US3920982A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Continuous fiber optical transmit and receive terminal
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 1974-02-08
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Granted: 1975-11-18
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Expires: 1994-02-08
Abstract
Abstract An optical transmit and receive terminal controllably couples light energy out of a continuous fiber optic bundle by positioning a controllable acoustic energy source for transferring acoustic energy into the fiber optics to change its refractive index and thus diffract a portion of the transmitted light energy out of the continuous fiber optics without interrupting or severing any of the light transmitting fibers. A portion of transmitted light modulated with signal information may thus be diffracted out of a continuous fiber optic bundle for detection of the information contained therein without in any way interrupting the continuity of the optical fibers. In another mode of operation light energy transmitted along the continuous fiber optical path may be modulated with signal information by applying the signal information to control the acoustic energy source and accordingly diffract modulated amounts of light out of the continuous optical fibers so that the remaining light which continues to be transmitted along the fiber optic path is modulated commensurately with the signal information.
Inventors
- 👤 Jay H Harris
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 19:14
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/29; G02F1/33; G02F1/335; H; H04; H04B; H04B10/00; H04B10/25; H04B10/2589; H04B10/25891
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
127 words
An optical transmit and receive terminal for controllably coupling light energy out of a continuous fiber optic path comprising: a light source disposed to transfer light energy for transmission along said continuous fiber optic path; an acoustic energy source of determinable amplitude and frequency positioned to couple acoustic energy across said continuous fiber optic path for causing commensurate refractive index changes as a function of said amplitude and frequency; means for selectively controlling the actuation of said source of acoustic energy; and photo-sensitive means positioned proximate to said continuous fiber optic path for receiving light energy laterally diffracted out of said optical path by said refractive index changes and responsive to the diffracted light energy for producing an output signal commensurate with the diffracted light energy received.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
127 words
An optical transmit and receive terminal for controllably coupling light energy out of a continuous fiber optic path comprising: a light source disposed to transfer light energy for transmission along said continuous fiber optic path; an acoustic energy source of determinable amplitude and frequency positioned to couple acoustic energy across said continuous fiber optic path for causing commensurate refractive index changes as a function of said amplitude and frequency; means for selectively controlling the actuation of said source of acoustic energy; and photo-sensitive means positioned proximate to said continuous fiber optic path for receiving light energy laterally diffracted out of said optical path by said refractive index changes and responsive to the diffracted light energy for producing an output signal commensurate with the diffracted light energy received.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
60 words
An optical transmit and receive terminAl as claimed in claim 1 wherein said light source is modulated with signal information prior to transmission and said source of acoustic energy is operative to diffract a portion of transmitted light energy out of said continuous fiber optic path sufficient in amplitude for the detection of said signal information by said photo-sensitive means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
An optical transmit and receive terminal as claimed in claim 1 wherein said determinable amplitude and frequency of said acoustic energy source is commensurate with signal information for modulating transmitted light energy.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
49 words
An optical transmit and receive terminal as claimed in claim 1 including multiple adjacent acoustic energy sources disposed along said continuous fiber optic path and adapted to be actuated at a sequential rate dependent upon the average velocity of the light energy transmitted along said continuous fiber optic path.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
57 words
An optical transmit and receive terminal as claimed in claim 1 including an acoustic reflector spaced a predetermined distance from the fibers of said fiber optic path and having said acoustic energy source angularly disposed relative to said acoustic reflector for producing multiple reflections of acoustic energy between said acoustic reflector and said continuous fiber optic path.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
An optical transmit and receive terminal as claimed in claim 1 wherein said continuous fiber optic path comprises individual fibers aligned in side-by-side disposition proximate to said acoustic energy source.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
An optical transmit and receive terminal as claimed in claim 6 wherein said photo-sensitive means is positioned proximate to said individual fibers of said continuous fiber optic path and substantially opposite said acoustic energy source.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
An optical transmit and receive terminal as claimed in claim 7 and including an optically reflective means positioned between said individual fibers and said acoustic energy source for reflecting incident light to said photo-sensitive means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
41 words
An optical transmit and receive terminal as claimed in claim 8 including a second optically reflective means positioned opposite the other optically reflective means and having a window therein for permitting the passage of light energy therethrough to said photo-sensitive means.
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) | 1978-11-17 | 1979-05-19 | 1979-11-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-11-17 | 1983-05-19 | 1983-11-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-11-17 | 1987-05-19 | 1987-11-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |