US5061035A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Hermetically sealed optical fiber arrays and method for forming same
Assignee: Raytheon Co
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Filing: 1990-09-27
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Granted: 1991-10-29
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Expires: 2010-09-27
Abstract
Abstract Hermetically sealed optical fiber arrays comprising a bundle of metal-coated optical fibers which are sealed to each other and to a metal-coated supporting structure. The hermetic seals are formed by a process which uses fluxless solder and preferably a vacuum to enhance application of the solder.
Inventors
- 👤 Harvey N. Rogers, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 16:13
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/04; G02B6/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
94 words
A hermetically sealed optical fiber array comprising: a plurality of optical fibers, each of said optical fibers having a length of optical fiber at one end, said length having a solderable metal coating, wherein said lengths of optical fibers are fluxless solder bonded to each other forming a hermetically sealed optical fiber bundle; and a supporting structure surrounding said hermetically sealed optical fiber bundle, said supporting structure having an inner surface, said inner surface having a solderable metal coating, wherein said hermetically sealed optical fiber bundle is fluxless solder bonded to said supporting structure.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
94 words
A hermetically sealed optical fiber array comprising: a plurality of optical fibers, each of said optical fibers having a length of optical fiber at one end, said length having a solderable metal coating, wherein said lengths of optical fibers are fluxless solder bonded to each other forming a hermetically sealed optical fiber bundle; and a supporting structure surrounding said hermetically sealed optical fiber bundle, said supporting structure having an inner surface, said inner surface having a solderable metal coating, wherein said hermetically sealed optical fiber bundle is fluxless solder bonded to said supporting structure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The hermetically sealed optical fiber array according to claim 1 wherein said supporting structure is a metal sleeve.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The hermetically sealed optical fiber array according to claim 2 wherein said metal sleeve comprises stainless steel having nickel electroplated on the inner surface thereof and having gold electroplated on said nickel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
The hermetically sealed optical fiber array according to claim 1 wherein said solderable metal coating is an electroplated coating of nickel on said length of optical fiber or said inner surface of said supporting structure, and an electroplated coating of gold on said nickel coating.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The hermetically sealed optical fiber array according to claim 4 wherein said electroplated coating of nickel and gold has a total thickness of about 8 microns.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The hermetically sealed optical fiber array according to claim 1 wherein said optical fiber is selected from the group consisting of inorganic optical fibers and organic optical fibers.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The hermetically sealed optical fiber array according to claim 1 wherein said optical fibers are aluminum-coated silica.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The hermetically sealed optical fiber array according to claim 1 wherein said length of optical fiber is from about 0.5 centimeter (cm) to about 20 cm.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The hermetically sealed optical fiber array according to claim 1 wherein the optical fibers in said hermetically sealed fiber optic bundle are in a hexagonal close packing geometry.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
The hermetically sealed optical fiber array according to claim 1 wherein said hermetically sealed fiber optic bundle is arranged in a cross-sectional shape selected from the group of shapes consisting of round, rectangular, and linear.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The hermetically sealed optical fiber array according to claim 1 wherein said solder comprises a fluxless indium solder.
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) | 1994-10-28 | 1995-04-29 | 1995-10-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-10-28 | 1999-04-29 | 1999-10-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-10-28 | 2003-04-29 | 2003-10-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |