US5176730A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of producing optical-fiber coupler
Assignee: Sumiden Opcom Ltd
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Filing: 1992-02-18
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Granted: 1993-01-05
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Expires: 2012-02-18
Abstract
Abstract The invention provides a method for producing an optical-fiber coupler with a preset branching ratio. The present invention relates to a method in which part of a plurality of optical fibers are made to closely contact with each other so as to form a coupler. The coupler is heated to thereby obtain a predetermined branching ratio; the flow rate of a gas to be supplied to a heat source is increased/decreased by a quantity proportional to a difference between the drawing speed and a preset drawing speed while predetermined tension is applied to the optical fibers.
Inventors
- 👤 Hiroshi Suganuma
- 👤 Hiroaki Takimoto
- 👤 Hiroshi Yokota
- 👤 Kazuhiko Arimoto
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 07:22
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/26; G02B6/28; G02B6/2804; G02B6/2821; G02B6/2835
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
96 words
A method of producing an optical-fiber coupler comprising the steps of: contacting a plurality of optical fibers to form a coupler forming portion; heating the coupler forming portion with a flaming gas from a heat source; drawing the optical fibers at a drawing speed under constant tension; measuring the branching ratio of said coupler continuously during said drawing; measuring said drawing speed; and regulating the quantity of said flaming gas proportional to the difference between said drawing speed and a preset drawing speed, wherein said preset drawing speed is made a function of said branching ratio.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
96 words
A method of producing an optical-fiber coupler comprising the steps of: contacting a plurality of optical fibers to form a coupler forming portion; heating the coupler forming portion with a flaming gas from a heat source; drawing the optical fibers at a drawing speed under constant tension; measuring the branching ratio of said coupler continuously during said drawing; measuring said drawing speed; and regulating the quantity of said flaming gas proportional to the difference between said drawing speed and a preset drawing speed, wherein said preset drawing speed is made a function of said branching ratio.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of producing an optical-fiber coupler according to claim 1, wherein said function is calculated so that said drawing speed approaches zero as said branching ratio approaches a final target value.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of producing an optical-fiber coupler according to claim 1, wherein said heating step comprises the step of heating with a plurality of gas ejection outlets arranged along the axial direction of said optical fibers.
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) | 1996-01-05 | 1996-07-06 | 1997-01-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-01-05 | 2000-07-06 | 2001-01-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-01-05 | 2004-07-06 | 2005-01-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |