Patent US5039191A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5039191A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Optical coupling arrangement
Assignee: Motorola Solutions Inc
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Filing: 1990-06-25
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Granted: 1991-08-13
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Expires: 2010-06-25
Abstract
Abstract An optical coupling arrangement comprising: an optical laser emitter (4); an optical fiber (8); mounting means (10, 12, 14) for mounting the laser relative to the optical fiber so as to couple into the optical fiber light emitted by the laser; sensing means (11, 18, 24) for sensing the level of a predetermined proportion of light in the optical fiber; and piezoelectric moving means (10, 14) for moving the laser in orthogonal directions responsive to the sensing means so as to the increase coupling into the optical fiber of light emitted by the laser. The sensing means and the piezoelectric moving means thus form a closed, auto-alignment feedback loop which moves the laser relative to the optical fiber so as to compensate for movement between the laser and the optical fiber, thereby ensuring maximum coupling efficiency between the laser and the optical fiber.
Inventors
- 👤 Edward G. Myszka
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 09:40
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/42; G02B6/4201; G02B6/4219; G02B6/422; G02B6/4226; G02B6/4227
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
97 words
An optical coupling arrangement comprising: an optical emitter; an optical conductor; mounting means for mounting the optical emitter relative to the optical conductor so as to couple into the optical conductor light emitted by the optical emitter, sensing means for sensing the level of a predetermined proportion of light in the optical conductor; and moving means for moving the mounting means responsive to the sensing means so as to the increase coupling into the optical conductor of light emitted by the optical emitter, the moving means comprising at least one piezoelectric element connected to the mounting means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
97 words
An optical coupling arrangement comprising: an optical emitter; an optical conductor; mounting means for mounting the optical emitter relative to the optical conductor so as to couple into the optical conductor light emitted by the optical emitter, sensing means for sensing the level of a predetermined proportion of light in the optical conductor; and moving means for moving the mounting means responsive to the sensing means so as to the increase coupling into the optical conductor of light emitted by the optical emitter, the moving means comprising at least one piezoelectric element connected to the mounting means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
An optical coupling arrangement according to claim 1 wherein the moving means comprises a plurality of piezoelectric elements connected to the mounting means and arranged to move the mounting means in a plurality of orthogonal directions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
An optical coupling arrangement according to claim 2 wherein the moving means comprises two piezoelectric elements connected to the mounting means and arranged to move the mounting means in two orthogonal directions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
An optical coupling arrangement according to claim 1 wherein the sensing means comprises optical splitter means for splitting light in the optical conductor in the said predetermined proportion for sensing and output respectively.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
An optical coupling arrangement according to claim 4 wherein the optical splitter means comprises an optical fiber splitter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
An optical coupling arrangement according to claim 4 wherein the optical splitter means comprises an optical waveguide splitter.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
87 words
An optical coupling arrangement comprising: an optical emitter; an optical conductor; mounting means for mounting the optical emitter relative to the optical conductor so as to couple into the optical conductor light emitted by the optical emitter, sensing means for sensing the level of a predetermined proportion of light in the optical conductor; and piezoelectric moving means for moving the mounting means in orthogonal directions responsive to the sensing means so as to the increase coupling into the optical conductor of light emitted by the optical emitter.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
87 words
An optical coupling arrangement comprising: an optical emitter; an optical conductor; mounting means for mounting the optical emitter relative to the optical conductor so as to couple into the optical conductor light emitted by the optical emitter, sensing means for sensing the level of a predetermined proportion of light in the optical conductor; and piezoelectric moving means for moving the mounting means in orthogonal directions responsive to the sensing means so as to the increase coupling into the optical conductor of light emitted by the optical emitter.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
116 words
An optical coupling arrangement adapted for incorporation in a package comprising: an optical emitter; an optical conductor; mounting means for mounting the optical emitter relative to the optical conductor so as to couple into the optical conductor light emitted by the optical emitter, sensing means fixed to the mounting means for sensing the level of a predetermined proportion of light in the optical conductor; and moving means fixed to the mounting means for moving the mounting means responsive to the sensing means so as to the increase coupling into the optical conductor of light emitted by the optical emitter, whereby alignment of the optical emitter and the optical conductor may be achieved wholly within the package.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
116 words
An optical coupling arrangement adapted for incorporation in a package comprising: an optical emitter; an optical conductor; mounting means for mounting the optical emitter relative to the optical conductor so as to couple into the optical conductor light emitted by the optical emitter, sensing means fixed to the mounting means for sensing the level of a predetermined proportion of light in the optical conductor; and moving means fixed to the mounting means for moving the mounting means responsive to the sensing means so as to the increase coupling into the optical conductor of light emitted by the optical emitter, whereby alignment of the optical emitter and the optical conductor may be achieved wholly within the package.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
An optical coupling arrangement according to claim 8 wherein the sensing means comprises a photoelectric sensor.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
An optical coupling arrangement according to claim 8 wherein the moving means comprises at least one piezoelectric element connected to the mounting means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
An optical coupling arrangement according to claim 10 wherein the moving means comprises a plurality of piezoelectric elements connected to the mounting means and arranged to move the mounting means in a plurality of orthogonal directions.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
An optical coupling arrangement according to claim 11 wherein the moving means comprises two piezoelectric elements connected to the mounting means and arranged to move the mounting means in two orthogonal directions.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
33 words
An optical coupling arrangement according to claim 8 wherein the sensing means comprises optical splitter means for splitting light in the optical conductor in the said predetermined proportion for sensing and output respectively.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
An optical coupling arrangement according to claim 13 wherein the optical splitter means comprises an optical fiber splitter.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
An optical coupling arrangement according to claim 13 wherein the optical splitter means comprises an optical waveguide splitter.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
46 words
An optical coupling arrangement according to claim 8 wherein the optical fiber has an output for coupling independently of the sensing means, whereby alignment of the optical emitter and the optical conductor may be achieved while the arrangement is in use via the optical fiber output.
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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) | 1994-08-12 | 1995-02-11 | 1995-08-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-08-12 | 1999-02-11 | 1999-08-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-08-12 | 2003-02-11 | 2003-08-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |