US4743283A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Alternating current arc for lensing system and method of using same
Assignee: ITT Inc
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Filing: 1987-01-13
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Granted: 1988-05-10
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Expires: 2007-01-13
Abstract
Abstract A system is provided for forming an end of an optical fiber into a lens, which produces a lensed fiber having an especially smooth lens surface and high strength near the intersection of the lens and the rest of the fiber. A lens is formed by establishing a pair of electrodes on opposite sides of a fiber end portion and establishing an arc between the electrode tips for a sufficient current and time to melt the fiber end portion into a lens, with the arc being repeatedly terminated and restarted at a rate of thousands of times per second.
Inventors
- 👤 Leslie M. Borsuk
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 17:09
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/255; G02B6/2552
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
82 words
A method for forming an end portion of an optical fiber into a lens comprising: establishing a pair of electrodes with their tips on opposite sides of said fiber end portion, and with said fiber end portion lying on an imaginary line connecting said electrode tips; establishing an arc between said electrode tips, and continuing said arc at a sufficient average current and time to melt said end portion into a lens of a diameter at least about 25% greater than the
Claim 2
Independent Claim
82 words
A method for forming an end portion of an optical fiber into a lens comprising: establishing a pair of electrodes with their tips on opposite sides of said fiber end portion, and with said fiber end portion lying on an imaginary line connecting said electrode tips; establishing an arc between said electrode tips, and continuing said arc at a sufficient average current and time to melt said end portion into a lens of a diameter at least about 25% greater than the
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method described in claim 1 wherein: said optical fiber has a diameter of no more than about 0.010 inch, and said step of establishing an arc includes terminating and restarting said arc a plurality of tens of thousands of times per second.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
119 words
Apparatus for forming an end portion of an optical fiber into a lens comprising: a pair of electrodes having spaced tips; means for holding said fiber end portion between said electrode tips, and with said fiber end portion lying on an imaginary line connecting said electrode tips; circuit means coupled to said electrodes for applying electricity to them which establishes an arc between said electrode tips of an intensity and duration which melts said fiber end portion into a lens having a greater diameter than said fiber; said circuit being constructed to apply a current between said electrode tips that varies between substantially zero and maximum amplitude at a rate of a plurality of thousands of times per second.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
119 words
Apparatus for forming an end portion of an optical fiber into a lens comprising: a pair of electrodes having spaced tips; means for holding said fiber end portion between said electrode tips, and with said fiber end portion lying on an imaginary line connecting said electrode tips; circuit means coupled to said electrodes for applying electricity to them which establishes an arc between said electrode tips of an intensity and duration which melts said fiber end portion into a lens having a greater diameter than said fiber; said circuit being constructed to apply a current between said electrode tips that varies between substantially zero and maximum amplitude at a rate of a plurality of thousands of times per second.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus described in claim 3 wherein: said fiber has a diameter of no more than about 0.010 inch, and said circuit is constructed to apply AC current at a frequency of over 10 kHz.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus described in claim 3 wherein: said fiber has a diameter of no more than about 0.010 inch, and said circuit is constructed to flow current that undergoes said variation in amplitude at a rate of at least about 100 kHz.
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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) | 1991-05-10 | 1991-11-09 | 1992-05-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-05-10 | 1995-11-09 | 1996-05-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-05-10 | 1999-11-09 | 2000-05-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |