EP0553492A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Low expansion composition for packaging optical waveguide couplers
Assignee: Corning Inc
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Filing: 1992-12-28
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2012-12-28
Abstract
Abstract A rigid, low expansion formable housing composition can be used to package optical waveguide couplers. The housing is in intimate contact with and strongly bonded to the coupler being packaged. The housing composition includes a formable polymeric resin, a glass-ceramic or ceramic or glass filler, and, optionally, strengthening fibers. The filler has a low thermal expansion to compensate for the high expansion of the resin. A moisture barrier layer may be placed around the housing composition, and it is possible to incorporate a shock absorbing material between the housing and the moisture barrier layer.
Inventors
- 👤 Kishor Purushottam Corning Incorporated Gadkaree
- 👤 Joseph Frank Corning Incorporated Mach
- 👤 Rengan Corning Incorporated Kannabiran
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 11:13
CPC Classifications
C; C08; C08K; C08K3/00; C08K3/40; G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/26; G02B6/28; G02B6/2804; G02B6/2821; G02B6/2835
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
52 words
A rigid, low expansion formable composition, suitable for use in packaging optical components, comprising: a formable polymeric resin and a glass-ceramic or ceramic or glass filler with a coefficient of thermal expansion less than 0 x 10⁻⁷°C⁻¹, measured between -40°C and +80°C, to reduce the coefficient of thermal expansion of said composition.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
56 words
A rigid, low expansion formable composition, suitable for use in packaging optical components, comprising: a formable polymeric resin, a glass-ceramic or ceramic or glass filler with a coefficient of thermal less than 15 x 10⁻⁷°C⁻¹, measured between -40°C and +80°C, to reduce the coefficient of thermal expansion of said composition, and fibers to strengthen the composition.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
A composition according to claim 2, wherein said fibers are continuous or chopped and are formed from materials selected from the group consisting of glass, graphite, aromatic polyamides, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
A composition according to claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein said filler has a negative coefficient of thermal expansion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
A composition according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4 wherein said filler is derived from β-spodumene, β-quartz, or β-eucryptite phases of a Li₂0.Al₂0₃.Si0₂ system comprising 1-20 weight percent Li₂0, 5-25 weight percent Al₂0₃, and 25-85 weight percent Si0₂.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A composition according to claim 5, wherein the Li₂0.Al₂0₃.Si0₂ system additionally contains one or more of Zn0, Zr0₂,Ti0₂, other nucleating agents, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
A composition according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4 wherein said filler is derived from an Al₂0₃.Ti0₂ system comprising 40-60 weight percent Al₂0₃ and 40-60 weight percent Ti0₂.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
54 words
A composition according to any one of claims 1-7, wherein said polymeric resin is a thermoplastic polymer, or a thermoset polymer having a viscosity of up to 100 poise and a glass transition temperature of at least 80°C, optionally selected from the group consisting of phenolic resins, epoxy resins, acrylate resins, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
A composition according to any one of claims 1-8, wherein said composition comprises 10-50 weight percent of said polymeric resin, 1-60 weight percent of said filler, and 5-60 weight percent of said fibers.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
119 words
A composition according to claims 2 and any one of 3-9, wherein said fibers are continuous or chopped and are formed from materials selected from the group consisting of glass, graphite, aromatic polyamides, and mixtures thereof, said filler has a negative coefficient of thermal expansion and is derived from either β-spodumene, β-quartz, or β-eucryptite phases of a Li0₂.Al₂0₃.Si0₂ system comprising 1-20 weight percent Li0₂, 5-25 weight percent Al₂0₃, and 25-85 weight percent Si0₂ or an Al₂0₃.Ti0₂ system comprising 40-60 weight percent Al₂0₃ and 40-60 weight percent Ti0₂, and said polymeric resin is a thermoset polymer having a viscosity of up to 100 poise and selected from the group consisting of phenolic resins, epoxy resins, acrylate resins, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
Use of the composition of any one of claims 1-10 as a rigid housing for a component packaged therein.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
122 words
The use of the preceding claim, wherein said component is an optical fiber coupler packaged for resistance to bending or breakage, and comprising an elongate coupler body comprising at least one waveguide path formed in one or more glass structures and a rigid housing intimately contacting at least a portion of said coupler wherein said housing is strongly and stiffly bonded to said coupler, optionally further comprising: an outer moisture barrier around said housing, optionally further comprising: a viscous shock absorbing material between said outer moisture barrier and said housing to dampen vibrations, optionally said viscous shock absorbing material being selected from the group consisting of silicones, rubber, and mixtures thereof and wherein said outer moisture barrier comprises a liquid crystal polymer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The use of the preceding claim, wherein said coupler has a longitudinal axis and said fibers extend along a path substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said coupler.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
53 words
An optical fiber coupler packaged for resistance to bending or breakage comprising: an elongate coupler body comprising at least one waveguide path formed in one or more glass structures and a rigid housing intimately contacting at least a portion of said coupler wherein said housing is strongly and stiffly bonded to said coupler.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
46 words
A process of packaging an optical element with the packaging composition of any one of claims 1-10 comprising the steps of applying said composition to an optical element; and curing said composition to form a stiff, strong housing intimately contacting and bonded to said optical element.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
36 words
A process according to claim 15, wherein said housing composition is in the form of a tape which can be wetted to adhere to the coupler, optionally wrapped substantially around the coupler without having overlapping portions.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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