US5204925A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical interconnection of circuit packs
Assignee: Furukawa Electric North America Inc
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Filing: 1991-09-11
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Granted: 1993-04-20
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Expires: 2011-09-11
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is an apparatus for the optical interconnection of circuit packs and components mounted on circuit packs, and a method of manufacture. Optical fibers are bonded to a flexible substrate. The substrate includes tabs that can be terminated by standard V-groove silicon chip connectors for optical connection to the edges of circuit packs.
Inventors
- 👤 Rocco Bonanni
- 👤 William J. Parzygnat
- 👤 Roger E. Weiss
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 21:14
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/42; G02B6/43; G02B6/26; G02B6/28; G02B6/2804; G02B6/36; G02B6/3608; G02B6/38; G02B6/3807; G02B6/381; G02B6/3826; G02B6/3829; G02B6/3833; G02B6/3834; G02B6/3838; G02B6/3839; G02B6/3873; G02B6/3874; G02B6/3878
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
86 words
Optical interconnection apparatus comprising: a flexible substrate including a main body portion and a plurality of tab portions extending therefrom, said tab portions being capable of twisting at an angle with respect to the body portion; a plurality of optical fibers mounted to the substrate so that their ends extend beyond the edges of the tabs and the ends of a plurality of fibers extend to different tabs; and optical fiber termination means at the edges of the tabs to permit connection to the optical fibers.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
86 words
Optical interconnection apparatus comprising: a flexible substrate including a main body portion and a plurality of tab portions extending therefrom, said tab portions being capable of twisting at an angle with respect to the body portion; a plurality of optical fibers mounted to the substrate so that their ends extend beyond the edges of the tabs and the ends of a plurality of fibers extend to different tabs; and optical fiber termination means at the edges of the tabs to permit connection to the optical fibers.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the termination means comprises a pair of silicon chips with grooves formed in at least one major surface, the ends of the fibers beyond the tab edges being positioned in the grooves.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the substrate comprises a flexible polymer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the thickness of the substrate is within the range 25-200 microns.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein a cover layer comprising a flexible polymer is formed over the optical fibers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the cover layer has a thickness in the range 25-200 microns.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the optical fibers are mounted to the substrate by means of an adhesive layer between the surface of the substrate and the optical fibers.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein both ends of some fibers extend to different tabs than both ends of some other fibers.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein one end of at least two fibers extends to the same tab while their opposite ends extend to different tabs.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a plurality of circuit packs with optical connectors on one edge, each termination means being connected to a corresponding optical connector.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the tabs are twisted approximately 90 degrees with respect to the body portion.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein at least one defective fiber is cut from the edges of the tabs and a replacement fiber is formed over the defective fiber with its ends extending beyond the edges of the tabs where the defective fiber has been cut.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising an electrooptic device mounted on the substrate.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus according to claim 13 further comprising a plurality of conductive elements formed on a surface of the substrate.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus according to claim 13 further comprising a printed circuit board including a plurality of components thereon, and means for electrically connecting the electrooptic device to the circuit board.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the device includes an optical fiber coupled thereto.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
103 words
A method of fabricating an optical interconnection apparatus comprising the steps of: providing a flexible substrate including a main body portion and a plurality of tab portions extending therefrom said tab portions being capable of twisting at an angle with respect to the body portion; mounting to the substrate a plurality of optical fibers, each including two ends which extend beyond the edges of different tabs such that the ends of said plurality of fibers extend to different tabs; forming a cover layer over the fibers; and providing termination means at the edges of the tabs to permit connection to the optical fibers.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
103 words
A method of fabricating an optical interconnection apparatus comprising the steps of: providing a flexible substrate including a main body portion and a plurality of tab portions extending therefrom said tab portions being capable of twisting at an angle with respect to the body portion; mounting to the substrate a plurality of optical fibers, each including two ends which extend beyond the edges of different tabs such that the ends of said plurality of fibers extend to different tabs; forming a cover layer over the fibers; and providing termination means at the edges of the tabs to permit connection to the optical fibers.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method according to claim 17 wherein the fibers are mounted to the substrate by forming an adhesive layer on the surface of the substrate and placing each fiber thereon.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
60 words
The method according to claim 17 wherein at least one defective fiber is replaced by cutting off the ends of the defective fiber at the edges of the tabs, and mounting a replacement fiber over the cover layer so that the ends of the replacement fiber extend to the areas of the tabs where the defective fiber has been cut.
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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) | 1996-04-19 | 1996-10-19 | 1997-04-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-04-19 | 2000-10-19 | 2001-04-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-04-19 | 2004-10-19 | 2005-04-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |