US4712862A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical fiber connector and method of assembling same
Assignee: RCA Corp
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Filing: 1986-08-27
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Granted: 1987-12-15
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Expires: 2006-08-27
Abstract
Abstract Fiber optic connectors typically have a light reflection occurring at the fiber to air interface. This reflection may be minimized by a connector having a supporting means with an opening therethrough, a pellicle and having first and second major surfaces wherein the first major surface is attached to the supporting means and extends over the opening and a low refection coating on the second major surface. The connector may be assembled by supporting the fiber and positioning the pellicle such that the end face of the fiber is adjacent the first major surface. The connector may also be assembled by forming the supporting means, forming the pellicle and attaching the pellicle to the supporting means such that the pellicle extends over the opening.
Inventors
- 👤 Alexander W. Lightstone
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 09:00
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/36; G02B6/38; G02B6/3807; G02B6/3833; G02B6/3847; G02B6/26; G02B6/262; G02B6/381; G02B6/3818; G02B6/382
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
191 words
A fiber optic connector for transmitting at least one wavelength comprising: first means having a first opening for supporting a first fiber extending therethrough; a first pellicle which is at least partially transparent at the transmitting wavelength and having first and second major surfaces wherein said first major surface extends over the first opening of said first supporting means and is attached to said first supporting means and said first fiber; a low reflectivity coating on said second major surface of said first pellicle; a second means having a second opening for supporting a second fiber extending therethrough; a second pellicle which is at least partially transparent at the transmittng wavelength and having first and second major surfaces wherein its first major surface extends over the second opening of said second supporting means and is attached to said second supporting means and said second fiber; a low reflectivity coating on said second major surface of said second pellicle; and removable sleeve means connecting and aligning said first and second supporting means in spaced apart relation with a predetermined air gap between the second major surfaces of the first and second pellicles.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
191 words
A fiber optic connector for transmitting at least one wavelength comprising: first means having a first opening for supporting a first fiber extending therethrough; a first pellicle which is at least partially transparent at the transmitting wavelength and having first and second major surfaces wherein said first major surface extends over the first opening of said first supporting means and is attached to said first supporting means and said first fiber; a low reflectivity coating on said second major surface of said first pellicle; a second means having a second opening for supporting a second fiber extending therethrough; a second pellicle which is at least partially transparent at the transmittng wavelength and having first and second major surfaces wherein its first major surface extends over the second opening of said second supporting means and is attached to said second supporting means and said second fiber; a low reflectivity coating on said second major surface of said second pellicle; and removable sleeve means connecting and aligning said first and second supporting means in spaced apart relation with a predetermined air gap between the second major surfaces of the first and second pellicles.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The connector of claim 1 wherein each pellicle has a reflectivity of less than about 2%.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The connector of claim 1 wherein the thickness of each pellicle is less than about 50 micrometers thick.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The connector of claim 1 wherein each pellicle has a thickness less than about 0.15 times the fiber core diameter divided by the fiber numerical aperture.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The connector of claim 4 wherein each pellicle has a thickness less than about 0.02 times the fiber core diameter divided by the fiber numerical aperture.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The connector of claim 1 wherein each pellicle has a thickness less than about 1.5 times the mean field radius squared of the fiber divided by said wavelength.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The connector of claim 1 wherein each pellicle has a peripheral edge portion extending a predetermined distance outwards from said second major surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The connector of claim 1 wherein an adhesive is interposed between an end face of each fiber and the corresponding first major surface.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
136 words
A method of assembling an optical fiber connector for a particular wavelength comprising the steps of: supporting a first fiber; positioning a first pellicle having first and second opposed major surfaces with a low reflection coating on said second surface, such that an end face of said first fiber is positioned adjacent said first major surface; supporting a second fiber; positioning a second pellicle having first and second opposed major surfaces with a low reflection coating on said second surface, such that an end face of said second fiber is positioned adjacent said first major surface of said second pellicle having a low reflectivity coating thereon; and connecting said first and second fibers such that the second major surfaces of the first and second pellicles are spaced apart a predetermined distance providing an air gap therebetween.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
136 words
A method of assembling an optical fiber connector for a particular wavelength comprising the steps of: supporting a first fiber; positioning a first pellicle having first and second opposed major surfaces with a low reflection coating on said second surface, such that an end face of said first fiber is positioned adjacent said first major surface; supporting a second fiber; positioning a second pellicle having first and second opposed major surfaces with a low reflection coating on said second surface, such that an end face of said second fiber is positioned adjacent said first major surface of said second pellicle having a low reflectivity coating thereon; and connecting said first and second fibers such that the second major surfaces of the first and second pellicles are spaced apart a predetermined distance providing an air gap therebetween.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 9 wherein an adhesive is interposed between each fiber end face and said corresponding first major surface.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 10 further comprising the step of positioning a sleeve to connect said first and second fibers.
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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) | 1990-12-14 | 1991-06-15 | 1991-12-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-12-14 | 1995-06-15 | 1995-12-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-12-14 | 1999-06-15 | 1999-12-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |