US4662743A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of measuring the geometry of optical fibers
Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Lightwave Corp
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Filing: 1985-11-01
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Granted: 1987-05-05
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Expires: 2005-11-01
Abstract
Abstract A method for measuring certain geometrical properties of an optical fiber wherein the coating is removed from adjacent one end of the fiber, a high intensity light source is focused at the bare fiber and coating interface in order to couple scattered light into the optical fiber cladding and the intensity distribution of the transmitted light at the end face of optical fiber is analyzed. In this fashion nonuniformities on the end face of the optical fiber will not substantially affect the accuracy of measurements of geometrical properties of the cladding region of the optical fiber.
Inventors
- 👤 Masayuki Nishimura
- 👤 William H. Hatton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 19:26
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01M; G01M11/00; G01M11/30; G01M11/35; G01B; G01B11/00; G01B11/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
60 words
A method for determining certain geometrical properties of an optical fiber including the steps of: removing the coating adjacent one end of the optical fiber; directing a light source at the juncture of the fiber coating and the bare fiber; and analyzing the intensity distribution of the transmitted light at the end face of the bare end of the fiber.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
60 words
A method for determining certain geometrical properties of an optical fiber including the steps of: removing the coating adjacent one end of the optical fiber; directing a light source at the juncture of the fiber coating and the bare fiber; and analyzing the intensity distribution of the transmitted light at the end face of the bare end of the fiber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the light source is a high intensity light.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 2 wherein the light is a white light.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 3 wherein the light is focused on the optical fiber by a lens system.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the refractive index of the cladding is higher than that of ambient air around the optical fiber.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the transmitted light is analyzed by an image processing device electrically connected to a computer.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
86 words
A method for determining certain geometrical properties of the cladding of an optical fiber including the steps of: removing the coating adjacent one end of the optical fiber; directing a high intensity light source substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the fiber at the juncture of the fiber coating and the bare fiber; and analyzing the intensity distribution of the light transmitted through the fiber at the end face of the bare end of the fiber with a image processing device and electrically connected computer.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
86 words
A method for determining certain geometrical properties of the cladding of an optical fiber including the steps of: removing the coating adjacent one end of the optical fiber; directing a high intensity light source substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the fiber at the juncture of the fiber coating and the bare fiber; and analyzing the intensity distribution of the light transmitted through the fiber at the end face of the bare end of the fiber with a image processing device and electrically connected computer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 7 wherein the light source is a white light.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 8 wherein the light is focused on the optical fiber by a lens system.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 7 wherein the refractive index of the cladding is higher than that of ambient air about the fiber.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method according to claim 7 including the step of cleaving the bare fiber end prior to directing the light source at the juncture of the fiber coating and bare fiber.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 11 wherein the length of uncoated fiber after cleaving is about 16 millimeters.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US4027977A
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US4349276A
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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) | 1990-05-04 | 1990-11-03 | 1991-05-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-05-04 | 1994-11-03 | 1995-05-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-05-04 | 1998-11-03 | 1999-05-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |