US4269648A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for mounting microsphere coupling lenses on optical fibers
Assignee: Verizon Laboratories Inc
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Filing: 1980-03-10
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Granted: 1981-05-26
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Expires: 2000-03-10
Abstract
Abstract A microsphere bead coupling lens can be mounted onto an end of an optical fiber after the end is initially prepared by cleaning and cleavage. An adhesive is first applied to the cleaved end. The applied adhesive end of the optical fiber is then approximately centered over a microsphere bead to be mounted. The fiber is lowered until the adhesive on the end contacts the bead. The fiber is then raised whereby the adhesive on the end holds onto the bead by surface tension so that the bead gets picked up as the fiber is raised; and, due to the combination of surface tension and gravity, the bead lens is moved by the adhesive until the lens is aligned with, or very close to, the central axis of the fiber. Subsequently, the adhesive on the fiber end is cured by means such as ultraviolet-curing or heat-curing.
Inventors
- 👤 Mark L. Dakss
- 👤 Bumman Kim
- 👤 John Schlafer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 18:50
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/42; G02B6/4201; G02B6/4202; G02B6/4203
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
A method for mounting a microsphere bead coupling lens on an end of an optical fiber comprising applying an adhesive to said end; approximately centering the applied adhesive end of said optical fiber over the bead to be mounted; lowering said fiber until the adhesive on said end contacts said bead; and raising said fiber, whereby the adhesive on said end holds onto said bead by surface tension so that said bead gets picked up as said fiber is raised, and due to the combination of surface tension and gravity, said bead lens is moved by said adhesive until said lens is aligned with, or very close to, the central axis of said fiber.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
114 words
A method for mounting a microsphere bead coupling lens on an end of an optical fiber comprising applying an adhesive to said end; approximately centering the applied adhesive end of said optical fiber over the bead to be mounted; lowering said fiber until the adhesive on said end contacts said bead; and raising said fiber, whereby the adhesive on said end holds onto said bead by surface tension so that said bead gets picked up as said fiber is raised, and due to the combination of surface tension and gravity, said bead lens is moved by said adhesive until said lens is aligned with, or very close to, the central axis of said fiber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method as recited in claim 1 further comprising a subsequent step of curing said adhesive on said fiber end.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method as recited in claim 2 wherein said adhesive on said fiber end is ultraviolet-cured.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method as recited in claim 2 wherein said adhesive on said fiber end is heat-cured.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said adhesive is an epoxy.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method as recited in claim 2 wherein said adhesive is an epoxy.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method as recited in claim 1 including an initial step of preparing said end by cleaning and cleaving.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said bead has a diameter in the range of 75 microns to 95 microns, and wherein said bead is centered to within 1.5 microns.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said bead has a diameter in the range of 60 microns to 125 microns, and wherein said bead is centered to within 5 microns.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method as recited in claim 9 wherein said bead is centered to within 3 microns.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method as recited in claim 9 wherein said bead is centered to within 1.5 microns.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4118270A
Cited
GB2002136A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-05-25 | 1984-11-24 | 1985-05-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-05-25 | 1988-11-24 | 1989-05-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-05-25 | 1992-11-24 | 1993-05-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |