US4920366A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Construction of an optical fiber with a connector
Assignee: TE Connectivity Corp
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Filing: 1989-05-31
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Granted: 1990-04-24
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Expires: 2009-05-31
Abstract
Abstract A connector 1 for an optical fiber 2 comprising, an alignment body 3 and a length of optical waveguide 4 drawn into a unitary structure 18, and, while the length of optical waveguide 4 is unitary with the alignment body 3, the length of optical waveguide 4 is shortened by etching or abrading to provide a passage 5 in the alignment body 3 for receiving an external optical fiber 2 for coupling with the length of optical waveguide 4.
Inventors
- 👤 Terry P. Bowen
- 👤 Emil W. Deeg
- 👤 James G. Helm
- 👤 Larry R. Stauffer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 11:47
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/36; G02B6/38; G02B6/3807; G02B6/3833; G02B6/3846; G02B6/3855
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
79 words
A connector for an optical fiber comprising, an alignment body, and a length of optical waveguide in the alignment body for optical coupling with an external optical fiber, wherein the improvement comprises; the alignment body is unitary with the length of optical waveguide, and the length of optical waveguide is shortened while unitary with the alignment body to provide a passage in the alignment body receiving therein an optical fiber for optical coupling with said length of optical waveguide.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
79 words
A connector for an optical fiber comprising, an alignment body, and a length of optical waveguide in the alignment body for optical coupling with an external optical fiber, wherein the improvement comprises; the alignment body is unitary with the length of optical waveguide, and the length of optical waveguide is shortened while unitary with the alignment body to provide a passage in the alignment body receiving therein an optical fiber for optical coupling with said length of optical waveguide.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
A connector as recited in claim 1, wherein the improvement comprises; the length of optical waveguide is shortened by an etched end face of the waveguide recessed in the alignment body.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
A connector as recited in claim 1, wherein the improvement comprises: an abraded end face of the length of waveguide recessed in the alignment body, and an abraded portion of the alignment body defines the passage with a diameter larger than a diameter of the length of the optical waveguide.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
A connector as recited in claim 1, wherein the improvement comprises; the alignment body and the optical waveguide are optically transmissive materials having different indices of optical refraction, and similar coefficients of thermal expansion and viscosity versus temperature behavior.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
A connector as recited in claim 1, wherein the improvement comprises: an end of the length of optical waveguide is polished flush with the alignment body.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
A connector as recited in claim 1, wherein the improvement comprises: the alignment body and the length of optical waveguide are concentric, and a ratio of their diameters is constant.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
A connector as recited in claim 1, wherein the improvement comprises; the alignment body is a tube of optical cladding fused with the length of optical waveguide.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
A connector as recited in claim 1, wherein the improvement comprises; the alignment body is a first tube of optical cladding fused with the length of optical waveguide and a second tube of lower optical grade fused with the first tube.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
A connector as recited in claim 1, wherein the improvement comprises; sleeve means in which the alignment body is secured, the sleeve means having a portion to receive an optical fiber for optical coupling with said length of optical waveguide.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
101 words
A connector for an optical fiber comprising, an alignment body, and a length of optical waveguide in the alignment body for optical coupling with the optical fiber, wherein the improvement comprises; the alignment body is formed with a tube of optical cladding fused unitary with the length of optical waveguide, a ratio of diameters of the length of optical waveguide to the alignment body is at least 9 to 1000, and sleeve means in which the alignment body is secured, the sleeve means having a portion to receive an optical fiber therein for optical coupling with the length of optical waveguide.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
101 words
A connector for an optical fiber comprising, an alignment body, and a length of optical waveguide in the alignment body for optical coupling with the optical fiber, wherein the improvement comprises; the alignment body is formed with a tube of optical cladding fused unitary with the length of optical waveguide, a ratio of diameters of the length of optical waveguide to the alignment body is at least 9 to 1000, and sleeve means in which the alignment body is secured, the sleeve means having a portion to receive an optical fiber therein for optical coupling with the length of optical waveguide.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
A connector as recited in claim 10, wherein the improvement comprises; the length of optical fiber is shortened by an etched end face of the fiber recessed in the alignment body.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
47 words
A connector as recited in claim 10, wherein the improvement comprises; an abraded end face of the fiber recessed in the alignment body, and an abraded portion of the alignment body defines the passage with a diameter larger than a diameter of the length of optical fiber.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
A connector as recited in claim 10, wherein the improvement comprises; an end of the optical fiber is polished flush with the alignment body.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
A connector as recited in claim 10, wherein the improvement comprises; the alignment body and the length of optical fiber are concentric, and a ratio of their diameters is constant.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
A connector as recited in claim 10, wherein the improvement comprises; the alignment body is a tube of optical cladding fused with the optical fiber.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
39 words
A connector as recited in claim 10, wherein the improvement comprises; the alignment body is a first tube of optical cladding fused with the optical fiber and a second tube of lower optical grade fused with the first tube.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
98 words
A method of making an optical connector wherein the improvement comprises the steps of: drawing a flowable rod of optically transmissive core material within a flowable tube of optically transmissive cladding material with a lower index of refraction than the core material while maintaining corresponding diameters of the preforms at a constant ratio of at least 9 microns to 1 mm, shortening the core material when solidified and while the core material is unitary with the cladding material, to provide a passage in the cladding material for receiving therein an optical fiber in alignment with the core material.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
98 words
A method of making an optical connector wherein the improvement comprises the steps of: drawing a flowable rod of optically transmissive core material within a flowable tube of optically transmissive cladding material with a lower index of refraction than the core material while maintaining corresponding diameters of the preforms at a constant ratio of at least 9 microns to 1 mm, shortening the core material when solidified and while the core material is unitary with the cladding material, to provide a passage in the cladding material for receiving therein an optical fiber in alignment with the core material.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method as recited in claim 17, wherein the improvement comprises the steps of: shortening the core material by etching the core material, and providing an end face of the core material with an acid polished finish.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as recited in claim 17, wherein the improvement comprises the steps of; shortening the core material by abrading the core material, and enlarging the passageway by abrading the cladding material.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as recited in claim 17, wherein the improvement comprises the steps of: polishing an end of the core material flush with an end of the cladding material.
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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) | 1993-04-23 | 1993-10-23 | 1994-04-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-04-23 | 1997-10-23 | 1998-04-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-04-23 | 2001-10-23 | 2002-04-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |