US4389089A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flexible fiber optical conduit and method of making
Assignee: Warner Lambert Technologies Inc
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Filing: 1980-07-14
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Granted: 1983-06-21
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Expires: 2000-07-14
Abstract
Abstract A flexible image-conducting bundle of optical fibers is produced by juxtapositioning and drawing a multiplicity of glass-clad glass fiber preforms and interstitial rods of leachable glass. The drawn assembly is cut to desired length and interstitial glasses are leached from the intermediate portion of the cut piece.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard R. Strack
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 11:42
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/04; G02B6/06; C; C03; C03B; C03B37/00; C03B37/01; C03B37/02; C03B37/025; C03B37/028; C03B37/10; C03B37/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
The method of making flexible image-conducting fiber conduit comprising: constructing a fiber bundle preform by juxtapositioning a plurality of glass-clad glass optical elements and interstitial rods of leachable material, the rods serving to space said elements from each other; heating and drawing said preform into a section of approximately the cross-sectional size desired of said conduit, said rods providing an interstitial matrix; cutting from said drawn section a length corresponding to the length desired of said conduit; covering opposite ends of said cut length of said drawn section; and subjecting remaining uncovered portions of said length of drawn section to a leaching medium for a time sufficient to remove said interstitial matrix.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
112 words
The method of making flexible image-conducting fiber conduit comprising: constructing a fiber bundle preform by juxtapositioning a plurality of glass-clad glass optical elements and interstitial rods of leachable material, the rods serving to space said elements from each other; heating and drawing said preform into a section of approximately the cross-sectional size desired of said conduit, said rods providing an interstitial matrix; cutting from said drawn section a length corresponding to the length desired of said conduit; covering opposite ends of said cut length of said drawn section; and subjecting remaining uncovered portions of said length of drawn section to a leaching medium for a time sufficient to remove said interstitial matrix.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said glass-clad glass elements are each comprised of a high-refractive index light-conducting core member and a surrounding relatively low refractive index cladding.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method according to claim 2 wherein said claddings are fused to said core members.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said interstitial rods are acid-soluble.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method according to claim 4 wherein said leaching medium is a solution of hydrochloric acid.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
66 words
A flexible image-conducting fiber conduit comprising: a multiplicity of juxtapositioned light-conducting fibers having opposite ends similarly geometrically patterned and multiple rod matrix material connecting respective opposite ends of said fibers together, portions of said fibers between said ends being free of said matrix and respectively independently flexible and each rod of said multiple rod matrix material being fused to three adjacent light-conducting fibers at said ends.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
66 words
A flexible image-conducting fiber conduit comprising: a multiplicity of juxtapositioned light-conducting fibers having opposite ends similarly geometrically patterned and multiple rod matrix material connecting respective opposite ends of said fibers together, portions of said fibers between said ends being free of said matrix and respectively independently flexible and each rod of said multiple rod matrix material being fused to three adjacent light-conducting fibers at said ends.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
A flexible image-conducting fiber conduit according to claim 6 wherein said fibers are glass and are individually glass clad.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
A flexible image-conducting fiber conduit according to claim 7 wherein said multiple rod matrix is an acid-soluble glass fused to said glass-clad glass fibers.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-06-20 | 1986-12-20 | 1987-06-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-06-20 | 1990-12-20 | 1991-06-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-06-20 | 1994-12-20 | 1995-06-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |