US3928102A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Joining optical waveguides
Assignee: Plessey Handel und Investments AG
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Filing: 1972-12-07
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Granted: 1975-12-23
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Expires: 1992-12-07
Abstract
Abstract A method of joining two optical fibres in which both are held parallel to a reference line by surface tension of a liquid, and alignment is achieved by transmitting light along one fibre and rotating the other until the light received thereby attains a maximum. While still held by surface tension, the fibres are joined at their ends by the application of an adhesive or heat. A reference line may be established on a flat surface by placing a third fibre in liquid spread over the surface and subjecting the fibre to tension.
Inventors
- 👤 Stephen Henry Rowe
- 👤 John Charles Bass
- 👤 Robert Charles Goodfellow
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 12:13
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/36; G02B6/38; G02B6/3801; G02B6/3803; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S359/00; Y10S359/90
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
84 words
A METHOD OF JOINING A FIRST OPTICAL FIBER END-TO-END WITH A SECOND OPTICAL FIBER WHICH INCLUDES PROVIDING A REFERENCE LINE, PLACING THE FIRST AND SECOND FIBRES SO AS TO TOUCH AND LIE PARALLEL TO THE REFERENCE LINE AND HOLDING SAID FIBERS SO POSITIONED BY SURFACE TENSION OF A LIQUID ADJUSTING THE ALIGNMENT OF THE FIRST AND SECOND FIBERS WHILE SO HELD, AND JOINING THE FIR ANS SECOND FIBERS TO EACH OTHER WHILE HELD IN THE ADJUSTED POSITIONS BY THE SURFACE TENSION OF THE LIQUID.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
84 words
A METHOD OF JOINING A FIRST OPTICAL FIBER END-TO-END WITH A SECOND OPTICAL FIBER WHICH INCLUDES PROVIDING A REFERENCE LINE, PLACING THE FIRST AND SECOND FIBRES SO AS TO TOUCH AND LIE PARALLEL TO THE REFERENCE LINE AND HOLDING SAID FIBERS SO POSITIONED BY SURFACE TENSION OF A LIQUID ADJUSTING THE ALIGNMENT OF THE FIRST AND SECOND FIBERS WHILE SO HELD, AND JOINING THE FIR ANS SECOND FIBERS TO EACH OTHER WHILE HELD IN THE ADJUSTED POSITIONS BY THE SURFACE TENSION OF THE LIQUID.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
54 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 in which the reference line is provided by spreading said liquid over a flat work table, placing a reference optical fibre on the work table in the liquid, the thickness of the fibre exceeding the depth of the liquid, and straightening the fibre by applying tension thereto.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 in which the reference line is provided by the angle of an angled work table.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
81 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 in which the reference line is provided by means of a flat work table which has a central slot, by spreading said liquid on the table at opposite sides of the slot, by placing a reference optical fibre on the table across the slot, the fibre resting in the liquid at each side of the slot, the thickness of the fibre exceeding the depth of the liquid, and by applying tension to the fibre.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
102 words
A method as claimed in claim 2 in which the first optical fibre is placed in said liquid and is held against and parallel to the reference fibre by surface tension of the liquid; and in which the second optical fibre is introduced to said liquid at an angle inclined to the surface of the work table, the second fibre being subsequently moved until its end is adjacent to an end of the first fibre, the second fibre being then laid on the work table where it is held against and parallel to the reference fibre by surface tension of the liquid.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
106 words
A method as claimed in claim 3 in which the first optical fibre is placed in the angle of the work table and is held parallel to the reference line by surface tension of the liquid; and in which the second optical fibre is introduced to said liquid at an angle inclined to both surfaces of the angled work table, the second fibre being subsequently moved until its end is adjacent to an end of the first fibre, the second fibre being then laid in the angle of the work table where it is held parallel to the reference line by surface tension of the liquid.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method as claimed in claim 5 in which the alignment of the first and second fibres is adjuSted by transmitting light along one of the fibres and rotating the other fibre until the quantity of light received thereby attains a maximum value.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method as claimed in claim 6 in which the alignment of the first and second fibres is adjusted by transmitting light along one of the fibres and rotating the other fibre until the quantity of light received thereby attains a maximum value.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method as claimed in claim 7 in which the said liquid has adhesive properties, the first and second fibres being joined to each other by allowing the liquid to set.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method as claimed in claim 8 in which the said liquid has adhesive properties, the first and second fibres being joined to each other by allowing the liquid to set.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method as claimed in claim 7 in which a liquid adhesive is applied to the ends of the first and second fibres while the fibres are held in the aligned position by surface tension.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method as claimed in claim 8 in which a liquid adhesive is applied to the ends of the first and second fibres while the fibres are held in the aligned position by surface tension.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
52 words
A method as claimed in claim 4 in which the first and second fibres are placed in said liquid at opposite sides of the slot with their ends adjacent to each other over the slot, each fibre being held against and parallel to the reference fibre by surface tension of the liquid.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method as claimed in claim 13 in which the alignment of the first and second fibres is adjusted by transmitting light along one of the fibres and rotating the other fibre until the quantity of light received thereby attains a maximum value.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as claimed in claim 14 in which the first and second fibres are joined to each other by applying heat to the fibres at the slot in the work table.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2218909A
Cited
US3717531A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-12-22 | 1979-06-23 | 1979-12-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-12-22 | 1983-06-23 | 1983-12-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-12-22 | 1987-06-23 | 1987-12-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |