US4810051A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical fiber modulator
Assignee: ABB Installation Products International LLC
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Filing: 1987-03-27
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Granted: 1989-03-07
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Expires: 2007-03-27
Abstract
Abstract A method of modulating light in a optical fiber is disclosed. Light is launched into a multimode fiber in a restricted group of fiber modes. Disturbances placed in the fiber modulates the light being sent therethrough. The modulated light is received by a detector and may be readily interpreted. This method is especially useful in locations where electronic components may not be used.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael Kieli
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 14:32
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B26/00; G02B26/02; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/011; G02F1/0115
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
85 words
A method of modulating an optical signal carried by a core of an elongate multimode optical fiber, said signal including light distributed in said fiber in a restricted group of core modes, substantially less than the total number of core modes supported by said fiber, said method comprising the steps of: disturbing said fiber at an intermediate portion thereof to change the modal distribution of said light within said fiber core;and detecting the modal distribution of said light in said restricted group of core modes.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
85 words
A method of modulating an optical signal carried by a core of an elongate multimode optical fiber, said signal including light distributed in said fiber in a restricted group of core modes, substantially less than the total number of core modes supported by said fiber, said method comprising the steps of: disturbing said fiber at an intermediate portion thereof to change the modal distribution of said light within said fiber core;and detecting the modal distribution of said light in said restricted group of core modes.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said light is distributed in said fiber by injecting said light into one end of said fiber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method in accordance with claim 2 wherein said detecting step further includes: detecting said light eminating from the other end of said fiber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 further including the steps of: disposing a modulator adjacent said intermediate portion of said fiber, said modulator being operable to cause said disturbance to said fiber.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
150 words
A method of modulating an optical signal carried by a carrier fiber through an enclosure, said carrier fiber being an extent of a multimode optical fiber having a core including plural light carrying modes and a cladding therearound, the method comprising the steps of: disposing an extent of said carrier fiber inside said enclosure; disposing a light source outside said enclosure; disposing a light detector outside said enclosure; inducing light from said light source into said carrier fiber extent, said light being induced into said carrier fiber extent in a selected group of core modes substantially less than the total modes of said core; modulating said light in said selected group of core modes to change the modal distribution in said selected group of core modes; carrying said modulated light from said carrier fiber extent to said detector; and detecting said modulated light in said selected group of core modes.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
150 words
A method of modulating an optical signal carried by a carrier fiber through an enclosure, said carrier fiber being an extent of a multimode optical fiber having a core including plural light carrying modes and a cladding therearound, the method comprising the steps of: disposing an extent of said carrier fiber inside said enclosure; disposing a light source outside said enclosure; disposing a light detector outside said enclosure; inducing light from said light source into said carrier fiber extent, said light being induced into said carrier fiber extent in a selected group of core modes substantially less than the total modes of said core; modulating said light in said selected group of core modes to change the modal distribution in said selected group of core modes; carrying said modulated light from said carrier fiber extent to said detector; and detecting said modulated light in said selected group of core modes.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method in accordance with claim 5 wherein said selected group of modes includes only the lowest order modes supported by said fiber core.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method in accordance with claim 5 wherein said modulating step includes: disposing a modulator within said enclosure in engagement with said fiber extent.
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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) | 1992-03-06 | 1992-09-05 | 1993-03-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-03-06 | 1996-09-05 | 1997-03-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-03-06 | 2000-09-05 | 2001-03-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |