Patent US4345930A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4345930A
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Process and apparatus for spherically curving an end of an optical fiber
Assignee: Telecom Italia SpA
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Filing: 1980-12-05
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Granted: 1982-08-24
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Expires: 2000-12-05
Abstract
Abstract In order to provide an end face of an optical fiber with a spherical curvature of predetermined radius, designed to optimize the transfer of luminous intensity from an adjoining light source such as a light-emitting diode, a flat fiber is heated to a temperature near its melting point while its profile is optically enlarged. When that profile is found to have reached a predetermined shape criterion, as determined by visual observation or by electronic scanning, heating is terminated.
Inventors
- 👤 Carlo P. Basola
- 👤 Guido Chiaretti
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 15:51
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/255; G02B6/2552
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
A process for providing an end face of an optical fiber with a convex curvature optimizing the transfer of luminous energy thereto from an adjoining light source, comprising the steps of: heating a flat end of a stationary fiber by an axially aligned that source to an elevated temperature near the melting point of the fiber material; projecting an enlarged image of the profile of the fiber end upon a receiving surface during the heating step; monitoring changes in the shape of said image at said elevated temperature; and terminating the heating of said fiber end upon said image reaching a shape satisfying a predetermined criterion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
106 words
A process for providing an end face of an optical fiber with a convex curvature optimizing the transfer of luminous energy thereto from an adjoining light source, comprising the steps of: heating a flat end of a stationary fiber by an axially aligned that source to an elevated temperature near the melting point of the fiber material; projecting an enlarged image of the profile of the fiber end upon a receiving surface during the heating step; monitoring changes in the shape of said image at said elevated temperature; and terminating the heating of said fiber end upon said image reaching a shape satisfying a predetermined criterion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A process as defined in claim 1 wherein heating is terminated upon said image conforming to a predetermined radius of curvature.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
A process as defined in claim 1 wherein heating is terminated upon said image undergoing a predetermined axial shift connoting a foreshortening of the fiber and correlated with a certain radius of curvature.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
49 words
A process as defined in claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein said image is electronically scanned at successive instants to produce a varying signal pattern which is compared with a prerecorded pattern to stop the heating of the fiber end upon detection of a substantial coincidence of said patterns.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
155 words
An apparatus for providing an end face of an optical fiber with a convex curvature optimizing the transfer of luminous energy thereto from an adjoining light source, comprising: stationary mounting means centered on an axis for holding an extremity of an optical fiber initially having a flat end face; a heat source coaxial with said mounting means for confronting the end face of a fiber extremity held thereby and raising the temperature of said end face to a level near the melting point thereof; magnifying means forming a light beam transversely intersecting said axis at said end face for projecting an enlarged image of the profile of said extremity upon a receiving surface; and a recording of a predetermined criterion for the shape of said fiber end disposed for instantaneous comparison with the projected profile image for enabling a deactivation of said heat source upon detection of substantial agreement between said image and said criterion.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
155 words
An apparatus for providing an end face of an optical fiber with a convex curvature optimizing the transfer of luminous energy thereto from an adjoining light source, comprising: stationary mounting means centered on an axis for holding an extremity of an optical fiber initially having a flat end face; a heat source coaxial with said mounting means for confronting the end face of a fiber extremity held thereby and raising the temperature of said end face to a level near the melting point thereof; magnifying means forming a light beam transversely intersecting said axis at said end face for projecting an enlarged image of the profile of said extremity upon a receiving surface; and a recording of a predetermined criterion for the shape of said fiber end disposed for instantaneous comparison with the projected profile image for enabling a deactivation of said heat source upon detection of substantial agreement between said image and said criterion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein said magnifying means includes a screen of a television receiver, said recording comprising a marking on said screen.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
63 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein said recording comprises a data store, further comprising scanning means for converting said projected image into a varying signal pattern and comparison means connected to said scanning means and to said data store for emitting a stop command upon detection of a substantial match between said signal pattern and the contents of said data store.
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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) | 1985-08-23 | 1986-02-22 | 1986-08-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-08-23 | 1990-02-22 | 1990-08-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-08-23 | 1994-02-22 | 1994-08-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |