US4068920A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flexible wave guide for laser light transmission
Assignee: University of Southern California
•
Filing: 1976-08-20
•
Granted: 1978-01-17
•
Expires: 1996-08-20
Abstract
Abstract A flexible hollow rectangular wave guide for transmission of radiation in the infrared portion of the spectrum, including infrared laser radiation. A wave guide which may be bent and twisted while providing low loss transmission of infrared radiation. An all metal wave guide with the width to heighth ratio at least 4 to 1. A wave guide with metal surfaces on the long dimension and dielectric surfaces on the short dimension and having a width to height ratio at least 2 to 1.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael Bass
- 👤 Elsa Garmire
- 👤 Thomas R. McMahon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 13:15
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/02; G02B6/032; G02B6/10; G02B6/102
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
74 words
A hollow rectangular wave guide for transmission of radiation in the infrared portion of the spectrum, comprising: top and bottom walls of thin flexible material with metal inner surfaces spaced apart a distance a; and side walls of a flexible material and spaced apart a distance b, with the ratio of b/a at least about 4/1 and with each of a and b at least about ten times the wavelength of the infrared radiation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
74 words
A hollow rectangular wave guide for transmission of radiation in the infrared portion of the spectrum, comprising: top and bottom walls of thin flexible material with metal inner surfaces spaced apart a distance a; and side walls of a flexible material and spaced apart a distance b, with the ratio of b/a at least about 4/1 and with each of a and b at least about ten times the wavelength of the infrared radiation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
A wave guide as defined in claim 1 wherein said side walls have metal inner surfaces.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
A wave guide as defined in claim 1 wherein said side walls have dielectric inner surfaces.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
A wave guide as defined in claim 1 wherein said side walls are metal with a dielectric layer at the inner face of each.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
A wave guide as defined in claim 1 wherein said walls have continuous smooth inner surfaces.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A wave guide as defined in claim 1 wherein said top and bottom walls are metal strips with said side walls fixed therebetween.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
A wave guide as defined in claim 1 wherein said top and bottom walls are metal strips and said side walls are of a photoresist material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
A wave guide as defined in claim 7 including a metallic layer on the inner surfaces of said side walls.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
A wave guide as defined in claim 1 wherein said top and bottom walls are metal strips joined together at parallel grooves which form said side walls.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
A wave guide as defined in claim 1 including a first L shaped strip forming said top wall and one of said side walls, and a second L-shaped strip forming said bottom wall and the other of said side walls.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
75 words
A hollow rectangular wave guide for transmission of radiation in the infrared portion of the spectrum, comprising: top and bottom walls of thin flexible material with metal inner surfaces spaced apart a distance a; and side walls of flexible material with dielectric inner surfaces spaced apart a distance b, with the ratio of b/a at least 2/1 and with each of a and b at least about ten times the wavelength of the infrared radiation.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
75 words
A hollow rectangular wave guide for transmission of radiation in the infrared portion of the spectrum, comprising: top and bottom walls of thin flexible material with metal inner surfaces spaced apart a distance a; and side walls of flexible material with dielectric inner surfaces spaced apart a distance b, with the ratio of b/a at least 2/1 and with each of a and b at least about ten times the wavelength of the infrared radiation.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
A wave guide as defined in claim 11 wherein said side walls are metal with a dielectric layer at the inner face of each.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
33 words
A wave guide as defined in claim 11 wherein said top and bottom walls are metal strips and said side walls are metal with a dielectric layer at the inner face of each.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
A wave guide as defined in claim 11 wherein said walls have continuous smooth inner surfaces.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
A wave guide as defined in claim 11 wherein said top and bottom walls are metal strips and said side walls are of a photoresist material.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
56 words
A wave guide as defined in claim 11 including: a second hollow rectangular wave guide; first means joining said wave guides in spaced relation along side walls thereof, with openings in the adjacent side walls providing communication from one wave guide to the other between spaced plates; and means for varying the spacing of said plates.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
56 words
A wave guide as defined in claim 1 including: a second hollow rectangular wave guide; first means joining said wave guides in spaced relation along side walls thereof, with openings in the adjacent side walls providing communication from one wave guide to the other between spaced plates; and means for varying the spacing of said plates.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3583786A
Cited
US3939439A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-01-16 | 1981-07-18 | 1982-01-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-01-16 | 1985-07-18 | 1986-01-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-01-16 | 1989-07-18 | 1990-01-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |