US5054018A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Spatial optic multiplexer/diplexer
Assignee: United States Department of Energy
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Filing: 1990-06-22
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Granted: 1991-10-01
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Expires: 2010-06-22
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for simultaneous transmission of optic signals having different wavelengths over a single optic fiber. Multiple light signals are transmitted through optic fibers that are formed into a circumference surrounding a central core fiber. The multiple light signals are directed by a lens into a single receiving fiber where the light combines and is then focused into the central core fiber which transmits the light to a wavelength discriminating receiver assembly.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul L. Tremblay
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 09:49
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/26; G02B6/28; G02B6/2804; G02B6/2848; G02B6/42; G02B6/4201; G02B6/4246; G02B6/4249
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
An apparatus for simultaneous transmission of optic signals of different wavelengths over a single optic fiber comprising: a) multiple light sources each of a different wavelength; b) a coupling sphere proximal to the multiple light sources for focusing and combining optic signals emitted by the multiple light sources, and further where the coupling sphere has a refractive index such that about 90% of the combined optic signals from the multiple light sources emerging from said coupling sphere converge in the single optic fiber within the numerical aperture of the single optic fiber, whereby signals of different wavelengths can be transmitted by the single optic fiber simultaneously.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
106 words
An apparatus for simultaneous transmission of optic signals of different wavelengths over a single optic fiber comprising: a) multiple light sources each of a different wavelength; b) a coupling sphere proximal to the multiple light sources for focusing and combining optic signals emitted by the multiple light sources, and further where the coupling sphere has a refractive index such that about 90% of the combined optic signals from the multiple light sources emerging from said coupling sphere converge in the single optic fiber within the numerical aperture of the single optic fiber, whereby signals of different wavelengths can be transmitted by the single optic fiber simultaneously.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
87 words
The apparatus of claim 1 as adapted for full duplex transmission further including: a) a core optical fiber positioned so that said multiple light sources are close-packed around said core fiber and further in which said core fiber is positioned so that the combined optic signals from the single fiber return through said coupling sphere and converge within said core fiber within the numerical aperture of said core fiber whereby full duplex transmission of optical signals of different wavelengths can be transmitted by the single optic fiber.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
101 words
An apparatus for effecting the efficient coupling of light fibers into a single fiber comprising: a) a close-packed arrangement of equal-diameter peripheral fibers each transmitting light of different wavelengths, b) a central core fiber centrally disposed within the circumference of fibers, c) a receiving optical fiber, d) an optic coupler disposed between the transmitting fibers and the receiving fiber for directing and combining the light emitted by each fiber into the receiving fiber, and for then returning the combined light from the receiving fiber into the central core fiber, whereby the different wavelengths are coupled and transmitted by the core fiber.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
101 words
An apparatus for effecting the efficient coupling of light fibers into a single fiber comprising: a) a close-packed arrangement of equal-diameter peripheral fibers each transmitting light of different wavelengths, b) a central core fiber centrally disposed within the circumference of fibers, c) a receiving optical fiber, d) an optic coupler disposed between the transmitting fibers and the receiving fiber for directing and combining the light emitted by each fiber into the receiving fiber, and for then returning the combined light from the receiving fiber into the central core fiber, whereby the different wavelengths are coupled and transmitted by the core fiber.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
113 words
An apparatus for effecting the efficient coupling of light from multiple fibers into a single fiber comprising: a) a plurality of optical fibers transmitting light of different wavelengths, close-packed and arranged around a central core fiber, b) a receiving optical fiber, c) an optic coupler intermediate the close-packed arrangement of fibers and the receiving optical fiber for directing the light emitted by each fiber into the receiving fiber such that the different wavelengths are combined, and further wherein the optic coupler is capable of returning at least 90% of the combined light from the receiving fiber into the central core fiber, whereby the different wavelengths are coupled and transmitted by the core fiber.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
113 words
An apparatus for effecting the efficient coupling of light from multiple fibers into a single fiber comprising: a) a plurality of optical fibers transmitting light of different wavelengths, close-packed and arranged around a central core fiber, b) a receiving optical fiber, c) an optic coupler intermediate the close-packed arrangement of fibers and the receiving optical fiber for directing the light emitted by each fiber into the receiving fiber such that the different wavelengths are combined, and further wherein the optic coupler is capable of returning at least 90% of the combined light from the receiving fiber into the central core fiber, whereby the different wavelengths are coupled and transmitted by the core fiber.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the transmitting optical fibers are each of the same nominal diameter, and the central core fiber has a nominal diameter larger than the diameter of the transmitting fibers.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus according to claim 4 in which the optic coupler is a lens.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus according to claim 6 in which the lens has a refractive index capable of creating an exit cone of light from the transmitting fibers which matches the numerical aperture of the receiving fiber.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
137 words
An apparatus for effecting the efficient coupling of light from multiple fibers into a single fiber comprising: a) a close-packed bundle of optical fibers, each fiber transmitting light or different wavelengths, b) a receiving optical fiber having a central axis, c) a central core fiber surrounded by the bundle of transmitting fibers, d) a means intermediate the bundle of transmitting fibers and the receiving fiber for directing the light emitted by each transmitting fiber into the receiving fiber at the same angle of incidence with respect to the central axis of the receiving fiber, but with differing spatial orientations about the central axis, the light directing means further returning about 90% of the light from the receiving fiber into the central core fiber, whereby the different wavelengths are coupled and transmitted full duplex by the core fiber.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
137 words
An apparatus for effecting the efficient coupling of light from multiple fibers into a single fiber comprising: a) a close-packed bundle of optical fibers, each fiber transmitting light or different wavelengths, b) a receiving optical fiber having a central axis, c) a central core fiber surrounded by the bundle of transmitting fibers, d) a means intermediate the bundle of transmitting fibers and the receiving fiber for directing the light emitted by each transmitting fiber into the receiving fiber at the same angle of incidence with respect to the central axis of the receiving fiber, but with differing spatial orientations about the central axis, the light directing means further returning about 90% of the light from the receiving fiber into the central core fiber, whereby the different wavelengths are coupled and transmitted full duplex by the core fiber.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus according to claim 8 in which the means for directing the light is a lens.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus according to claim 9 in which the lens has a refractive index capable of creating an exit cone of light from the transmitting fibers which matches the numerical aperture of the receiving fiber.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
JPS60605A
Cited
US4834485A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-09-30 | 1995-04-01 | 1995-10-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-09-30 | 1999-04-01 | 1999-10-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-09-30 | 2003-04-01 | 2003-10-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |