US5146527A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical fibre splice
Assignee: British Telecommunications PLC
•
Filing: 1989-09-01
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Granted: 1992-09-08
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Expires: 2009-09-01
Abstract
Abstract A method of forming low loss splices between single-mode optical fiber ends involves taking prepared fiber ends and aligning the one with the other by inserting them into opposite ends of the bore of a ferrule, and fusing the fiber ends together by applying thermal energy thereto by means of an aperture in the wall of the ferrule. Splices prepared in this way have losses of less than 0.5 dB. The use of a precisely dimensioned ceramic ferrule enables the use of splicing apparatus which does not incorporate means for 3-dimensional micromanipulation.
Inventors
- 👤 Stephen R. Mallinson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 12:50
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/255; G02B6/2558; G02B6/2551
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
78 words
A method of forming a low-loss splice between two single-mode fibre ends, the method comprising the steps of: i) taking prepared fibre ends and aligning them one with the other by inserting them into opposite ends of the bore of a one-piece ferrule; ii) fusing together the fibre ends by applying thermal energy thereto via an aperture in the wall of the ferrule, and iii) maintaining the ferrule around the fused fibre ends thereby forming a protective sheath.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
78 words
A method of forming a low-loss splice between two single-mode fibre ends, the method comprising the steps of: i) taking prepared fibre ends and aligning them one with the other by inserting them into opposite ends of the bore of a one-piece ferrule; ii) fusing together the fibre ends by applying thermal energy thereto via an aperture in the wall of the ferrule, and iii) maintaining the ferrule around the fused fibre ends thereby forming a protective sheath.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the two fibre ends are fused together by means of an electric arc.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
37 words
A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the fibre ends are initially positioned within the bore against stop means, the stop means being withdrawn prior to the fibre ends being fused together.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A low-loss fibre splice made according to the method of any one of claims 1 or 2.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
A fibre splice as claimed in claim 4 wherein the splice exhibits and optical loss of no more than 0.3 dB at an operative wavelength of the system in which it is to be used.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
A fibre splice as claimed in claim 4 wherein the ferrule comprises a ceramic material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
98 words
Fusion splicing apparatus for forming low loss splices between single mode fibre ends, said apparatus comprising: a one-piece ferrule having a central bore therethrough, said ferrule including an aperture in a ferrule wall which communicates with said bore; said bore being sized to allow said fibre ends to be aligned one with the other when inserted into opposite ends of the bore; and a fuser for applying thermal energy to the fibre ends via said aperture for fusing the fibre ends together therewithin and leaving the ferrule disposed about the fused fibre to form a permanent protective sheath.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
98 words
Fusion splicing apparatus for forming low loss splices between single mode fibre ends, said apparatus comprising: a one-piece ferrule having a central bore therethrough, said ferrule including an aperture in a ferrule wall which communicates with said bore; said bore being sized to allow said fibre ends to be aligned one with the other when inserted into opposite ends of the bore; and a fuser for applying thermal energy to the fibre ends via said aperture for fusing the fibre ends together therewithin and leaving the ferrule disposed about the fused fibre to form a permanent protective sheath.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
Fusion splicing apparatus as claimed in claim 7 comprising: i) ferrule retaining means; and ii) means to drive the fibre ends into the ferrule.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
111 words
Apparatus for splicing together two ends of single mode optical fibres, said apparatus comprising: a clamp for releasably holding a ferrule having fixedly aligned bores on opposite sides of an opening partially extending through the ferrule; a temporary spacer movable into said opening against which said single mode fibre ends are to be butted via said bores before the spacer is withdrawn to leave a predetermined gap between the single mode fibre ends; fibre drivers aligned with said clamp for driving said single mode fibre ends towards one another after the spacer is withdrawn; and a fibre and fuser positioned to thermally use the fibre butt ends together within said opening.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
111 words
Apparatus for splicing together two ends of single mode optical fibres, said apparatus comprising: a clamp for releasably holding a ferrule having fixedly aligned bores on opposite sides of an opening partially extending through the ferrule; a temporary spacer movable into said opening against which said single mode fibre ends are to be butted via said bores before the spacer is withdrawn to leave a predetermined gap between the single mode fibre ends; fibre drivers aligned with said clamp for driving said single mode fibre ends towards one another after the spacer is withdrawn; and a fibre and fuser positioned to thermally use the fibre butt ends together within said opening.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
97 words
A method for splicing together two ends of single mode optical fibres, said method comprising: aligning the outer fibre surfaces of two single mode optical fibre ends which are to be butt-joined together by inserting each end through respective fixedly aligned bores in a unitary ferrule member having an opening between the PG,17 bores in which opening the butt-ends to be joined are opposingly positioned; fusing together the opposingly positioned fibre ends within said opening using a temperature sufficiently high to enable surface tension effects to substantially relieve any lateral offset of the fibre cores being joined.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
97 words
A method for splicing together two ends of single mode optical fibres, said method comprising: aligning the outer fibre surfaces of two single mode optical fibre ends which are to be butt-joined together by inserting each end through respective fixedly aligned bores in a unitary ferrule member having an opening between the PG,17 bores in which opening the butt-ends to be joined are opposingly positioned; fusing together the opposingly positioned fibre ends within said opening using a temperature sufficiently high to enable surface tension effects to substantially relieve any lateral offset of the fibre cores being joined.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method as in claim 10 further comprising: potting the fused fibre ends in situ within the ferrule opening to physically fix the fused ends permanently into place within the ferrule.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as in claim 11 further comprising: encasing the ferrule and its included fused fibre ends within a surrounding outer protective sheath.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as in claim 10 further comprising: encasing the ferrule and its included fused fibre ends within a surrounding outer protective sheath.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as in claim 12 wherein said encasing step includes installation of a thermally shrunk-to-fit protective sheath about the ferrule.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as in claim 13 wherein said encasing step includes installation of a thermally shrunk-to-fit protective sheath about the ferrule.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as in claim 15 further comprising the step of: potting the fused fibre ends in situ within the ferrule opening to physically protect and permanently retain the fused ends therewithin.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
156 words
A method for splicing together the ends of two single mode optical fibres, said method comprising the steps of: inserting the cleaved end of a first single mode optical fibre into a first ferrule bore which substantially constrains fibre movement except in an axial direction; inserting the cleaved end of a second single mode optical fibre into a second ferrule bore which substantially constrains fibre movement except in an axial direction, said first and second bores being fixedly axially aligned with each other in a common ferrule member at opposite sides of a ferrule bore access opening; axially positioning the cleaved ends of said first and second single mode fibres within said opening into opposing juxtaposed position in readiness for forming a butt-joint splice therebetween; and fusing said juxtaposed ends together without any radial position control except that provided by the axially aligned bores of the ferrule and by surface tension effects during this fusing step.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
156 words
A method for splicing together the ends of two single mode optical fibres, said method comprising the steps of: inserting the cleaved end of a first single mode optical fibre into a first ferrule bore which substantially constrains fibre movement except in an axial direction; inserting the cleaved end of a second single mode optical fibre into a second ferrule bore which substantially constrains fibre movement except in an axial direction, said first and second bores being fixedly axially aligned with each other in a common ferrule member at opposite sides of a ferrule bore access opening; axially positioning the cleaved ends of said first and second single mode fibres within said opening into opposing juxtaposed position in readiness for forming a butt-joint splice therebetween; and fusing said juxtaposed ends together without any radial position control except that provided by the axially aligned bores of the ferrule and by surface tension effects during this fusing step.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as in claim 17 further comprising the step of: encasing the ferrule and its included fused fibre ends within a thermally shrunk-to-fit protective sheath.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
20 words
The single mode optical fibre splice product produced by the process of claim 10, 11, 12, 17, 16 or 18.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
46 words
A single mode optical fibre splice comprising: a one-piece ferrule having fixed axially aligned bores fixedly disposed on opposing sides of a central access opening; and a pair of single mode optical fibre ends extending through said axially aligned bores and fuse-spliced together within said opening.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
46 words
A single mode optical fibre splice comprising: a one-piece ferrule having fixed axially aligned bores fixedly disposed on opposing sides of a central access opening; and a pair of single mode optical fibre ends extending through said axially aligned bores and fuse-spliced together within said opening.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
28 words
A single mode optical fibre splice as in claim 20 further comprising: potting material fixedly and permanently disposed within said opening and about said fuse-spliced optical fibre ends.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
27 words
A single mode optical fibre splice as in claim 20 or 21, further comprising: a protective sheath encapsulating said ferrule and the fuse-spliced optical fibre ends therewithin.
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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) | 1995-09-08 | 1996-03-09 | 1996-09-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-09-08 | 2000-03-09 | 2000-09-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-09-08 | 2004-03-09 | 2004-09-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |