Optical communications systems

Claim 2

A plug and socket for optically coupling first and second lengths of dielectric optical waveguide, said lengths having substantially identical end sections, comprising: socket means having a body member rigidly affixed therein, said body member having an unobstructed capillary bore therethrough extending axially of said socket means; a first length of dielectric optical waveguide rigidly supported in said bore and extending beyond said body and into said socket means; a guide member slidably received within said socket spaced axially from said body and having an unobstructed capillary bore aligned with said body bore, said first length of waveguide extending at least partially therethrough; a plug, sized to be slidably received within said socket means, said plug also having an unobstructed capillary bore therethrough which aligns with said other bores when said plug is positioned within said socket; and a second length of waveguide rigidly supported partially within said plug bore; whereby, when said plug is inserted into said socket into contact with said guide member, further movement of said plug into said socket is effective to move said guide towards said body member, insert said first waveguide into the bore of said plug and finally abut the ends of said first and second waveguides within said plug.

Claim 3

A coupler as defined by claim 1 in which said bore in said guide member tapers outwardly at at least one end thereof.

Claim 4

A coupler as defined in claim 1 in which said body member, said guide member and said plug are each glass.

Claim 5

A coupler as defined by claim 1 including means on said socket for retaining said plug therein.

Claim 6

A plug and socket for optically coupling a first to a second plurality of lengths of dielectric optical waveguides comprising: socket means including a sleeve having a foraminous cylinder rigidly received therein, said cylinder having a plurality of parallel foramina extending axially therethrough; a plurality of first body members each having an unobstructed capillary bore extending axially therethrough parallel to the axis of said foramina and one of said body members being rigidly received in each said foramina respectively; a first plurality of lengths of dielectric optical waveguide, one rigidly received in the bores of each said body members respectively and extending beyond said body members axially into said foramina; a plurality of guide members one slidably received within each foramina respectively, spaced from said body members and having unobstructed bores therethrough aligned with the bores of said body members, one of said first lengths of waveguide extending at least partially into one each said guide members respectively; a foraminous plug received within said socket, said plug having a number of foramina equal to the number in said socket, said socket and said plug having means insuring alignment of said foramina when in assembled relation; an unobstructed second plurality of body members each having a capillary bore therethrough and one slidably received in each foramina in said plug respectively; a second plurality of waveguides, one rigidly supported in each said second body member respectively and extending partially therethrough; means for holding said plug and socket in assembled relationship; and means affording connection of an actuable biasing mean for forcing said second plurality of body members outwardly of the foramina in said plug into the foramina in said cylinder; whereby said plugs first contact said guide members and then move said guide members towards said body members until said first plurality of waveguides enter the bores of said second plurality of body members and finally abut said second plurality of waveguides with said second plurality of body members.

Claim 7

A plug and socket for optically coupling a first to a second plurality of lengths of dielectric optical waveguides comprising: socket means including a sleeve having a foraminous cylinder rigidly received therein, said cylinder having a plurality of parallel foramina extending axially therethrough; a plurality of first body members each having an unobstructed capillary bore extending axially therethrough parallel to the axis of said foramina and one of said body members being rigidly received in each said foramina respectively; a first plurality of lengths of dielectric optical waveguide, one rigidly received in the bores of each said body members respectively and extending beyond said body members axially into said foramina; a plurality of guide members one slidably received within each foramina respectively, spaced from said body members and having unobstructed bores therethrough aligned with the bores of said body members, one of said first lengths of waveguide extending at least partially into one each said guide members respectively; a foraminous plug received within said socket, said plug having a number of foramina equal to the number in said socket, said socket and said plug having means insuring alignment of said foramina when in assembled relation; an unobstructed second plurality of body members each having a capillary bore therethrough and one slidably received in each foramina in said plug respectively; a second plurality of waveguides, one rigidly supported in each said second body member respectively and extending partially therethrough; means for holding said plug and socket in assembled relationship; and means affording connection of an actuable biasing mean for forcing said second plurality of body members outwardly of the foramina in said plug into the foramina in said cylinder; whereby said plugs first contact said guide members and then move said guide members towards said body members until said first plurality of waveguides enter the bores of said second plurality of body members and finally abut said second plurality of waveguides with said second plurality of body members.

Claim 8

A coupler as defined by claim 5 in which said capillary bores in said guide members taper outwardly at at least one end thereof.

Claim 9

A coupler as defined by claim 6 in which said capillary bores in said second plurality of body members taper outwardly at at least that end thereof not filled with waveguide.

Claim 10

A coupler as defined by claim 5 in which said actuable biasing means comprises a chamber adapted to receive a pressurized fluid, said chamber communicating with each foramin of said plug on that end remote from said socket.