Patent US4436367A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4436367A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical slip ring assembly
Assignee: Northrop Grumman Guidance and Electronics Co Inc
•
Filing: 1981-03-09
•
Granted: 1984-03-13
•
Expires: 2001-03-09
Abstract
Abstract An optical slip ring assembly couples an optic signal from a rotating source to a stationary detector. The rotor of the optical slip ring comprises a rotor optic fiber having a first end coupled with the optic signal source and a second end portion having one side adapted to form a light-emitting area of a selected length. The stator comprises a plurality of stator fibers each having a first pickup end and a stator block for mounting the fiber pickup ends in a radially symmetric array opposite the light emitting area of the rotor whereby an optic signal transmitted from the source through the rotor fiber is picked up by the stator fibers.
Inventors
- 👤 Norris E. Lewis
- 👤 Michael B. Miller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 13:12
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/36; G02B6/3604; H; H04; H04B; H04B10/00; H04B10/80; H04B10/801
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
277 words
An optical slip ring assembly for coupling an optic signal from a rotor source to a stator detector, the assembly comprising: a rotor optic fiber having a first end for coupling with the optic signal source and a second end portion having one side progressively removed so that both the width and the depth of the removed area increases along the length of the fiber to form a light-emitting area of a selected length, cylindrical rotor means having a circular groove means for mounting said fiber second end portion therein so that said light-emitting area faces radially outwardly, a plurality of stator fibers each having a first pickup end, stator means for mounting said fiber pickup ends in a radially symmetric, selectively inwardly directed array concentrically about said circular groove means defining a pickup area so that said light-emitting area rotates concentrically therein whereby an optic signal transmitted from the source through the rotor fiber is picked up by said stator fibers, and each said stator fiber having a second end grouped in a collective bundle for coupling the optic signal picked up by said stator fibers to the stator detector, wherein said cylindrical rotor means comprises a transparent washer having a groove on its interior diameter wall which comprises said circular groove means whereby the optic signal emitted from said light-emitting area is transmitted radially through said transparent washer and is picked up by said array of pickup fiber ends, and wherein the length of said light-emitting area of said rotor fiber substantially equals the circumferential dimension of said circular groove means so that when said rotor fiber is mounted, said light-emitting area forms a circle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
277 words
An optical slip ring assembly for coupling an optic signal from a rotor source to a stator detector, the assembly comprising: a rotor optic fiber having a first end for coupling with the optic signal source and a second end portion having one side progressively removed so that both the width and the depth of the removed area increases along the length of the fiber to form a light-emitting area of a selected length, cylindrical rotor means having a circular groove means for mounting said fiber second end portion therein so that said light-emitting area faces radially outwardly, a plurality of stator fibers each having a first pickup end, stator means for mounting said fiber pickup ends in a radially symmetric, selectively inwardly directed array concentrically about said circular groove means defining a pickup area so that said light-emitting area rotates concentrically therein whereby an optic signal transmitted from the source through the rotor fiber is picked up by said stator fibers, and each said stator fiber having a second end grouped in a collective bundle for coupling the optic signal picked up by said stator fibers to the stator detector, wherein said cylindrical rotor means comprises a transparent washer having a groove on its interior diameter wall which comprises said circular groove means whereby the optic signal emitted from said light-emitting area is transmitted radially through said transparent washer and is picked up by said array of pickup fiber ends, and wherein the length of said light-emitting area of said rotor fiber substantially equals the circumferential dimension of said circular groove means so that when said rotor fiber is mounted, said light-emitting area forms a circle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
An optical slip ring assembly according to claim 1, wherein said pickup ends of said stator fibers each comprises a lens for increasing the optical pickup capacity of each fiber thereby substantially increasing said pickup area.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
An optical slip ring assembly according to claim 1, wherein said pickup ends are grouped into a radial symmetrical array of selectively inwardly directed multistrand fiber blocks which collectively comprise said pickup area.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
An optical slip ring assembly according to claim 1 wherein said pickup ends include a radial symmetrical array of wedge-shaped coupler blocks, each coupled to at least one stator fiber which collectively comprise said pickup area.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
An optical slip ring assembly according to claim 1 additionally comprising lens means optically coupled to said collective bundle of stator fiber second ends for focusing the optic signal picked up by said stator fibers for coupling the signal to the optic signal detector.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
214 words
