US4399541A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Light emitting device package having combined heater/cooler
Assignee: Nortel Networks Ltd
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Filing: 1981-02-17
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Granted: 1983-08-16
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Expires: 2001-02-17
Abstract
Abstract A known electro-optic has a semiconductor laser, a temperature sensor for controlling an electrically operated cooler, and an optical fiber end portion anchored close to the laser to receive light from it. Usually the fiber is anchored by a mass of cured epoxy. This invention proposes anchoring the fiber in a mass of fusible alloy which is melted and solidified using a Peltier effect device which is driven with one polarity current to function as a heater and with a reverse polarity current to function as a cooler. Once the package is complete and the laser is operating, the temperature sensor together with the Peltier effect device functioning as a cooler are used to cool the laser.
Inventors
- 👤 Tibor F. I. Kovats
- 👤 Tibor F. Devenyi
- 👤 Christopher M. Look
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 07:53
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S5/00; H01S5/02; H01S5/024; H01S5/02407; H01S5/02415; G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/42; G02B6/4201; G02B6/4202; G02B6/4248; H01S5/022; H01S5/02208; H01S5/02216; H01S5/0225; H01S5/02251; H01S5/023; H01S5/02325; H01S5/02438
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
88 words
An electro-optic package comprising: a housing containing a thermoelectric device, a thermally conducting block contacting a thermoelectric device, and a light emitting device and a mass of fusible alloy supported on the block, the light emitting device spaced from the mass of fusible alloy, the thermoelectric device operable in one mode when a voltage of one polarity is applied thereto to heat and thereby melt the fusible alloy and operable in another mode when a voltage of reverse polarity is applied thereto to cool the light emitting device.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
88 words
An electro-optic package comprising: a housing containing a thermoelectric device, a thermally conducting block contacting a thermoelectric device, and a light emitting device and a mass of fusible alloy supported on the block, the light emitting device spaced from the mass of fusible alloy, the thermoelectric device operable in one mode when a voltage of one polarity is applied thereto to heat and thereby melt the fusible alloy and operable in another mode when a voltage of reverse polarity is applied thereto to cool the light emitting device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
An electro-optic package as claimed in claim 1, in which a portion of an optical fiber is anchored in said mass of fusible alloy in a position in which an end surface of the fiber is exposed and an emitting region of the light emitting device faces an end surface of the fiber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
An electro-optic package as claimed in claim 1, in which the fusible alloy has a melting point in the range 85° C. to 100° C.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
An electro-optic package as claimed in claim 3, in which the fusible alloy contains indium.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
An electro-optic package as claimed in claim 1, in which the thermoelectric device is a Peltier effect device.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
An electro-optic package as claimed in claim 1, in which the housing also contains a thermister connected to terminals of the package for monitoring temperature in the package.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
An electro-optic package as claimed in claim 6, in which the temperature sensor includes a thermistor contacting said thermoelectric device surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
An electro-optic package as claimed in claim 6, in which the temperature sensor is one element of an electrical sensing circuit, the electrical sensing circuit having an output to a feedback loop, the output of the feedback loop controlling the thermoelectric device.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
An electro-optic package as claimed in claim 1, in which the housing is hermetically sealed.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
An electro-optic package as claimed in claim 1 in which the block has a step therein, the light emitting device mounted above the step and the mass of alloy positioned below it.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
An electro-optic package as claimed in claim 10 in which a channel extends into the block at a base of the step.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
174 words
A method of operating a thermoelectric device functioning as a heater when a voltage of a first polarity is applied thereto and functioning as a cooler when a voltage of reverse polarity is applied thereto, said thermoelectric device housed within an electro-optic package which also houses a light emitting device, the light emitting device being mounted in thermally conducting relationship to the thermoelectric device, the method comprising: operating the thermoelectric device in a heating mode to melt a mass of low melting point alloy supported thereon whereby to convert said mass to molten alloy, leading one end of an optical fiber into the package, manipulating the fiber end to obtain a predetermined positional relationship between the fiber end surface and the light emitting device with part of the fiber end portion within the molten alloy, discontinuing heating whereby to solidify the molten alloy and thereby anchor the fiber end and subsequently, in operating the light emitting device, applying a voltage of reverse polarity to the thermoelectric device thereby to cool the light emitting device.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
174 words
A method of operating a thermoelectric device functioning as a heater when a voltage of a first polarity is applied thereto and functioning as a cooler when a voltage of reverse polarity is applied thereto, said thermoelectric device housed within an electro-optic package which also houses a light emitting device, the light emitting device being mounted in thermally conducting relationship to the thermoelectric device, the method comprising: operating the thermoelectric device in a heating mode to melt a mass of low melting point alloy supported thereon whereby to convert said mass to molten alloy, leading one end of an optical fiber into the package, manipulating the fiber end to obtain a predetermined positional relationship between the fiber end surface and the light emitting device with part of the fiber end portion within the molten alloy, discontinuing heating whereby to solidify the molten alloy and thereby anchor the fiber end and subsequently, in operating the light emitting device, applying a voltage of reverse polarity to the thermoelectric device thereby to cool the light emitting device.
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) | 1986-08-15 | 1987-02-14 | 1987-08-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-08-15 | 1991-02-14 | 1991-08-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-08-15 | 1995-02-14 | 1995-08-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |