MAGNETIC JOINT AND OPTICAL MOUNT USING THE SAME

A laterally unconstrained magnetic joint has a first component comprising a permanent magnet material; and a second component comprising a permanent magnet or ferromagnetic material, where the first component and the second component are magnetically attracted to each other, and where the first component and the second component interface via continuous interface surfaces of different curvature that form and maintain point contact throughout a range of angular and lateral actuation. Movement of the first component is laterally unconstrained with respect to the second component. One or more such magnetic joints can be used in a mount for a payload, such as an wide angle optical mount with three degrees of freedom. The mount may include linear actuators to position the payload. 一种横向无约束磁性接头具有第一部件，第一部件包括永磁材料；以及第二部件，第二部件包括永磁材料或铁磁材料，其中，第一部件和第二部件彼此磁性吸引，并且其中第一部件和第二部件经由不同曲率的连续的接口表面对接，连续的接口表面通过角度范围和横向致动形成并保持点接触。第一部件相对于第二部件的移动是横向无约束的。一个或多个此类磁性接头可以用于有效载荷的安装件(诸如具有三个自由度的广角光学安装件)中。安装件可以包括线性致动器以定位有效载荷。