US3859536A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical communication system source-detector pair
Assignee: Corning Glass Works
•
Filing: 1974-01-07
•
Granted: 1975-01-07
•
Expires: 1994-01-07
Abstract
Abstract A source-detector pair for injecting optical signals into the endface of an optical waveguide bundle and extracting and detecting optical signals emanating from the bundle endface. An optical detector is axially aligned with the waveguide bundle and is separated therefrom by an optical mixer rod. An edge-emitting solid state source is disposed on that side of the detector opposite the mixer rod. Light radiating from the bundle endface is propagated through the mixer rod and impinges upon the detector. Light emitted from the periphery of the source is reflected and propagates past the detector to the mixer rod from which it emerges and illuminates in a relatively uniform fashion the optical waveguide bundle endface.
Inventors
- 👤 Frank L Thiel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 17:08
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04B; H04B10/00; H04B10/40; G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/26; G02B6/28; G02B6/2804; G02B6/2808; G02B6/42; G02B6/4201; G02B6/4204; G02B6/4212; G02B6/4214; G02B6/4246; H10; H10F; H10F55/00; H10F55/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
140 words
In an optical communication system of the type comprising an optical waveguide bundle for bidirectionally propagating optical signals, a bundle termination device comprising, in axial alignment with an end portion of said bundle, optical mixer means having first and second opposed endfaces, said mixer means being characterized in that light received at any point on either endface thereof is distributed across the opposite endface, said first mixer endface being disposed adjacent to the endface of said end portion of said bundle, a solid state light detector disposed adjacent to said second endface of said mixer means, an edge-emitting solid state light source disposed on that side of said detector opposite said mixer means, and means disposed in light receiving relationship with respect to said source for reflecting light emitted from said source toward said second endface of said mixer means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
140 words
In an optical communication system of the type comprising an optical waveguide bundle for bidirectionally propagating optical signals, a bundle termination device comprising, in axial alignment with an end portion of said bundle, optical mixer means having first and second opposed endfaces, said mixer means being characterized in that light received at any point on either endface thereof is distributed across the opposite endface, said first mixer endface being disposed adjacent to the endface of said end portion of said bundle, a solid state light detector disposed adjacent to said second endface of said mixer means, an edge-emitting solid state light source disposed on that side of said detector opposite said mixer means, and means disposed in light receiving relationship with respect to said source for reflecting light emitted from said source toward said second endface of said mixer means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A system in accordance with claim 1 further comprising light focusing means disposed between said detector and said second endface of said mixer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
A system in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a housing having a wall forming a cavity therein, said source and said detector being potted in said cavity by a transparent adhesive, said light reflecting means being disposed on the cavity forming wall of said housing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
A system in accordance with claim 3 wherein the surface of said adhesive which faces said second endface of said mixing means is curved to focus light reflecting from said reflector onto said second mixer endface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
A system in accordance with claim 4 wherein said curved surface of said adhesive is spaced from said second mixer endface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
A system in accordance with claim 5 wherein said detector is spaced from said source.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system in accordance with claim 6 wherein the cavity forming wall of said housing is parabolically shaped.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system in accordance with claim 5 wherein said detector is disposed upon a surface of said source.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
45 words
A system in accordance with claim 3 wherein the area of the surface of said detector facing said mixer means is smaller than that of the second endface of said mixer means, said second endface of said mixer means being in contact with said adhesive.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system in accordance with claim 9 wherein the surface of said adhesive which contacts said mixer means is flat.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-01-06 | 1978-07-08 | 1979-01-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-01-06 | 1982-07-08 | 1983-01-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-01-06 | 1986-07-08 | 1987-01-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |