US3864018A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and means for splicing arrays of optical fibers
Assignee: AT&T Inc
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Filing: 1973-10-18
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Granted: 1975-02-04
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Expires: 1993-10-18
Abstract
Abstract Multiple linear arrays of optical fiber cable are aligned and spliced by use of a thin rigid chip with a large number of closely spaced parallel longitudinal fiber-receiving grooves having a uniform cross section. An array splice is built by stacking successive layers of chips and linearly arrayed fibers. A termination is prepared from the foregoing by end grinding or the like. Two ends so prepared are then brought together and aligned by one or two aligning modules having grooves which are mating opposite to those of the chip. The system achieves relatively precise and reliable axial alignment for corresponding fibers of the two prepared terminations.
Inventors
- 👤 Calvin Max Miller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 08:03
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/36; G02B6/3628; G02B6/3632; G02B6/3636; G02B6/38; G02B6/3801; G02B6/3803; G02B6/3807; G02B6/3833; G02B6/3834; G02B6/3838; G02B6/3839; G02B6/3873; G02B6/3885; G02B6/3648; G02B6/3652; G02B6/3664; G02B6/3676
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
89 words
An article for permanently locating the ends of a first group of optical fibers in abutting, axial alignment with corresponding ends of a second group of optical fibers, comprising: a thin wafer having parallel flat top and bottom surfaces, each surface having an equal number of spaced parallel optical fiber-receiving longitudinal grooves of uniform cross section, the corresponding grooves of said surface being in vertical alignment, the geometry of each said groove being selected to assure spatial separation between two such articles when enveloping uniform diameter optical fibers thereinbetween.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
89 words
An article for permanently locating the ends of a first group of optical fibers in abutting, axial alignment with corresponding ends of a second group of optical fibers, comprising: a thin wafer having parallel flat top and bottom surfaces, each surface having an equal number of spaced parallel optical fiber-receiving longitudinal grooves of uniform cross section, the corresponding grooves of said surface being in vertical alignment, the geometry of each said groove being selected to assure spatial separation between two such articles when enveloping uniform diameter optical fibers thereinbetween.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
An article described in claim 1, wherein each said groove is defined by first and second planar surfaces which, extended intersect in a ''''V'''' the subtended article of which is in a range of substantially 60* to 120*.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
82 words
In combination: first and second thin wafers with substantially parallel flat top and bottom surfaces at least one of said surfaces of each wafer having uniformly spaced, parallel optical fiber-receiving longitudinal grooves of uniform cross section; and a transmission medium comprising a linear array of parallel optical fibers having the same uniform spacing as do said grooves, each of said fibers being held between corresponding grooves of said first and second wafers, said wafers being spatially separated when so holding said fibers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
82 words
In combination: first and second thin wafers with substantially parallel flat top and bottom surfaces at least one of said surfaces of each wafer having uniformly spaced, parallel optical fiber-receiving longitudinal grooves of uniform cross section; and a transmission medium comprising a linear array of parallel optical fibers having the same uniform spacing as do said grooves, each of said fibers being held between corresponding grooves of said first and second wafers, said wafers being spatially separated when so holding said fibers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
The combination described in claim 3 wherein each said groove is defined by first and second planar surfaces which, extended intersect in a ''''V'''' the subtended article of which is in a range of substantially 60* to 120*.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
85 words
A termination structure for an optical fiber cable comprising: a plurality of stacked, relatively thin wafers each having parallel flat top and bottom surfaces, each said surface containing a number of longitudinal grooves of a uniform cross section and equal spacing, the corresponding grooves in the top and bottom surfaces of each said wAfer being in vertical alignment; and optical fibers of said cable supported within respective oppositely disposed grooves of adjacent said wafers, so that when so assembled, adjacent said wafers are spaced apart.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
85 words
A termination structure for an optical fiber cable comprising: a plurality of stacked, relatively thin wafers each having parallel flat top and bottom surfaces, each said surface containing a number of longitudinal grooves of a uniform cross section and equal spacing, the corresponding grooves in the top and bottom surfaces of each said wAfer being in vertical alignment; and optical fibers of said cable supported within respective oppositely disposed grooves of adjacent said wafers, so that when so assembled, adjacent said wafers are spaced apart.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
76 words
An optical fiber cable splice connector comprising: first and second identical termination structures as defined in claim 5; and at least one flat elongated aligning module having grooves which are the mating opposite of the uniform grooves of the said wafer surfaces; said module matingly and mutually engaging outermost grooves of the assembly of both the first and the second termination structure, thereby to effect coaxial alignment of the corresponding fibers of the two said structures.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
The connector of claim 6 further comprising: refractive index matching means applied to optically connect corresponding said fibers; and bonding means to permanentize the achieved alignment between said first and second terminal structures.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3768146A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-02-03 | 1978-08-05 | 1979-02-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-02-03 | 1982-08-05 | 1983-02-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-02-03 | 1986-08-05 | 1987-02-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |