US4407562A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical fiber switch
Assignee: AT&T Inc
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Filing: 1982-10-01
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Granted: 1983-10-04
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Expires: 2002-10-01
Abstract
Abstract Switching between optical fibers is achieved through the use of a fixed (101) and a moveable (102) housing disposed within a slotted support member (103, 205). The fixed and moveable housings respectively contain first (104, 105) and second (108) sets of optical fibers. Each housing has two grooved (204) and parallel exterior surfaces. Both housings are disposed in substantial abutment to one another in the slotted support member with both sets of optical fibers parallel to one another. The sidewalls of the slot are grooved to be the mating opposite of the grooved housing surfaces. The first housing is fixedly positioned in the slot by the mutual engagement of the grooved exterior housing surfaces and the grooved sidewalls. Switching between optical fibers is accomplished by the translation of the moveable housing surfaces to either of two positions which axially aligns a predetermined number of optical fibers in the first and second sets. Each position of the moveable housing is precisely determined by the engagement of one grooved exterior housing surface and one grooved sidewall.
Inventors
- 👤 William C. Young
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 15:53
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/26; G02B6/35; G02B6/3502; G02B6/3508; G02B6/354; G02B6/3544; G02B6/3548; G02B6/355; G02B6/3564; G02B6/3568; G02B6/3572; G02B6/3582; G02B6/36; G02B6/3628; G02B6/3648; G02B6/3652; G02B6/3664; G02B6/3676; G02B6/3684; G02B6/3692
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
228 words
A switch for coupling an optical signal between optical fibers characterized by first (101) and second (102) housings having a number of fiber receiving channels (301) therethrough, each housing also having two parallel exterior surfaces with a number of grooves (204) having a uniform cross-section disposed therein, the perpendicular distance between said surfaces of said first housing being greater than the perpendicular distance between said surfaces of said second housing; first (104, 105) and second (108) sets of optical fibers respectively disposed in said fiber receiving channels in said first and second housings; a support assembly (103, 106, 205) having a slot with grooved and parallel sidewalls which are the mating opposite of the grooved exterior housing surfaces, said first housing being fixedly positioned in said slot by the mutual engagement of the grooved exterior surfaces of said first housing and said grooved slot sidewalls, said second housing being disposed in said slot adjacent said first housing with said first and second sets of optical fibers parallel to one another; and means (109, 110) for displacing said second housing in a direction substantially perpendicular to said exterior surfaces to either of two positions which axially aligns a predetermined number of optical fibers in said first and second sets, each position being precisely determined by the mutual engagement of one grooved exterior housing surface and one grooved slot sidewall.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
228 words
A switch for coupling an optical signal between optical fibers characterized by first (101) and second (102) housings having a number of fiber receiving channels (301) therethrough, each housing also having two parallel exterior surfaces with a number of grooves (204) having a uniform cross-section disposed therein, the perpendicular distance between said surfaces of said first housing being greater than the perpendicular distance between said surfaces of said second housing; first (104, 105) and second (108) sets of optical fibers respectively disposed in said fiber receiving channels in said first and second housings; a support assembly (103, 106, 205) having a slot with grooved and parallel sidewalls which are the mating opposite of the grooved exterior housing surfaces, said first housing being fixedly positioned in said slot by the mutual engagement of the grooved exterior surfaces of said first housing and said grooved slot sidewalls, said second housing being disposed in said slot adjacent said first housing with said first and second sets of optical fibers parallel to one another; and means (109, 110) for displacing said second housing in a direction substantially perpendicular to said exterior surfaces to either of two positions which axially aligns a predetermined number of optical fibers in said first and second sets, each position being precisely determined by the mutual engagement of one grooved exterior housing surface and one grooved slot sidewall.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The switch of claim 1 further including means (115) to maintain said first and second housings in substantial abutment.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
240 words
A switch for coupling an optical signal between optical fibers characterized by first (101) and second (102) stacks respectively comprising m and n stacked wafers (201), where m and n are integers greater than two and m>n, each wafer having two parallel surfaces (202, 203), each surface having a number of spaced parallel grooves (204) which are aligned with the grooves in an adjacent wafer surface to form fiber receiving channels (301); first (104, 105) and second (108) sets of optical fibers respectively disposed in said fiber receiving channels of said first and second stacks; a support assembly (103, 205, 106) having a slot with grooved and parallel sidewalls which are the mating opposite of the grooved wafer surfaces, said first stack being fixedly positioned in said slot by the mutual engagement of the grooves in the outermost surfaces of said first stack and said grooved sidewalls, said second stack being located in said slot adjacent said first stack with the optical fibers in said first and second stacks being parallel to one another, and means (109, 110) for displacing said second stack in a direction substantially perpendicular to said wafer surfaces to either of two positions, each position axially aligning a predetermined number of fibers in said first stack with the optical fiber in said second stack, each position being precisely determined by the mutual engagement of one outermost grooved surface of said second stack and one grooved sidewall.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
240 words
A switch for coupling an optical signal between optical fibers characterized by first (101) and second (102) stacks respectively comprising m and n stacked wafers (201), where m and n are integers greater than two and m>n, each wafer having two parallel surfaces (202, 203), each surface having a number of spaced parallel grooves (204) which are aligned with the grooves in an adjacent wafer surface to form fiber receiving channels (301); first (104, 105) and second (108) sets of optical fibers respectively disposed in said fiber receiving channels of said first and second stacks; a support assembly (103, 205, 106) having a slot with grooved and parallel sidewalls which are the mating opposite of the grooved wafer surfaces, said first stack being fixedly positioned in said slot by the mutual engagement of the grooves in the outermost surfaces of said first stack and said grooved sidewalls, said second stack being located in said slot adjacent said first stack with the optical fibers in said first and second stacks being parallel to one another, and means (109, 110) for displacing said second stack in a direction substantially perpendicular to said wafer surfaces to either of two positions, each position axially aligning a predetermined number of fibers in said first stack with the optical fiber in said second stack, each position being precisely determined by the mutual engagement of one outermost grooved surface of said second stack and one grooved sidewall.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The switch of claim 3 further including means (115) to maintain said first and second stacks in substantial abutment.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The switch of claim 1 wherein said first and second sets of optical fibers each comprise at least one optical fiber.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The switch of claim 5 wherein said number of grooves is at least one.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The switch of claim 1 wherein said number of grooves is at least one.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The switch of claim 3 wherein said first and second sets of optical fibers each comprise at least one optical fiber.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The switch of claim 8 wherein said number of grooves is at least one.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The switch of claim 3 wherein said number of grooves is at least one.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
203 words
A switch for selectively aligning discrete optical fibers characterized by first and second housings having a number of fiber receiving channels therethrough, the channels in the first and second housings adapted to receive optical fibers, each housing also having two parallel exterior surfaces with at least one groove therein, the perpendicular distance between said surfaces of said first housing being greater than the perpendicular distance between said surfaces of said second housing, a support assembly having a slot with grooved and parallel surfaces serving to mate with the grooved exterior housing surfaces, said first housing being fixedly positioned in the slot by the mutual engagement of the grooved exterior surfaces of the first housing and the grooved slot surfaces, said second housing being disposed in the slot adjacent said first housing with the fiber receiving channels in each housing being parallel to each other, and means for displacing the second housing in a direction substantially perpendicular to the exterior surfaces to either of two positions, each position axially aligning a predetermined number of fiber receiving channels in said first and second housings, each position being precisely determined by the mutual engagement of a grooved exterior housing surface and a respective grooved slot surface.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
203 words
A switch for selectively aligning discrete optical fibers characterized by first and second housings having a number of fiber receiving channels therethrough, the channels in the first and second housings adapted to receive optical fibers, each housing also having two parallel exterior surfaces with at least one groove therein, the perpendicular distance between said surfaces of said first housing being greater than the perpendicular distance between said surfaces of said second housing, a support assembly having a slot with grooved and parallel surfaces serving to mate with the grooved exterior housing surfaces, said first housing being fixedly positioned in the slot by the mutual engagement of the grooved exterior surfaces of the first housing and the grooved slot surfaces, said second housing being disposed in the slot adjacent said first housing with the fiber receiving channels in each housing being parallel to each other, and means for displacing the second housing in a direction substantially perpendicular to the exterior surfaces to either of two positions, each position axially aligning a predetermined number of fiber receiving channels in said first and second housings, each position being precisely determined by the mutual engagement of a grooved exterior housing surface and a respective grooved slot surface.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
A switch according to claim 11 further characterized by means for maintaining said first and second housings in substantial abutment.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
75 words
A switch according to claim 11 or 12 characterized in that the first and second housings comprise first and second stacks of m and n wafers, respectively, where m and n are integers greater than two and m>n, each wafer having a number of spaced parallel grooves aligned with the grooves in an adjacent wafer surface to form the fiber receiving channels, and wherein the outermost grooved wafer surfaces provide said grooved exterior housing surfaces.
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) | 1986-10-03 | 1987-04-04 | 1987-10-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-10-03 | 1991-04-04 | 1991-10-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-10-03 | 1995-04-04 | 1995-10-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |