US4709986A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ensheathed optical fiber and coupling method
Assignee: Viavi Solutions Inc
•
Filing: 1984-06-18
•
Granted: 1987-12-01
•
Expires: 2004-06-18
Abstract
Abstract A single-mode optical fiber transmission line suited for coupling to another fiber through a laterally coupled splice includes a core having a selected diameter, a cladding layer that surrounds the core and has a cladding thickness between one and two core diameters, and an auxiliary cladding into which the optical fiber is nested. The auxiliary cladding has an index of refraction not substantially greater than that of the cladding layer that surrounds the core, an inside dimension greater than that of the outside dimension of the optical fiber, at least partially surrounds the optical fiber and is attached to the optical fiber at least along one lineal connection zone. An optical fiber in accordance with the present invention may be spliced by freeing the optical fiber from the auxiliary cladding by, for example, dissolving the lineal connection zone with dilute hydrofluoric acid, fracturing and removing the auxiliary cladding from the freed cladding and core structure and effecting a lateral coupling splice with a similarly prepared optical fiber.
Inventors
- 👤 John W. Hicks, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 22:30
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/02; G02B6/036; G02B6/03616; G02B6/03622; G02B6/03627; G02B6/02395; G02B6/03605; G02B6/10; G02B6/105; G02B6/24; G02B6/245; G02B6/255; G02B6/2551; G02B6/26; G02B6/28; G02B6/2804; G02B6/2821; G02B6/2835
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
170 words
A single mode optical fiber comprising a single mode inner fiber nested within an auxiliary cladding tube, said inner fiber comprising a core of given diameter fabricated from optical transmission material having an index of refraction n 1 , and a cladding layer of optical transmission material having an index of refraction n 2 , where n 2 is less than n 1 , said cladding layer having a wall thickness ranging between one to two core diameters for enhancing lateral coupling to an inner fiber of similar construction, said auxiliary cladding tube being fabricated from material having an index of refraction not substantially greater than that of said cladding layer and of large inner diameter as compared to the outer diameter of said inner fiber such that said inner fiber is at least partially spaced from the inner diameter of said auxiliary cladding tube, and said inner fiber being in supporting engagement with and connected to the inside surface of said auxiliary cladding tube along a lineal connection zone.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
170 words
A single mode optical fiber comprising a single mode inner fiber nested within an auxiliary cladding tube, said inner fiber comprising a core of given diameter fabricated from optical transmission material having an index of refraction n 1 , and a cladding layer of optical transmission material having an index of refraction n 2 , where n 2 is less than n 1 , said cladding layer having a wall thickness ranging between one to two core diameters for enhancing lateral coupling to an inner fiber of similar construction, said auxiliary cladding tube being fabricated from material having an index of refraction not substantially greater than that of said cladding layer and of large inner diameter as compared to the outer diameter of said inner fiber such that said inner fiber is at least partially spaced from the inner diameter of said auxiliary cladding tube, and said inner fiber being in supporting engagement with and connected to the inside surface of said auxiliary cladding tube along a lineal connection zone.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The optical fiber of claim 1 wherein said inner fiber is in contact with and connected to the inside surface of said auxiliary cladding tube along a single lineal connection zone.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The optical fiber of claim 1, wherein said core is concentrically located within said cladding layer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
53 words
The optical fiber of claim 1, wherein said core and cladding layer are both circular in transverse cross-section and said auxiliary cladding tube comprises a hollow tube having inside and outside diameter surfaces, further comprising first and second webs connected between said cladding layer and the inside surface of said auxiliary cladding tube.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
53 words
The optical fiber of claim 1 wherein said core and cladding layer are both circular in transverse cross-section and said auxiliary cladding tube comprises a hollow tube having a non-circular inside surface, and said cladding layer is in supporting contact on opposite sides with the non-circular inside surface of said auxiliary cladding tube.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The optical fiber of claim 5 wherein said non-circular inside surface is elliptical in transverse cross-section.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
116 words
A method of splicing an optical fiber of the type having an inner fiber including a single-mode core and a first cladding within an auxiliary cladding tube of large inner diameter as compared to said inner fiber surrounding the inner fiber and in supporting contact along a lineal connection zone with the inner fiber, said method comprising the steps of: separating the supporting contact between said inner fiber and the auxiliary cladding tube by subjecting the lineal connection zone to an etching agent; removing at least a portion of the auxiliary cladding tube along a length to expose the separated inner fiber; and laterally coupling the core of said inner fiber to another core and cladding.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
116 words
A method of splicing an optical fiber of the type having an inner fiber including a single-mode core and a first cladding within an auxiliary cladding tube of large inner diameter as compared to said inner fiber surrounding the inner fiber and in supporting contact along a lineal connection zone with the inner fiber, said method comprising the steps of: separating the supporting contact between said inner fiber and the auxiliary cladding tube by subjecting the lineal connection zone to an etching agent; removing at least a portion of the auxiliary cladding tube along a length to expose the separated inner fiber; and laterally coupling the core of said inner fiber to another core and cladding.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 7 further comprising the step of splinting the lateral connection with a mixture of silica-based fibers and a bonding material.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3434774A
Cited
US3535017A
Cited
US3712705A
Cited
US3950073A
Cited
US3912362A
Cited
US4039248A
Cited
US4129356A
Cited
US4134642A
Cited
US4264126A
Cited
US4372647A
Cited
US4354736A
Cited
JPS5740202A
Cited
JPS57202504A
Cited
JPS5831568A
Cited
US4493530A
Cited
US4493721A
Cited
US4630890A
Cited
US4630889A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-11-30 | 1991-06-01 | 1991-12-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-11-30 | 1995-06-01 | 1995-12-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-11-30 | 1999-06-01 | 1999-12-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |