US4461540A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical communication element and optical communication cable comprising such an element
Assignee: US Philips Corp
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Filing: 1982-12-21
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Granted: 1984-07-24
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Expires: 2002-12-21
Abstract
Abstract An optical communication element comprises an optical fiber bonded in a state of axial compression to a metal tape. The tape may be folded up into a tube and sealed by soldering. Such elements are strong and not sensitive to stress corrosion. Such an optical communication element may be produced by passing a metal tape and an optical fiber in contact around a drum with the optical fiber on the outside. An adhesive, which solidifies or cures during the passage around the drum is applied to the metal tape.
Inventors
- 👤 Adrianus J. J. Franken
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 07:54
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/44; G02B6/4479; G02B6/4401; G02B6/4403; G02B6/441; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T156/00; Y10T156/10; Y10T156/1002; Y10T156/1007; Y10T156/1008; Y10T156/1013; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/51; Y10T29/5185
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
58 words
An optical communication element comprising: a metal tape having first and second opposite surfaces; and an optical fiber bonded to the first surface of the metal tape by an adhesive, said optical fiber having an axis; characterized in that the optical fiber, which is bound to the metal tape, is held under axial compression by the metal tape.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
58 words
An optical communication element comprising: a metal tape having first and second opposite surfaces; and an optical fiber bonded to the first surface of the metal tape by an adhesive, said optical fiber having an axis; characterized in that the optical fiber, which is bound to the metal tape, is held under axial compression by the metal tape.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
An optical communication element as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the axial compression causes a 0.05% reduction in the length of the fiber as compared to the length of the fiber under no stress.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
An optical communication element as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the metal tape is folded into a tube and is sealed with solder.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
An optical communication element as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the element further comprises a foam or gel within the tube.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
An optical communication element as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that the metal tape and the optical fiber each have coefficients of thermal expansion, and the metal tape is an alloy having approximately the same coefficient of thermal expansion as the optical fiber.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
An optical communication element as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that the optical fiber is made of a glass having a coefficient of thermal expansion of 9-11×10 -6 per °C., and the metal tape is an Fe-Cr alloy with 17-19 weight percent Cr.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
An optical communication element as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that the adhesive is a hot melt adhesive.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
An optical communication element as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that the optical fiber is made of a quartz glass and the metal tape is an Fe-Ni alloy with 36 weight percent Ni.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
An optical communication element as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that the adhesive is a hot melt adhesive.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
An optical communication cable comprising one or more optical communication elements as claimed in claim 9.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
44 words
An optical communication element as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the metal tape and the optical fiber each have coefficients of thermal expansion, and the metal tape is an alloy having approximately the same coefficient of thermal expansion as the optical fiber.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
An optical communication cable comprising one or more optical communication elements as claimed in claim 11.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
An optical communication element as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the metal tape is folded into a tube and is sealed with solder.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
An optical communication element as claimed in claim 13, characterized in that the element further comprises a foam or gel within the tube.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
44 words
An optical communication element as claimed in claim 14, characterized in that the metal tape and the optical fiber each have coefficients of thermal expansion, and the metal tape is an alloy having approximately the same coefficient of thermal expansion as the optical fiber.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
An optical communication cable comprising one or more optical communication elements as claimed in claim 15.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
44 words
An optical communication element as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the metal tape and the optical fiber each have coefficients of thermal expansion, and the metal tape is an alloy having approximately the same coefficient of thermal expansion as the optical fiber.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
An optical communication cable comprising one or more optical communication elements as claimed in claim 1.
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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) | 1987-07-24 | 1988-01-23 | 1988-07-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-07-24 | 1992-01-23 | 1992-07-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-07-24 | 1996-01-23 | 1996-07-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |