EP0065096B1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical fiber splice and method for joining fibers
Assignee: Honeywell International Inc
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Filing: 1982-03-26
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Granted: 1985-12-11
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Expires: 2002-03-26
Abstract
No abstract record available.
Inventors
- 👤 John J. Esposito
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 05:01
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/36; G02B6/38; G02B6/3801; G02B6/3806; G02B6/3628; G02B6/3632; G02B6/3636; G02B6/364
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
98 words
A connector for securing the ends of a pair of optical fibers (22, 23; 41, 42) in optical alignment in a groove (11; 33) and including resilient means (10; 30) characterized by said groove being provided in said resilient means, said groove loosely receiving the ends of said optical fibers in unaligned relation between opposed sidewalls (14; 15); and means (17; 34) for deforming said resilient means to move said walls into compressive engagement with said optical fibers, said walls moving the ends of said optical fibers into optical alignment and securing said optical fibers in said groove.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
98 words
A connector for securing the ends of a pair of optical fibers (22, 23; 41, 42) in optical alignment in a groove (11; 33) and including resilient means (10; 30) characterized by said groove being provided in said resilient means, said groove loosely receiving the ends of said optical fibers in unaligned relation between opposed sidewalls (14; 15); and means (17; 34) for deforming said resilient means to move said walls into compressive engagement with said optical fibers, said walls moving the ends of said optical fibers into optical alignment and securing said optical fibers in said groove.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
75 words
A connector in accordance with claim 1, wherein said walls (14; 15) are arranged to engage said optical fibers (22, 23; 41, 42) when said resilient means is deformed such that they exert on said fibers compressive forces (F e ) having first opposing force components (F i ) for centering said optical fibers in said. groove (11; 33) and second cooperating force components (F 2 ) for bottoming said optical fibers in said groove.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
A connector in accordance with claim 1 or 2 wherein said groove (11; 33) has a generally U-shaped cross-sectional configuration defined by said sidewalls (14; 15) and a bottom wall (16) extending therebetween, said sidewalls defining an entrance to said groove.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
59 words
A connector in accordance with any preceding claim wherein the sidewalls (14; 15) of said groove (11; 33) are substantially parallel, and wherein said groove is formed in a base (10; 30), said base (10; 30) being deformable about a fold axis extending longitudinally of said groove, and said means for deforming said base comprising a clamp (17; 34).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A connector in accordance with claim 4 wherein said base (10; 30) is elastically deformable along the length of said groove (11; 33).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
62 words
A connector in accordance with claim 4 or 5 wherein said base (30) is generally rectangular in outline and is provided with a pair of generally parallel upstanding ribs (31, 32) situated on opposite sides of and generally parallel to said groove (33), and said clamp (34) exerts a force on said ribs, causing said base to deform along said fold axis.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
53 words
A connector in accordance with claim 6 wherein said clamp (34) has a box-like construction with open opposing ends permitting the insertion therein of said base. (30), said clamp having a longitudinally extending slot (37) with opposed edges (43, 44) adapted to engage said upstanding ribs and to exert said deforming force thereon.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
A connector in accordance with any preceding claim wherein the width of said groove (11; 33) is 1.0-1.5 times the depth thereof.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
93 words
A method for joining a pair of optical waveguide fibers (22, 23; 41, 42) comprising: providing a base (10; 30) having a groove (11; 33) adapted to receive said fibers between a pair of sidewalls (14, 15), characterized by said base being deformable about a fold axis extending longitudinally of said groove, placing an end of each of said fibers in adjacent relationship in said groove, and folding said base about said axis to cause said sidewalls to exert a clamping force on said ends which aligns and secures them in aligned relationship.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
93 words
A method for joining a pair of optical waveguide fibers (22, 23; 41, 42) comprising: providing a base (10; 30) having a groove (11; 33) adapted to receive said fibers between a pair of sidewalls (14, 15), characterized by said base being deformable about a fold axis extending longitudinally of said groove, placing an end of each of said fibers in adjacent relationship in said groove, and folding said base about said axis to cause said sidewalls to exert a clamping force on said ends which aligns and secures them in aligned relationship.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method in accordance with claim 9 including the additional step of applying an index matching adhesive to said adjacent ends to provide a permanent joint.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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