Patent US4065203A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4065203A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Couplers for electro-optical elements
Assignee: U S Holding Co Inc
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Filing: 1975-12-10
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Granted: 1977-12-27
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Expires: 1995-12-10
Abstract
Abstract Rapid interconnection between electro-optical elements and optical fibers is provided by a two-piece coupler. One element consists of a light conducting fiber within a rigid support tube which is secured both to the electro-optical element support and to the electro-optical element cap. The other element consists of a dual diameter connector tube which fits over the support tube at one end and accommodates an optical fiber at the other end. Insertion of the optical fiber within the connector tube provides close optical coupling between the electro-optical element and the optical fiber by means of the light conducting fiber within the support tube.
Inventors
- 👤 James E. Goell
- 👤 H. David Brandt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 12:11
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/42; G02B6/4201; G02B6/4219; G02B6/4236; G02B6/4239; G02B6/4204; G02B6/421; H; H10; H10W; H10W72/00; H10W72/851; H10W72/874; H10W72/884
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
123 words
A coupler for connecting between optical fibers and electro-optical elements of the type having a supporting header comprising: first coupling means for providing optical connection with said electro-optical elements a connector optical fiber within a support tube fixedly attached to the header; and second coupling means for connecting between said optical fibers and said electro-optical elements when said fibers are connected with said second coupling means and said second coupling means are connected with said first coupling means, said second coupling means comprising a dual diameter tube for receiving the support tube at one end and at least one optical fiber at the other end for providing optical continuity between said at least one electro-optical element and said at least one optical fiber.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
123 words
A coupler for connecting between optical fibers and electro-optical elements of the type having a supporting header comprising: first coupling means for providing optical connection with said electro-optical elements a connector optical fiber within a support tube fixedly attached to the header; and second coupling means for connecting between said optical fibers and said electro-optical elements when said fibers are connected with said second coupling means and said second coupling means are connected with said first coupling means, said second coupling means comprising a dual diameter tube for receiving the support tube at one end and at least one optical fiber at the other end for providing optical continuity between said at least one electro-optical element and said at least one optical fiber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The coupler of claim 1 wherein the header includes a step portion of at least one surface thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The coupler of claim 2 wherein said support tube is fixedly attached to said step portion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The coupler of claim 1 wherein said first coupling means further includes a cap element.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The coupler of claim 4 wherein said cap element contains an aperture on one surface thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The coupler of claim 5 wherein said cap element is fixedly secured at an opposite end to said header.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The coupler of claim 6 wherein said support tube extends through said aperture and is fixedly attached to said cap element.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The coupler of claim 1 wherein said connector fiber is optically polised at both ends to provide good optical transmission in and out of said fiber.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The coupler of claim 1 wherein said electro-optical elements comprise at least one light emitting diode.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The coupler of claim 9 wherein said light emitting diode is a stripe source light emitting diode.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The coupler of claim 10 wherein said stripe source light emitting diode comprises a laser.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The coupler of claim 1 wherein said electro-optical elements comprise at least one light detector.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
The coupler of claim 12 wherein said light detector comprises a photoresponsive diode.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
34 words
The coupler of claim 2 wherein said header includes a second step portion wherein said support tube is supported on said second step portion and said connector fiber is supported on said step portion.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
38 words
The coupler of claim 2 wherein said connector fiber comprises silica and said support tube comprises plastic whereby said plastic support tube has a lower index of refraction than said silica to promote internal reflection within said fiber.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
13 words
The coupler of claim 1 wherein said dual diameter tube comprises a plastic.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
The coupler of claim 1 wherein said plastic dual diameter tube has a lower index of refraction than said silica core to provide total internal reflection within said tube.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
the coupler of claim 1 wherein said support tube and said dual diameter tube are composed of metal.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
The coupler of claim 1 wherein said support tube and said dual diameter tube are composed of glass.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
34 words
The coupler of claim 1 wherein the core of the coupling fiber is of diameter intermediate to the diameter of the core of the systems fiber and the active area of the optical element.
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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) | 1980-12-26 | 1981-06-27 | 1981-12-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-12-26 | 1985-06-27 | 1985-12-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-12-26 | 1989-06-27 | 1989-12-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |