US4929045A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for aligning optical energy to a wave guide
Assignee: Fuller Research Corp
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Filing: 1988-09-29
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Granted: 1990-05-29
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Expires: 2008-09-29
Abstract
Abstract The method comprises inserting an optical detector into a movable holder, illuminating the optical detector by a source of optical energy to cause the detector to generate an output representative of intensity of illumination incident on the detector, moving a selected one of the source and holder to a position in which the output of the detector corresponds to maximum intensity of illumination, maintaining the moved one of the source and holder in said position and replacing the optical detector by a fiber optic to be aligned. The apparatus comprises a holder, a light source, and optical detector removably mounted in the holder for illumination by the light source, a circuit connected to output of the optical detector for determining when the output of the optical detector corresponds to maximum intensity of illumination, and means for moving a selected one of the holder and light source to a position in which the output of the detector corresponds to maximum intensity of illumination.
Inventors
- 👤 Terry A. Fuller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 19:58
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/42; G02B6/4201; G02B6/4219; G02B6/422; G02B6/4227; G02B6/4296
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
104 words
Method of aligning a source of optical energy and a fiber optic, comprising the steps of: (a) inserting an optical detector into a holder, (b) illuminating the optical detector by a source of optical energy to cause the detector to generate an output representative of intensity of illumination incident on the detector, (c) moving a selected one of the source and holder to a position in which the output of the detector corresponds to maximum intensity of illumination, (d) maintaining the moved one of the source and holder in said position and (e) replacing the optical detector by a fiber optic to be aligned.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
104 words
Method of aligning a source of optical energy and a fiber optic, comprising the steps of: (a) inserting an optical detector into a holder, (b) illuminating the optical detector by a source of optical energy to cause the detector to generate an output representative of intensity of illumination incident on the detector, (c) moving a selected one of the source and holder to a position in which the output of the detector corresponds to maximum intensity of illumination, (d) maintaining the moved one of the source and holder in said position and (e) replacing the optical detector by a fiber optic to be aligned.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
Method of claim 1, wherein the step of moving a selected one of the source and holder comprises moving said selected one in at least one of three mutually orthogonal axes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
Method of claim 2, wherein the step of moving comprises moving said selected one first along a first axis, then along a second axes and last along a third axis of said mutually orthogonal axes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
Method of claim 1, wherein the step of illuminating comprises illuminating the optical detector through a focusing lens, and the step of moving comprises moving a selected one of the source, focusing lens and holder.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
90 words
Apparatus for aligning a source of optical energy and a fiber optic, comprising: (a) a holder, (b) a light source, (c) an optical detector removably mounted in said holder for illumination by said light source, (d) a circuit connected to output of the optical detector for determining when the output of the optical detector corresponds to maximum intensity of illumination, and (e) means for moving a selected one of said holder and light source to a position in which the output of the detector corresponds to maximum intensity of illumination.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
90 words
Apparatus for aligning a source of optical energy and a fiber optic, comprising: (a) a holder, (b) a light source, (c) an optical detector removably mounted in said holder for illumination by said light source, (d) a circuit connected to output of the optical detector for determining when the output of the optical detector corresponds to maximum intensity of illumination, and (e) means for moving a selected one of said holder and light source to a position in which the output of the detector corresponds to maximum intensity of illumination.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
48 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a focusing lens between the holder and the light source and means, for moving a selected one of the holder, focusing lens and light source to a position in which the output of the detector corresponds to maximum intensity of illumination.
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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) | 1993-05-28 | 1993-11-27 | 1994-05-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-05-28 | 1997-11-27 | 1998-05-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-05-28 | 2001-11-27 | 2002-05-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |