US4087156A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical fiber transmission mixer and method of making same
Assignee: U S Holding Co Inc
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Filing: 1975-11-07
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Granted: 1978-05-02
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Expires: 1995-11-07
Abstract
Abstract Methods and materials are disclosed for providing an optical fiber transmission mixer wherein the cladding material is removed from an intermediate region of a plurality of fibers and the exposed fiber cores are encapsulated in a matching or slightly higher refractive index material. The encapsulated intermediate region of the fibers is then enclosed in a low index sheath to prevent light from escaping from the mixer.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles K. Kao
- 👤 James E. Goell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 00:19
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/26; G02B6/28; G02B6/2804; G02B6/2808; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S359/00; Y10S359/90
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
105 words
A method for providing an integral optical transmission mixer having improved coupling efficiency comprising the steps of: stripping a section of plastic cladding material from a plurality of plastic clad silica core optical fibers intermediate the fiber ends to expose the silica cores having a first index of refraction; placing said exposed silica cores in close proximity with each other to promote optical transfer between the exposed cores; encapsulating the exposed cores in a material having an index of refraction greater than the cladding material, and covering the encapsulated fiber region with a layer of material having a lower refractive index than the encapsulating materal.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
105 words
A method for providing an integral optical transmission mixer having improved coupling efficiency comprising the steps of: stripping a section of plastic cladding material from a plurality of plastic clad silica core optical fibers intermediate the fiber ends to expose the silica cores having a first index of refraction; placing said exposed silica cores in close proximity with each other to promote optical transfer between the exposed cores; encapsulating the exposed cores in a material having an index of refraction greater than the cladding material, and covering the encapsulated fiber region with a layer of material having a lower refractive index than the encapsulating materal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the encapsulating material has a higher refractive index than the core material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the encapsulating material has an index of refraction equal to the core material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the encapsulating material comprises a plastic.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the encapsulating material comprises a silicone resin.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the material covering the encapsulated fibers comprises plastic.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the material covering the encapsulated fibers comprises a silicone resin.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The mixer of claim 1 further including the step of twisting the exposed fiber cores before encapsulation.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
136 words
An integral optical transmission mixer having improved optical coupling efficiency comprising: a plurality of optical fibers each having a light transmissive core of a first index of refraction and a light reflective cladding of lower refractive index than said core; a region intermediate the ends of said fiber wherein said cladding is absent from each of said fibers and wherein said fibers are in close proximity to each other to promote efficient optical transfer between each of the fibers; an encapsulating material having an index of refraction greater than or equal to said first index of refraction enclosing the cores of said fibers within said intermediate region; and an outer cladding layer of lower refractive index than said encapsulating material enclosing said encapsulating material whereby light entering any individual fiber is transmitted to the remaining fibers.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
136 words
An integral optical transmission mixer having improved optical coupling efficiency comprising: a plurality of optical fibers each having a light transmissive core of a first index of refraction and a light reflective cladding of lower refractive index than said core; a region intermediate the ends of said fiber wherein said cladding is absent from each of said fibers and wherein said fibers are in close proximity to each other to promote efficient optical transfer between each of the fibers; an encapsulating material having an index of refraction greater than or equal to said first index of refraction enclosing the cores of said fibers within said intermediate region; and an outer cladding layer of lower refractive index than said encapsulating material enclosing said encapsulating material whereby light entering any individual fiber is transmitted to the remaining fibers.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
45 words
The mixer of claim 9 wherein said plurality of fibers comprise a corresponding plurality of input and output fiber ends on either side of said intermediate region whereby light entering one of said input fiber ends becomes transmitted to each of said output fiber ends.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The mixer of claim 10 wherein said encapsulating material has an index of refraction greater than said core material.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The mixer of claim 9 wherein said encapsulating material has an index of refraction equal to said core material.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The mixer of claim 9 wherein said outer cladding layer has a lower refractive index than said encapsulating material.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
12 words
The mixer of claim 9 wherein said encapsulating material comprises a plastic.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
The mixer of claim 9 wherein said outer cladding layer comprises a silicone resin.
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) | 1981-05-01 | 1981-10-31 | 1982-05-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-05-01 | 1985-10-31 | 1986-05-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-05-01 | 1989-10-31 | 1990-05-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |