US4147404A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Dielectric optical waveguide joints
Assignee: Post Office
•
Filing: 1978-02-02
•
Granted: 1979-04-03
•
Expires: 1998-02-02
Abstract
Abstract A dielectric optical waveguide joint in which first and second dielectric optical waveguides are located end to end in a groove in a plate of non-ductile material. The dielectric optical waveguides are retained in the groove by a mass of ductile material which has been formed so as to flow into intimate contact with the plate and the first and second waveguides. The invention also provides a method of forming a waveguide joint.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul C. Hensel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 03:29
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/36; G02B6/38; G02B6/3801; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49002; Y10T29/49117; Y10T29/49124; Y10T29/49147; Y10T29/49149
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
110 words
A dielectric optical wave-guide joint comprising: a plate of non-ductile material having a groove disposed on a first face thereof and at least one cavity in said plate opening through said first face and having at least a portion which is undercut with respect to said face; first and second dielectric optical wave-guides located in said groove in axial alignment and with their ends abutting; a mass of ductile material which has been simultaneously pressure-formed into intimate contact with said wave-guides and into rigid attachment with said plate filling said cavity, said mass being the sole means for retaining said wave-guides in axially aligned abutting relationship and in said groove.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
110 words
A dielectric optical wave-guide joint comprising: a plate of non-ductile material having a groove disposed on a first face thereof and at least one cavity in said plate opening through said first face and having at least a portion which is undercut with respect to said face; first and second dielectric optical wave-guides located in said groove in axial alignment and with their ends abutting; a mass of ductile material which has been simultaneously pressure-formed into intimate contact with said wave-guides and into rigid attachment with said plate filling said cavity, said mass being the sole means for retaining said wave-guides in axially aligned abutting relationship and in said groove.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
A dielectric optical wave-guide joint as defined by claim 1, wherein said cavity is a hole passing through said plate from said face to a second face, said hole being wider at said second face then said first face.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
A dielectric optical waveguide joint as claimed in claim 1, wherein said ductile material is pure tin.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
A dielectric optical waveguide joint as claimed in claim 1, wherein said ductile material is indium.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
91 words
A method of joining two dielectric optical wave-guides comprising: providing a non-ductile plate with a groove on one face thereof and at least one cavity opening through said face and having a portion which is undercut with respect to said face; positioning two dielectric optical wave-guides in said groove in axially aligned abutting relation; placing a mass of ductile material on said face of said plate over-lying said wave-guides; and deforming said mass by pressure into intimate contact with said wave-guides and into rigid attachment with said plate filling said cavity.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
91 words
A method of joining two dielectric optical wave-guides comprising: providing a non-ductile plate with a groove on one face thereof and at least one cavity opening through said face and having a portion which is undercut with respect to said face; positioning two dielectric optical wave-guides in said groove in axially aligned abutting relation; placing a mass of ductile material on said face of said plate over-lying said wave-guides; and deforming said mass by pressure into intimate contact with said wave-guides and into rigid attachment with said plate filling said cavity.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as defined by claim 5 in which said cavity extends completely through said plate and is wider at the other face than at said one face.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as claimed in claim 5, wherein said ductile material is pure tin.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method as claimed in claim 5, wherein said ductile material is indium.
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) | 1982-04-02 | 1982-10-02 | 1983-04-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-04-02 | 1986-10-02 | 1987-04-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-04-02 | 1990-10-02 | 1991-04-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |