US4746189A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical fiber adhesive joint tube
Assignee: Raychem Corp
•
Filing: 1985-10-16
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Granted: 1988-05-24
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Expires: 2005-10-16
Abstract
Abstract An article suitable for use in the adhesive joining of two optical fibers with low light loss comprises a tubular container an inner surface of which is coated with a release agent and/or is composed of an inherently releasing material, which is larger in cross-section at the ends than at a central region, the smaller central region being where the ends of the fibers are joined.
Inventors
- 👤 John P. Arrington
- 👤 Nelson M. Shen
- 👤 Wendell W. Moyer
- 👤 David R. Myers
- 👤 David E. James
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 14:15
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/36; G02B6/38; G02B6/3801; G02B6/3803
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
170 words
An article for joining ends of two optical fibers each including a core and a cladding, comprising: a generally tubular container having first and second opposite ends and a central region therebetween the central region having a cross-sectional area smaller than cross-sectional area of the opposite container ends, liquid curable adhesive being disposed within the central region, the central region cross-sectional area being substantially larger than a cross-sectinal area of the first and second ends of the first and second fibers to be joined so as to allow the first and second fiber ends to be moved within the adhesive and the container central region relative to one another in amounts sufficient such that cores of the first and second fibers can be optimally alligned when claddings of the fiber ends are misaligned, a diameter of the central region being more than 1.2 times as large as a cladding diameter of each of the first and second optical fiber ends so that cores of the fibers can be optimally aligned.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
170 words
An article for joining ends of two optical fibers each including a core and a cladding, comprising: a generally tubular container having first and second opposite ends and a central region therebetween the central region having a cross-sectional area smaller than cross-sectional area of the opposite container ends, liquid curable adhesive being disposed within the central region, the central region cross-sectional area being substantially larger than a cross-sectinal area of the first and second ends of the first and second fibers to be joined so as to allow the first and second fiber ends to be moved within the adhesive and the container central region relative to one another in amounts sufficient such that cores of the first and second fibers can be optimally alligned when claddings of the fiber ends are misaligned, a diameter of the central region being more than 1.2 times as large as a cladding diameter of each of the first and second optical fiber ends so that cores of the fibers can be optimally aligned.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The article of claim 1, the container being substantially cylindrical in shape, the diameter of the central region being substantially smaller than a diameter of the opposite container ends.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The article of claim 1, the central region diameter being more than 1.6 times as large as the cladding diameter of each of the first and second fiber ends.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The article of claim 1, the central region diameter being more than three times as large as the cladding diameter of each of the first and second fiber ends.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The article of claim 1, a diameter of the opposite container ends each being more than 1.5 times as large as the central region diameter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The article of claim 5, the diameter of the opposite container ends each being less than 10 times as large as the central region diameter.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The article of claim 6, the central region diameter being greater than 150 microns.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The article of claim 7, the central region diameter being between 250 and 750 microns.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The article of claim 7, the central region diameter being between 400 and 600 microns.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The article of claim 7, the diameter of the opposite container ends each between 500 and 3000 microns.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The article of claim 10, the diamter of the opposite container ends each being between 750 and 2000 microns.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The article of claim 1, an inner surface of the container being coated with a release agent or being made of an inherently releasable material.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The article of claim 1, an inner surface of the container being coated with a release agent or being made of an inherently releasable material.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The article of claim 1, the opposite container ends being larger in size than an outside diameter of buffers of the first and second fibers.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
The article of claim 1, the central region containing only the adhesive therewithin prior to receiving the ends of the fibers to be aligned.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
115 words
An apparatus for joining ends of two optical fibers, comprising: a generally tubular container; a curable liquid adhesive disposed within the container and around first and second optical fibers and between ends thereof, a central region diameter of the container in a vicinity of the fiber ends being substantially larger than diameters of the fiber ends; an inner surface of the container being coated with a release agent or being made of an inherently releasing material such that upon curing of the adhesive and shrinkage thereof caused thereby the adhesive will tend to separate from the inner surface of the container, the container having a substantially cylindrical shape and being substantially hour-glass like in cross-section.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
115 words
An apparatus for joining ends of two optical fibers, comprising: a generally tubular container; a curable liquid adhesive disposed within the container and around first and second optical fibers and between ends thereof, a central region diameter of the container in a vicinity of the fiber ends being substantially larger than diameters of the fiber ends; an inner surface of the container being coated with a release agent or being made of an inherently releasing material such that upon curing of the adhesive and shrinkage thereof caused thereby the adhesive will tend to separate from the inner surface of the container, the container having a substantially cylindrical shape and being substantially hour-glass like in cross-section.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 16, the inner surface of the container being coated with a release agent.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 16, the inner surface of the container being made of an inherently releasing material.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
11 words
The apparatus of claim 16, the container being made of glass.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
11 words
The apparatus of claim 17, the release agent comprising a fluoropolymer.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 17, the release agent comprising a silicon oil.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 17, the release agent comprising a silicon oil and a cured silicon.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
10 words
The apparatus of claim 18, the material comprising a polymer.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
10 words
The apparatus of claim 23, the polymer comprising poly(4-methyl pentene-1).
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
10 words
The apparatus of claim 23, the polymer comprising a fluoropolymer.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
129 words
The apparatus of claim 16, a central region of the container having a diameter smaller than a diameter of opposite ends of the container, the central region diameter being substantially larger than a diameter of claddings of first and second ends of the first and second fibers to be joined so as to allow the first and second fiber ends to be moved within the container relative to one another in amounts sufficient such that cores of the first and second fibers can be optimally aligned, the central region diameter being more than 1.2 times as large as a cladding diameter of each of the first and second fiber ends, the central region containing only the adhesive therewithin prior to receiving the ends of the fibers to be aligned.
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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) | 1991-05-24 | 1991-11-23 | 1992-05-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-05-24 | 1995-11-23 | 1996-05-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-05-24 | 1999-11-23 | 2000-05-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |