US4076377A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fiber-optic device with curved sleeve and filler matrix
Assignee: Volpi AG
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Filing: 1976-02-05
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Granted: 1978-02-28
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Expires: 1996-02-05
Abstract
Abstract A generally flexible fiber-optic light guide comprising a multifilament bundle of coated fibers in a sheath and having at least one permanently bent portion defining a rigid curve, the bent portion being arranged within an end piece or socket of the light guide; the coated fibers within the bent portion being closely packed and embedded in a solid material capable of serving as a lubricant when in an uncured state. The permanently bent portion is produced by arranging the coated fiber closely packed in a straight tube made of a ductile material, filling the tube with an agent capable of serving as a lubricating agent when in an uncured state, bending said tube with the fibers and the lubricating agent and curing the lubricating agent so as to form a solid matrix or bedding for the fibers in the bent portion.
Inventors
- 👤 Nando Moraschetti
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 02:27
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/36; G02B6/3616; G02B6/04; G02B6/06; G02B6/3628; G02B6/3632; G02B6/3644
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
198 words
A fiber-optic device comprising a length of a fiber bundle having a flexible portion housed in a flexible sheath, and portions of said fiber bundle adapted for optical continuity, at least one substantially rigid portion of said fiber bundle being enclosed in a substantially constantly curved sleeve member, said fiber bundle consisting of a plurality of fibers each having a core of a transparent material provided with a substantially uniform coating of a material having a lower refractive index than said material of said core and each of said fibers having a substantially uniform diameter, said rigid portion defining a permanently bent part of said bundle in which the distance between adjacent fibers is smaller than said diameter, and said rigid portion comprising a solid matrix formed of two different substances, said curved sleeve member having a first end and a second end, said matrix comprising from said first end of said sleeve to a midpoint between said ends thereof an epoxy resin and from said second end of said sleeve to the midpoint between said ends thereof a cured silicoorganic compound, and said matrix filling the space within said curved sleeve member not occupied by said fibers.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
198 words
A fiber-optic device comprising a length of a fiber bundle having a flexible portion housed in a flexible sheath, and portions of said fiber bundle adapted for optical continuity, at least one substantially rigid portion of said fiber bundle being enclosed in a substantially constantly curved sleeve member, said fiber bundle consisting of a plurality of fibers each having a core of a transparent material provided with a substantially uniform coating of a material having a lower refractive index than said material of said core and each of said fibers having a substantially uniform diameter, said rigid portion defining a permanently bent part of said bundle in which the distance between adjacent fibers is smaller than said diameter, and said rigid portion comprising a solid matrix formed of two different substances, said curved sleeve member having a first end and a second end, said matrix comprising from said first end of said sleeve to a midpoint between said ends thereof an epoxy resin and from said second end of said sleeve to the midpoint between said ends thereof a cured silicoorganic compound, and said matrix filling the space within said curved sleeve member not occupied by said fibers.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
The fiber-optic device of claim 1, wherein said substantially rigid portion of said fiber bundle is an end portion of said fiber bundle and wherein said curved sleeve member is a socket member having a curvature in the range of up to about 180°.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The fiber-optic device of claim 1, wherein said distance between adjacent fibers is less than about one tenth of said diameter of said fibers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The fiber-optic device of claim 1, wherein said curved sleeve member is a curved tube around at least one of said end portions and said sleeve member having a curvature in the range of up to 180°.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The fiber-optic device of claim 1, wherein said sleeve member consists of a tube made of a ductile metal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The fiber-optic device of claim 1, wherein said fiber cores are made of fused silica.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The fiber-optic device of claim 1, wherein said silicoorganic material has a lower refractive index than said material of said fiber.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
118 words
A fiber-optic cable comprising a bundle of flexible light-conductors, a sheath enclosing a length of said bundle and a socket means at one end of said bundle, said socket means including a tubular lining of a ductile metal defining a permanently bent end portion of said bundle; said conductors being closely packed and embedded in said bent portion by a matrix formed of a set lubricant, said bent portion having a first end and a second end, said matrix comprising from said first end of said bent portion to a midpoint between the ends thereof an epoxy resin and from said second end of said bent portion to the midpoint between the ends thereof a cured silicoorganic compound.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
118 words
A fiber-optic cable comprising a bundle of flexible light-conductors, a sheath enclosing a length of said bundle and a socket means at one end of said bundle, said socket means including a tubular lining of a ductile metal defining a permanently bent end portion of said bundle; said conductors being closely packed and embedded in said bent portion by a matrix formed of a set lubricant, said bent portion having a first end and a second end, said matrix comprising from said first end of said bent portion to a midpoint between the ends thereof an epoxy resin and from said second end of said bent portion to the midpoint between the ends thereof a cured silicoorganic compound.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
103 words
In a fiber-optic cable comprising a fiber bundle and at least one socket-type end portion, the improvement of said end portion comprising a curved tubular member rigidly enclosing a portion of said fiber bundle in a closely packed arrangement and embedded in a solid matrix formed of a set lubricant, said curved tubular member having a first end and a second end, said matrix comprising from said first end of said tubular member to a midpoint between the ends thereof an epoxy resin and from said second end of said tubular member to the midpoint between the ends thereof a cured silico-organic compound.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
103 words
In a fiber-optic cable comprising a fiber bundle and at least one socket-type end portion, the improvement of said end portion comprising a curved tubular member rigidly enclosing a portion of said fiber bundle in a closely packed arrangement and embedded in a solid matrix formed of a set lubricant, said curved tubular member having a first end and a second end, said matrix comprising from said first end of said tubular member to a midpoint between the ends thereof an epoxy resin and from said second end of said tubular member to the midpoint between the ends thereof a cured silico-organic compound.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-02-27 | 1981-08-29 | 1982-02-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-02-27 | 1985-08-29 | 1986-02-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-02-27 | 1989-08-29 | 1990-02-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |