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US4687284A
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Bright fiber-free biconically tapered couplers
Assignee: Xerox Corp
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Filing: 1984-09-04
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Granted: 1987-08-18
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Expires: 2004-09-04
Abstract
Abstract A biconically tapered passive star optical coupler has mutually exclusive input and output optical fibers, so that optical power injected into any one of the input fibers is relatively uniformally distributed to all of the output fibers.
Inventors
- 👤 Eric G. Rawson
- 👤 Lawrence C. Stewart
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 12:18
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/26; G02B6/28; G02B6/2804; G02B6/2856
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
91 words
A biconically tapered passive star optical coupler comprising first and second mutually exclusive sets of optical fibers configured to form an axially extending biconical taper; the fibers of said first and second sets being coaxially twisted about one another, being optically united throughout said biconical taper, and being terminated internally of said coupler adjacent opposite sides of said taper; whereby light injected into any of the fibers of one of said sets is gradually transformed into and generally uniformly distributed among all of the fibers of the other of said sets.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
91 words
A biconically tapered passive star optical coupler comprising first and second mutually exclusive sets of optical fibers configured to form an axially extending biconical taper; the fibers of said first and second sets being coaxially twisted about one another, being optically united throughout said biconical taper, and being terminated internally of said coupler adjacent opposite sides of said taper; whereby light injected into any of the fibers of one of said sets is gradually transformed into and generally uniformly distributed among all of the fibers of the other of said sets.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The coupler of claim 1 wherein said first and second sets contain equal numbers of optical fibers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The coupler of claim 1 wherein said optical fibers have claddings which are thermally fused within said biconical taper to optically unite said fibers.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US4360248A
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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) | 1990-08-17 | 1991-02-16 | 1991-08-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-08-17 | 1995-02-16 | 1995-08-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-08-17 | 1999-02-16 | 1999-08-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |