US5039456A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method of molding an optical simulator
Assignee: TE Connectivity Corp
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Filing: 1990-03-23
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Granted: 1991-08-13
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Expires: 2010-03-23
Abstract
Abstract An optical simulator 10, shaped to be interchangeable with a complimentary connector 7 that intermates with an optical connector housing 6 having an optical emitter 4 and an optical detector 5, comprises an alignment fixture with connectors for intermating with the optical emitter 4 and the optical detector 5. Included is an optical fiber 11 formed in a loop and installed within the alignment fixture 12 with a first end face 15 of the loop 11 aligned with the emitter 4 and a second end face 16 of the loop 11 aligned with the detector 5 of the optical connector 6. The simulator 10 is a solid molded body of an electrically insulating material. The optical fiber formed in a loop 11 further comprises an optical fiber having a rigid thin coating of electroplated metal 14.
Inventors
- 👤 Terry P. Bowen
- 👤 Paul R. Reitz
- 👤 William J. Stape
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 13:21
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/36; G02B6/38; G02B6/3807; G02B6/381; G02B6/3826; G02B6/3827; B; B29; B29D; B29D11/00; B29D11/0074; B29D11/0075; G02B6/26; G02B6/264; G02B6/3833; G02B6/3865; G02B6/3897; G02B6/42; G02B6/4201; G02B6/4248; G02B6/4292; G02B6/4295
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
145 words
A process for producing an optical simulator, said process comprising the steps of: depositing a relatively thin rigid coating of metal by electro-less plating on an optical fiber; depositing a relatively thick electroplated coating of metal over the relatively thin rigid coating on the optical fiber; forming the plated optical fiber in a loop with a first end face and a second end face; molding the plated optical fiber together with an alignment fixture of electrically insulative material, said alignment fixture having a first connector aligned with the first end face of inter-mating with an optical emitter and a second connector aligned with the second end face for intermating with an optical detector; and applying to an end face of the plated optical fiber attenuation inducing means for providing attenuation of optical power to the optical detector, said attenuation including means comprising a compact device.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
145 words
A process for producing an optical simulator, said process comprising the steps of: depositing a relatively thin rigid coating of metal by electro-less plating on an optical fiber; depositing a relatively thick electroplated coating of metal over the relatively thin rigid coating on the optical fiber; forming the plated optical fiber in a loop with a first end face and a second end face; molding the plated optical fiber together with an alignment fixture of electrically insulative material, said alignment fixture having a first connector aligned with the first end face of inter-mating with an optical emitter and a second connector aligned with the second end face for intermating with an optical detector; and applying to an end face of the plated optical fiber attenuation inducing means for providing attenuation of optical power to the optical detector, said attenuation including means comprising a compact device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the end faces of plated optical fibers of a multiplicity of simulators are arranged into an array of faces and gang polished by a single polishing step.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The process of claim 10 wherein said electrically insulating material is selected from the group consisting of ceramics, thermoset polymers and high temperature thermoplastic materials.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The process of claim 3 wherein said high temperature thermoplastic materials are selected from the group consisting of polysulfone, polyetherimide, polyethersulfone, polyphenylene sulfide, and polyetheretherketone.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process recited in claim 1 wherein the attenuation inducing means includes an optically thin film.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process recited in claim 1 wherein the attenuation inducing means includes an optical filter.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The process recited in claim 1 wherein the attenuation inducing means is a core diameter mismatch or numerical aperture mismatch between the end face and the detector.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process recited in claim 1 wherein the relatively thin electro-less coating is of gold, and the relatively thick electroplated coating is of nickel.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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 |