US5815623A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical package with alignment means and method of assembling an optical package
Assignee: Stratos International Inc
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Filing: 1997-05-23
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Granted: 1998-09-29
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Expires: 2017-05-23
Abstract
Abstract An optical package is provided having a diode mounted to a substrate enclosed by a housing which includes a bore for receiving an optical waveguide and a focusing element adjacent the bore. The bore and focusing element are aligned along a common optical axis. An alignment means is associated with the housing for aligning the substrate along the optical axis.
Inventors
- 👤 Patrick B. Gilliland
- 👤 Scott C. Erickson
- 👤 Daniel S. Poplawski
- 👤 Luis Torres
- 👤 Donald Rimdzius
- 👤 Leonid Shatskin
- 👤 Roger Weiss
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 21:22
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/42; G02B6/4201; G02B6/4204; G02B6/4219; G02B6/422; G02B6/4225; G02B6/4236; G02B6/4244; G02B6/4245; G02B6/4292; G02B6/4237; G02B6/4238; G02B6/4251; G02B6/4256; G02B6/4262; G02B6/4263
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim
100 words
An optical package comprising: a substrate having an optical device mounted thereon; a plastic housing having a bore for receiving an optical waveguide, and an optics cavity axially aligned with the bore, the optics cavity further including a lens cavity formed therein between the optic cavity and the bore, the lens cavity being configured to receive an independent focusing element, and the optical cavity being configured to receive the optical device; a mounting member associated with the housing providing alignment maneuverability of the substrate relative to the housing, and providing a structure for fixedly securing the substrate to the housing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
100 words
An optical package comprising: a substrate having an optical device mounted thereon; a plastic housing having a bore for receiving an optical waveguide, and an optics cavity axially aligned with the bore, the optics cavity further including a lens cavity formed therein between the optic cavity and the bore, the lens cavity being configured to receive an independent focusing element, and the optical cavity being configured to receive the optical device; a mounting member associated with the housing providing alignment maneuverability of the substrate relative to the housing, and providing a structure for fixedly securing the substrate to the housing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The optical package of claim 1 wherein the mounting member comprises a separate insert at least partially insertable into the optics cavity.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The optical package of claim 2 wherein the insert has a base flange providing a planar surface for mounting the substrate thereto.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The optical package of claim 3 wherein the insert is formed of metal and the substrate is formed with metallized edges.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The optical package of claim 4 wherein the metallized edges of the substrate are soldered to the base flange of the metal insert.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The optical package of claim 4 wherein the metallized edges of the substrate are welded to the flange of the metal insert.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The optical package of claim 3 wherein the substrate member comprises a metal washer defining a center aperture.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The optical package of claim 3 wherein the substrate member comprises a metal plate having a plurality of clearance holes formed therein.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
49 words
The optical package of claim 1 wherein the mounting member comprises a plurality of mounting posts arranged around the optics cavity, and wherein the substrate defines a plurality of mounting holes corresponding to the mounting posts, the mounting holes having a larger cross sectional area than the mounting posts.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
51 words
The optical package of claim 9 wherein the mounting posts are formed of a reflowable plastic and the substrate is affixed to the housing by melting the posts into the mounting holes and forming a meniscus over each mounting hole, the menisci having a larger diameter than their corresponding mounting holes.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The optical package of claim 10 wherein the posts are melted using a CO 2 laser.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The optical package of claim 10 wherein the posts are melted by a directed jet of superheated compressed air.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
55 words
The optical package of claim 9 wherein the mounting posts are formed of a reflowable plastic, and the substrate is affixed to the housing by heating the posts to a semi-molten state and a rivet forming tool is used to compress the posts into the mounting holes forming a rivet head over the mounting holes.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
33 words
The optical package of claim 9 wherein a hot melt-epoxy is injected into the mounting holes forming a bond between the substrate and the mounting posts to secure the substrate to the housing.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
The optical package of claim 1 wherein the lens cavity further comprises a retaining feature for resiliently capturing the focusing element within the lens cavity.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
The optical package of claim 15 wherein the lens cavity defines a single entrance, and the retaining feature comprises a plurality of semi-compressible protrusions arrayed around the entrance to the lens cavity.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
13 words
The optical package of claim 16 wherein the single entrance adjoins the bore.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
The optical package of claim 16 wherein the single entrance adjoins the optics cavity.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
13 words
The optical package of claim 1 wherein the bore comprises a split bore.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
30 words
The optical package of claim 19 wherein the first bore is partially divided by at least one longitudinal slot extending over a portion of the axial length of the bore.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
The optical package of claim 1 wherein the focusing element comprises a spherical ball lens.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
18 words
The optical package of claim 1 wherein the lens cavity defines a single entrance adjoining the first bore.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
108 words
A method of constructing an optical package comprising the steps of: providing a plastic housing a waveguide receiving bore at a first end, an optics cavity at a second end, the housing including a plurality of mounting posts integrally molded with the housing and disposed around the optics cavity, and a focusing element disposed between the waveguide receiving bore and optics cavity, the focusing element and bore defining an optical axis; mounting an optical device on a substrate having a plurality of alignment holes formed therein configured to receive the mounting posts; aligning the optical device with the optical axis; and bonding the substrate to the mounting post.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
108 words
A method of constructing an optical package comprising the steps of: providing a plastic housing a waveguide receiving bore at a first end, an optics cavity at a second end, the housing including a plurality of mounting posts integrally molded with the housing and disposed around the optics cavity, and a focusing element disposed between the waveguide receiving bore and optics cavity, the focusing element and bore defining an optical axis; mounting an optical device on a substrate having a plurality of alignment holes formed therein configured to receive the mounting posts; aligning the optical device with the optical axis; and bonding the substrate to the mounting post.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 23 wherein the bonding step comprises reflowing the mounting posts into the mounting holes, and forming a meniscus over the holes extending partially over the substrate.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 23 wherein the bonding step comprises partially melting the mounting posts and using a rivet forming tool to compress the mounting posts so that the posts expand radially to fill the holes, and a domed rivet head is formed over the holes extending partially over the substrate.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 23 wherein the bonding step comprises injecting a hot melt epoxy into the mounting holes.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
94 words
A method of constructing an optical package comprising the steps of: providing a plastic housing having a waveguide receiving bore at a first end, an optics cavity at a second end, the housing including a metal insert at least partially insertable into the optics cavity, and a focusing element disposed between the waveguide receiving bore and optics cavity, the focusing element and bore defining an optical axis; mounting an optical device on a substrate formed with metallized edges; aligning the optical device with the optical axis; and bonding the substrate to the metal insert.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
94 words
A method of constructing an optical package comprising the steps of: providing a plastic housing having a waveguide receiving bore at a first end, an optics cavity at a second end, the housing including a metal insert at least partially insertable into the optics cavity, and a focusing element disposed between the waveguide receiving bore and optics cavity, the focusing element and bore defining an optical axis; mounting an optical device on a substrate formed with metallized edges; aligning the optical device with the optical axis; and bonding the substrate to the metal insert.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 27 wherein the bonding step comprises soldering the metallized edges of the substrate to the metal insert.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 28 wherein the bonding step comprises welding the metallized edges of the substrate to the metal insert.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5452389A
Cited
US5586208A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-09-28 | 2002-03-30 | 2002-09-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-09-28 | 2006-03-30 | 2006-09-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-09-28 | 2010-03-30 | 2010-09-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |