Device for coupling light into an optical waveguide

Claim 1

In a device for coupling light into a first optical waveguide before a splicing location between the first optical waveguide and a second optical waveguide for aiding in determining the splicing attenuation, said device including a source of light and means for guiding the first optical waveguide in a defined curved fashion to form a coupling region without requiring the removal of a coating on the first waveguide, the improvements comprising an additional optical waveguide for receiving light from said source, said additional optical waveguide having a core surrounded by a cladding, said additional optical waveguide extending to the coupling region with an end engaging said coupling region, and means for aligning a core region of the additional waveguide with a core of the first optical waveguide which is to be spliced.

Claim 19

An apparatus for determining splicing attenuation at a splicing location between first and second optical waveguides by coupling light into the first optical waveguide before the splicing location and by removing light from the second optical waveguide, said apparatus including an input coupling device including a light source, means for holding the first optical waveguide in a curved fashion in a coupling region without requiring the removal of the coating of the first waveguide, and an additional optical waveguide with a cladded core for receiving light from the light source and conveying it to a coupling location, said additional optical waveguide having an end engaging the first optical waveguide with a core region aligned with a core of the first optical waveguide; and a device for coupling light from the second optical waveguide, said device for coupling light from the second optical waveguide including means for holding the second optical waveguide in a curved path a photodiode positioned adjacent to the means for holding to receive light coupled from the second optical waveguide and a measuring arrangement being connected to said photodiode for determining the quantity of light received by the photodiode.

Claim 20

An apparatus for determining splicing attenuation at a splicing location between first and second optical waveguides by coupling light into the first optical waveguide before the splicing location and by removing light from the second optical waveguide, said apparatus including an input coupling device including a light source, means for holding the first optical waveguide in a curved fashion in a coupling region without requiring the removal of the coating of the first waveguide, and an additional optical waveguide with a cladded core for receiving light from the light source and conveying it to a coupling location, said additional optical waveguide having an end engaging the first optical waveguide with a core region aligned with a core of the first optical waveguide; and a device for coupling light from the second optical waveguide, said device for coupling light from the second optical waveguide including means for holding the second optical waveguide in a curved path a photodiode positioned adjacent to the means for holding to receive light coupled from the second optical waveguide and a measuring arrangement being connected to said photodiode for determining the quantity of light received by the photodiode.

Claim 21

A device for output coupling light from an optical waveguide comprising means for curving the optical waveguide to form a curved coupling region, said means including a cylindrical member engaging a portion of the waveguide, and a photodiode having a photosensitive surface with a center and being connected to a measuring apparatus, said photodiode being arranged in the curved coupling region of the optical waveguide with the photosensitive surface extending approximately parallel to a tangent to an end of the curved coupling region and said center being displaced from a second tangent at a commencement point of the curved coupling region so that a line from the center to said point forms an angle in a range of 7°-15° with the second tangent.

Claim 22

A device for output coupling light from an optical waveguide comprising means for curving the optical waveguide to form a curved coupling region, said means including a cylindrical member engaging a portion of the waveguide, and a photodiode having a photosensitive surface with a center and being connected to a measuring apparatus, said photodiode being arranged in the curved coupling region of the optical waveguide with the photosensitive surface extending approximately parallel to a tangent to an end of the curved coupling region and said center being displaced from a second tangent at a commencement point of the curved coupling region so that a line from the center to said point forms an angle in a range of 7°-15° with the second tangent.

Claim 23

A device for coupling light into a first light waveguide preceding a splice location for the purpose of evaluating a splice attenuation, the first light waveguide on the outside being provided with a light transmitting coating for protection of a core of the light waveguide, said device comprising means for guiding the first light waveguide with a defined curvature in a coupling region, a source of light and an additional light waveguide with a cladded core extending between said source and the coupling region, said core of the additional light waveguide being aligned with the core of the first light waveguide and having an end contacting said first light waveguide in the coupling region to couple light from said source into said first light waveguide.

Claim 24

A device for coupling light into a first light waveguide preceding a splice location for the purpose of evaluating a splice attenuation, the first light waveguide on the outside being provided with a light transmitting coating for protection of a core of the light waveguide, said device comprising means for guiding the first light waveguide with a defined curvature in a coupling region, a source of light and an additional light waveguide with a cladded core extending between said source and the coupling region, said core of the additional light waveguide being aligned with the core of the first light waveguide and having an end contacting said first light waveguide in the coupling region to couple light from said source into said first light waveguide.