EP0171479A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Transmissive multiport star coupler assembly and method
Assignee: Magnetic Controls Co
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Filing: 1984-08-03
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2004-08-03
Abstract
Abstract The novel star coupler 10 comprises two spaced-apart co-axially aligned input and output supporting spindles 12, 14 each having a plurality of circumferentially symmetric radially outwardly extending slots. A like plurality of optical fibers 18 are bonded to the spindles 12, 14 and are provided with a fused biconical taper star coupling 19 along an intermediate region. A stress relief and environmentally secure housing 16 is bonded around the spindles 12,14. The novel method of fabricating the star coupler comprises steps of bonding the optic fibers 18 in said slots of the spindles 12, 14, controllably rotating one spindle to twist the fibers 18 one over the other in an intermediate region, heating the fibers 18 in the region of the twist to fuse the fibers together, controllably pulling the spindles 12,14 apart to form a fused bi-conical taper star coupling 19, and encasing the spindles 12, 14.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert L. Gravel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 04:04
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/26; G02B6/28; G02B6/2804; G02B6/2856
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
115 words
Transmissive multiport star coupler assembly (10), characterized in that it comprises : a plurality of elongated optical fibers (18), twisted, fused, and locally pulled in a region along their length to form a fused biconical taper star coupling (19); and first and second coaxially aligned spaced-apart support spindles (12, 14; 30) each having a first section of uniform cross-section (32) and a second abutting section of tapering cross-section (34), each of said spindles (30) are provided with a like plurality of symmetrically disposed circumferential radially extending slots (36) in which corresponding ones of said plurality of optical fibers (18) are bonded at a region along their lengths remote from said fused biconical taper coupling (19).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
115 words
Transmissive multiport star coupler assembly (10), characterized in that it comprises : a plurality of elongated optical fibers (18), twisted, fused, and locally pulled in a region along their length to form a fused biconical taper star coupling (19); and first and second coaxially aligned spaced-apart support spindles (12, 14; 30) each having a first section of uniform cross-section (32) and a second abutting section of tapering cross-section (34), each of said spindles (30) are provided with a like plurality of symmetrically disposed circumferential radially extending slots (36) in which corresponding ones of said plurality of optical fibers (18) are bonded at a region along their lengths remote from said fused biconical taper coupling (19).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
57 words
A transmissive star coupler (10), as recited in claim 1, further including a housing (16), and wherein said first and second spindles (12,14) are respectively bonded one at each end to mating and complementary internal surfaces of said housing (16) to provide stress relief to said fused biconical taper coupler and to prevent environmentally arising damage thereto.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
107 words
A transmissive multiport star coupler (10) characterized in that it comprises : first and second spindles (12,14) co-axially spaced-apart along an axis; a plurality of optical fibers (18) symmetrically bonded circumferentially to said first and second support spindles (12,14) and having a localized region (19) intermediate said first and second support spindles (12,14) wherein light energy present in one or more of said optical fibers to one side of said region is mixed optically and substantially equally split into said optical fibers to the other side of said region; and and environmentally secure stress-relief housing (16) into which said first and second spindle (12,14) are fixably mounted.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
107 words
A transmissive multiport star coupler (10) characterized in that it comprises : first and second spindles (12,14) co-axially spaced-apart along an axis; a plurality of optical fibers (18) symmetrically bonded circumferentially to said first and second support spindles (12,14) and having a localized region (19) intermediate said first and second support spindles (12,14) wherein light energy present in one or more of said optical fibers to one side of said region is mixed optically and substantially equally split into said optical fibers to the other side of said region; and and environmentally secure stress-relief housing (16) into which said first and second spindle (12,14) are fixably mounted.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
A transmissive multiport star coupler, as recited in claim 3, wherein said region comprises a fused biconical taper coupling (19).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
65 words
A transmissive multiport star coupler, as recited in any one of claims 3 or 4, wherein each (30) of said spindles (12,14) includes a region of uniform cross-section (32) and a region of tappering cross-section (34) and further include a plurality of longitudinally extending circumferentially symmetric and radially outwardly extending slots (36) therethrough that are adapted to receive respective ones of said optical fibers (18).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
A transmissive multiport star coupler, as recited in claim 5, wherein said spindles (12,14) and said housing (16) are fashioned of a relatively hard and temperature stable substance.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
58 words
A transmissive multiport star coupler, as recited in claim 6, wherein said housing (16,82) has mating and complementary top and bottom portions (84, 80).which are provided with a longitudinally extending passageway (86) therethrough, the inside diameter of said passageway on the ends (88) thereof being selected to be equal to the outside diameter of said spindles (12, 14).
Claim 10
Independent Claim
212 words
A method for fabricating a transmissive multiport star coupler (10), characterized in that it comprises steps of : obtaining a plurality of preselected lengths of optic fibers (74); stripping the buffer coating from said optic fibers (74) at a selected region along their lengths by chemical and physical means to expose the cladding; inserting respective ones of said fiber optic cables (74) at spaced-apart points therealong into corresponding slots (72) symmetrically disposed on first and second support spindles (68,70); applying tension to the lengths of cables (74) extending between said spindles; bonding each of said tensioned fiber optic cables (74) in corresponding slots (72) in respective ones of said spindles (68,70); rotating said spindles (68,70) to twist said cables(74) each over the other in a local region intermediate said spindles; heating said cables (74) in said local region of said twist to fuse said cables together; moving said spindles (68,70) one away from the other to pull said cables (74) longitudinally apart a preselected distance to form a fused biconical taper star coupling (77) in said region; and mounting said spindles (68,70) in a housing (16,82) to provide stress-relief for, environmental protection of, and additional support to said fused biconical taper coupling (77) to form a transmissive multiport star coupler assembly (10).
Claim 11
Independent Claim
212 words
A method for fabricating a transmissive multiport star coupler (10), characterized in that it comprises steps of : obtaining a plurality of preselected lengths of optic fibers (74); stripping the buffer coating from said optic fibers (74) at a selected region along their lengths by chemical and physical means to expose the cladding; inserting respective ones of said fiber optic cables (74) at spaced-apart points therealong into corresponding slots (72) symmetrically disposed on first and second support spindles (68,70); applying tension to the lengths of cables (74) extending between said spindles; bonding each of said tensioned fiber optic cables (74) in corresponding slots (72) in respective ones of said spindles (68,70); rotating said spindles (68,70) to twist said cables(74) each over the other in a local region intermediate said spindles; heating said cables (74) in said local region of said twist to fuse said cables together; moving said spindles (68,70) one away from the other to pull said cables (74) longitudinally apart a preselected distance to form a fused biconical taper star coupling (77) in said region; and mounting said spindles (68,70) in a housing (16,82) to provide stress-relief for, environmental protection of, and additional support to said fused biconical taper coupling (77) to form a transmissive multiport star coupler assembly (10).
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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