US4666234A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Non-tapered, butt-coupled, fused-fiber optical coupler and method of forming the same
Assignee: Nokia Bell Labs
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Filing: 1984-11-01
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Granted: 1987-05-19
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Expires: 2004-11-01
Abstract
Abstract The present invention relates to a fused-fiber optical coupler, and method of forming the same, which does not require a tapering of the fibers. A two-step fusion process is utilized where initially the end sections of the plurality (N) of output fibers are fused together to create a bullet-shaped end section. The bullet-shaped end section is then butt-coupled and fused to the input fiber (or M input fibers) to form a 1×N (or M×N) fiber coupler.
Inventors
- 👤 William L. Emkey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 17:05
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/26; G02B6/28; G02B6/2804; G02B6/2856; G02B6/2821; G02B6/2835
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
204 words
A method for permanently coupling a plurality of M input optical fibers to a plurality of N output optical fibers to form an M×N optical coupler, the method comprising the steps of: (a) grouping said plurality of N output optical fibers to maintain an end section of each fiber in close proximity; (b) contacting a dummy fiber to the grouped end sections of said plurality of N output optical fibers; (c) fusing said dummy fiber to said plurality of N output optical fibers; (d) heating a portion of said plurality of N output optical fibers at a point removed from the fusion formed in step (c); (e) longitudinally pulling said dummy fiber away from said plurality of N output optical fibers so as to separate said dummy fiber and said fused region from said plurality of N output optical fibers where the separated portion of said plurality of N output optical fibers comprises a rounded non-tapered end; (f) contacting the plurality of M input optical fibers to said rounded end portion formed in step (e); and (g) fusing said plurality of M input optical fibers to said rounded end portion of said plurality of N output optical fibers to form said M×N optical coupler.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
204 words
A method for permanently coupling a plurality of M input optical fibers to a plurality of N output optical fibers to form an M×N optical coupler, the method comprising the steps of: (a) grouping said plurality of N output optical fibers to maintain an end section of each fiber in close proximity; (b) contacting a dummy fiber to the grouped end sections of said plurality of N output optical fibers; (c) fusing said dummy fiber to said plurality of N output optical fibers; (d) heating a portion of said plurality of N output optical fibers at a point removed from the fusion formed in step (c); (e) longitudinally pulling said dummy fiber away from said plurality of N output optical fibers so as to separate said dummy fiber and said fused region from said plurality of N output optical fibers where the separated portion of said plurality of N output optical fibers comprises a rounded non-tapered end; (f) contacting the plurality of M input optical fibers to said rounded end portion formed in step (e); and (g) fusing said plurality of M input optical fibers to said rounded end portion of said plurality of N output optical fibers to form said M×N optical coupler.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein M=1 and N>1, so as to form an optical splitter.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein N=1 and M>1, so as to form an optical combiner.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
58 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein prior to performing step (a), performing the step of (h) removing a predetermined amount of the cladding layer from an end section of each output fiber of said plurality of N output fibers such that a predetermined thin layer of cladding remains surrounding the end portion of each output fiber core.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein a pair of output fibers is coupled to the input fiber to form a 1×2 fiber coupler.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein three output fibers are coupled to the input fiber to form a 1×3 fiber coupler.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein the plurality of N output optical fibers and the plurality of M input fibers comprise multimode optical fibers.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein the plurality of N output optical fibers and the plurality of M input optical fibers comprise single mode optical fibers.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein the plurality of N output optical fibers comprise multimode optical fibers and the plurality of M input optical fibers comprise single mode optical fibers.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein the plurality of N output optical fibers comprise single mode optical fibers and the plurality of M input optical fibers comprise multimode optical fibers.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
10 words
An optical coupler formed using the method of 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) | 1990-05-18 | 1990-11-17 | 1991-05-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-05-18 | 1994-11-17 | 1995-05-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-05-18 | 1998-11-17 | 1999-05-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |