US4185885A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical fiber connector
Assignee: International Standard Electric Corp
•
Filing: 1978-07-31
•
Granted: 1980-01-29
•
Expires: 1998-07-31
Abstract
Abstract An optical fiber connector in which each fiber is terminated by a coupling element comprising a cylindrical transparent body having a concave reflector on one end facing into the body and a circular reflector on the opposite end facing the concave reflector. The circular reflector has a diameter less than that of the cylindrical body and is concentric therewith. This arrangement has the advantage that the main focussing elements are reflectors and therefore require far less curvature than lenses.
Inventors
- 👤 Martin Chown
- 👤 Melvin M. Ramsay
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 02:37
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/26; G02B6/264
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
149 words
A connector for optical fibers comprising: a matched pair of coupling elements each comprising a cylindrical body of transparent material having a refractive index substantially the same as that of the fibers to be connected; the cylindrical body of each said element having on one end face a concave reflector, concentric with the body, said reflector facing into said body; the other end of said body having a circular reflector facing said concave reflector; said circular reflector having a diameter less than that of said cylindrical body and being concentric therewith; said concave reflector having at its center an aperture equal in diameter to the diameter of the fiber to be connected; means for optically coupling the end of an optical fiber to the transparent element via said aperture in the concave reflector; and said coupling elements being arranged in mutual alignment with said concave reflectors facing each other.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
149 words
A connector for optical fibers comprising: a matched pair of coupling elements each comprising a cylindrical body of transparent material having a refractive index substantially the same as that of the fibers to be connected; the cylindrical body of each said element having on one end face a concave reflector, concentric with the body, said reflector facing into said body; the other end of said body having a circular reflector facing said concave reflector; said circular reflector having a diameter less than that of said cylindrical body and being concentric therewith; said concave reflector having at its center an aperture equal in diameter to the diameter of the fiber to be connected; means for optically coupling the end of an optical fiber to the transparent element via said aperture in the concave reflector; and said coupling elements being arranged in mutual alignment with said concave reflectors facing each other.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
A connector as set forth in claim 1 including: means positioning said coupling elements at a predetermined distance apart.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
A connector as set forth in claim 1 wherein: said concave reflectors are spherical.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A connector as set forth in claim 1 wherein: said circular reflector facing said concave reflector in each element is a plane reflector.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
A connector as set forth in claim 1 including: aspheric refracting means disposed annularly on the other end of each said body between said circular reflector and the periphery of said other end.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
A connector as set forth in claim 1 wherein: said concave reflectors are contoured to provide aspherical correcting surfaces.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
A connector as set forth in claim 1 wherein: said circular reflector facing said concave reflector in each said element is contoured to provide aspherical correction surfaces.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
A connector as set forth in claim 1 wherein: the cylindrical body of each said element is made of glass.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
74 words
A connector as set forth in claim 1 wherein: the aperture in the concave reflector of each said coupling element is the opening of a bore extending partway into the transparent coupling element into which the end of a fiber to be connected is inserted such that the fiber/element optical coupling occurs at substantially the image of the effective focal point of the concave reflector as formed in the reflector at said other end.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
A connector as set forth in claim 1 including: a spacer affixed to the or each coupling element on the rear of said circular reflector.
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) | 1983-01-28 | 1983-07-30 | 1984-01-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-01-28 | 1987-07-30 | 1988-01-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-01-28 | 1991-07-30 | 1992-01-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |