US5917641A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Frustrated total internal reflection device having a spacer and an endplate
Assignee: Optical Switch Corp
•
Filing: 1997-09-05
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Granted: 1999-06-29
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Expires: 2017-09-05
Abstract
Abstract A device for processing an optical signal includes a refractor with a reflecting surface for reflecting the optical signal by total internal reflection. The device also includes a switchplate and an actuator to place the switchplate into proximal contact with the refractor to frustrate the total internal reflection.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard H. Laughlin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 04:28
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B26/00; G02B26/02; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/26; G02B6/35; G02B6/351; G02B6/3522
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
107 words
A device for processing an optical signal, comprising: a refractor having a reflecting surface operable to reflect the optical signal by total internal reflection; an actuator having one end coupled to the refractor and an opposing end; an endplate having a surface coupled to the opposing end of the actuator; a spacer having one end coupled to the surface of the endplate and an opposing end; a switchplate coupled to the opposing end of the spacer, the switchplate having a first position spaced apart from the refractor and a second position in proximal contact with the refractor to frustrate the total internal reflection of the optical signal.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
107 words
A device for processing an optical signal, comprising: a refractor having a reflecting surface operable to reflect the optical signal by total internal reflection; an actuator having one end coupled to the refractor and an opposing end; an endplate having a surface coupled to the opposing end of the actuator; a spacer having one end coupled to the surface of the endplate and an opposing end; a switchplate coupled to the opposing end of the spacer, the switchplate having a first position spaced apart from the refractor and a second position in proximal contact with the refractor to frustrate the total internal reflection of the optical signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 1, wherein the spacer comprises an annular member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 1, wherein the spacer is made of glass.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
9 words
The device of claim 1, wherein the switchplate circular.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
10 words
The device of claim 1, wherein the actuator is cylindrical.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The device of claim 1, wherein: the actuator, the endplate, and the refractor define a first chamber; and the spacer, the endplate, and the switchplate define a second chamber.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
The device of claim 1, wherein the actuator comprises a piezoelectric transducer operable to position the switchplate in a selected one of the first position and the second position in response to a control signal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
The device of claim 1, wherein the switchplate further comprises a contact surface having a contact area operable proximally to contact the refractor, the contact area being a portion of the total area of the contact surface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
The device of claim 1, wherein the switchplate further comprises a contact surface, and wherein one of the contact surface of the switchplate and the reflecting surface of the refractor is convex.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
The device of claim 1, wherein the switchplate further comprises: a contact surface operable proximally to contact the refractor; and a reflective surface having a bias angle with respect to the contact surface.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
11 words
The device of claim 1, wherein the refractor is a prism.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 1, wherein the one end of the actuator is coupled to the reflecting surface of the refractor.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
48 words
The device of claim 1, further comprising: a first conductive element on the switchplate; and a second conductive element displaced from the first conductive element, wherein the first and second conductive elements form a capacitor having a capacitance which represents the spacing between the switchplate and the refractor.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
41 words
The device of claim 1, further comprising: a second actuator having one end coupled to an opposing surface of the endplate, and an opposing end; and a support member coupled to the refractor and the opposing end of the second actuator.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
147 words
A method for frustrating the total internal reflection of an optical signal comprising the steps of: providing an optical signal at an input surface of a refractor; reflecting the optical signal at a reflective surface of the refractor by total internal reflection such that the optical signal exits the refractor at a first position on an output surface of the refractor; activating an actuator in response to a control signal; displacing an endplate coupled to the actuator and a spacer coupled to the endplate in response to activating the actuator; placing a switchplate coupled to the spacer in proximal contact with the reflective surface of the refractor in response to displacing the endplate and the spacer; and reflecting the optical signal at a reflective surface of the switchplate such that the optical signal exits the refractor at a second position on the output surface of the refractor.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
147 words
A method for frustrating the total internal reflection of an optical signal comprising the steps of: providing an optical signal at an input surface of a refractor; reflecting the optical signal at a reflective surface of the refractor by total internal reflection such that the optical signal exits the refractor at a first position on an output surface of the refractor; activating an actuator in response to a control signal; displacing an endplate coupled to the actuator and a spacer coupled to the endplate in response to activating the actuator; placing a switchplate coupled to the spacer in proximal contact with the reflective surface of the refractor in response to displacing the endplate and the spacer; and reflecting the optical signal at a reflective surface of the switchplate such that the optical signal exits the refractor at a second position on the output surface of the refractor.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 15, wherein the step of activating an actuator comprises activating a piezoelectric device.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 15, wherein the step of activating an actuator comprises: activating a first transducer coupled to the endplate; and activating a second transducer coupled to the endplate and a support member.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 15, wherein the switchplate comprises: a contact surface; and a reflective surface having a bias angle with respect to the contact surface.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 15, wherein the refractor comprises a reflective surface coated with an optically absorptive or optically reflective material.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
120 words
A device for processing an optical signal, comprising: a refractor having a reflecting surface operable to reflect the optical signal by total internal reflection; a cylindrical piezoelectric transducer stack having one end coupled to the refractor and an opposing end; an endplate having a surface coupled to the opposing end of the transducer stack; an annular glass spacer having one end coupled to the surface of the endplate and an opposing end; a circular switchplate coupled to the opposing end of the spacer along the periphery of the switchplate, the switchplate having a first position spaced apart from the refractor and a second position in proximal contact with the refractor to frustrate the total internal reflection of the optical signal.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
120 words
A device for processing an optical signal, comprising: a refractor having a reflecting surface operable to reflect the optical signal by total internal reflection; a cylindrical piezoelectric transducer stack having one end coupled to the refractor and an opposing end; an endplate having a surface coupled to the opposing end of the transducer stack; an annular glass spacer having one end coupled to the surface of the endplate and an opposing end; a circular switchplate coupled to the opposing end of the spacer along the periphery of the switchplate, the switchplate having a first position spaced apart from the refractor and a second position in proximal contact with the refractor to frustrate the total internal reflection of the optical signal.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
50 words
The device of claim 20, wherein the switchplate further comprises: a contact surface having a contact area for proximally contacting the refractor, the contact area being a portion of the total area of the contact surface; and a reflective surface having a bias angle with respect to the contact surface.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
32 words
The device of claim 20, wherein the switchplate further comprises a contact surface, and wherein one of the contact surface of the switchplate and the reflecting surface of the refractor is convex.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
11 words
The device of claim 20, wherein the refractor is a prism.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
48 words
The device of claim 20, further comprising: a first conductive element on the switchplate; and a second conductive element displaced from the first conductive element, wherein the first and second conductive elements form a capacitor having a capacitance which represents the spacing between the switchplate and the refractor.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
45 words
The device of claim 20, further comprising: a second piezoelectric transducer stack having one end coupled to an opposing surface of the endplate, and an opposing end; and a support member coupled to the refractor and the opposing end of the second piezoelectric transducer stack.
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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) | 2002-06-28 | 2002-12-28 | 2003-06-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-06-28 | 2006-12-28 | 2007-06-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-06-28 | 2010-12-28 | 2011-06-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |