US5682453A — Method of securing optical fiber components, devi…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 69 words

A method of bonding glass-based elements comprising the steps of: positioning at least one first glass-based element relative to at least one second glass-based element; applying a glass-based compound including an inorganic glass comprised primarily of metal oxides about said first and said second elements; applying sufficient localized heat to said glass-based compound to cause said glass-based compound to soften, wet the surfaces of said elements and bond thereto.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 69 words

A method of bonding glass-based elements comprising the steps of: positioning at least one first glass-based element relative to at least one second glass-based element; applying a glass-based compound including an inorganic glass comprised primarily of metal oxides about said first and said second elements; applying sufficient localized heat to said glass-based compound to cause said glass-based compound to soften, wet the surfaces of said elements and bond thereto.

Claim 3

Independent Claim 64 words

A method of bonding glass-based elements comprising the steps of: positioning at least one first glass-based element relative to at least one second glass-based element; applying a glass-based compound about said first and said second elements; applying sufficient localized heat by a laser beam to said glass-based compound to cause said glass-based compound to soften, wet the surfaces of said elements and bond thereto.

Claim 4

Independent Claim 64 words

A method of bonding glass-based elements comprising the steps of: positioning at least one first glass-based element relative to at least one second glass-based element; applying a glass-based compound about said first and said second elements; applying sufficient localized heat by a laser beam to said glass-based compound to cause said glass-based compound to soften, wet the surfaces of said elements and bond thereto.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 29 words

A method as defined in claim 2 wherein said glass-based compound has a surface energy which is less than the surface energy of said first or said second elements.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 32 words

A method as defined in claim 2 wherein said glass-based compound has a coefficient of thermal expansion approximately equal to the coefficients of thermal expansion of said first or said second elements.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 17 words

A method as defined in claim 1 wherein said glass-based compound is comprised primarily of metal oxides.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 17 words

A method as defined in claim 5 wherein said glass-based compound includes lithium oxides and zinc oxides.

Claim 9

Independent Claim 64 words

A method of bonding glass-based elements comprising the steps of; positioning at least one first glass-based element relative to at least one second glass-based element; applying a glass-based compound that includes glass particulate about said first and said second elements; applying sufficient localized heat to said glass-based compound to cause said glass-based compound to soften, wet the surfaces of said elements and bond thereto.

Claim 10

Independent Claim 64 words

A method of bonding glass-based elements comprising the steps of; positioning at least one first glass-based element relative to at least one second glass-based element; applying a glass-based compound that includes glass particulate about said first and said second elements; applying sufficient localized heat to said glass-based compound to cause said glass-based compound to soften, wet the surfaces of said elements and bond thereto.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 44 words

A method as defined in claim 7 wherein said glass-based compound is primarily formed of metal oxides having the following approximate composition by weight: ______________________________________ lead oxides <60% silicon oxides <30% aluminum oxides <15% boron oxides <10% zinc oxides <10% lithium oxides <10%. ______________________________________

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 22 words

A method as defined in claim 1 wherein said glass-based compound is comprised primarily of lead oxides, aluminum oxides and silicon oxides.

Claim 13

Independent Claim 100 words

A method of bonding at least one first glass-based element to at least one second glass-based element comprising the steps of: positioning at least one first glass-based element relative to at least one second glass-based element; positioning an inorganic glass comprised primarily of metallic oxides relative to said first and second elements, said glass having a surface energy less than the surface energy of said first or said second elements; and causing said glass to be heated until said glass softens, wets the surfaces of said first and second elements and forms bonds with said first and said second elements.

Claim 14

Independent Claim 100 words

A method of bonding at least one first glass-based element to at least one second glass-based element comprising the steps of: positioning at least one first glass-based element relative to at least one second glass-based element; positioning an inorganic glass comprised primarily of metallic oxides relative to said first and second elements, said glass having a surface energy less than the surface energy of said first or said second elements; and causing said glass to be heated until said glass softens, wets the surfaces of said first and second elements and forms bonds with said first and said second elements.

Claim 15

Independent Claim 97 words

A method of bonding at least one first glass-based element to at least one second glass-based element comprising the steps of: positioning at least one first glass-based element relative to at least one second glass-based element; positioning glass relative to said first and second elements, said glass having a surface energy less than the surface energy of said first or said second elements; and causing said glass to be heated by a laser beam until said glass softens, wets the surfaces of said first and second elements and forms bonds with said first and said second elements.

Claim 16

Independent Claim 97 words

A method of bonding at least one first glass-based element to at least one second glass-based element comprising the steps of: positioning at least one first glass-based element relative to at least one second glass-based element; positioning glass relative to said first and second elements, said glass having a surface energy less than the surface energy of said first or said second elements; and causing said glass to be heated by a laser beam until said glass softens, wets the surfaces of said first and second elements and forms bonds with said first and said second elements.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 26 words

A method as defined in claim 11 wherein said laser illuminates at least one of said elements, and heat generated therein is conducted to said glass.

Claim 18

Independent Claim 96 words

A method of bonding at least one first glass-based element to at least one second glass-based element comprising the steps of: positioning at least one first glass-based element relative to at least one second glass-based element; positioning glass in powder form relative to said first and second elements, said glass having a surface energy less than the surface energy of said first or said second elements; and causing said glass to be heated until said glass softens, wets the surfaces of said first and second elements and forms bonds with said first and said second elements.

Claim 19

Independent Claim 96 words

A method of bonding at least one first glass-based element to at least one second glass-based element comprising the steps of: positioning at least one first glass-based element relative to at least one second glass-based element; positioning glass in powder form relative to said first and second elements, said glass having a surface energy less than the surface energy of said first or said second elements; and causing said glass to be heated until said glass softens, wets the surfaces of said first and second elements and forms bonds with said first and said second elements.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 22 words

A method as defined in claim 13 wherein said glass in powder form is mixed with an organic binder and a vehicle.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 31 words

A method as defined in claim 10 wherein said glass has a coefficient of thermal expansion approximately equal to the coefficients of thermal expansion of said first or said second elements.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 44 words

A method as defined in claim 15 wherein said glass-based compound is primarily formed of metal oxides having the following approximate composition by weight: ______________________________________ lead oxides <60% silicon oxides <30% aluminum oxides <15% boron oxides <10% zinc oxides <10% lithium oxides <10%. ______________________________________

Claim 23

Independent Claim 120 words

A method of securing at least one fiber optic coupler to a glass support substrate comprising the steps of: positioning at least one fiber optic coupler on a glass support substrate; applying a glass-based compound to said couplers and substrate, said glass-based compound comprised of an organic binder dispersed in a glass particulate and a vehicle, said particulate having a coefficient of thermal expansion approximately equal to the coefficient of thermal expansion of said coupler and said substrate, and having a surface energy which is less than the surface energy of said coupler or said substrate; and heating said substrate with laser energy until said glass particulate softens, wets the surfaces of said coupler and said substrate and bonds thereto.

Claim 24

Independent Claim 120 words

A method of securing at least one fiber optic coupler to a glass support substrate comprising the steps of: positioning at least one fiber optic coupler on a glass support substrate; applying a glass-based compound to said couplers and substrate, said glass-based compound comprised of an organic binder dispersed in a glass particulate and a vehicle, said particulate having a coefficient of thermal expansion approximately equal to the coefficient of thermal expansion of said coupler and said substrate, and having a surface energy which is less than the surface energy of said coupler or said substrate; and heating said substrate with laser energy until said glass particulate softens, wets the surfaces of said coupler and said substrate and bonds thereto.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 14 words

A method as defined in claim 17 wherein said glass particulate is a powder.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 48 words

A method as defined in claim 18 wherein said glass particulate of said glass-based compound is primarily formed of metal oxides having the following approximate composition by weight: ______________________________________ lead oxides <60% silicon oxides <30% aluminum oxides <15% boron oxides <10% zinc oxides <10% lithium oxides <10%. ______________________________________

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 17 words

A method as defined in claim 17 wherein said glass based compound is heated with a laser.

Claim 28

Independent Claim 144 words

A method of forming a fiber optic connector comprising the steps of: axially aligning the end of an optical fiber relative to a connector ferrule having a bore having a diameter greater than the diameter of said optical fiber wherein an annular gap is defined between the outer surface of said fiber and the inner surface of said bore when said fiber is inserted therein; positioning said fiber within said bore with a glass-based compound disposed within a portion of said annular gap, said glass-based compound comprised of a mixture of glass particulate and binder in a vehicle, said particulate having a coefficient of thermal expansion approximately equal to the coefficients of thermal expansion of said fiber or ferrule; and applying heat to said ferrule and fiber until said glass particulate softens, wets the surfaces of said ferrule and said fiber and bonds thereto.

Claim 29

Independent Claim 144 words

A method of forming a fiber optic connector comprising the steps of: axially aligning the end of an optical fiber relative to a connector ferrule having a bore having a diameter greater than the diameter of said optical fiber wherein an annular gap is defined between the outer surface of said fiber and the inner surface of said bore when said fiber is inserted therein; positioning said fiber within said bore with a glass-based compound disposed within a portion of said annular gap, said glass-based compound comprised of a mixture of glass particulate and binder in a vehicle, said particulate having a coefficient of thermal expansion approximately equal to the coefficients of thermal expansion of said fiber or ferrule; and applying heat to said ferrule and fiber until said glass particulate softens, wets the surfaces of said ferrule and said fiber and bonds thereto.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 14 words

A method as defined in claim 21 wherein said glass particulate is a powder.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 48 words

A method as defined in claim 22 wherein said glass particulate of said glass-based compound is primarily formed of metal oxides having the following approximate composition by weight: ______________________________________ lead oxides <60% silicon oxides <30% aluminum oxides <15% boron oxides <10% zinc oxides <10% lithium oxides <10%. ______________________________________

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 15 words

A method as defined in claim 21 wherein said ferrule is heated with a laser.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 28 words

A method as defined in claim 21 wherein said glass particulate has a surface energy which is less than the surface energy of said fiber or said ferrule.

Claim 34

Independent Claim 71 words

A method of bonding glass-based elements comprising the steps of: positioning at least one optical fiber relative to at least one glass-based element; applying a glass-based compound including an inorganic glass comprised primarily of metallic oxides about said optical fibers and said elements; applying sufficient localized heat to said glass-based compound to cause said glass-based compound to soften, wet the surfaces of said optical fibers and said elements and bond thereto.

Claim 35

Independent Claim 71 words

A method of bonding glass-based elements comprising the steps of: positioning at least one optical fiber relative to at least one glass-based element; applying a glass-based compound including an inorganic glass comprised primarily of metallic oxides about said optical fibers and said elements; applying sufficient localized heat to said glass-based compound to cause said glass-based compound to soften, wet the surfaces of said optical fibers and said elements and bond thereto.

Claim 36

Independent Claim 66 words

A method of bonding glass-based elements comprising the steps of: positioning at least one optical fiber relative to at least one glass-based element; applying a glass-based compound about said optical fibers and said elements; applying sufficient localized heat by a laser beam to said glass-based compound to cause said glass-based compound to soften, wet the surfaces of said optical fibers and said elements and bond thereto.

Claim 37

Independent Claim 66 words

A method of bonding glass-based elements comprising the steps of: positioning at least one optical fiber relative to at least one glass-based element; applying a glass-based compound about said optical fibers and said elements; applying sufficient localized heat by a laser beam to said glass-based compound to cause said glass-based compound to soften, wet the surfaces of said optical fibers and said elements and bond thereto.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 28 words

A method as defined in claim 26 wherein said glass-based compound has a surface energy which is less than the surface energy of said fibers or said elements.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 31 words

A method as defined in claim 26 wherein said glass-based compound has a coefficient of thermal expansion approximately equal to the coefficients of thermal expansion of said fibers or said elements.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 17 words

A method as defined in claim 26 wherein said glass-based compound is comprised primarily of metal oxides.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 18 words

A method as defined in claim 30 wherein said glass based compound includes lithium oxides and zinc oxides.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 14 words

A method as defined in claim 31 wherein said glass-based compound includes glass particulate.

Claim 43

Independent Claim 38 words

A method as defined in claims 26 or 32 wherein said glass-based compound is primarily formed of metal oxides having the following approximate composition by weight: lead oxides<60% silicon oxides<30% aluminum oxides<15% boron oxides<10% zinc oxides<10% lithium oxides<10%.

Claim 44

Independent Claim 66 words

A method of bonding glass-based elements comprising the steps of: positioning at least one element relative to an optical waveguide; applying a glass-based compound including an inorganic glass comprised primarily of metallic oxides about said element and said waveguide; applying sufficient localized heat to said glass-based compound to cause said glass-based compound to soften, wet the surfaces of said element and said waveguide, and bond thereto.

Claim 45

Independent Claim 66 words

A method of bonding glass-based elements comprising the steps of: positioning at least one element relative to an optical waveguide; applying a glass-based compound including an inorganic glass comprised primarily of metallic oxides about said element and said waveguide; applying sufficient localized heat to said glass-based compound to cause said glass-based compound to soften, wet the surfaces of said element and said waveguide, and bond thereto.

Claim 46

Independent Claim 61 words

A method of bonding glass-based elements comprising the steps of: positioning at least one element relative to an optical waveguide; applying a glass-based compound about said element and said waveguide; applying sufficient localized heat by a laser beam to said glass-based compound to cause said glass-based compound to soften, wet the surfaces of said element and said waveguide, and bond thereto.

Claim 47

Independent Claim 61 words

A method of bonding glass-based elements comprising the steps of: positioning at least one element relative to an optical waveguide; applying a glass-based compound about said element and said waveguide; applying sufficient localized heat by a laser beam to said glass-based compound to cause said glass-based compound to soften, wet the surfaces of said element and said waveguide, and bond thereto.

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 20 words

A method as defined in claim 34 wherein said at least one optical element is at least one optical fiber.

Claim 49

Dependent Claim 29 words

A method as defined in claim 34 wherein said glass-based compound has a surface energy which is less than the surface energy of said optical element or said waveguide.

Claim 50

Dependent Claim 32 words

A method as defined in claim 34 wherein said glass-based compound has a coefficient of thermal expansion approximately equal to the coefficients of thermal expansion of said optical element or said waveguide.

Claim 51

Dependent Claim 17 words

A method as defined in claim 34 wherein said glass-base compound is comprised primarily of metal oxides.

Claim 52

Dependent Claim 17 words

A method as defined in claim 39 wherein said glass-based compound includes lithium oxides and zinc oxides.

Claim 53

Dependent Claim 14 words

A method as defined in claim 40 wherein said glass-based compound includes glass particulate.

Claim 54

Independent Claim 38 words

A method as defined in claims 34 or 41 wherein said glass-based compound is primarily formed of metal oxides having the following approximate composition by weight: lead oxides<60% silicon oxides<30% aluminum oxides<15% boron oxides<10% zinc oxides<10% lithium oxides<10%.

Claim 55

Dependent Claim 22 words

A method as defined in claim 34 wherein said glass-based compound is comprised primarily of lead oxides, aluminum oxides and silicon oxides.

Claim 56

Dependent Claim 14 words

A method as defined in claim 34 wherein said glass-based compound is a solid.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2000-10-27	2001-04-28	2001-10-28	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2004-10-27	2005-04-28	2005-10-28	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2008-10-27	2009-04-28	2009-10-28	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Method of securing optical fiber components, devices and fibers to the same or to mounting fixtures

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