US5734767A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fiber optic coupler
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1996-07-11
•
Granted: 1998-03-31
•
Expires: 2016-07-11
Abstract
Abstract A hermetically sealed fiber optic coupler for packaging end joined optical fibers. The device includes at least one first optical fiber having a glass-based portion having a first free end and a second optical fiber having a glass-based portion having a second free end joined to the first free end of the glass-based portion of the first optical fiber to form an end joint. The device further includes an outer chamber having at least one open end, the outer chamber surrounding the end joint, the outer chamber and the end joint being hermetically sealed with a thermosetting plastic. In the preferred embodiment, the device also includes a primary tubular sleeve, positioned between the end joint the outer chamber; epoxy for tacking the glass-based portions of the first and second optical fibers to the primary tubular sleeve; and thixotropic epoxy for hermetically sealing the ends of the primary tubular sleeve.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard W. Belt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 11:33
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/26; G02B6/28; G02B6/2804; G02B6/2821; G02B6/2835; G02B6/36; G02B6/38; G02B6/3801; G02B6/42; G02B6/4201; G02B6/4248
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
103 words
A hermetically sealed fiber optic coupler for packaging end joined optical fibers, said device comprising: (a) at least one first optical fiber having a glass-based portion having a first free end; (b) a second optical fiber having a glass-based portion having a second free end joined to said first free end of the glass-based portion of said first optical fiber to form an end joint; and (c) an outer chamber having at least one open end, said outer chamber surrounding said end joint, said outer chamber and said end joint being hermetically sealed, said outer chamber being evacuated to form a vacuum therein.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
103 words
A hermetically sealed fiber optic coupler for packaging end joined optical fibers, said device comprising: (a) at least one first optical fiber having a glass-based portion having a first free end; (b) a second optical fiber having a glass-based portion having a second free end joined to said first free end of the glass-based portion of said first optical fiber to form an end joint; and (c) an outer chamber having at least one open end, said outer chamber surrounding said end joint, said outer chamber and said end joint being hermetically sealed, said outer chamber being evacuated to form a vacuum therein.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
The device according to claim 1, further including a primary tubular sleeve forming said outer chamber; means for tacking said glass-based portions of said first and second optical fibers to said primary tubular sleeve; and means for hermetically sealing the ends of said primary tubular sleeve.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The device according to claim 2, wherein said primary tubular sleeve is a two piece sleeve having a longitudinal axis and which is split along its longitudinal plane, forming a clamshell shape.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device according to claim 1, wherein said primary tubular sleeve is formed from a low thermal expansion material selected from the group consisting of neoceram, E-glass and Invar metal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
The device according to claim 1, wherein said means for tacking said glass-based portions of said first and second optical fibers to said primary tubular sleeve is selected from the group consisting of epoxy adhesive and solder.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device according to claim 1, wherein said means for hermetically sealing said primary tubular sleeve and said end joint is an epoxy.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device according to claim 6, wherein said means for hermetically sealing said primary tubular sleeve and said end joint is an thixotropic epoxy.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device according to claim 7, wherein said thixotropic epoxy is 353ND epoxy.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device according to claim 1, wherein said vacuum is between about 29.5 to 32.5 inches of Hg.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device according to claim 1, further including backfilling said outer chamber with an inert gas.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device according to claim 10, wherein said inert gas is nitrogen.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device according to claim 11, wherein said nitrogen is at a pressure of between about 3 to 5 psi.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
165 words
A hermetically sealed fiber optic coupler for packaging end joined optical fibers, said device comprising: (a) at least one first optical fiber having a glass-based portion having a first free end; (b) a second optical fiber having a glass-based portion having a second free end joined to said first free end of the glass-based portion of said first optical fiber to form an end joint; (c) an outer chamber having at least one open end, said outer chamber surrounding said end joint, said outer chamber and said end joint being hermetically sealed with a thermosetting plastic; and (d) a primary tubular sleeve forming said outer chamber around said end joint; means for tacking said glass-based portions of said first and second optical fibers to said primary tubular sleeve; and means for hermetically sealing the ends of said primary tubular sleeve, said primary tubular sleeve includes a two piece sleeve having a longitudinal axis and which is split along its longitudinal plane, forming a clam-shell shape.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
165 words
A hermetically sealed fiber optic coupler for packaging end joined optical fibers, said device comprising: (a) at least one first optical fiber having a glass-based portion having a first free end; (b) a second optical fiber having a glass-based portion having a second free end joined to said first free end of the glass-based portion of said first optical fiber to form an end joint; (c) an outer chamber having at least one open end, said outer chamber surrounding said end joint, said outer chamber and said end joint being hermetically sealed with a thermosetting plastic; and (d) a primary tubular sleeve forming said outer chamber around said end joint; means for tacking said glass-based portions of said first and second optical fibers to said primary tubular sleeve; and means for hermetically sealing the ends of said primary tubular sleeve, said primary tubular sleeve includes a two piece sleeve having a longitudinal axis and which is split along its longitudinal plane, forming a clam-shell shape.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device according to claim 13, wherein said primary tubular sleeve is formed from a low thermal expansion material selected from the group consisting of neoceram, E-glass and Invar metal.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
37 words
The device according to claim 13, wherein said means for tacking said glass-based portions of said first and second optical fibers to said primary tubular sleeve is selected from the group consisting of epoxy adhesive and solder.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device according to claim 13, wherein said means for hermetically sealing said primary tubular sleeve and said end joint is an epoxy.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device according to claim 16, wherein said means for hermetically sealing said primary tubular sleeve and said end joint is an thixotropic epoxy.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device according to claim 17, wherein said thixotropic epoxy is 353ND epoxy.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device according to claim 13, further including evacuating said outer chamber to form a vacuum.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device according to claim 19, wherein said vacuum is between about 29.5 to 32.5 inches of Hg.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device according to claim 19, further including backfilling said outer chamber with an inert gas.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device according to claim 21, wherein said inert gas is nitrogen.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device according to claim 22, wherein said nitrogen is at a pressure of between about 3 to 5 psi.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device according to claim 13, wherein said thermosetting plastic for hermetically sealing said outer chamber and said end joint is an epoxy.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device according to claim 24, wherein said epoxy is 377 epoxy.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
124 words
A method for forming and hermetically sealing a fiber optic coupler for packaging end joined optical fibers, said method comprising the steps of: (a) positioning at least one first optical fiber having a glass-based portion having a first free end adjacent to a second optical fiber having a glass-based portion having a second free end; (b) forming an end joint between said first free end of the glass-based portion of said first optical fiber and said second optical fiber having a glass-based portion having a second free end; (c) surrounding said end joint with an outer chamber having at least one open end; (d) hermetically sealing said outer chamber and said end joint; and (e) evacuating said outer chamber to form a vacuum therein.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
124 words
A method for forming and hermetically sealing a fiber optic coupler for packaging end joined optical fibers, said method comprising the steps of: (a) positioning at least one first optical fiber having a glass-based portion having a first free end adjacent to a second optical fiber having a glass-based portion having a second free end; (b) forming an end joint between said first free end of the glass-based portion of said first optical fiber and said second optical fiber having a glass-based portion having a second free end; (c) surrounding said end joint with an outer chamber having at least one open end; (d) hermetically sealing said outer chamber and said end joint; and (e) evacuating said outer chamber to form a vacuum therein.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
123 words
A method for forming and hermetically sealing a fiber optic coupler for packaging end joined optical fibers, said method comprising the steps of: (a) positioning at least one first optical fiber having a glass-based portion having a first free end adjacent to a second optical fiber having a glass-based portion having a second free end; (b) forming an end joint between said first free end of the glass-based portion of said first optical fiber and said second optical fiber having a glass-based portion having a second free end; (c) forming an outer chamber surrounding said end joint with a clam-shell shaped, two-piece sleeve, said outer chamber having at least one open end; and (d) hermetically sealing said outer chamber and said end joint.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
123 words
A method for forming and hermetically sealing a fiber optic coupler for packaging end joined optical fibers, said method comprising the steps of: (a) positioning at least one first optical fiber having a glass-based portion having a first free end adjacent to a second optical fiber having a glass-based portion having a second free end; (b) forming an end joint between said first free end of the glass-based portion of said first optical fiber and said second optical fiber having a glass-based portion having a second free end; (c) forming an outer chamber surrounding said end joint with a clam-shell shaped, two-piece sleeve, said outer chamber having at least one open end; and (d) hermetically sealing said outer chamber and said end joint.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
173 words
A method for forming and hermetically sealing a fiber optic coupler for packaging end joined optical fibers, said method comprising the steps of: (a) positioning at least one first optical fiber having a glass-based portion having a first free end adjacent to a second optical fiber having a glass-based portion having a second free end; (b) forming an end joint between said first free end of the glass-based portion of said first optical fiber and said second optical fiber having a glass-based portion having a second free end; (c) positioning a primary tubular sleeve around said end joint; (d) tacking said glass-based portions of said first and second optical fibers to said primary tubular sleeve; (e) hermetically sealing the ends of said primary tubular sleeve with a thermosetting plastic; (f) surrounding said primary tubular sleeve and end joint with an outer chamber having at least one open end; (g) hermetically sealing said outer chamber and said end joint with a thermosetting plastic; and (h) evacuating said outer chamber to form a vacuum therein.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
173 words
A method for forming and hermetically sealing a fiber optic coupler for packaging end joined optical fibers, said method comprising the steps of: (a) positioning at least one first optical fiber having a glass-based portion having a first free end adjacent to a second optical fiber having a glass-based portion having a second free end; (b) forming an end joint between said first free end of the glass-based portion of said first optical fiber and said second optical fiber having a glass-based portion having a second free end; (c) positioning a primary tubular sleeve around said end joint; (d) tacking said glass-based portions of said first and second optical fibers to said primary tubular sleeve; (e) hermetically sealing the ends of said primary tubular sleeve with a thermosetting plastic; (f) surrounding said primary tubular sleeve and end joint with an outer chamber having at least one open end; (g) hermetically sealing said outer chamber and said end joint with a thermosetting plastic; and (h) evacuating said outer chamber to form a vacuum therein.
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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) | 2001-03-30 | 2001-09-29 | 2002-03-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-03-30 | 2005-09-29 | 2006-03-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-03-30 | 2009-09-29 | 2010-03-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |