US4270839A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Directional optical fiber signal tapping assembly
Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corp
•
Filing: 1979-01-29
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Granted: 1981-06-02
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Expires: 1999-01-29
Abstract
Abstract A directional optical fiber signal tapping assembly. A light pipe rod encircles and accepts stray light rays leaving the otherwise bare outer surface of a length of optical fiber in a region following a location having a bend that induces a selected degree of outward leakage of optical signal rays in the bend following longitudinal light pipe region. Curvature of one end of the light pipe rod conducts the extracted optical signal sample to an optical detector device.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael A. Cross
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 08:53
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/26; G02B6/28; G02B6/2804; G02B6/2852
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
113 words
A directional optical fiber signal tapping assembly comprising: (a) first and second light pipes each including a groove; (b) an optical fiber positioned in the grooves in said light pipes; (c) a support member having a first opening therein with said first light pipe being fixed rigidly in said opening, said support member also having a second opening therein with positioning means supporting said second light pipe in said second opening such that said light pipes can be selectively displaced from each other in a longitudinal direction thereby selectively bending said optical fiber thereby changing the amount of light which is coupled into said light pipes due to leakage from said optical fiber.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
113 words
A directional optical fiber signal tapping assembly comprising: (a) first and second light pipes each including a groove; (b) an optical fiber positioned in the grooves in said light pipes; (c) a support member having a first opening therein with said first light pipe being fixed rigidly in said opening, said support member also having a second opening therein with positioning means supporting said second light pipe in said second opening such that said light pipes can be selectively displaced from each other in a longitudinal direction thereby selectively bending said optical fiber thereby changing the amount of light which is coupled into said light pipes due to leakage from said optical fiber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
94 words
A directional optical fiber signal tapping assembly in accordance with claim 1 wherein said positioning means includes: (a) a resilient member positioned between the edge of said second light pipe and the inner edge of said second opening; (b) saddle means positioned to contact said second light pipe along an edge of said second light pipe; and (c) screw means for applying pressure to said saddle means thereby causing said resilient means to deform to displace said first and second light pipes with respect to each other thereby causing said optical fiber to bend.
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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) | 1984-06-01 | 1984-12-01 | 1985-06-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-06-01 | 1988-12-01 | 1989-06-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-06-01 | 1992-12-01 | 1993-06-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |