US4910539A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
RF frequency fiber optic power coupling device
Assignee: Tacan Corp
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Filing: 1988-12-27
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Granted: 1990-03-20
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Expires: 2008-12-27
Abstract
Abstract A fiber optic power coupling device such as a power summer, power divider or star coupler comprises a segment of multimode optical fiber having an input mirror at one end and an output mirror at the opposite end. One or more inputs at the input end of the fiber segment direct an equivalent number of input, intensity modulated light signals into the fiber and one or more outputs at the output end direct a corresponding number of output signals out of the fiber. Where there is one input and a plurality of outputs, the device acts as a power divider. Where there are a plurality of inputs and one output, the device acts as a power summer. Where there are a plurality of inputs and a plurality of outputs, the device acts as a star coupler.
Inventors
- 👤 Ronald F. Mathis
- 👤 Andrew P. Riser
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 23:17
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/42; G02B6/4201; G02B6/4249; G02B6/425; G02B6/26; G02B6/28; G02B6/2804; G02B6/2808
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
93 words
A fiber optic power coupling device, comprising: a fiber optic RF filter comprising segment of multimode optical fiber having a first mirror at one, input end and a second mirror at the opposite, output end of the fiber segment; input means at the input end of the filter for directing n input, intensity modulated light signals into the fiber segment; and output means at the output end of the filter for directing m output signals out of said fiber segment; at least one of the values n and m being greater than one.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
93 words
A fiber optic power coupling device, comprising: a fiber optic RF filter comprising segment of multimode optical fiber having a first mirror at one, input end and a second mirror at the opposite, output end of the fiber segment; input means at the input end of the filter for directing n input, intensity modulated light signals into the fiber segment; and output means at the output end of the filter for directing m output signals out of said fiber segment; at least one of the values n and m being greater than one.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the filter has a plurality of inputs and a single output.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the filter has a single input and a plurality of outputs.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the filter has a plurality of inputs and a plurality of outputs.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
51 words
The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first mirror has n input holes and the second mirror has m output holes, the input means comprising n input optical fibers coupled to respective input holes and the output means comprising m output optical fibers coupled to the respective output holes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the ratio of total cross-sectional area of output holes to total cross-sectional area of input holes is always greater than one.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
49 words
The device as claimed in claim 1, including optical source means for generating at least one intensity modulated optical signal for each of the n inputs, the length of the fiber segment being no greater than one-fourth of the wavelength of the input signal with the highest modulation frequency.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-03-19 | 1993-09-18 | 1994-03-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-03-19 | 1997-09-18 | 1998-03-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-03-19 | 2001-09-18 | 2002-03-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |