US4969705A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Memory polymer multiple cavity fiber splicer
Assignee: Kingston Technologies LP
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Filing: 1990-01-19
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Granted: 1990-11-13
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Expires: 2010-01-19
Abstract
Abstract The present invention involves a multiple cavity optical fiber splice made of a unistructural mass of inherent shape memory polymer material. The unistructural mass has a longitudinal dimension with opposite ends which includes at least a first bore at one end and at least a second bore and a third bore at the other end wherein the bores go into the mass and at least two connect to each other. The unistructural mass has two shapes, the first shape is a unique, recoverable, predetermined inherent shape wherein each bore has a preset diameter to accommodate and tightly hold end segments of denuded optical fibers of predetermined diameter and the second shape is a deformed shape which may be caused by solvent swelling and partial shrinking of the inherent memory polymer material such that each bore has enlarged predetermined diameters greater than the diameters of the segments of the denuded optical fibers so as to freely receive the end segments of the denuded optical fibers. The mass may be initially formed in the first shape, and may be then swollen and shrunk to its second shape. It is capable of being returned to its first shape by application of a non-mechanical stimulus.
Inventors
- 👤 Vladimir A. Stoy
- 👤 Francis T. Delahanty
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 17:22
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/26; G02B6/28; G02B6/2804; G02B1/00; G02B1/04; G02B1/045; G02B1/048; G02B6/36; G02B6/38; G02B6/3801; G02B6/3806
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 40
Claim 1
Independent Claim
228 words
A multiple optical fiber device for precision alignment of a plurality of optical fibers, which comprises: a unistructural mass of inherent shape memory polymer material having a longitudinal dimension with opposite ends which include at least a first bore at one end of said opposite ends into the inside of said mass, and at least a second bore and a third bore at the other end of said opposite ends into the inside of said mass to and in alignment with said first bore, said mass having a first shape and a second shape; (a) said first shape being a unique, recoverable, predetermined inherent shape wherein all of said bores have a preset diameter to accommodate and tightly hold end segments of denuded optical fibers of predetermined diameter in a predetermined arrangement with one another; and, (b) said second shape being a deformed shape of said inherent memory polymer material wherein all of said bores have an enlarged predetermined diameter greater than the diameter of the aforesaid end segments of denuded optical fibers so as to loosely and freely receive said end segments of said denuded optical fibers; said mass of inherent shape memory polymer material being in said second shape being capable of being returned to said first shape for precision alignment of said plurality of optical fibers by application of a non-mechanical stimulus to said mass.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
228 words
A multiple optical fiber device for precision alignment of a plurality of optical fibers, which comprises: a unistructural mass of inherent shape memory polymer material having a longitudinal dimension with opposite ends which include at least a first bore at one end of said opposite ends into the inside of said mass, and at least a second bore and a third bore at the other end of said opposite ends into the inside of said mass to and in alignment with said first bore, said mass having a first shape and a second shape; (a) said first shape being a unique, recoverable, predetermined inherent shape wherein all of said bores have a preset diameter to accommodate and tightly hold end segments of denuded optical fibers of predetermined diameter in a predetermined arrangement with one another; and, (b) said second shape being a deformed shape of said inherent memory polymer material wherein all of said bores have an enlarged predetermined diameter greater than the diameter of the aforesaid end segments of denuded optical fibers so as to loosely and freely receive said end segments of said denuded optical fibers; said mass of inherent shape memory polymer material being in said second shape being capable of being returned to said first shape for precision alignment of said plurality of optical fibers by application of a non-mechanical stimulus to said mass.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said mass of inherent shape polymer material has been initially formed into said first shape (inherent shape), then swollen, then partially shrunk to said second shape (deformed shape).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The optical fiber device of claim 1 wherein at least two of said bores are of different size diameters in their inherent shapes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
The optical fiber device of claim 1 wherein said first bore and said second bore are of the same size diameter in their inherent shape and have central axis which form a single straight line and said third bore has a central axis intersecting said straight line.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The optical fiber device of claim 1 wherein said unistructural mass also includes at least a forth bore at the same end as said first bore.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
The optical fiber device of claim 5 wherein said first bore is in alignment with an forms a straight line with said second bore, and said fourth bore is in alignment with and forms a straight line with said third bore.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The optical fiber device of claim 6 wherein said straight lines are parallel to one another.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The optical fiber device of claim 1 wherein the said unistructural mass is crosslinked amorphous organic polymer with a glass transition temperature higher than 25 degrees C. but lower than 200 degrees C.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The optical fiber device of claim 8 wherein the said amorphous crosslinked polymer has a glass transition temperature between 50 degrees C. and 150 degrees C.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The optical fiber device of claim 8 wherein the said amorphous crosslinked polymer consists of at least one monomer selected from derivatives of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid and styrene.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The optical fiber device of claim 10 wherein the said derivative is ester of methacrylic acid and alcohol with one to ten carbon atoms.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The optical fiber device of claim 5 wherein said unistructural mass has a shape which is asymmetrical with respect to any bore axis.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The optical fiber device of claim 12 wherein no surface of the unistructural mass is perpendicular to any bore axis.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
The optical fiber device of claim 13 wherein said unistructural mass is trapezoidal and the largest of its rectangular faces is parallel to any bore axis.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
186 words
A method of preparing a multiple optical fiber device, which comprises: (a) polymerizing a monomer mixture of inherent shape memory polymer so as to create a unistructural mass having a longitudinal dimension with opposite ends which includes at least a first bore at one end of said opposite ends into the inside of said mass, and at least a second bore and a third bore at the other end of said opposite ends into the inside of said mass to and in alignment with said first bore, each of said bores having a predetermined cross-section equal to or less than the cross-section of selected denuded optical fibers; (b) swelling the inherent shape memory polymer to an enlarged size such that each of said bores has an enlarged cross-section which is greater than the cross-section of said selected denuded optical fibers; (c) partially shrinking the swollen inherent shape memory polymer by solvent removal to a deformed shape such that each of said bores has a predetermined cross-section which is less than the fully swollen cross-section but nontheless greater than the cross-section of said selected denuded optical fibers.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
186 words
A method of preparing a multiple optical fiber device, which comprises: (a) polymerizing a monomer mixture of inherent shape memory polymer so as to create a unistructural mass having a longitudinal dimension with opposite ends which includes at least a first bore at one end of said opposite ends into the inside of said mass, and at least a second bore and a third bore at the other end of said opposite ends into the inside of said mass to and in alignment with said first bore, each of said bores having a predetermined cross-section equal to or less than the cross-section of selected denuded optical fibers; (b) swelling the inherent shape memory polymer to an enlarged size such that each of said bores has an enlarged cross-section which is greater than the cross-section of said selected denuded optical fibers; (c) partially shrinking the swollen inherent shape memory polymer by solvent removal to a deformed shape such that each of said bores has a predetermined cross-section which is less than the fully swollen cross-section but nontheless greater than the cross-section of said selected denuded optical fibers.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 15 wherein said polymerizing is carried out to create said unistructural mass by being reacted about one or more selected, denuded optical fibers.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method of claim 15 wherein, after said swelling, at least one mandrel is inserted into said bores which has a cross-section greater than the cross-section of said selected, denuded optical fiber and then said shrinking is performed while said mandrel is inserted, and further wherein said mandrel is removed after said shrinking.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 17 wherein said shrinking is performed while mandrels are accordingly inserted into all bores.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 15 wherein said monomer mixture is selected from derivatives of acrylic acid and methacrylic acids.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 19 wherein said derivatives are esters of alcohols.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 19 wherein said alcohols have 1 to 10 carbon atoms.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 19 wherein said monomer mixture includes methylmethacrylate and butylmethacrylate.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
9 words
The product resulting from the method of claim 15.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
9 words
The product resulting from the method of claim 16.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
9 words
The product resulting from the method of claim 17.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
9 words
The product resulting from the method of claim 18.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
9 words
The product resulting from the method of claim 19.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
9 words
The product resulting from the method of claim 20.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
9 words
The product resulting from the method of claim 21.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
9 words
The product resulting from the method of claim 22.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
282 words
A method of splicing more than two optical fibers in a single splicer, which comprises: (a) inserting end segments of denuded optical fibers to be spliced into an optical fiber splicer having a unistructural mass of inherent shape memory polymer material having a longitudinal dimension with opposite ends which includes at least a first bore at one end of said opposite ends into the inside of said mass, and at least a second bore and a third bore at the other end of said opposite ends into the inside of said mass to and in alignment with said first bore, said mass having a first shape which is unique, recoverable, predetermined inherent shape wherein all of said bore each have preset diameters to accommodate and tightly hold said end segments of denude optical fibers of predetermined diameters in a spliced, connected arrangement with one another; and, said mass having a second shape which is a deformed shape caused by solvent swelling of said inherent memory polymer material wherein all of said bores each have swollen predetermined diameters greater than the diameter of the aforesaid end segments of denuded optical fibers so as to loosely and freely receive said end segments of said denuded optical fibers; said mass of inherent shape memory polymer material having been initially formed in said first shape (inherent shape) and having been swollen than partially shrunk to said second shape (deformed shape) prior to the insertion of said end segments of said optical fibers; and, (b) after said insertion, applying a non-mechanical stimulus to said unistructural mass so as to return it to its inherent shape to align and hold the spliced end segments of said optical fibers.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
282 words
A method of splicing more than two optical fibers in a single splicer, which comprises: (a) inserting end segments of denuded optical fibers to be spliced into an optical fiber splicer having a unistructural mass of inherent shape memory polymer material having a longitudinal dimension with opposite ends which includes at least a first bore at one end of said opposite ends into the inside of said mass, and at least a second bore and a third bore at the other end of said opposite ends into the inside of said mass to and in alignment with said first bore, said mass having a first shape which is unique, recoverable, predetermined inherent shape wherein all of said bore each have preset diameters to accommodate and tightly hold said end segments of denude optical fibers of predetermined diameters in a spliced, connected arrangement with one another; and, said mass having a second shape which is a deformed shape caused by solvent swelling of said inherent memory polymer material wherein all of said bores each have swollen predetermined diameters greater than the diameter of the aforesaid end segments of denuded optical fibers so as to loosely and freely receive said end segments of said denuded optical fibers; said mass of inherent shape memory polymer material having been initially formed in said first shape (inherent shape) and having been swollen than partially shrunk to said second shape (deformed shape) prior to the insertion of said end segments of said optical fibers; and, (b) after said insertion, applying a non-mechanical stimulus to said unistructural mass so as to return it to its inherent shape to align and hold the spliced end segments of said optical fibers.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 31 wherein two of said optical fiber splicer bores are of the same diameter and have central axes which form a single straight line.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 31 wherein said unistructural mass also includes at least a fourth bore at the same end as said first bore.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 33 wherein said first bore is in alignment with and forms a straight line with said second bore, and said fourth bore is in alignment with and forms a straight line with said third bore.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 34 wherein said straight lines are parallel to one another.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 31 wherein said non-mechanical stimulus is heat.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 32 wherein said non-mechanical stimulus is heat.
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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) | 1993-11-12 | 1994-05-14 | 1994-11-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-11-12 | 1998-05-14 | 1998-11-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-11-12 | 2002-05-14 | 2002-11-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |