slide. As the specimen contacts an optical component, the contacting force will move the slide and the optical components mounted thereon. This movement will protect the optical and associated components from damage as the movement causes a limit switch to be actuated, thereby stopping all motors responsible for the collision.

• Research Organization: Westinghouse Electric Corporation
• Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Department of Energy (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 6,307,672
• Application Number: 08/775,684
• OSTI ID: 874079
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

/359/
actuated
apparatus
associated
ball
bearing
causes
collision
component
components
contacting
contacts
control
conventional
counterbalanced
damage
embodiment
event
force
limit
microscope
microscopes
motors
mounted
mounting
mounts
move
movement
optical
precision
protect
protection
protects
regardless
remote
remote control
replaces
responsible
rigid
shape
size
slide
specimen
stopping
switch
uncontrolled
upright