US5764840A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical fiber with enhanced light collection and illumination and having highly controlled emission and acceptance patterns
Assignee: Cirrex Systems LLC
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Filing: 1995-11-20
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Granted: 1998-06-09
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Expires: 2015-11-20
Abstract
Abstract An optical fiber, including a cylindrical core of light conducting material having a first refractive index, surrounded by a cladding having a second refractive index that is lower than the first refractive index. The optical fiber includes at least one endface formed with a cone tip for controlling the characteristics of light entering or exiting the fiber. The polish angle of the cone tip can be selected according to the desired emergence/acceptance properties of the fiber.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael Leonard Wach
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 05:00
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/42; G02B6/4201; G02B6/4202; G02B6/4203; G02B6/04; G02B6/241; G02B6/26; G02B6/262; G02B6/02; G02B6/02052
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
91 words
An optical fiber comprising: a cylindrical core having a first refractive index, said core comprising a light conducting material; a cladding surrounding said cylindrical core, said cladding having a second refractive index lower than said first refractive index; said cylindrical core having an endface formed with a cone tip having a polish angle, said polish angle defined as the angle between the cone base and the cone side; said cone tip defining an acceptance angle for receiving light incident upon said endface; said polish angle selected to control said acceptance angle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
91 words
An optical fiber comprising: a cylindrical core having a first refractive index, said core comprising a light conducting material; a cladding surrounding said cylindrical core, said cladding having a second refractive index lower than said first refractive index; said cylindrical core having an endface formed with a cone tip having a polish angle, said polish angle defined as the angle between the cone base and the cone side; said cone tip defining an acceptance angle for receiving light incident upon said endface; said polish angle selected to control said acceptance angle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The optical fiber of claim 1, further comprising a window positioned across said cone tip, said window forming a chamber between the inside of said window and said cone tip.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The optical fiber of claim 2, wherein said chamber is filled with a gas having a known refractive index.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The optical fiber of claim 2, wherein said cone tip is formed to reject reflected energy from said window.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The optical fiber of claim 1, wherein said cone tip is formed with a flat end so that said endface is a frustum of a cone.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The optical fiber of claim 5, wherein said endface controls light by internal reflection at the inner walls of said frustum of said cone.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
11 words
The optical fiber of claim 1, wherein said cladding is air.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The optical fiber of claim 1, wherein said cylindrical core defines a central longitudinal axis, and said cone tip is positioned centered about said central longitudinal axis.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The optical fiber of claim 1, wherein said cylindrical core defines a central longitudinal axis, and said cone tip is positioned off-centered from said central longitudinal axis.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The optical fiber of claim 1, wherein said cone tip is formed with compound angles.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The optical fiber of claim 1, wherein said optical fiber is a single mode fiber.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The optical fiber of claim 1, wherein said optical fiber is a gradient index fiber.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
The optical fiber of claim 1, wherein said endface controls light by internal reflection.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
The optical fiber of claim 1, wherein said endface controls light by refraction.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
33 words
The optical fiber of claim 1, wherein said endface is housed in an open-ended sleeve with the distal surface of said sleeve extending at least even with the distal tip of said endface.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
87 words
An optical fiber, comprising: a cylindrical core having a first refractive index, said core comprising a light conducting material; a cladding surrounding said cylindrical core, said cladding having a second refractive index lower than said first refractive index; said cylindrical core having an endface formed with a cone tip having a polish angle said polish angle defined as the angle between the cone base and the cone side; said cone tip defining an emergence angle for emitting light; said polish angle selected to control said emergence angle.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
87 words
An optical fiber, comprising: a cylindrical core having a first refractive index, said core comprising a light conducting material; a cladding surrounding said cylindrical core, said cladding having a second refractive index lower than said first refractive index; said cylindrical core having an endface formed with a cone tip having a polish angle said polish angle defined as the angle between the cone base and the cone side; said cone tip defining an emergence angle for emitting light; said polish angle selected to control said emergence angle.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
The optical fiber of claim 16, further comprising a window positioned across said cone tip, said window forming a chamber between the inside of said window and said cone tip.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
The optical fiber of claim 17, wherein said chamber is filled with a gas having a known refractive index.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
26 words
The optical fiber of claim 16, wherein said cone tip is formed with a flat end so that said endface is a frustum of a cone.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
The optical fiber of claim 19, wherein said endface controls light by internal reflection at the inner walls of said frustum of said cone.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
11 words
The optical fiber of claim 16, wherein said cladding is air.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
27 words
The optical fiber of claim 16, wherein said cylindrical core defines a central longitudinal axis, and said cone tip is positioned centered about said central longitudinal axis.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
27 words
The optical fiber of claim 16, wherein said cylindrical core defines a central longitudinal axis, and said cone tip is positioned off-centered from said central longitudinal axis.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
29 words
The optical fiber of claim 16, wherein said cone tip is formed to prevent light energy from reflecting off said window toward a component adjacent to said optical fiber.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
15 words
The optical fiber of claim 16, wherein said cone tip is formed with compound angles.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
23 words
The optical fiber of claim 16, wherein said endface minimizes back propagation of outgoing light which has been back reflected from said endface.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
15 words
The optical fiber of claim 16, wherein said optical fiber is a single mode fiber.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
15 words
The optical fiber of claim 16, wherein said optical fiber is a gradient index fiber.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
14 words
The optical fiber of claim 16, wherein said endface controls light by internal reflection.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
13 words
The optical fiber of claim 16, wherein said endface controls light by refraction.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
33 words
The optical fiber of claim 16, wherein said endface is housed in an open-ended sleeve with the distal surface of said sleeve extending at least even with the distal tip of said endface.
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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) | 2001-06-08 | 2001-12-08 | 2002-06-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-06-08 | 2005-12-08 | 2006-06-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-06-08 | 2009-12-08 | 2010-06-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |