US3874780A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Coupler for optical communication system
Assignee: Corning Glass Works
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Filing: 1973-07-05
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Granted: 1975-04-01
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Expires: 1993-07-05
Abstract
Abstract An optical signal coupler for use between a single optical signal transmission line and a plurality of such transmission lines. The coupler comprises an elongated cylindrically shaped rod of transparent material having first and second substantially parallel endfaces having anti-reflection coatings disposed thereon. Support means disposes the ends of the plurality of transmission lines in a bundled arrangement in such a manner that the optical waveguides of which the transmission lines are comprised terminate adjacent to the first endface of the rod, the axes of the waveguides being substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the rod. The single transmission line is disposed in a similar manner at the second endface of the rod.
Inventors
- 👤 Roy E Love
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 22:57
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/26; G02B6/28; G02B6/2804; G02B6/2808
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
320 words
In an optical communication system having a plurality of stations and at least one control station, eAch of said stations being adapted to transmit and receive optical signals, a coupler, a plurality of optical signal transmission lines for connecting said plurality of stations to said coupler, at least one other optical signal transmission line for connecting said at least one control station to said coupler, each of said transmission lines comprising at least one optical waveguide having a core of transparent material having a refractive index n1 surrounded by a layer of transparent cladding material having a refractive index n2 that is lower than n1, said coupler being adapted to couple optical signals from said first plurality of transmission lines to said at least one transmission line and couple optical signals from said at least one transmission line to said plurality of transmission lines but prevent the coupling of optical signals from one to another of said plurality of transmission lines, said coupler comprising an elongated cylindrically shaped rod of transparent material of refractive index n3 having first and second planar endfaces that are substantially perpendicular to the axis thereof, means surrounding said rod for forming with the surface thereof an optical quality light reflecting interface, first support means for disposing the ends of said plurality of transmission lines in a bundled parallel arrangement, the optical waveguides of which said transmission lines are comprised terminating in faces that are disposed adjacent to said first endface, said faces being disposed in a planar array that is substantially parallel to said first endface, second support means for disposing the end of said at least one transmission line adjacent to said second endface, the axis of said at least one transmission line being substantially parallel to that of said rod, and means at said first and second endfaces for preventing light from said rod from reflecting from said endfaces back into said rod.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
320 words
In an optical communication system having a plurality of stations and at least one control station, eAch of said stations being adapted to transmit and receive optical signals, a coupler, a plurality of optical signal transmission lines for connecting said plurality of stations to said coupler, at least one other optical signal transmission line for connecting said at least one control station to said coupler, each of said transmission lines comprising at least one optical waveguide having a core of transparent material having a refractive index n1 surrounded by a layer of transparent cladding material having a refractive index n2 that is lower than n1, said coupler being adapted to couple optical signals from said first plurality of transmission lines to said at least one transmission line and couple optical signals from said at least one transmission line to said plurality of transmission lines but prevent the coupling of optical signals from one to another of said plurality of transmission lines, said coupler comprising an elongated cylindrically shaped rod of transparent material of refractive index n3 having first and second planar endfaces that are substantially perpendicular to the axis thereof, means surrounding said rod for forming with the surface thereof an optical quality light reflecting interface, first support means for disposing the ends of said plurality of transmission lines in a bundled parallel arrangement, the optical waveguides of which said transmission lines are comprised terminating in faces that are disposed adjacent to said first endface, said faces being disposed in a planar array that is substantially parallel to said first endface, second support means for disposing the end of said at least one transmission line adjacent to said second endface, the axis of said at least one transmission line being substantially parallel to that of said rod, and means at said first and second endfaces for preventing light from said rod from reflecting from said endfaces back into said rod.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
An optical communication system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said means for preventing reflection comprises first and second anti-reflection coatings disposed upon said first and second endfaces, respectively.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
An optical communication system in accordance with claim 2 wherein said means surrounding said rod comprises a layer of transparent cladding material disposed upon the surface of said rod, the refractive index n4 of said cladding material being lower than n3.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
An optical communication system in accordance with claim 3 wherein the refractive index n1 of said optical waveguide cores and the refractive index n3 of said rod are substantially equal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
An optical communication system in accordance with claim 4 wherein the numerical aperture of said coupler is at least as large as that of said at least one optical waveguide.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
An optical communication system in accordance with claim 5 wherein said rod is in the shape of a cylinder of circular cross-section.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
103 words
An optical communication system in accordance with claim 6 wherein said plurality of transmission lines are grouped into a bundle the cross-section of which is circumscribed by a circle of radius D, the end of said bundle being centrally located with respect to said first endface, and wherein the end of said at least one transmission line is centrally located with respect to said second endface, the distance between the center of said second endface and the most remote point on the end of said at least one transmission line being d, the length L of said rod being determined by the equation
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
An optical communication system in accordance with claim 1 wherein optical signal coupling means is disposed in each of said plurality of transmission lines and in said at least one transmission line.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
An optical comMunication system in accordance with claim 8 wherein said at least one transmission line comprises a single transmission line and said at least one control station comprises a single station.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
259 words
In an optical communication system comprising a plurality of stations for transmitting and receiving optical signals, at least one control station for transmitting and receiving optical signals, a coupler, a plurality of optical signal transmission lines for connecting said plurality of stations to said coupler, at least one other optical signal transmission line for connecting said at least one control station to said coupler, each of said optical signal transmission lines comprising at least one optical waveguide having a core of transparent material having a refractive index n1 surrounded by a layer of transparent cladding material having a refractive index n1 that is lower than n1, said coupler being characterized in that it comprises an elongated rod of transparent material of refractive index n3 having first and second planar endfaces that are substantially perpendicular to the axis thereof, means surrounding said rod for forming with the surface thereof an optical quality light reflecting interface, first support means for disposing the ends of said plurality of transmission lines in a bundled parallel arrangement, the optical waveguides of which said transmission lines are comprised terminating in faces that are disposed adjacent to said first endface, said faces being disposed in a planar array that is substantially parallel to said first endface, second support means for disposing the end of said at least one transmission line adjacent to said second endface, the axis of said at least one transmission line being substantially parallel to that of said rod, and first and second anti-reflection coatings disposed upon said first and second endfaces, respectively.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
259 words
In an optical communication system comprising a plurality of stations for transmitting and receiving optical signals, at least one control station for transmitting and receiving optical signals, a coupler, a plurality of optical signal transmission lines for connecting said plurality of stations to said coupler, at least one other optical signal transmission line for connecting said at least one control station to said coupler, each of said optical signal transmission lines comprising at least one optical waveguide having a core of transparent material having a refractive index n1 surrounded by a layer of transparent cladding material having a refractive index n1 that is lower than n1, said coupler being characterized in that it comprises an elongated rod of transparent material of refractive index n3 having first and second planar endfaces that are substantially perpendicular to the axis thereof, means surrounding said rod for forming with the surface thereof an optical quality light reflecting interface, first support means for disposing the ends of said plurality of transmission lines in a bundled parallel arrangement, the optical waveguides of which said transmission lines are comprised terminating in faces that are disposed adjacent to said first endface, said faces being disposed in a planar array that is substantially parallel to said first endface, second support means for disposing the end of said at least one transmission line adjacent to said second endface, the axis of said at least one transmission line being substantially parallel to that of said rod, and first and second anti-reflection coatings disposed upon said first and second endfaces, respectively.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
144 words
An optical communication system in accordance with claim 10 wherein said rod is a cylinder of circular cross-section, wherein said means surrounding said rod comprises a layer of transparent cladding material disposed upon the surface of said rod, the refractive index n4 of said cladding material being lower than n3, wherein said plurality of transmission lines are grouped into a bundle the cross-section of which is circumscribed by a circle of radius D, the end of said bundle being centrally located with respect to said first endface, and wherein the end of said at least one transmission line is centrally located with respect to said second endface, the distance between the center of said second endface and the most remote point on the end of said at least one transmission line being d, the length L of said rod being determined by the equation
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-03-31 | 1978-09-30 | 1979-04-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-31 | 1982-09-30 | 1983-04-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-31 | 1986-09-30 | 1987-04-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |