US4178069A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process for preparing an optical element for incorporation into optical transmission means
Assignee: NKT AS
•
Filing: 1977-11-04
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Granted: 1979-12-11
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Expires: 1997-11-04
Abstract
Abstract A process for preparing an optical element comprising an optical fiber located in a tubular jacket in a curve shape with a radius of curvature sufficiently big to avoid a substantial increase of the loss at light transmission in which process by establishing elastic tensions varying over the cross-sectional area of the element, the element is given such a permanent preshape that when placed in the tubular jacket it has a marked tendency to assume by itself the desired curve shape. The fiber itself can be preshaped or it can be provided with an eccentric coating or a segmented multicomponent coating having different contraction tendencies. An optical element so produced and an optical transmission means comprising such an element is also described.
Inventors
- 👤 Axel Andersen
- 👤 Poul U. Knudsen
- 👤 Knud B. Jensen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 02:24
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/44; G02B6/4479; G02B6/4484; G02B6/4486
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
109 words
A process for preparing an optical element to be placed in a tubular jacket to form an optical transmission-means, said element comprising an optical fiber provided with a tight-fitting coating, which process comprises imparting to the fiber solely by means of said coating such a permanent preshape that when placed in the tubular jacket the element has a marked tendency to assume by itself a curve shape with a radius of curvature sufficiently big to avoid a substantial increase of the loss at light transmission, said permanent preshape being brought about by the establishment of elastic tensions in the coating which vary over the cross-sectional area of the element.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
109 words
A process for preparing an optical element to be placed in a tubular jacket to form an optical transmission-means, said element comprising an optical fiber provided with a tight-fitting coating, which process comprises imparting to the fiber solely by means of said coating such a permanent preshape that when placed in the tubular jacket the element has a marked tendency to assume by itself a curve shape with a radius of curvature sufficiently big to avoid a substantial increase of the loss at light transmission, said permanent preshape being brought about by the establishment of elastic tensions in the coating which vary over the cross-sectional area of the element.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein said coating comprises at least one polymer material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
59 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the preshaping of the fiber is established by providing the coating with essentially a circular cross-section applied closely around the fiber and eccentrically in relation to the fiber axis so that the distance between the fiber axis and the axis of the coating exceeds one tenth of the radius of the coating.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
A process according to claim 3, wherein the coating consists of a protective layer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
A process according to claim 3, wherein the fiber is additionally coated with an intermediate relatively thin protective layer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the preshaping of the fiber is established by providing the coating with two or more types of material having different contraction tendencies, each type occupying its own segment of an essentially circular cross-section of the coating.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
A process according to claim 6, wherein the fiber is additionally coated with an intermediate relatively thin protective layer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
A process according to claim 6, wherein the materials are applied parallel with the fiber axis.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
A process according to claim 6, wherein the materials are applied in an oblong helix.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
97 words
An optical element to be placed in a tubular jacket to form an optical transmission means, said element comprising an optical fiber provided with a tight-fitting coating which alone imparts to the fiber such a permanent preshape that when placed in the tubular jacket the element has a marked tendency to assume by itself a curve shape with a radius of curvature sufficiently big to avoid a substantial increase of the loss at light transmission, said permanent preshape being brought about by elastic tensions established in the coating which vary over the cross-sectional area of the element.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
97 words
An optical element to be placed in a tubular jacket to form an optical transmission means, said element comprising an optical fiber provided with a tight-fitting coating which alone imparts to the fiber such a permanent preshape that when placed in the tubular jacket the element has a marked tendency to assume by itself a curve shape with a radius of curvature sufficiently big to avoid a substantial increase of the loss at light transmission, said permanent preshape being brought about by elastic tensions established in the coating which vary over the cross-sectional area of the element.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
An optical element according to claim 10, wherein said coating comprises at least one polymer material.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
An optical element according to claim 10, wherein the coating consists of a protective layer.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
An optical element according to claim 10, wherein the fiber is additionally coated with an intermediate protective layer.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
94 words
An optical transmission means comprising an optical element placed in a tubular jacket, said element comprising an optical fiber provided with a tight-fitting coating, and to which element is imparted such a permanent preshape that when placed in the tubular jacket the element has a marked tendency to assume by itself a curve shape with a radius of curvature sufficiently big to avoid a substantial increase of the loss at light transmission, said permanent preshape being brought about by establishing in the coating elastic tensions which vary over the cross-sectional area of the element.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
94 words
An optical transmission means comprising an optical element placed in a tubular jacket, said element comprising an optical fiber provided with a tight-fitting coating, and to which element is imparted such a permanent preshape that when placed in the tubular jacket the element has a marked tendency to assume by itself a curve shape with a radius of curvature sufficiently big to avoid a substantial increase of the loss at light transmission, said permanent preshape being brought about by establishing in the coating elastic tensions which vary over the cross-sectional area of the element.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
An optical transmission means according to claim 14, wherein said coating comprises at least one polymer material.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
An optical transmission means according to claim 14, wherein the coating consists of a protective layer.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
An optical transmission means according to claim 14, wherein the fiber is coated with an intermediate protective layer.
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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) | 1982-12-10 | 1983-06-11 | 1983-12-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-12-10 | 1987-06-11 | 1987-12-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-12-10 | 1991-06-11 | 1991-12-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |