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US4361380A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Optical fiber coupling means having spiral air vent passage

Assignee: Diamond SA
•
Filing: 1980-08-14
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Granted: 1982-11-30
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Expires: 2000-08-14
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Abstract

Abstract A light-conductor coupling means for coaxially connecting two optical fibres comprises two cylindrical end members, which contain the optical fibres, and a centering sleeve which receives and centers the end members with a precise fit. The centering sleeve, at its inner surface, and/or the cylindrical end members at their outer surfaces are provided with at least one spiral vent passage. The vent passage permits the air to escape when the two cylindrical end members are fitted together. The vent passage extends over the entire periphery of the inner surface so that the centricity of the arrangement is not detrimentally affected. In order to permit the cylindrical end members to be pushed together with a rapid movement, hollow cavities in the form of annular grooves in which the escaping air is temporarily compressed are also provided.

Inventors

  • 👤 Silvio Marazzi

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-23 19:57
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/36; G02B6/38; G02B6/3807; G02B6/3873; G02B6/3874; G02B6/3833; G02B6/3867; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S285/00; Y10S285/924

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim 58 words
A light conductor coupling means for coaxially connecting two optical fibres comprising two cylindrical end members each containing an optical fibre, a centering sleeve receiving and centering the end members with a precise fit and at least one spiral vent passage between the inner surface of the centering sleeve and the outer surfaces of the cylindrical end members.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 58 words
A light conductor coupling means for coaxially connecting two optical fibres comprising two cylindrical end members each containing an optical fibre, a centering sleeve receiving and centering the end members with a precise fit and at least one spiral vent passage between the inner surface of the centering sleeve and the outer surfaces of the cylindrical end members.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 23 words
A light-conductor coupling means as defined in claim 1, having a spiral vent passage formed on the inner surface of the centering sleeve.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 24 words
A light-conductor coupling means as defined in claim 1, having a spiral vent passage formed on the outer surface of the cylindrical end members.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 30 words
A light-conductor coupling means as defined in claim 1, wherein the spiral vent passage extends between the ends of the centering sleeve over the entire length of its inner surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 40 words
A light-conductor coupling means as defined in claim 1, wherein the spiral vent passage opens, in the region of the inner surface of the centering sleeve, between an end member and the inner surface into at least one hollow cavity.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 31 words
A light-conductor coupling means as defined in claim 5 wherein a plurality of hollow cavities in the form of annular grooves are provided in the inner surface of the centering sleeve.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 18 words
A light-conductor coupling means as defined in claim 1, wherein the vent passage is approximately V-shaped in cross-section.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 17 words
A light-conductor coupling means as defined in claim 1, wherein the centering sleeve is of sintered material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 18 words
A light-conductor coupling means as defined in claim 1, wherein the centering sleeve is of a monocrystalline material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 41 words
A light conductor coupling means as defined in claim 1, wherein the centering sleeve and the end members comprise a material with a Mohs' hardness of at least 8.5, at least at the surfaces which are in engagement with each other.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US4026633A Cited
US4142084A Cited
US4261644A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1985-11-29 1986-05-31 1986-11-30 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1989-11-29 1990-05-31 1990-11-30 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1993-11-29 1994-05-31 1994-11-30 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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