Patent US4784458A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4784458A
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Optically aligned splice for optical fibers
Assignee: Honeywell International Inc
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Filing: 1985-12-16
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Granted: 1988-11-15
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Expires: 2005-12-16
Abstract
Abstract A splice joint is effected between single mode polarization maintaining (SMPM) fibers (31, 32) in a manner so as to maintain polarization of light transmitted through the splice. Mating ends (57, 58) of the respective fibers (31, 32) are aligned and joined with ultraviolet curing epoxy (61). After the ultraviolet curing epoxy (61) is cured, five-minute epoxy (63) is applied over the joint so as to effect mechanical rigidity of the joint. In one arrangement, the five-minute epoxy is reinforced with a sleeve (55). Advantages include the ability to simplify splicing of SMPM fibers, while maintaining polarization characteristics of the fibers.
Inventors
- 👤 Leo Horowitz
- 👤 Eric E. Hubner
- 👤 Herbert T. Califano
- 👤 Walter V. Werner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 07:39
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/255; G02B6/2558; G02B6/2555; G02B6/36; G02B6/38; G02B6/3801
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
175 words
Method of providing a splice at mating ends of a first optical fiber having a first mating end to a second optical fiber having a second mating end, in which each of the two optical fibers are aligned by an alignment jig in a manner to cause the mating ends to be juxtaposed, in which optical transmission is optimized with the aid of the jig and an optical signal detector, characterized by: applying a first bonding agent to at least one of the mating ends, the first bonding agent having an optical transmission characteristic which maintains a preferred optical sense of light transmitted through the optical fibers; aligning the mating ends to achieve maximum transmission while maintaining the first bonding agent between the mating ends; causing the first bonding agent to achieve a stabilized state; and applying a second bonding agent externally of said first bonding agent so as to substantially surround the first bonding agent and the first and second optical fibers at the mating ends and thereby effect mechanical rigidity of the splice.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
175 words
Method of providing a splice at mating ends of a first optical fiber having a first mating end to a second optical fiber having a second mating end, in which each of the two optical fibers are aligned by an alignment jig in a manner to cause the mating ends to be juxtaposed, in which optical transmission is optimized with the aid of the jig and an optical signal detector, characterized by: applying a first bonding agent to at least one of the mating ends, the first bonding agent having an optical transmission characteristic which maintains a preferred optical sense of light transmitted through the optical fibers; aligning the mating ends to achieve maximum transmission while maintaining the first bonding agent between the mating ends; causing the first bonding agent to achieve a stabilized state; and applying a second bonding agent externally of said first bonding agent so as to substantially surround the first bonding agent and the first and second optical fibers at the mating ends and thereby effect mechanical rigidity of the splice.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
Method as described in claim 1, further characterized by: the optical fiber being polarization maintaining fiber and the first bonding agent maintaining polarization of light transmitted between the first and second optical fibers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
Method as described in claim 1, further characterized by: the optical fiber being single mode polarization maintaining fiber and the first bonding material maintaining polarization of light transmitted through the optical fibers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
Method as described in claim 1, further characterized by: the optical fiber being single mode polarization maintaining fiber and the first bonding material maintaining polarization of light transmitted through the optical fibers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
Method as described in claim 1, further characterized by: the first bonding agent being ultraviolet curing epoxy; and the step of causing the first bonding agent to achieve its stabilized state being effected by applying actinic radiation to the first bonding agent.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
Method as described in claim 5, further characterized by: the second bonding agent being self curing epoxy.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
Method as described in claim 6, further characterized by: the first bonding agent having a viscosity of between 100 and 1500 centipoise.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
Method as described in claim 6, further characterized by: the first bonding agent having a viscosity of between 100 and 1500 centipoise; and the second bonding agent having a viscosity of greater than 1500 centipoise.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
148 words
A spliced joint between a first optical fiber and a second optical fiber, wherein the first and second optical fibers are single mode polarization maintaining fibers, said spliced joint formed by a process comprising the steps of: preparing mating ends on the first and second optical fibers; applying a first bonding agent to at least one of the mating ends, the first bonding agent having an optical transmission characteristic which maintains a preferred optical sense of light transmitted through the optical fibers; aligning the mating ends to achieve maximum transmission while maintaining the first bonding agent between the mating ends; causing the first bonding agent to achieve a stabilized state; applying a second agent externally of said first bonding agent so as to substantially surround the first bonding agent and the first and second optical fibers at the mating ends and thereby effect mechanical rigidity of the splice.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
148 words
A spliced joint between a first optical fiber and a second optical fiber, wherein the first and second optical fibers are single mode polarization maintaining fibers, said spliced joint formed by a process comprising the steps of: preparing mating ends on the first and second optical fibers; applying a first bonding agent to at least one of the mating ends, the first bonding agent having an optical transmission characteristic which maintains a preferred optical sense of light transmitted through the optical fibers; aligning the mating ends to achieve maximum transmission while maintaining the first bonding agent between the mating ends; causing the first bonding agent to achieve a stabilized state; applying a second agent externally of said first bonding agent so as to substantially surround the first bonding agent and the first and second optical fibers at the mating ends and thereby effect mechanical rigidity of the splice.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
62 words
A spliced joint described in claim 9, wherein said process further comprises: placing a sleeve over one of the fibers; moving the sleeve over the mating ends after the first bonding agent is caused to achieve a stabilized state; and applying the second bonding agent so as to bond the sleeve over the mating ends, thereby reinforcing the splice with the sleeve.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
224 words
Method of providing a splice at mating ends of a first optical fiber having a first mating end to a second optical fiber having a second mating end, in which each of the two optical fibers are aligned by an alignment jig in a manner to cause the mating ends to be juxtaposed, in which optical transmission is optimized with the aid of the jig and an optical signal detector, characterized by: placing a sleeve over one of the fibers; applying a first bonding agent to at least one of the mating ends, the first bonding agent having an optical transmission characteristic which maintains a preferred optical sense of light transmitted through the optical fibers; aligning the mating ends to achieve maximum transmission while maintaining the first bonding agent between the mating ends; causing the first bonding agent to achieve a stabilized state; applying a second bonding agent externally of said first bonding agent so as to substantially surround the first bonding agent and the first and second optical fibers at the mating ends and thereby effect mechanical rigidity of the splice; moving the sleeve over the mating ends after the first bonding agent is caused to achieve a stabilized state; and applying the second bonding agent so as to bond the sleeve over the mating ends, thereby reinforcing the splice with the sleeve.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
224 words
Method of providing a splice at mating ends of a first optical fiber having a first mating end to a second optical fiber having a second mating end, in which each of the two optical fibers are aligned by an alignment jig in a manner to cause the mating ends to be juxtaposed, in which optical transmission is optimized with the aid of the jig and an optical signal detector, characterized by: placing a sleeve over one of the fibers; applying a first bonding agent to at least one of the mating ends, the first bonding agent having an optical transmission characteristic which maintains a preferred optical sense of light transmitted through the optical fibers; aligning the mating ends to achieve maximum transmission while maintaining the first bonding agent between the mating ends; causing the first bonding agent to achieve a stabilized state; applying a second bonding agent externally of said first bonding agent so as to substantially surround the first bonding agent and the first and second optical fibers at the mating ends and thereby effect mechanical rigidity of the splice; moving the sleeve over the mating ends after the first bonding agent is caused to achieve a stabilized state; and applying the second bonding agent so as to bond the sleeve over the mating ends, thereby reinforcing the splice with the sleeve.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
42 words
Method as described in claim 11, further characterized by: the first bonding agent being ultraviolet curing epoxy; and the step of causing the first bonding agent to achieve its stabilized state being effected by applying actinic radiation to the first bonding agent.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
Method as described in claim 12, further characterized by: the second bonding agent being self curing epoxy.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
Method as described in claim 13, further characterized by: the first bonding agent having a viscosity of between 100 and 1500 centipoise.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
Method as described in claim 13, further characterized by: the first bonding agent having a viscosity of greater than 1500 centipoise.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
33 words
Method as described in claim 11, further characterized by: the optical fiber being polarization maintaining fiber and the first bonding agent maintaining polarization of light transmitted between the first and second optical 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) | 1991-11-15 | 1992-05-16 | 1992-11-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-11-15 | 1996-05-16 | 1996-11-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-11-15 | 2000-05-16 | 2000-11-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |