US5285516A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Fused fiber optic attenuator having axially overlapping fiber end portions
Assignee: Kaptron Inc
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Filing: 1992-03-18
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Granted: 1994-02-08
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Expires: 2012-03-18
Abstract
Abstract A method for fabricating single-mode and multi-mode attenuators characterized by a high level of wavelength insensitivity. A light source is connected to one end of a fiber and the other end is connected to an optical power meter. The optical power meter is set to a 0 dB reference. The fiber is then cut and the cut ends cleaved to define first and second segments. The ends of the segments are offset and overlapped by an axial distance that is large relative to the fiber diameter. The overlapping ends are heated so that they assume a fused state, and the relative axial positioning of the fiber ends while they are in the plastic state is adjusted to achieve the desired degree of attenuation, as indicated on the meter.
Inventors
- 👤 Ren-Sue Wong
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 12:29
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/255; G02B6/2551; G02B6/26; G02B6/264; G02B6/266
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
163 words
A method for fabricating a fiber optic attenuator comprising the steps of: providing first and second fiber segments, each segment having a fist nd and a second end, a portion of each segment including the first end being referred to as a first end portion, the fiber segments being characterized by a fiber diameter and the first end portions having respective radially outer surfaces; bringing the respective first end portions of the fiber segments into a relative position such that the radially outer surfaces of the respective first end portions contact each other and the respective first end portions overlap by an axial distance greater than the fiber diameter; heating the respective first end portions so that they assume a plastic state; adjusting the relative axial positioning of the respective first end portions while the respective first end portions are in the plastic state to achieve a desired degree of attenuation; and cooling the respective first end portions to form a fused splice.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
163 words
A method for fabricating a fiber optic attenuator comprising the steps of: providing first and second fiber segments, each segment having a fist nd and a second end, a portion of each segment including the first end being referred to as a first end portion, the fiber segments being characterized by a fiber diameter and the first end portions having respective radially outer surfaces; bringing the respective first end portions of the fiber segments into a relative position such that the radially outer surfaces of the respective first end portions contact each other and the respective first end portions overlap by an axial distance greater than the fiber diameter; heating the respective first end portions so that they assume a plastic state; adjusting the relative axial positioning of the respective first end portions while the respective first end portions are in the plastic state to achieve a desired degree of attenuation; and cooling the respective first end portions to form a fused splice.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the axial distance is in the range of about 0.5-5.0 mm.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the axial distance is in the range of 1-3 mm.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said adjusting step includes pulling the segments in an axial direction tending to move the segments apart.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 1, and further comprising the step of injecting light into the second end of the first fiber segment and monitoring the light that emerges from the second end of the second fiber segment, and wherein said adjusting step is performed in response to the monitored light.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
86 words
A fiber optic attenuator comprising: first and second fiber segments, each having respective first and second ends, a portion of each segment including the first end being referred to as a first end portion, said fiber segments being characterized by a fiber diameter; said respective first end portions being fused to each other and overlapping each other in an overlap region by an axial distance that is greater than said fiber diameter, said respective second ends being located on longitudinally opposite sides of said overlap region.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
86 words
A fiber optic attenuator comprising: first and second fiber segments, each having respective first and second ends, a portion of each segment including the first end being referred to as a first end portion, said fiber segments being characterized by a fiber diameter; said respective first end portions being fused to each other and overlapping each other in an overlap region by an axial distance that is greater than said fiber diameter, said respective second ends being located on longitudinally opposite sides of said overlap region.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
The attenuator of claim 6 wherein said fiber segments are single-mode fiber.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The attenuator of claim 7 wherein the attenuator is characterized by an attenuation greater than about 3 dB.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
12 words
The attenuator of claim 6 wherein said fiber segments are multimode fiber.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The attenuator of claim 9 wherein the attenuator is characterized by an attenuation greater than about 10 dB.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
100 words
A fiber optic attenuator comprising: first and second segments, each having respective first and second ends, a portion of each segment including the first end being referred to as a first end portion, said fiber segments being characterized by a fiber diameter and having respective cores having respective ends; said respective first end portions being fused to each other with said ends of said cores completely encapsulated and overlapping each other in an overlap region by an axial distance that is greater than said fiber diameter, said respective second ends being located on longitudinally opposite sides of said overlap region.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
100 words
A fiber optic attenuator comprising: first and second segments, each having respective first and second ends, a portion of each segment including the first end being referred to as a first end portion, said fiber segments being characterized by a fiber diameter and having respective cores having respective ends; said respective first end portions being fused to each other with said ends of said cores completely encapsulated and overlapping each other in an overlap region by an axial distance that is greater than said fiber diameter, said respective second ends being located on longitudinally opposite sides of said overlap region.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
12 words
The attenuator of claim 11 wherein said fiber segments are single-mode fiber.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
The attenuator of claim 12 wherein the attenuator is characterized by an attenuation greater than about 3 dB.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
12 words
The attenuator of claim 11 wherein said fiber segments are multimode fiber.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
The attenuator of claim 14 wherein the attenuator is characterized by an attenuation greater than about 10 dB.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
182 words
A method for fabricating a fiber optic attenuator comprising the steps of: providing first and second fiber segments, each segment having a first end and a second end, a portion of each segment including the first end being referred to as a first end portion, the fiber segments being characterized by a fiber diameter and the first end portions having respective radially outer surfaces; bringing the respective first end portions of the fiber segments into a relative position such that the radially outer surfaces of the respective first end portions contact each other and the respective first end portions overlap in an overlap region by an axial distance greater than the fiber diameter with said respective second ends being located on longitudinally opposite sides of said overlap region; heating the respective first end portions so that they assume a plastic state; adjusting the relative axial positioning of the respective first end portions while the respective first end portions are in the plastic state t achieve a desired degree of attenuation; and cooling the respective first end portions to form a fused splice.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
182 words
A method for fabricating a fiber optic attenuator comprising the steps of: providing first and second fiber segments, each segment having a first end and a second end, a portion of each segment including the first end being referred to as a first end portion, the fiber segments being characterized by a fiber diameter and the first end portions having respective radially outer surfaces; bringing the respective first end portions of the fiber segments into a relative position such that the radially outer surfaces of the respective first end portions contact each other and the respective first end portions overlap in an overlap region by an axial distance greater than the fiber diameter with said respective second ends being located on longitudinally opposite sides of said overlap region; heating the respective first end portions so that they assume a plastic state; adjusting the relative axial positioning of the respective first end portions while the respective first end portions are in the plastic state t achieve a desired degree of attenuation; and cooling the respective first end portions to form a fused splice.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the axial distance is in the range of about 0.5-5.0 mm.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the axial distance is in the range of 1-3 mm.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 16 wherein said adjusting step includes pulling the segments in an axial direction tending to move the segments apart.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 16, and further comprising the steps of injecting light into the second end of the first fiber segment and monitoring the light that emerges from the second end of the second fiber segment, and wherein said adjusting step is performed in response to the light, so monitored.
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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) | 1997-02-07 | 1997-08-09 | 1998-02-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-02-07 | 2001-08-09 | 2002-02-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-02-07 | 2005-08-09 | 2006-02-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |