US4426215A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of fabricating a low loss fused biconical taper fiber optic coupler
Assignee: FCI Canada Inc
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Filing: 1983-04-12
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Granted: 1984-01-17
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Expires: 2003-04-12
Abstract
Abstract A known low loss fused biconical taper fiber optic coupler is fabricating by heating and pulling a plurality of fused optical fibers which may be twisted to provide a minimum biconical taper region. One method of improving this known biconical taper coupler is to simultaneously heat and push the known coupler to form a glass ball in the minimum taper region and then simultaneously heat and pull the ball to provide the improved biconical taper coupler. Another method of improving the known biconical taper coupler is to score and pull the minimum taper region of the known coupler to separate the minimum taper region into two halves and then heat and push the two halves together to provide the improved biconical taper coupler.
Inventors
- 👤 Kent A. Murphy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 08:34
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/26; G02B6/28; G02B6/2804; G02B6/2856
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
69 words
A method of fabricating a low loss fused biconical taper fiber optic coupler comprising the steps of: simultaneously heating and pulling N optical fibers to provide a minimum biconical taper region wherein said fibers are fused, where N is an integer greater than one; and deforming cores of said N fibers at said minimum taper region, said step of deforming including a pushing step at said minimum taper region.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
69 words
A method of fabricating a low loss fused biconical taper fiber optic coupler comprising the steps of: simultaneously heating and pulling N optical fibers to provide a minimum biconical taper region wherein said fibers are fused, where N is an integer greater than one; and deforming cores of said N fibers at said minimum taper region, said step of deforming including a pushing step at said minimum taper region.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of twisting said optical fibers prior to heating and pulling said fibers to provide the minimum biconical taper region.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said step of deforming includes the steps of heating said minimum region, pushing said heated minimum region to form a glass ball thereat, heating said glass ball, and pulling said heated glass ball to provide a symmetrical looking taper in said minimum region.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method according to claim 3 further comprising the step of twisting said optical fibers prior to heating and pulling said fibers to provide the minimum biconical taper region.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
95 words
A method of fabricating a low loss fused biconical taper fiber optic coupler comprising the steps of: simultaneously heating and pulling N optical fibers to provide a minimum biconical taper region wherein said fibers are fused, where n is an integer greater than one; and deforming cores of said N fibers at said minimum taper region, said step of deforming including the steps of: scoring said minimum region, pulling said scored minimum region for separation thereof, heating said separated minimum region, and pushing said heated separated minimum region together to rejoin said separated minimum region.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
95 words
A method of fabricating a low loss fused biconical taper fiber optic coupler comprising the steps of: simultaneously heating and pulling N optical fibers to provide a minimum biconical taper region wherein said fibers are fused, where n is an integer greater than one; and deforming cores of said N fibers at said minimum taper region, said step of deforming including the steps of: scoring said minimum region, pulling said scored minimum region for separation thereof, heating said separated minimum region, and pushing said heated separated minimum region together to rejoin said separated minimum region.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method according to claim 5 further comprising the step of twisting said optical fibers prior to heating and pulling said fibers to provide the minimum biconical taper region.
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) | 1987-01-16 | 1987-07-18 | 1988-01-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-01-16 | 1991-07-18 | 1992-01-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-01-16 | 1995-07-18 | 1996-01-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |