Patent US4989943A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4989943A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Optical fiber alignment device
Assignee: Toshiba Corp
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Filing: 1989-09-18
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Granted: 1991-02-05
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Expires: 2009-09-18
Abstract
Abstract An optical circuit device includes an optical fiber element, a lens and several holders. An inner holder which is elastic, holds the optical fiber element and a lens on the same optical axis. An intermediate holder fixes the inner holder therein. An outer holder, which is connected to an optical signal receiving device, holds the intermediate holder therein. An optical axis of the inner holder is adjusted by shifting the position of the intermediate holder in the outer holder parallel to the optical axis. Also, the optical axis is adjusted by moving the outer holder perpendicular to the optical axis.
Inventors
- 👤 Akitoshi Yoshinaga
- 👤 Mitsuru Sugawara
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 19:12
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/42; G02B6/4201; G02B6/4204
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
109 words
An optical circuit device comprising: optical fiber means for introducing optical signals; lens means for focusing the optical signals from the fiber means; inner elastic holding means for employing the elasticity of the inner holding means to hold the fiber means and the lens means on the same optical axis; and second holding means adapted to be connected to another device, for holding the inner holding means therein, the optical axis of the inner holding means being adjusted by shifting a position of the inner holding means in the second holding means parallel to the optical axis and by moving the second holding means perpendicular to the optical axis.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
109 words
An optical circuit device comprising: optical fiber means for introducing optical signals; lens means for focusing the optical signals from the fiber means; inner elastic holding means for employing the elasticity of the inner holding means to hold the fiber means and the lens means on the same optical axis; and second holding means adapted to be connected to another device, for holding the inner holding means therein, the optical axis of the inner holding means being adjusted by shifting a position of the inner holding means in the second holding means parallel to the optical axis and by moving the second holding means perpendicular to the optical axis.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 1, wherein the lens means includes a spherical lens.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
80 words
The device of claim 1, wherein the second holding means includes: intermediate holding means for fixing the inner holding means therein; and outer holding means, adapted to be connected to another device, for holding the intermediate holding means therein, the optical axis of the inner holding means being adjusted by shifting a position of the intermediate holding means in the outer holding means parallel to the optical axis and by moving the outer holding means perpendicular to the optical axis.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 1, wherein the inner holding means has a split.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 1, wherein the split is formed in a direction parallel to the optical axis.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device of claim 1, wherein the optical fiber means includes: an optical fiber; and ferrule means for holding the optical fiber.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The device of claim 6, wherein the inner holding means has an inner diameter, without stress, which is less than the outer diameters of the lens means and the ferrule means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
The device of claim 3, wherein the intermediate holding means and the outer holding means are positioned to locate the optical axis so that the optical signals can be received with a maximum value.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device of claim 1, wherein the inner holding means is made of phosphor bronze.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device of claim 6, wherein the lens means has an outer diameter which is different from that of the ferrule means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device of claim 10, wherein the inner holding means has a protrusion corresponding to an outer shape of the lens means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device of claim 1, further comprising antireflection means, disposed along the optical axis, for preventing the optical signals from being reflected at a defined position.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
The device of claim 12, wherein the antireflection means includes a glass plate which is fixed to an end of the optical fiber means and an antireflection film formed on a surface of the glass plate.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device of claim 12, wherein the antireflection means includes an antireflection film formed at an end of the optical fiber means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 1, further comprising means for preventing the optical fiber means from hitting the lens means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
The device of claim 15, wherein the preventing means includes a ring which is arranged between the optical fiber means and the lens means in the inner holding means.
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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) | 1994-02-04 | 1994-08-06 | 1995-02-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-02-04 | 1998-08-06 | 1999-02-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-02-04 | 2002-08-06 | 2003-02-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |