EP0566280A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Method of uniting optical fibers
Assignee: Machida Endoscope Co Ltd
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Filing: 1993-04-01
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2013-04-01
Abstract
Abstract After a number of optical fibers (20) are inserted into a tubular member (10) of a shape memory alloy, the tubular member is returned to its memorized shape by heating to reduce a cross-sectional area of a reception space (11) of the tubular member, thereby uniting the optical fibers received in the tubular member. In a modified form of the invention, a number of optical fibers (20) are inserted into a reception space (11K) between two tubular members (10K₁, 10K₂) at least one of which is made of a shape memory alloy, and then the one tubular member is heated to be returned to its memorized shape to reduce a cross-sectional area of the reception space between the two tubular members, thereby uniting the optical fibers. In another modified form of the invention, a number of optical fibers (20) are inserted into a reception space (41) formed between an inner periphery of a tubular member (40) and a partition plate (45) of a shape memory alloy, and then the partition plate is heated to be returned to its memorized shape to reduce a cross-sectional area of the reception space, thereby uniting the optical fibers.
Inventors
- 👤 Kunio c/o Machida Endoscope Co. Ltd. Odanaka
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 03:20
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/36; G02B6/40; G02B6/403; A; A61; A61B; A61B1/00; A61B1/06; A61B1/07; G02B6/04; G02B6/406; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49826; Y10T29/49863; Y10T29/49865; Y10T29/49906; Y10T29/49908; Y10T29/49925; Y10T29/49927
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
105 words
A method of uniting a number of optical fibers comprising the step of inserting a number of optical fibers (20) into a tubular member (10); CHARACTERIZED by the steps of: (a) processing said tubular member (10) of a shape memory alloy with a reception space (11) in such a manner that the cross-sectional area of said reception space is larger than that in a memorized shape of said tubular member; and (b) heating said tubular member to return the same to its memorized shape to reduce the cross-sectional area of said reception space, thereby uniting said optical fibers (20) received in said tubular member (10).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
78 words
A method according to claim 1, in which said tubular member (10) has a through hole (12) formed through a peripheral wall of said tubular member, said method further comprising the step of applying an adhesive to said optical fibers (20) before said optical fibers are inserted into said tubular member, whereby when said tubular member is returned to its memorized shape by heating, said adhesive leaks to the exterior of said tubular member through said through hole.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
76 words
A method according to claim 1, in which said reception space (11A; 11B) of said tubular member (10A; 10B) has the transverse cross-sectional area decreasing progressively toward one end thereof before and after said tubular member is heated, said method further comprising the step of introducing a core (15A; 15B) into said tubular member before the step of heating said tubular member, and a transverse cross-sectional area of said core decreasing progressively toward one end thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
57 words
A method according to claim 1, in which in the memorized shape of said tubular member (10E), said tubular member includes an outer arcuate portion (10Ea), an inner arcuate portion (10Eb), and a pair of connecting portions (10Ec) interconnecting said outer and inner arcuate portions at opposite ends thereof, said reception space (11E) having a generally C-shape.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 1, in which said tubular member (10H) comprises a coil.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method according to claim 1, in which said tubular member (10J; 10K) in its memorized shape has a bent axis, the bending of said axis being gentler before the heating of said tubular member than in the memorized shape.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
129 words
A method of uniting a number of optical fibers comprising the step of inserting a number of optical fibers (20) into a tubular member (10K₁); CHARACTERIZED by the steps of: (a) inserting an inner tubular member (10K₂) and a number of optical fibers (20) into an outer tubular member (10K₁) constituted by said tubular member, said outer and inner tubular members forming a reception space (11K) therebetween in which said optical fibers are received, and at least one of said outer and inner tubular members being made of a shape memory alloy; and (b) subsequently heating said one tubular member to return the same into its memorized shape to reduce a cross-sectional area of said reception space (11K), thereby uniting said optical fibers (20) received in said reception space.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
81 words
A method according to claim 7, in which at least one of said outer and inner tubular members (10K₁, 10K₂) has a through hole (12) formed through a peripheral wall thereof, said method further comprising the step of applying an adhesive to said optical fibers (20) before said optical fibers are inserted into said reception space (11K), whereby when said one tubular member is returned to its memorized shape by heating, said adhesive leaks to the exterior through said through hole.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
126 words
A method of uniting a number of optical fibers comprising the step of inserting a number of optical fibers (20) into a tubular member (40); CHARACTERIZED by the steps of: (a) inserting a partition plate (45) and a number of optical fibers (20) into said tubular member (40), so that an internal space of said tubular member is divided into two sections, one of said two sections serving as a reception space (41) for receiving said optical fibers, and said partition plate being made of a shape memory alloy; and (b) subsequently heating said partition plate (45) to return the same to its memorized shape to reduce a cross-sectional area of said reception space (41), thereby uniting said optical fibers (20) received in said reception space.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 9, in which said partition plate (45) is curved before it is heated, and is returned to a generally flat, memorized shape by heating.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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