US4239331A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Mechanical optical switching device
Assignee: NEC Corp
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Filing: 1978-12-12
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Granted: 1980-12-16
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Expires: 1998-12-12
Abstract
Abstract An optical switching device for use with optical fibers. The fibers are positioned on input and output sides of the switch, with each fiber terminated by a lens for collimating incident light emitted from an input optical fiber. At least one transparent dielectric plate, with a uniform refractive index, is disposed between lenses associated with the input and output sides of the switch. The transparent plate changes the optical transmission path of the collimated light beam when present in a light transmission path. When the transparent dielectric plate is driven into the light transmission path, the optical axis is switched from one to a different output optical fiber.
Inventors
- 👤 Tsutomu Aoyama
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 13:56
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/26; G02B6/35; G02B6/351; G02B6/3524; G02B6/3528; G02B6/354; G02B6/3544; G02B6/3548; G02B6/3564; G02B6/3568; G02B6/3572
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
157 words
A mechanical optical switching device comprising: an optical fiber means on the input side of said switching device; first lens means for collimating an incident light beam emitted from said input-side optical fiber and into said switching device; at least one transparent dielectric plate means with a uniform refractive index disposed at a position which receives said light collimated by said first lens means, said transparent dielectric plate means changing the optical transmission path of said light beam after it has passed through said first lens means; a plurality of second lens means positioned to selectively receive light from said plate means, said second lens means focusing the light beam passed through said first lens means; a plurality of optical fiber means on the output-side of said switching device for receiving said light beam emerging through said second lens means; and means for driving said dielectric plate to selectively switch the optical axis of said input-side fiber.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
157 words
A mechanical optical switching device comprising: an optical fiber means on the input side of said switching device; first lens means for collimating an incident light beam emitted from said input-side optical fiber and into said switching device; at least one transparent dielectric plate means with a uniform refractive index disposed at a position which receives said light collimated by said first lens means, said transparent dielectric plate means changing the optical transmission path of said light beam after it has passed through said first lens means; a plurality of second lens means positioned to selectively receive light from said plate means, said second lens means focusing the light beam passed through said first lens means; a plurality of optical fiber means on the output-side of said switching device for receiving said light beam emerging through said second lens means; and means for driving said dielectric plate to selectively switch the optical axis of said input-side fiber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said driving means comprises at least one electromagnet means for laterally moving said transparent plate between two switching positions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
The device of claim 2 and a block of material having a plurality of cavities therein, a pair of cavities being disposed on the input and output sides of said block to respectively receive said input side and output side optical fibers and support said first and second lens means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device of claim 3 wherein said block further contains a guideway groove positioned between said pair of cavities to guide and direct the lateral movement of said transparent plate.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3519116A
Cited
US3977764A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-12-16 | 1984-06-16 | 1984-12-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-12-16 | 1988-06-16 | 1988-12-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-12-16 | 1992-06-16 | 1992-12-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |