US4240694A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Single optical fiber directional coupler
Assignee: Harris Communications Inc
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Filing: 1977-10-06
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Granted: 1980-12-23
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Expires: 1997-10-06
Abstract
Abstract A coupler for transferring signals from a first group of single optical fibers to a second group of single optical fibers. The coupler provided for this purpose is a directional star coupler which is constructed so as to eliminate any need for the employment of a mixing chamber. A covering, or cladding, generally covers each optical fiber in order to prevent light from being emitted through the circumferential surface of such fiber. At an end portion of each of the fibers of both the first and second groups, the cladding is treated so as to allow light to be emitted from the circumferential surface of such portion. The end portions of the fibers of the first group are fed through an opening at one side of a coupling chamber. The end portions of the fibers of the second group are fed through another opening within the coupling chamber. The first and second groups of fibers are arranged within the chamber so that their end faces are in abutment with each other. In this manner, signals transmitted along any of the fibers of the first group are transferred to all of the fibers of the second group.
Inventors
- 👤 Jing-Jong Pan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 22:33
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/26; G02B6/28; G02B6/2804; G02B6/2808
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
220 words
An optical fiber coupler comprising: a coupling chamber; a first group of single optical fibers inserted into said chamber, each of said first fibers having an end portion within said chamber free of any cladding and said first fibers being arranged such that one of said first fibers is at the center of said first group of fibers and the other said first fibers surround said centrally arranged first fiber; and, a second group of single optical fibers inserted into said chamber, each of said second fibers having an end portion within said chamber free of any cladding and said second fibers being arranged such that one of said second fibers is at the center of said second group of fibers and the other said second fibers surround said centrally arranged second fiber, the end faces of said second fibers being arranged sufficiently close to the end faces of said first fibers such that signals traveling within each of said first fibers can be directly transmitted into a corresponding said second fiber; whereby signals transmitted along any one of said first fibers is transferred to all of the other said first fibers through the end portions of such fibers that are free of cladding and such signals are also transferred to all of said second fibers within said coupling chamber.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
220 words
An optical fiber coupler comprising: a coupling chamber; a first group of single optical fibers inserted into said chamber, each of said first fibers having an end portion within said chamber free of any cladding and said first fibers being arranged such that one of said first fibers is at the center of said first group of fibers and the other said first fibers surround said centrally arranged first fiber; and, a second group of single optical fibers inserted into said chamber, each of said second fibers having an end portion within said chamber free of any cladding and said second fibers being arranged such that one of said second fibers is at the center of said second group of fibers and the other said second fibers surround said centrally arranged second fiber, the end faces of said second fibers being arranged sufficiently close to the end faces of said first fibers such that signals traveling within each of said first fibers can be directly transmitted into a corresponding said second fiber; whereby signals transmitted along any one of said first fibers is transferred to all of the other said first fibers through the end portions of such fibers that are free of cladding and such signals are also transferred to all of said second fibers within said coupling chamber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
A coupler as defined in claim 1 wherein each of said fibers of said first group of fibers is coupled to a respective transmitter and each of said fibers of said second group of fibers is coupled to a respective receiver so that said coupler only transmits signals in one direction.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
79 words
A coupler as defined in claim 1 wherein said first group of fibers includes n plus 1 fibers, where n is at least 3 and such first fibers are arranged with said n fibers surrounding a central first fiber; said second group of fibers includes m plus one fibers where m is at least 3 and such fibers are arranged with said m fibers surrounding a central second fiber; and the numerical values of n and m are equal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
53 words
A coupler as defined in claim 3 wherein each of said n fibers of said first group of fibers is located at one of the vertices of an n-sided polygon and each of said m fibers of said second group of fibers is located at one of the vertices of an m-sided polygon.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
A coupler as defined in claim 4 wherein said chamber is filled with a material having the same index of refraction as said optical fibers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A coupler as defined in claim 1, wherein the end faces of said first fibers abut the end faces of said second fibers.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
271 words
An optical fiber coupler comprising: a coupling chamber; a first group of single optical fibers, each of said first fibers being surrounded by a covering for preventing light signals transmitted through each of said first fibers from being emitted from the circumferential surface of each of said first fibers, an end portion of each of said first fibers being inserted into said chamber, a section of each of such inserted portions being treated such that light signals can be emitted from the circumferential surface of each of said first fibers, and said first fibers being arranged so that one such fiber is at the center and the other said first fibers surround such center fiber; a second group of single optical fibers, each of said second fibers being surrounded by a covering for preventing light signals transmitted through each of said second fibers from being emitted from the circumferential surface of each of said second fibers, and end portion of each of said second fibers being inserted into said chamber, a section of each of such inserted portions being treated such that light signals can be emitted from the circumferential surface of each of said second fibers, and said second fibers being arranged so that one such fiber is at the center and the other said second fibers surround such center fiber; and, wherein signals transmitted along any one of said first fibers are transferred to all of the other of said first fibers through said treated sections of such fibers inserted in said chamber and such signals are also transferred to all of said second fibers within said coupling chamber.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
271 words
An optical fiber coupler comprising: a coupling chamber; a first group of single optical fibers, each of said first fibers being surrounded by a covering for preventing light signals transmitted through each of said first fibers from being emitted from the circumferential surface of each of said first fibers, an end portion of each of said first fibers being inserted into said chamber, a section of each of such inserted portions being treated such that light signals can be emitted from the circumferential surface of each of said first fibers, and said first fibers being arranged so that one such fiber is at the center and the other said first fibers surround such center fiber; a second group of single optical fibers, each of said second fibers being surrounded by a covering for preventing light signals transmitted through each of said second fibers from being emitted from the circumferential surface of each of said second fibers, and end portion of each of said second fibers being inserted into said chamber, a section of each of such inserted portions being treated such that light signals can be emitted from the circumferential surface of each of said second fibers, and said second fibers being arranged so that one such fiber is at the center and the other said second fibers surround such center fiber; and, wherein signals transmitted along any one of said first fibers are transferred to all of the other of said first fibers through said treated sections of such fibers inserted in said chamber and such signals are also transferred to all of said second fibers within said coupling chamber.
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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) | 1983-12-23 | 1984-06-23 | 1984-12-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-12-23 | 1988-06-23 | 1988-12-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-12-23 | 1992-06-23 | 1992-12-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |