Differential adjustment apparatus

Abstract

A differential adjuster that utilizes a tool interface for affecting either a coarse adjustment or a fine adjustment is presented. In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, a differential adjuster includes an intermediate actuator sleeve with a tool interface to accommodate a tool for performing fine adjustments. In some embodiments, a differential adjuster includes a main body with a tool interface to accept a tool for performing coarse adjustments. By utilizing a tool interface, rather than a knob, embodiments of the differential adjuster according to the present invention can be formed with small form factors.

1 - 44 . (canceled) 
   
   
       45 . A mounting device, comprising:
 a device housing with a component mount to accommodate at least one component; and   at least one differential adjuster coupled to the device housing in order to adjust a positioning of the component mount,   wherein the at least one differential adjuster comprises:
 an intermediate actuator sleeve with a first threaded surface, a second threaded surface and a tool interface, wherein the first threaded surface has threads that are a different pitch than those of the second threaded surface; 
 a push rod that engages the second threaded surface and couples with the component mount. 
   
   
   
       46 . The mounting device of  claim 45 , wherein the device housing engages the first threaded surface of the intermediate actuator sleeve of the device housing and wherein the push rod is rotationally constrained with respect to the device housing. 
   
   
       47 . The mounting device of  claim 45 , wherein the at least one differential adjuster further includes a main body that engages the first threaded surface of the intermediate actuator sleeve, the main body being coupled to the device housing, wherein the main body engages the push rod such that the push rod is rotationally constrained with respect to the main body. 
   
   
       48 . The mounting device of  claim 47 , wherein the main body includes a main body threaded surface that engages with threads of the device housing. 
   
   
       49 . The mounting device of  claim 48 , wherein the main body includes a knob in order to affect coarse adjustment of the component mount. 
   
   
       50 . The mounting device of  claim 48 , wherein the main body includes a main body tool interface. 
   
   
       51 . The mounting device of  claim 50 , wherein the main body tool interface accommodates a main body adjustment tool, the main body adjustment tool chosen from a group consisting of a spanner wrench, a socket, a screw driver, a ball driver, and an Allen wrench. 
   
   
       52 . The mounting device of  claim 51 , wherein the main body adjustment tool includes a knob or handle. 
   
   
       53 . The mounting device of  claim 51 , wherein the main body adjustment tool includes a motor. 
   
   
       54 . The mounting device of  claim 45 , wherein the tool interface accommodates a differential adjustment tool, the differential adjustment tool chosen from a group consisting of a spanner wrench, a socket, a screw driver, a ball driver, and an Allen wrench. 
   
   
       55 . The mounting device of  claim 54 , wherein the differential adjustment tool includes a knob. 
   
   
       56 . The mounting device of  claim 45 , wherein the component mount accommodates an optical component. 
   
   
       57 . The mounting device of  claim 56 , wherein the optical component includes a mirror, a lens, an optical fiber, or an optical filter. 
   
   
       58 . The mounting device of  claim 45 , wherein the component mount accommodates a sample for testing. 
   
   
       59 . The mounting device of  claim 58 , wherein the component mount is a translation stage. 
   
   
       60 . A mounting device, comprising:
 a device housing with a component mount to accommodate at least one component; and   at least one differential adjuster coupled to the device housing in order to adjust a positioning of the component mount,   wherein the at least one differential adjuster comprises:
 an intermediate actuator sleeve with a first threaded surface and a second threaded surface, wherein the first threaded surface has threads that are a different pitch than those of the second threaded surface; 
 a push rod that engages the second threaded surface and couples with the component mount; and 
 a main body that engages the first threaded surface and the push rod such that the push rod is rotationally constrained with respect to the main body. 
   
   
   
       61 . The mounting device of  claim 60 , wherein the intermediate actuator sleeve includes a knob in order to affect fine adjustment of the component mount. 
   
   
       62 . The mounting device of  claim 60 , wherein the intermediate actuator sleeve includes a tool interface in order to affect fine adjustment of the component mount. 
   
   
       63 . The mounting device of  claim 62 , wherein the tool interface accommodates an adjustment tool, the adjustment tool chosen from a group consisting of a spanner wrench, a socket, a screw driver, a ball driver, and an Allen wrench. 
   
   
       64 . The mounting device of  claim 63 , wherein the adjustment tool includes a knob or handle. 
   
   
       65 . The mounting device of  claim 63 , wherein the adjustment tool includes a motor. 
   
   
       66 . The mounting device of  claim 60 , wherein the main body tool interface accommodates a main body adjustment tool, the main body adjustment tool chosen from a group consisting of a spanner wrench, a socket, a screw driver, a ball driver, and an Allen wrench. 
   
   
       67 . The mounting device of  claim 66 , wherein the main body adjustment tool includes a knob. 
   
   
       68 . The mounting device of  claim 60 , wherein the component mount accommodates an optical component. 
   
   
       69 . The mounting device of  claim 68 , wherein the optical component includes a mirror, a lens, or a filter. 
   
   
       70 . The mounting device of  claim 60 , wherein the component mount accommodates a sample for testing. 
   
   
       71 . The mounting device of  claim 70 , wherein the component mount is a translation stage. 
   
   
       72 - 73 . (canceled) 
   
   
       74 . A method for moving a component, comprising:
 turning a main body in a housing to affect a coarse adjustment; and   turning an intermediate actuator sleeve, the intermediate actuator sleeve including a first threaded surface engaged with the main body and a second threaded surface engaged with a push rod that is rotationally constrained and that is engaged with the component,   wherein an adjustment tool is utilized.   
   
   
       75 . The method of  claim 74 , wherein the adjustment tool is utilized in turning the main body. 
   
   
       76 . The method of  claim 74 , wherein the adjustment tool is utilized in turning the intermediate actuator sleeve.