Optical fiber centering device

Claim 2

An optical fiber centering device for centering the principal axis of an optical fiber along a predetermined axis of said device, and for positioning an end of said fiber to a specific location along said predetermined axis, comprising (a) a receiving member having a cylindrical cavity therewithin, said cylindrical cavity having an axis of revolution coincident with said predetermined axis, said cylindrical cavity terminating at an interior end surface that intersects said predetermined axis at said specific location where said end of said fiber is to be positioned; and (b) elastomeric insert means insertable into said cylindrical cavity having (i) an external configuration in the shape of a first right regular prism whose cross-section perpendicular to its principal axis of symmetry is a first regular polygon with vertices that extend from said axis of symmetry a distance slightly greater than the radius of said cylindrical cavity, such that, when said means is inserted into said cavity, said vertices are elastically compressed, such that resulting elastic restoring forces act to center said axis of symmetry with respect to said axis of revolution, and, in turn, said predetermined axis; and (ii) an internal passageway in the shape of a second right regular prism whose principal axis of symmetry is coincident to said axis of symmetry of said external configuration, a cross-section of said internal passageway perpendicular to its axis of symmetry being a second regular polygon whose closest distance from a point on the perimeter thereof to the center of said second regular polygon is smaller than the radius of the smallest diameter of fiber to be centered and to be positioned along said predetermined axis, whereby an optical fiber inserted into said internal passageway compresses said elastomeric insert means, such that resulting elastic restoring forces automatically center said fiber along said axis of symmetry of said first right regular prism, which said last named axis of symmetry coincides with said predetermined axis of said device.

Claim 3

The optical fiber centering device as recited in claim 1 wherein said receiving member comprises a transparent material.

Claim 4

The device as recited in claim 1 wherein said internal passageway of said elastomeric insert means flares outwardly from a position therewithin to an end thereof where a fiber is to be inserted, to facilitate manual insertion of said fiber.

Claim 5

The device as recited in claim 3 wherein said first regular polygon has an infinite number of sides so that said first regular polygon has a circular shape, said external configuration having a radius slightly larger than that of said cylindrical cavity.

Claim 6

The device as recited in claim 3 wherein said second regular polygon has an infinite number of sides so that said second regular polygon has a circular shape, said internal passageway having a radius slightly smaller than that of the smallest diameter fiber to be centered and to be positioned along said predetermined axis.

Claim 7

The device as recited in claim 3 wherein said first regular polygon is a regular hexagon.

Claim 8

The device as recited in claim 3 wherein said second regular polygon is an equilateral triangle.

Claim 9

The device as recited in claim 3 wherein said elastomeric insert means comprises three identical parts, each part having first and second matable surfaces which, when assembled, mate respectively with corresponding matable surfaces of the other two parts, along plane surfaces whose planes intersect at a common axis of symmetry of said first and said second regular polygon, thereby assuring an optimum three-fold symmetry of said insert means with respect to said common axis.

Claim 10

The device as recited in claim 8 wherein each of said three identical parts is produced by a common mold.

Claim 11

The device as recited in claim 8 wherein said first regular polygon is a regular hexagon, said second regular polygon is an equilateral triangle, and wherein the three planes formed where the assembled insert parts mate pass through, respectively, the three vertex lines of the inner triangle, and through respectively three of the six vertex lines of the outer hexagon, whereby said three identical insert parts slip into mutual alignment when inserted into said cylindrical cavity.

Claim 12

An optical fiber centering device for centering the principal axis of an optical fiber along a predetermined axis of said device, and for positioning an end of said fiber to a specific location along said predetermined axis comprising (a) a receiving member having a cylindrical cavity therewithin, said cylindrical cavity having an axis of revolution coincident with said predetermined axis, said cylindrical cavity terminating at an interior end surface, said interior end surface containing a recess for further centering an end of said optical fiber along said predetermined axis to a degree greater than that achievable in the absence of said recess, such that (i) all cross-sections through said recess and perpendicular to said predetermined axis are shapes in which a unique circle can be inscribed with its center on said predetermined axis, (ii) the size of the cross-section of said recess, at said interior end surface of said cylindrical cavity, is greater than that of the largest diameter fiber to be centered and positioned, (iii) the size of said cross-sections decreases smoothly and monotonically away from said cylindrical cavity end surface, until said recess terminates at a cross-section smaller than that of the smallest diameter fiber to be centered and positioned, such that an inserted fiber is guided smoothly along a wall of said recess and is stopped when the cross-sectional dimensions of said recess no longer is greater than the diameter of said inserted fiber, and (iv) the depth of said cylindrical cavity and said recess are such that said specific location along said predetermined axis where said one end of said fiber is to be positioned is where the cross-sectional dimensions of said recess permits the nominal diameter of said fiber to be centered and positioned, and (b) elastomeric insert means insertable into said cylindrical body, said insert means having an internal passageway, whereby an optical fiber inserted into said elastomeric insert means causes resulting elastic restoring forces to automatically center said fiber along said predetermined axis, said elastomeric insert means having an internal passageway whose surface flares outwardly therewithin to an end thereof that proximates said interior end surface, such that offset correction of a fiber produces minimal angular misalignment of the fiber axis from said predetermined axis.

Claim 13

An optical fiber centering device for centering the principal axis of an optical fiber along a predetermined axis of said device, and for positioning an end of said fiber to a specific location along said predetermined axis comprising (a) a receiving member having a cylindrical cavity therewithin, said cylindrical cavity having an axis of revolution coincident with said predetermined axis, said cylindrical cavity terminating at an interior end surface, said interior end surface containing a recess for further centering an end of said optical fiber along said predetermined axis to a degree greater than that achievable in the absence of said recess, such that (i) all cross-sections through said recess and perpendicular to said predetermined axis are shapes in which a unique circle can be inscribed with its center on said predetermined axis, (ii) the size of the cross-section of said recess, at said interior end surface of said cylindrical cavity, is greater than that of the largest diameter fiber to be centered and positioned, (iii) the size of said cross-sections decreases smoothly and monotonically away from said cylindrical cavity end surface, until said recess terminates at a cross-section smaller than that of the smallest diameter fiber to be centered and positioned, such that an inserted fiber is guided smoothly along a wall of said recess and is stopped when the cross-sectional dimensions of said recess no longer is greater than the diameter of said inserted fiber, and (iv) the depth of said cylindrical cavity and said recess are such that said specific location along said predetermined axis where said one end of said fiber is to be positioned is where the cross-sectional dimensions of said recess permits the nominal diameter of said fiber to be centered and positioned, and (b) elastomeric insert means insertable into said cylindrical body, said insert means having an internal passageway, whereby an optical fiber inserted into said elastomeric insert means causes resulting elastic restoring forces to automatically center said fiber along said predetermined axis, said elastomeric insert means having an internal passageway whose surface flares outwardly therewithin to an end thereof that proximates said interior end surface, such that offset correction of a fiber produces minimal angular misalignment of the fiber axis from said predetermined axis.

Claim 14

The device as recited in claim 11 wherein said recess is a truncated conical recess.

Claim 15

The device as recited in claim 12 wherein the depth of said recess is 0.015 inch.

Claim 16

The device as recited in claim 12 wherein said recess terminates at a cross-section of 0.003 inch.

Claim 17

The device as recited in claim 12 wherein said wall of said recess forms an angle of 30 degrees with respect to said predetermined axis.

Claim 18

The device as recited in claim 11 wherein said recess is a truncated conical recess, the depth of said recess is 0.015 inch, said recess terminates at a cross-section of 0.003 inch, and said wall of said recess forms an angle of 30 degrees with respect to said predetermined axis.

Claim 19

The device as recited in claim 2 wherein said receiving member is an integral part of a telecentric optical connector.

Claim 20

The device as recited in claim 17 wherein said telecentric optical connector includes an integrally molded lens surface whose optical axis coincides with said predetermined axis, and whose focal point coincides with said specific location.