US4766705A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for polishing the end of an optical fiber
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1983-02-25
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Granted: 1988-08-30
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Expires: 2003-02-25
Abstract
Abstract A method of polishing a roof-shaped, or bevelled, tip having a predetermined angle on the end of an optical fiber is disclosed. The method comprises placing an optical fiber in contact with an abrasive tape at an angle corresponding to the desired predetermined angle. The fiber is moved towards the tape beyond the point of contact so as to cause a bend in the fiber. Upon moving the abrasive tape, the compliance of the fiber, by virtue of the bend, provides a pressure of the fiber against the tape to enable polishing to occur. As polishing continues the pressure decreases until enough material is removed so as to eliminate the bend and impart the predetermined angle to the fiber tip. The fiber may be rotated to polish the other side in a similar manner, if so desired.
Inventors
- 👤 Anil R. Dholakia
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 09:12
CPC Classifications
B; B24; B24B; B24B19/00; B24B19/22; B24B19/226; G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/42; G02B6/4201; G02B6/4202; G02B6/4203
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
187 words
A method of imparting a defect-free, roof-shaped tip having a predetermined angle of intersection to the end of an optical fiber which comprises: (a) mounting a fiber in a fixture so that the end of the fiber extends beyond the fixture sufficiently to allow the fiber to bend; (b) mounting an abrasive, flexible lapping tape between take-up reels; (c) presenting the fixture and the end of the fiber to the abrasive tape between the take-up reels at said predetermined angle such that the fiber tip contacts the tape; (d) moving the fixture and fiber perpendicularly closer to the tape such that the fiber end bends against the tape while the remainder of the fiber is maintained at said predetermined angle; (e) lapping said fiber tip by establishing a relative motion between said fiber and said tape until the fiber end straightens out and the predetermined angle has been imparted to said fiber tip, whereby the force of the fiber end against the tape automatically decreases as the lapping continues and the fiber bend straightens; and, (f) rotating said fiber 180° and repeating steps (c), (d) and (e).
Claim 2
Independent Claim
187 words
A method of imparting a defect-free, roof-shaped tip having a predetermined angle of intersection to the end of an optical fiber which comprises: (a) mounting a fiber in a fixture so that the end of the fiber extends beyond the fixture sufficiently to allow the fiber to bend; (b) mounting an abrasive, flexible lapping tape between take-up reels; (c) presenting the fixture and the end of the fiber to the abrasive tape between the take-up reels at said predetermined angle such that the fiber tip contacts the tape; (d) moving the fixture and fiber perpendicularly closer to the tape such that the fiber end bends against the tape while the remainder of the fiber is maintained at said predetermined angle; (e) lapping said fiber tip by establishing a relative motion between said fiber and said tape until the fiber end straightens out and the predetermined angle has been imparted to said fiber tip, whereby the force of the fiber end against the tape automatically decreases as the lapping continues and the fiber bend straightens; and, (f) rotating said fiber 180° and repeating steps (c), (d) and (e).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the abrasive lapping tape comprises silicon carbide particles bonded to a polyester tape backing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the velocity of the abrasive tape is about 19 centimeters per second.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
179 words
A method of imparting a defect-free bevelled tip having a predetermined angle to the end of an optical fiber which comprises: (a) mounting a fiber in a fixture so that the end of the fiber extends beyond the fixture sufficiently to allow the fiber to bend; (b) mounting an abrasive, flexible lapping tape between take-up reels; (c) presenting the fixture and the end of the fiber to the abrasive tape between the take-up reels at said predetermined angle such that the fiber tip contacts the tape; (d) moving the fixture and fiber perpendicularly closer to the tape such that the fiber end bends against the tape but where the rest of the fiber is maintained at said predetermined angle; (e) lapping said fiber tip by establishing a relative motion between said fiber and said tape, which lapping is continued until the fiber end straightens out such that the predetermined angle has been imparted to said fiber tip, and whereby the force of the fiber end against the tape automatically decreases as the lapping continues and the fiber bend straightens.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
179 words
A method of imparting a defect-free bevelled tip having a predetermined angle to the end of an optical fiber which comprises: (a) mounting a fiber in a fixture so that the end of the fiber extends beyond the fixture sufficiently to allow the fiber to bend; (b) mounting an abrasive, flexible lapping tape between take-up reels; (c) presenting the fixture and the end of the fiber to the abrasive tape between the take-up reels at said predetermined angle such that the fiber tip contacts the tape; (d) moving the fixture and fiber perpendicularly closer to the tape such that the fiber end bends against the tape but where the rest of the fiber is maintained at said predetermined angle; (e) lapping said fiber tip by establishing a relative motion between said fiber and said tape, which lapping is continued until the fiber end straightens out such that the predetermined angle has been imparted to said fiber tip, and whereby the force of the fiber end against the tape automatically decreases as the lapping continues and the fiber bend straightens.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the abrasive lapping tape comprises silicon carbide abrasive particles bonded to a polyester tape backing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the velocity of the abrasive tape is about 19 centimeters per second.
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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) | 1991-08-30 | 1992-02-29 | 1992-08-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-08-30 | 1996-02-29 | 1996-08-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-08-30 | 2000-02-29 | 2000-08-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |