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`US 6,983,547 B2
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`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`4,079,253 A * 3/1978 Gainer ........................ 378/76
`4,132,318 A
`1!1979 Wang eta!.
`4,534,050 A * 8/1985 Smith .......................... 378/81
`4,652,806 A
`3/1987 Aiello
`4,707,647 A
`11/1987 Coldren et a!.
`4,731,856 A
`3/1988 Lloyd eta!.
`4,738,370 A
`4/1988 Urmston et a!.
`4,771,178 A * 9/1988 Egle eta!. ............. 250/442.11
`4,818,169 A
`4/1989 Schram eta!.
`4,876,728 A
`10/1989 Roth
`4,925,308 A
`5/1990 Stern eta!.
`4,932,131 A
`6/1990 McMurtry et a!.
`4,934,671 A * 6/1990 Laninga eta!. ............... 269/20
`RE33,774 E
`12/1991 Gurny
`5,189,799 A * 3/1993 Fairer et a!. .................. 33/281
`5,301,003 A * 4/1994 Ikeda .......................... 356/73
`5,400,638 A
`3/1995 Kim
`5,579,444 A
`11/1996 Dalziel et a!.
`5,602,967 A
`2/1997 Pryor
`5,615,489 A
`4/1997 Breyer eta!.
`5,731,641 A
`3/1998 Botos eta!.
`5,792,077 A * 8/1998 Gomes ....................... 600!595
`
`10/1998 Freifeld
`5,825,666 A
`3/1999 Prentice et a!.
`5,886,494 A
`5/1999 Lombardi et a!.
`5,906,863 A
`12/1999 Miller eta!.
`6,008,636 A
`6/2000 Shultz
`6,077,026 A
`9/2000 Thomas eta!.
`6,116,848 A
`10/2000 Kashyap
`6,141,469 A
`1!2001 Cao
`6,169,828 B1
`6/2001 Hosotani et a!.
`6,246,789 B1
`7/2001 Chang
`6,254,317 B1
`4/2002 Cohen eta!.
`6,374,982 B1
`6,397,481 B1 * 6/2002 Alvarez et a!.
`.............. 33/1 M
`6,442,851 B1 * 9/2002 Botos eta!. .................. 33/706
`6,552,339 B1 * 4/2003 Gupta eta!. ................ 250/310
`9/2003 Miller
`6,616,030 B2
`6,640,423 B1
`11/2003 Johnson et a!.
`6,651,351 B1
`11/2003 Christoph et a!.
`6,681,151 B1
`1!2004 Weinzimmer et a!.
`6,759,853 B2
`7/2004 Butler
`6,816,755 B2
`11/2004 Habibi eta!.
`6,826,840 B1
`12/2004 Lindsey et a!.
`2003/0223111 A1 * 12/2003 Lamvik eta!. ............. 359/394
`* cited by examiner
`
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`US. Patent
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`US. Patent
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`Jan.10,2006
`Jan. 10, 2006
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`US. Patent
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`Jan. 10, 2006
`Jan. 10, 2006
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`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
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`Jan.10,2006
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`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
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`Jan.10,2006
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`US. Patent
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`Jan. 10, 2006
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`US 6,983,547 B2
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`5
`
`1
`GONIOMETER
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATION
`
`This application is based from U.S. Provisional Applica-
`tion Ser. No. 60/276,999 filed on Mar. 19, 2001 and entitled
`"AUTOMATED APPARATUS FOR TESTING OPTICAL
`FILTERS". This application is related to an application
`entitled AUTOMATED APPARATUS FOR TESTING
`OPTICAL FILTERS, having U.S Pat. App. Ser. No. 10/102,
`200, filed Mar. 19, 2002, an application entitled METHOD
`AND APPARATUS FOR CALIBRATING A VISION SYS(cid:173)
`TEM TO A PARTS HANDLING DEVICE, having U.S. Pat.
`App. Ser. No. 10/102,515, filed on Mar. 19, 2002, and an
`application entitled FLEXURE, having U.S. Pat. App. Ser.
`No. 10/102,170, filed on Mar. 19, 2002 (now abandoned).
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`2
`ure mounted on the platform, a probe assembly mounted on
`the support, and a light-directing element. The flexure is
`adapted to retain one of the optical filters. Translation of the
`platform causes the platform-mounted flexure to be trans-
`lated from a first X, Y and Z position relative to the base to
`a second X, Y and Z position relative to the base. The probe
`assembly is adapted to pick up one of the optical filters from
`a third X, Y and Z position relative to the base and translate
`the picked-up optical filter to the first position for retention
`10 of the picked-up filter by the flexure. The light-directing
`element is supported by the goniometer and disposed adja(cid:173)
`cent the second position, is optically connected to a laser
`light source, and is adapted to direct coherent light at an
`angle that is normal to the flexure-retained optical filter
`15 which has been translated by the platform to the second
`position for testing the optical filter. For the optical filter(cid:173)
`translating apparatus, a preferred light-directing element is a
`collimator.
`Another aspect or feature of the present invention may be
`summarized as a goniometer comprising a base, a compound
`member supported by the base, and a light-directing ele(cid:173)
`ment. The light-directing element (again, preferably a
`collimator) is operably mounted on the compound member,
`is optically connected to a coherent light source (e.g. a
`25 laser), and is disposed toward an optical filter. The goniom(cid:173)
`eter further comprises a first actuator and a second actuator.
`The first actuator is disposed along a first axis and is
`operably coupled to the base for translating the light(cid:173)
`directing element along a first arcuate path disposed in a first
`30 plane. The second actuator is disposed along a second axis
`and is operably coupled to the compound member for
`translating the light-directing element along a second arcu(cid:173)
`ate path that is disposed in a second plane. The first plane is
`orthogonal to the second plane. The first and second axes are
`35 preferably coplanar. In operation, the coherent-light source,
`thus mounted on the base, and in cooperation with the
`actuators, is adapted to direct coherent light at an angle that
`is normal to the optical filter that is being tested.
`In the above-mentioned goniometer, the base preferably
`40 includes a pair of spaced-apart so-called "tip-axis" base
`plates and a channeled guide member disposed therebe(cid:173)
`tween. The compound member preferably comprises a pair
`of spaced-apart so-called "tilt-axis" side plates as well as a
`tilt-axis mount disposed therebetween. The goniometer also
`45 preferably includes a first gear set operably coupled between
`the first actuator and the base, and a second gear set operably
`coupled between the second actuator and the compound
`member. The light-directing element is preferably a
`collimator, and the first and second actuators are preferably
`DC motors.
`When a plurality of goniometers are involved, the appa(cid:173)
`ratus for testing optical filters preferably further includes a
`coherent-light splitter which is optically connected between
`the coherent light source and each associated one of the
`corresponding plurality of light-directing elements, for split(cid:173)
`ting the coherent light from the coherent light source and
`passing the split coherent light to each of the plural light(cid:173)
`directing elements. Each light-directing element is adapted
`to direct coherent light at an angle that is normal to its
`60 associated optical filter. The apparatus for testing optical
`filters preferably also includes a corresponding plurality of
`reflected-light circulators. Each reflected-light circulator is
`operably connected between the coherent-light splitter and a
`corresponding one of the plural light-directing elements, and
`65 each reflected-light circulator is adapted to receive reflected
`light from its associated optical filter that is being tested. The
`apparatus for testing optical filters further preferably
`
`The present invention, in general, is directed to a 20
`goniometer, preferably for use in an automated apparatus for
`testing and sorting optical filters.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`Commercially-available optical filters are used for vari(cid:173)
`ous purposes. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,141,469 to
`Kashyap, there is disclosed a multiple band pass optical filter
`that may be used in a wavelength division multiplexed
`("WDM") communication system to filter individual WDM
`channels. U.S. Pat. No. 6,169,828 B1 to Cao, also relating to
`an optical filter, discloses a dense wavelength division
`multiplexer ("DWDM") for use in a fiber optic network.
`Various optical filters are well known to those skilled in the
`art.
`Current methods of manufacturing such optical filters
`involve manually moving trays of optical filters, from the
`manufacturing station to a filter-testing station, and then
`manually testing each filter one at a time. An operator must
`manually pick a filter from the transfer tray, place it in a
`testing jig, align the filter in the jig either manually or
`automatically, test it with a laser and detector system,
`remove it from the jig, and place it back into the transfer tray.
`This process is unsatisfactory because it is very slow and
`prone to human error. Typical throughput is only 20--100
`filters per hour.
`
`OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE
`INVENTION
`Accordingly, a principal object of the invention is to 50
`automate the testing, characterization and sorting of optical
`filters, resulting in lower labor costs than presently possible,
`at increased production and product-quality levels.
`These and other objects of the present invention will
`become readily apparent to those skilled in the art after 55
`reviewing the following summary.
`One aspect or feature of the present invention may be
`summarized as a goniometer preferably for use with an
`apparatus for translating optical filters. The optical filter(cid:173)
`translating apparatus comprises a gantry system supported
`on a base or floor. The gantry system includes a structure
`translatable in the X and Y directions relative to the base.
`The optical filter-translating apparatus further comprises a
`support mounted on the structure as well as a translatable
`platform disposed adjacent the structure. The support is
`translatable in the Z direction relative to the base. The
`optical filter-translating apparatus further comprises a flex-
`
`29
`
`

`

`US 6,983,547 B2
`
`10
`
`15
`
`4
`FIG. 14 is a partially-fragmented perspective view depict(cid:173)
`ing yet another aspect or feature of the present invention
`which appears in the background in FIG. 3;
`FIG. 15 is a partially-fragmented perspective view of a
`5 preferred embodiment of the aspect or feature shown in FIG.
`14, on an enlarged scale relative thereto;
`FIG. 16 is a partially-fragmented side elevational view,
`taken generally along the plane 16-16 in FIG. 15;
`FIG. 17 is a partially-fragmented side elevational view,
`taken generally along the plane 17-17 in FIG. 15;
`FIG. 17A is an auxiliary view, in exploded perspective,
`taken from the backside of FIG. 17 and depicting some
`features or aspects not otherwise seen in FIG. 17;
`FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a translation assembly
`shown in FIG. 14, on an enlarged scale relative thereto;
`FIG. 19 is a schematic illustrating a laser beam-splitting
`feature of the optics design of the present invention;
`FIG. 20 is a schematic based on FIG. 19;
`FIGS. 21A, 21B an 21C together provide a flow chart of
`a preferred method for testing optical filters;
`FIG. 22 is a cross sectional view of a filter nest and
`flexure;
`FIG. 23 is a perspective view of an aperture mask;
`FIG. 24 is a top view of the rotating table illustrating the
`stop block that limits the rotation of the table and the
`switches that provide an indication of its position;
`FIG. 25 is a side view of the rotating table of FIG. 24
`30 showing the stop block and features of the limit switches and
`their actuating flags; and
`FIG. 26 is a perspective view of the flexure actuator and
`the vacuum post.
`Throughout the drawings, like reference numerals refer to
`like parts.
`
`20
`
`35
`
`3
`includes a corresponding plurality of sensor modules. In this
`regard, each sensor module is operably connected to an
`associated one of the plural reflected-light circulators for
`characterizing each associated one of the tested optical
`filters in response to the reflected light that is received by the
`associated reflected-light circulator.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`A clear understanding of the various advantages and
`features of the present invention, as well as the construction
`and operation of conventional components and mechanisms
`associated with the present invention, will become more
`readily apparent by referring to the exemplary, and therefore
`non-limiting, embodiments illustrated in the following
`drawings which accompany and form a part of this patent
`specification.
`FIG. 1 is a system overview, in perspective, of the
`automated apparatus for testing optical filters of the present
`invention;
`FIG. 2 is a plan view of the system overview shown in
`FIG. 1;
`FIG. 2A is a cross sectional view of a gel pack tray as it
`is disposed in a vacuum mount wherein the sectional view
`is taken at Section 2-2 in FIG. 2;
`FIG. 3, a partially fragmented view in perspective, depicts 25
`a portion of the optical filter-testing apparatus, on an
`enlarged scale relative to FIGS. 1 and 2;
`FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the components
`of an element of the optical filter-testing apparatus shown in
`FIG. 3 on an enlarged scale relative thereto;
`FIGS. SA and 5B are sequenced, sectional views depict(cid:173)
`ing relative movement of the components of the element
`shown in FIG. 4 on an enlarged scale relative thereto taken
`along the central longitudinal axis ("Z" in FIG. 3) at Section
`5-5;
`FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a lift pin assembly feature
`of the invention;
`FIG. 6A is an auxiliary partially-fragmented side eleva(cid:173)
`tiona! view, showing the relationship of certain elements or
`components not otherwise viewable from FIG. 6;
`FIG. 7 is a partially-fragmented side elevational view
`depicting portions of the automated filter-testing apparatus
`shown in FIG. 1 on an enlarged scale relative thereto;
`FIGS. SA and 8B are sequenced and partially-fragmented
`side elevational views, depicting operation of the filter lift
`pin assembly of FIG. 6;
`FIGS. 8C and 8D are partially-fragmented side elevation
`views of the probe tip, the lift pin, the tape and a filter
`illustrating how the filter is partially released from the tape
`as it is raised by the lift pin;
`FIGS. 9A and 9B are sequenced and partially-fragmented
`perspective views, depicting an aspect or feature of the
`present invention which is also shown in FIG. 3, and on an
`enlarged scale relative thereto;
`FIGS. lOA and lOB are sequenced, partially-fragmented
`plan views, depicting a detail of the invention shown in
`FIGS. 9A and 9B, on an enlarged scale relative thereto;
`FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an element or component
`of the invention and which is shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, on 60
`an enlarged scale relative thereto;
`FIG. 12 is a plan view, generally depicting certain ele(cid:173)
`ments or components of the invention that are also generally
`shown in FIGS. 3 and 7;
`FIG. 13 is a partially-fragmented perspective view,
`depicting yet other elements or components of the invention
`shown in FIG. 3, on an enlarged scale relative thereto;
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`
`50
`
`40
`
`45
`
`Referring initially to FIGS. 1 and 2, which depict a system
`overview of the automated apparatus for testing optical
`filters, there is shown an "X" gantry system 100, lOOA and
`lOOB; a "Y" gantry system 102, 102A and 102B; and a "Z"
`translator system 104, all of which systems are
`commercially-available devices, wherein the various com(cid:173)
`ponents and/or elements of which systems are generally
`translatable in the "X," "Y" and/or "Z" directions relative to
`a base or floor 103. In particular, included with the "X"
`direction gantry system is an elongated "X" gantry support
`beam lOOB that provides support for a generally U-shaped
`"X" gantry transverse-motion platform lOOA on which an
`"X" gantry stage 100 is longitudinally disposed and slide(cid:173)
`ably mounted.
`Also shown is a conventional "X" axis cable protector
`55 lOlA disposed generally above the "X" gantry system 100,
`lOOA and lOOB as well as a conventional "Y" axis cable
`protector lOlB for the "Y" gantry system 102, 102A and
`102B. Included with the "Y" gantry system 102, 102A and
`102B is a pair of spaced-apart elongated "Y" gantry system
`support beams 102B (one of which is shown in the
`background) which are disposed on the floor or platform
`103. The illustrated background floor-support beam 102B
`has fixedly mounted thereon one of a spaced-apart pair of
`elongated gantry rails 102A on which the "Y" gantry plat-
`65 form 102 is longitudinally disposed and slideably mounted.
`In reference to the "Y" gantry system, the foreground
`floor-support arrangement (not visible in FIG. 1 because of
`
`30
`
`

`

`US 6,983,547 B2
`
`5
`foreground structure) is similarly arranged. Preferably, the
`"X" gantry transverse-motion support beam 100B and
`spaced-apart "Y" gantry longitudinal rails 102A are mutu(cid:173)
`ally perpendicularly disposed.
`In general, the "X" and "Y" gantry systems (FIG. 1), 5
`which are characterized as servo-controlled, are each pro(cid:173)
`vided with conventional high-speed closed-loop feedback
`systems adapted to translate the various elements and/or
`components of the apparatus for testing optical filters (of the
`present invention) along the "X" axis, the "Y" axis, the "Z" 10
`axis and to rotate those filters about the "theta" axis, as
`disclosed herein.
`In operation, the "X" gantry system 100, 100A and lOOB
`translates the "Z" translator system 104 along the "X" axis,
`while the "Y" gantry system 102, 102A and 102B translates 15
`the "Z" translator system 104 along the "Y" axis, enabling
`the operative portion of the "Z" translator system 104 to
`access the plurality of optical filters that are disposed on a
`UV-releasable adhesive tape 108 stretched on a hoop or
`frame 111, as shown in FIGS. SA and 8B on optical 20
`filter-input or filter-receiving platform or table 110 and, after
`testing such optical filters, to transfer the tested optical filters
`to an assortment of tested-and-sorted optical filter classifi(cid:173)
`cation trays 112 (shown as a four-by-four array of trays in
`FIGS. 1 and 2) which are located at a filter-output or 25
`filter-dispatch platform or table 114. The UV-releasable tape
`108 may be purchased from Fitel Technologies (formerly
`Furukawa Electric Co.), as tape number UC-120M-120 (a
`non-expandable tape) or UC-353EP-110 (an expandable
`tape). Both tapes are low-tack UV-release tapes that are 30
`typically used in wafer-dicing applications.
`Alternatively, optical filters can be supported in gel packs
`or vacuum release trays that are disposed on filter receiving
`table 110. These trays are supported in specially configured
`vacuum mounts 700 located on table 110.
`Referring to FIG. 2A, vacuum release trays 702 are placed
`in vacuum mounts 700 on an 0-ring seal 704. The 0-ring
`seals against both the bottom of the tray and the mount itself
`to form a vacuum chamber 703 defined by the bottom
`surface of the tray, the 0-ring and the mount. Two grooves
`706 extend from the 0-ring inwardly to a vacuum port 708.
`The vacuum port 708 extends through the table 110 to a
`vacuum fitting 710 disposed on the bottom surface of table
`110. A vacuum is selectively applied to the vacuum fitting to
`suck air out of the chamber 703. This reduction in pressure
`in the chamber 703 both holds the tray 702 in mount 700 and
`weakens the grip trays 702 have on filters 196.
`As background information, the optical filter array or tray,
`before being placed by hand or machine as desired onto the
`filter-receiving table 110, were formed at a prior station (not
`shown) where a glass substrate with an optical coating (also
`not shown) was divided into individual optical filters 196.
`Referring next to FIG. 3, the "Z" translator system 104
`includes a theta-axis stage 116 mounted on a "Z" axis stage 55
`118 via bracket 126. Theta stage 116 is a motor having an
`output shaft 168 that is rotatable to predetermined angular
`positions under computer control. This stage is termed the
`"theta-axis" stage since it rotates the probe to an angle theta
`about an axis that is disposed parallel to the "Z" direction or 60
`axis (i.e. vertically) and passes through the center of stage
`116. The theta axis therefore translates with the theta stage
`and (in the preferred embodiment) extends through the
`longitudinal centerline of the probe assembly. The theta
`stage may be characterized as a servo-controlled axis.
`The tray-handling end effector cylinder 119 is connected
`to bracket 126 via bracket 12S to enable the tray-handling
`
`6
`end effector 120 which is coupled to the end of the moveable
`rod of cylinder 119 to extend and retract along (preferably in
`non-rotative relationship relative to) a first vertical axis
`Z1-Z1 relative to the optical filters at the input platform
`110 and/or the output platform 114. The "Z" translator
`system 104 further includes a standard machine vision
`camera 121 (FIG. 3), to enable accessing the optical filters
`at the filter-input platform 110 and, after testing such optical
`filters, to enable transferring the tested filters to the filter(cid:173)
`output platform 114. The camera is also coupled to "Z" axis
`stage 118.
`The tray-handling effector 120 includes tines or fingers
`122 operably mounted on the effector 120 for grasping and
`retrieving the optical filter-carrying trays 112 at the output
`platform 114 and for transferring such trays, after filter
`testing, to a front row depot. This depot, identified in FIGS.
`1 and 2 as row 1SO is used for storing empty trays,
`completed trays of tests and lids for trays that can be
`accessed both to replenish depleted tests, replace depleted
`input test trays and to remove completed test tray and
`replace them with empty trays. The effector 120 is config-
`ured to drive fingers 122 apart or together to selectively
`grasp or release the individual trays under computer control.
`The "Z" translator system 104 further includes a filter(cid:173)
`capture end effector 124, also generally referred to within
`this patent specification either as the vacuum probe assem(cid:173)
`bly or as "the head" 124, which is mounted on the rotatable
`output shaft 168 of theta stage 116 which is mounted on Z
`translator system 104, which, in turn, is operably affixed to
`the moveable "X" gantry stage 100 (FIG. 1), to enable the
`vacuum probe assembly or head 124 to move up and down
`along (and rotate about) a second vertical axis Z2-Z2 (FIG.
`3). Vertical axis Z2-Z2 is parallel to the "Z" axis.
`Referring to FIG. 4, the vacuum probe assembly or head
`124 includes a generally cylindrical and elongated sleeve
`128, which defines a blind hole 130 (FIG. SA) into which an
`elongated vacuum probe 1S2 is disposed. This probe is
`slidably received in through blind hole 130 in which it is
`supported.
`The vacuum probe assembly or head 124 further includes
`a generally cylindrical collar clamp 142 also defining a
`through bore 144. The cylindrical collar clamp 142, in turn,
`defines a radially-disposed through-slot 146. The illustrated
`45 clamp 142 further includes a transversely offset threaded
`fastener 148, for enabling the cylindrical sleeve 128 and the
`cylindrical collar clamp 142 to be removably affixed
`together in a conventional manner. The cylindrical sleeve
`128 also defines a cylindrical neck portion 1SO, of reduced
`50 outer diameter relative to the outer diameter of the cylin(cid:173)
`drical sleeve 128, for enabling the cylindrical neck portion
`1SO of sleeve 128 to be snuggly engageable within, and
`readily removable from, the through bore 144 of the cylin-
`drical collar clamp 142 in a conventional manner.
`Shaft 168 (FIG. SA), to which neck portion 1SO is
`attached by clamp 142, defines an axially disposed internal
`fluid passageway 170 (shown in phantom line in FIGS. SA
`and SB).
`The vacuum probe assembly or head 124 also includes a
`generally cylindrical alignment clamp 174, which defines a
`radially disposed slot 176 and a central through bore 178.
`The inner diameter of the alignment clamp through bore is
`so matched relative to the outer diameter of the lower
`cylindrical band 172 of vacuum probe 1S2 as to enable the
`65 cylindrical band 172 to be snugly disposable into the align(cid:173)
`ment clamp through bore 178. The illustrated alignment
`clamp 174 further includes a conventional threaded fastener
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`35
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`40
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`31
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`US 6,983,547 B2
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`5
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`30
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`180 located adjacent to the through bore 178 and disposed
`transverse to the radial slot 176 for releasably affixing
`alignment clamp 174 onto the cylindrical band 172 of the
`generally cylindrical and elongated vacuum probe 1S2 in a
`conventional manner.
`The alignment clamp further defines an axially disposed,
`stepped bore 182 (FIG. SA) spaced from the through bore
`178, into which stepped bore 182 a matched stepped
`threaded fastener 184 (which functions as a spacer) is
`disposed. An end portion 186 of spacer 184 is threaded, and 10
`cylindrical outer sleeve 128 defines a threaded bore (FIGS.
`SA and SB) having threads that mate with the end portion
`186 of fastener 184.
`The cylindrical outer sleeve 128 further defines a trans(cid:173)
`versely disposed and threaded side bore 190 of substantially
`identical inner diameter as a similar transversely disposed
`and threaded side bore 188. These two bores are configured
`to receive threaded vacuum fittings, and are fluidly coupled
`together with a length of flexible tubing 189. The inner end
`of bore 190 is in fluid communication with passageway 170
`since both open into a chamber 191 defined at the upper end
`of sleeve 128 located between the sleeve and the lower end
`of shaft 168.
`Side bore 188 of probe 1S2 is in fluid communication with
`an axially oriented intermediate fluid passageway 166.
`Probe 1S2 also includes a threaded plug 162 disposed in the
`upper portion of bore 1S4 (FIGS. SA and SB) and providing
`a fluid tight seal thereat. Probe 1S2 defines an axially aligned
`orifice 164, which is in fluid communication with bore 1S4
`via an intermediate fluid passageway 166.
`Flexible tubing 189 is configured to permit probe 1S2 to
`slide up and down within sleeve 128.
`When a vacuum is drawn by conventional means to
`impose vacuum at inner passageway 170, this vacuum is
`communicated to bore 190, through the length of flexible
`tubing and through bore 188. The vacuum is then commu(cid:173)
`nicated through intermediate fluid passageway 166 and
`thence to orifice 164.
`In operation, downwardly disposed member 168 is axially
`advanced toward an optical filter 196 (shown in phantom
`line in FIGS. SA and SB), for enabling the orifice 164 of the
`vacuum probe 1S2 to contact the optical filter 196.
`Sufficient vacuum is imposed at fluid passageway 170 to
`enable the optical filter 196 to be held by the orifice 164,
`after the optical filter 196. When the orifice 164 initially
`makes contact with the optical filter 196, vacuum probe 1S2
`moves axially upward relative to sleeve 128, sliding upward
`within sleeve 128 into blind hole 130.
`By permitting probe 1S2 to "collapse" the length of the
`probe assembly on initial contact with the filter, the risk of
`damage to the filter is substantially reduced by providing a
`soft landing for advancing vacuum probe 1S2. A soft landing
`is insured but only until alignment clamp 174 abuttingly
`engages the cylindrical outer sleeve 128. This abutting 55
`relationship is shown in FIG. SB. For this reason, the system
`is configured to stop the downward advance of the "Z" stage
`(to which probe assembly or head 124 is mounted) before
`clamp 174 abuts sleeve 128. In an alternative embodiment,
`individual filters can be selected from any of the gel trays 60
`702 that are held in vacuum tray mounts 700 (FIGS. 1, 2 and
`2A).
`Referring back to FIGS. 1 and 2, the "X" gantry system
`100, 100A and lOOB translates the head 124 along the "X"
`axis while the "Y" gantry system 102, 102A and 102B
`translates the head 124 along the "Y" axis, to enable the head
`124 to be moved to any point in the X-Y plane, so that the
`
`8
`head 124 can access optical filters on the filter-input plat(cid:173)
`form 110 and, after testing and sorting the optical filters,
`thereafter transfer tested-and-sorted optical filters wherever
`desired onto output platform 114.
`Reference is next invited to FIGS. 6, 6A, 7, SA and 8B,
`to discuss a "pick and place" procedure as well as a filter lift
`pin assembly 200 (FIG. 6), both of which are additional
`features of the present invention. The filter lift pin assembly
`200 (not visible in FIG. 1) is located generally beneath the
`optical filter input platform 110 shown in FIG. 1. The optical
`filter lift pin assembly 200 includes a base 202, a guide
`bracket 204 mounted on the base 202, and a pneumatic
`cylinder 206 spaced in distal relation to the bracket 204.
`The pneumatic cylinder 206, also mounted on the base
`15 202 via a chambered alignment block 208, is operably
`connected via a piston rod 210 to a wedge 212. The guide
`bracket 204 includes an upper surface 214, which defines an
`aperture through which a filter lift pin 216 and a pin guide
`bushing 218 are disposed. Pin 216, disposed through the
`20 through bore of pin guide bushing 218, is urged downwardly
`into sliding engagement with the wedge 212 by a helical
`spring 217 which is captively retained by the pin 216, as is
`shown in FIG. 6A. An upper surface of wedge 212, on which
`lift pin 216 rests, is inclined relative to precision linear slide
`25 219 fixed to the base 202.
`The pneumatic cylinder 206 operates in a conventional
`manner to extend and retract the piston rod 210 along the
`axis X1-X1 (which is parallel to the "X" axis). Such
`reciprocal action, in turn, causes the lift pin 216 to extend
`upward or retract downward relative to the base 202 and the
`bracket upper surface 214. The axis of pin extension and
`retraction is parallel to the "Z" axis.
`Wedge 212 is supported on and fixed to the upper trans-
`35 lating portion 22S of linear slide 219 by conventional
`threaded fasteners 221. The lower fixed portion 227 of linear
`slide 219 is fixed to base 202 by fasteners 223. See FIG. 6A.
`Linear slide 219 is preferably a conventional precision
`slide that uses recirculating ball bearings between the upper
`40 translating portion 22S and the lower fixed portion 227 of
`slide 219. By using slide 219, reduced friction translation of
`wedge 212 is provided when moving from a pin 216 down
`position to a pin 216 up position and vice versa.
`To achieve precision movement of the wedge 212 in this
`45 regard, the lift pin assembly 200 further includes a wedge(cid:173)
`extension flow-control device 220, which is operably
`coupled to pneumatic cylinder 206 via a chambered right(cid:173)
`angled pneumatic fitting 240, as well as a wedge-retraction
`flow-control device 222, which is mounted directly on the
`50 pneumatic cylinder 206.
`A spool-shaped coupling 224 is threaded onto the free end
`of rod 210 to mechanically couple the free end of the rod to
`wedge 212. The spool is locked onto rod 210 by a jam nut
`229 that is also threaded onto the free end of rod 210 and is
`tightened against spool224 to hold it in place. The spool, in
`turn, is disposed in a downwardly-facing slot 231 formed in
`a downwardly-facing surface of wedge 212. A small cylin(cid:173)
`drical gap is provided between the spool and the wedge to
`permit slight misalignment between the cylinder and the
`wedge. This gap permits a slight lateral and vertical mis(cid:173)
`alignment of the wedge and cylinder to exist without causing
`the rod to bind in the cylinder.
`Control devices 220 and 222 are each connected to the
`pneumatic cylinder 206 (as described above) and separately
`65 via conventional fittings 244 and 24S and via conduits 226
`a