An optical slip ring assembly for coupling an optic signal from a rotor source to a stator detector, the assembly comprising: a rotor optic fiber having a first end for coupling with the optic signal source and a second end portion having one side progressively removed so that both the width and the depth of the removed area increases along the length of the fiber to form a light-emitting area of a selected length, cylindrical rotor means having a circular groove means for mounting said fiber second end portion therein so that said light-emitting area faces radially outwardly, a plurality of stator fibers each having a first pickup end, said pickup ends being grouped into a radial symmetric array of selectively inwardly directed multistrand fiber blocks which collectively comprise a pickup area, stator means for mounting said fiber pickup ends in said radially symmetric, selectively inwardly directed array concentrically about said circular groove means defining said pickup area so that said light-emitting area rotates concentrically therein whereby an optic signal transmitted from the source through the rotor fiber is picked up by said stator fibers, and each said stator fiber having a second end grouped in a collective bundle for coupling the optic signal picked up by said stator fibers to the stator detector.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
214 words
An optical slip ring assembly for coupling an optic signal from a rotor source to a stator detector, the assembly comprising: a rotor optic fiber having a first end for coupling with the optic signal source and a second end portion having one side progressively removed so that both the width and the depth of the removed area increases along the length of the fiber to form a light-emitting area of a selected length, cylindrical rotor means having a circular groove means for mounting said fiber second end portion therein so that said light-emitting area faces radially outwardly, a plurality of stator fibers each having a first pickup end, said pickup ends being grouped into a radial symmetric array of selectively inwardly directed multistrand fiber blocks which collectively comprise a pickup area, stator means for mounting said fiber pickup ends in said radially symmetric, selectively inwardly directed array concentrically about said circular groove means defining said pickup area so that said light-emitting area rotates concentrically therein whereby an optic signal transmitted from the source through the rotor fiber is picked up by said stator fibers, and each said stator fiber having a second end grouped in a collective bundle for coupling the optic signal picked up by said stator fibers to the stator detector.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
235 words
An optical slip ring assembly for coupling an optic signal from a rotor source to a stator detector, the assembly comprising: a plurality of rotor optic fibers each having a first end for collective coupling with the optic signal source and a second end portion having one side progressively removed so that both the width and the depth of the removed area increases along the length of the fiber to form an area of a selected length from which light is emitted, cylindrical rotor means having a circular groove means for mounting said fiber second end portions within selected arc portions of said groove means so that said end portion prepared areas face radially outwardly, collectively defining a light-emitting area, a plurality of stator fibers each having a first pickup end, said pickup ends being grouped into a radial symmetric array of selectively inwardly directed multristrand fiber blocks which collectively comprise a pickup area, stator means for mounting said fiber pickup ends in said radially symmetic, selectively inwardly directed array concentrically about said circular groove means defining said pickup area so that said light-emitting area rotates concentrically therein whereby an optic signal transmitted from the source through the rotor fibers is picked up by said stator fibers, and each stator fiber having a second end grouped in a collective bundle for coupling the light signal picked up by said stator fibers to the stator detector.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
235 words
An optical slip ring assembly for coupling an optic signal from a rotor source to a stator detector, the assembly comprising: a plurality of rotor optic fibers each having a first end for collective coupling with the optic signal source and a second end portion having one side progressively removed so that both the width and the depth of the removed area increases along the length of the fiber to form an area of a selected length from which light is emitted, cylindrical rotor means having a circular groove means for mounting said fiber second end portions within selected arc portions of said groove means so that said end portion prepared areas face radially outwardly, collectively defining a light-emitting area, a plurality of stator fibers each having a first pickup end, said pickup ends being grouped into a radial symmetric array of selectively inwardly directed multristrand fiber blocks which collectively comprise a pickup area, stator means for mounting said fiber pickup ends in said radially symmetic, selectively inwardly directed array concentrically about said circular groove means defining said pickup area so that said light-emitting area rotates concentrically therein whereby an optic signal transmitted from the source through the rotor fibers is picked up by said stator fibers, and each stator fiber having a second end grouped in a collective bundle for coupling the light signal picked up by said stator fibers to the stator detector.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
248 words
An optical slip ring assembly for coupling an optic signal from a rotor source to a stator detector, the assembly comprising: a rotor optic fiber having a first end for coupling with the optic signal source and a second end portion having one side progressively removed so that both the width and the depth of the removed area increases along the length of the fiber to form a light-emitting area of a selected length, cylindrical rotor means having a circular groove means for mounting said fiber second end portion therein so that said light-emitting area faces radially outwardly, the length of the light-emitting area of the rotor fiber substantially equaling the circumferential dimension of the circular groove means so that when the rotor fiber is mounted, said light-emitting area forms a circle, a plurality of stator fibers each having a first pickup end, said pickup ends being grouped into a radial symmetric array of selectively inwardly directed multistrand fiber blocks which collectively comprise a pickup area, stator means for mounting said fiber pickup ends in said radially symmetric, selectively inwardly directed array concentrically about said circular groove means defining said pickup area so that said light-emitting area rotates concentrically therein whereby an optic signal transmitted from the source through the rotor fiber is picked up by said stator fibers, and each said stator fiber having a second end grouped in a collective bundle for coupling the optic signal picked up by said stator fibers to the stator detector.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
248 words
An optical slip ring assembly for coupling an optic signal from a rotor source to a stator detector, the assembly comprising: a rotor optic fiber having a first end for coupling with the optic signal source and a second end portion having one side progressively removed so that both the width and the depth of the removed area increases along the length of the fiber to form a light-emitting area of a selected length, cylindrical rotor means having a circular groove means for mounting said fiber second end portion therein so that said light-emitting area faces radially outwardly, the length of the light-emitting area of the rotor fiber substantially equaling the circumferential dimension of the circular groove means so that when the rotor fiber is mounted, said light-emitting area forms a circle, a plurality of stator fibers each having a first pickup end, said pickup ends being grouped into a radial symmetric array of selectively inwardly directed multistrand fiber blocks which collectively comprise a pickup area, stator means for mounting said fiber pickup ends in said radially symmetric, selectively inwardly directed array concentrically about said circular groove means defining said pickup area so that said light-emitting area rotates concentrically therein whereby an optic signal transmitted from the source through the rotor fiber is picked up by said stator fibers, and each said stator fiber having a second end grouped in a collective bundle for coupling the optic signal picked up by said stator fibers to the stator detector.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
217 words
An optical slip ring assembly for coupling an optic signal from a rotor source to a stator detector, the assembly comprising: a rotor optic fiber having a first end for coupling with the optic signal source and a second end portion having one side progressively removed so that both the width and the depth of the removed area increases along the length of the fiber to form a light-emitting area of a selected length, cylindrical rotor means having a circular groove means for mounting said fiber second end portion therein so that said light-emitting area faces radially outwardly, a plurality of stator fibers each having a first pickup end, said pickup ends including a radial symmetric array of wedge-shaped coupler blocks, each coupled to at least one stator fiber which collectively comprise a pickup area, stator means for mounting said fiber pickup ends in a radially symmetric, selectively inwardly directed array concentrically about said circular groove means defining said pickup area so that said light-emitting area rotates concentrically therein whereby an optic signal transmitted from the source through the rotor fiber is picked up by said stator fibers, and each said stator fiber having a second end grouped in a collective bundle for coupling the optic signal picked up by said stator fibers to the stator detector.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
217 words
An optical slip ring assembly for coupling an optic signal from a rotor source to a stator detector, the assembly comprising: a rotor optic fiber having a first end for coupling with the optic signal source and a second end portion having one side progressively removed so that both the width and the depth of the removed area increases along the length of the fiber to form a light-emitting area of a selected length, cylindrical rotor means having a circular groove means for mounting said fiber second end portion therein so that said light-emitting area faces radially outwardly, a plurality of stator fibers each having a first pickup end, said pickup ends including a radial symmetric array of wedge-shaped coupler blocks, each coupled to at least one stator fiber which collectively comprise a pickup area, stator means for mounting said fiber pickup ends in a radially symmetric, selectively inwardly directed array concentrically about said circular groove means defining said pickup area so that said light-emitting area rotates concentrically therein whereby an optic signal transmitted from the source through the rotor fiber is picked up by said stator fibers, and each said stator fiber having a second end grouped in a collective bundle for coupling the optic signal picked up by said stator fibers to the stator detector.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
238 words
An optical slip ring assembly for coupling an optic signal from a rotor source to a stator detector, the assembly comprising: a plurality of rotor optic fibers each having a first end for collective coupling with the optic signal source and a second end portion having one side progressively removed so that both the width and the depth of the removed area increases along the length of the fiber to form an area of a selected length from which light is emitted, cylindrical rotor means having a circular groove means for mounting said fiber second end portions within selected arc portions of said groove means so that said end portion prepared areas face radially outwardly, collectively defining a light-emitting area, a plurality of stator fibers each having a first pickup end, said pickup ends including a radial symmetric array of wedge-shaped coupler blocks, each coupled to at least one stator fiber which collectively comprise a pickup area, stator means for mounting said fiber pickup ends in a radially symmetric, selectively inwardly directed array concentrically about said circular groove means defining said pickup area so that said light-emitting area rotates concentrically therein whereby an optic signal transmitted from the source through the rotor fibers is picked up by said stator fibers, and each stator fiber having a second end grouped in a collective bundle for coupling the light signal picked up by said stator fibers to the stator detector.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
238 words
An optical slip ring assembly for coupling an optic signal from a rotor source to a stator detector, the assembly comprising: a plurality of rotor optic fibers each having a first end for collective coupling with the optic signal source and a second end portion having one side progressively removed so that both the width and the depth of the removed area increases along the length of the fiber to form an area of a selected length from which light is emitted, cylindrical rotor means having a circular groove means for mounting said fiber second end portions within selected arc portions of said groove means so that said end portion prepared areas face radially outwardly, collectively defining a light-emitting area, a plurality of stator fibers each having a first pickup end, said pickup ends including a radial symmetric array of wedge-shaped coupler blocks, each coupled to at least one stator fiber which collectively comprise a pickup area, stator means for mounting said fiber pickup ends in a radially symmetric, selectively inwardly directed array concentrically about said circular groove means defining said pickup area so that said light-emitting area rotates concentrically therein whereby an optic signal transmitted from the source through the rotor fibers is picked up by said stator fibers, and each stator fiber having a second end grouped in a collective bundle for coupling the light signal picked up by said stator fibers to the stator detector.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
250 words
An optical slip ring assembly for coupling an optical signal from a rotor source to a stator detector, the assembly comprising: a rotor optic fiber having a first end for coupling with the optic signal source and a second end portion having one side progressively removed so that both the width and the depth of the removed area increases along the length of the fiber to form a light-emitting area of a selected length, cylindrical rotor means having a circular groove means for mounting said fiber second end portion therein so that said light-emitting area faces radially outwardly, the length of the light-emitting area of the rotor fiber substantially equaling the circumferential dimension of the circular groove means so that when the rotor fiber is mounted, the light-emitting area forms a circle, a plurality of stator fibers each having a first pickup end, said pickup ends including a radial symmetric array of wedge-shaped coupler blocks, each coupled to at least one stator fiber which collectively comprise a pickup area, stator means for mounting said fiber pickup ends in a radially symmetric, selectively inwardly directed array concentrically about said circular groove means defining said pickup area so that said light-emitting area rotates concentrically therein whereby an optic signal transmitted from the source through the rotor fiber is picked up by said stator fibers, and each said stator fiber having a second end grouped in a collective bundle for coupling the optic signal picked by said stator fibers to the stator detector.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
250 words
An optical slip ring assembly for coupling an optical signal from a rotor source to a stator detector, the assembly comprising: a rotor optic fiber having a first end for coupling with the optic signal source and a second end portion having one side progressively removed so that both the width and the depth of the removed area increases along the length of the fiber to form a light-emitting area of a selected length, cylindrical rotor means having a circular groove means for mounting said fiber second end portion therein so that said light-emitting area faces radially outwardly, the length of the light-emitting area of the rotor fiber substantially equaling the circumferential dimension of the circular groove means so that when the rotor fiber is mounted, the light-emitting area forms a circle, a plurality of stator fibers each having a first pickup end, said pickup ends including a radial symmetric array of wedge-shaped coupler blocks, each coupled to at least one stator fiber which collectively comprise a pickup area, stator means for mounting said fiber pickup ends in a radially symmetric, selectively inwardly directed array concentrically about said circular groove means defining said pickup area so that said light-emitting area rotates concentrically therein whereby an optic signal transmitted from the source through the rotor fiber is picked up by said stator fibers, and each said stator fiber having a second end grouped in a collective bundle for coupling the optic signal picked by said stator fibers to the stator detector.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3922063A
Cited
US4027945A
Cited
US4165913A
Cited
DE2732806C3
Cited
US4190318A
Cited
US4277134A
Cited
US4307933A
Cited
US4373779A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-03-13 | 1987-09-12 | 1988-03-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-03-13 | 1991-09-12 | 1992-03-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-03-13 | 1995-09-12 | 1996-03-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |