US4708429A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical fiber assembly and optically coupled device package including same
Assignee: RCA Corp
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Filing: 1985-09-26
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Granted: 1987-11-24
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Expires: 2005-09-26
Abstract
Abstract An optically-coupled device package including a housing containing an optical device further includes an optical fiber assembly which comprises an optical cable with a support sleeve on its end. The support sleeve comprises a body with an axial opening therethrough and has a plurality of holes near a first end. The optical cable includes a first portion comprising a protective coating overlying an optical fiber, and a second portion comprising an optical fiber extending from said coating. The cable enters the first end of the sleeve and nodules integral with the protective coating extend into the plurality of holes. In one embodiment, the optical fiber is sealed to the inside of the sleeve through a solder window provided through the side of the sleeve. The second end of the sleeve extends through an aperture in said housing and is aligned to the device therein. The invention also includes a method for making such a fiber assembly which comprises inserting the optical cable into a first end of the sleeve, forming nodules integral with the protective coating which extend into the plurality of holes. The method may comprise sealing the optical fiber to the inside of the sleeve through a solder window in said sleeve. Fabrication of an optically-coupled device package further comprises inserting the fiber assembly through an aperture in said housing and aligning said fiber with the optical device therein.
Inventors
- 👤 David W. Clark
- 👤 Morton Freedman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 06:59
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/42; G02B6/4201; G02B6/4202; G02B6/4248; G02B6/44; G02B6/4401; G02B6/4415; G02B6/4427; G02B6/4428
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
107 words
An optical fiber assembly comprising: a support sleeve comprising a body with an opening extending axially therethrough and a plurality of anchor holes near a first end extending from said opening through the sides of said sleeve; and, an optical cable, inserted into said first end, including a first portion comprising a protective coating overlying an optical fiber and a second portion comprising a bare optical fiber extending from said coating, said protective coating extending within said support sleeve beneath the anchor holes, the protective coating including nodules formed integrally with said protective coating to extend into the anchor holes securing said cable to said support sleeve.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
107 words
An optical fiber assembly comprising: a support sleeve comprising a body with an opening extending axially therethrough and a plurality of anchor holes near a first end extending from said opening through the sides of said sleeve; and, an optical cable, inserted into said first end, including a first portion comprising a protective coating overlying an optical fiber and a second portion comprising a bare optical fiber extending from said coating, said protective coating extending within said support sleeve beneath the anchor holes, the protective coating including nodules formed integrally with said protective coating to extend into the anchor holes securing said cable to said support sleeve.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein said support sleeve further comprises an elongated, cylindrical body.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The assembly of claim 2 wherein the inside diameter of the opening is substantially equal to the diameter of the protective coating overlying said fiber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein said support sleeve further comprises a solder window extending through a side of said sleeve into said axial opening which window corresponds in position to said bare optical fiber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The assembly of claim 4 wherein said bare optical fiber is sealed to the inside of the sleeve in the area of the solder window.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
10 words
The assembly of claim 5 wherein said seal is hermetic.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
The assembly of claim 6 wherein said seal comprises layers of chromium and gold wetted to the bare optical fiber, a gold-tin alloy preform wetted to said gold layer, and a lead-tin alloy wetted between said preform and the inside wall of said sleeve.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The assembly of claim 4 wherein said support sleeve further comprises a test port through a side wall thereof, between said anchor holes and said solder window.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein said bare optical fiber extends beyond a second end of said support sleeve.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
151 words
An optically coupled device package comprising a housing with an aperture through a wall thereof; an optical device mounted within said housing; and, an optical fiber assembly comprising: a support sleeve comprising a body with an opening extending axially therethrough an a plurality of anchor holes near a first end extending from said opening through the sides of said sleeve; and, an optical cable, inserted into said first end, including a first portion comprising a protective coating overlying an optical fiber and a second portion comprising a bare optical fiber extending from said coating, said protective coating extending within said support sleeve beneath the anchor holes, the protective coating including nodules formed integrally with said protective coating to extend into the anchor holes securing said cable to said support sleeve, and a second end of the sleeve extending through said aperture and said bare optical fiber is aligned with said device.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
151 words
An optically coupled device package comprising a housing with an aperture through a wall thereof; an optical device mounted within said housing; and, an optical fiber assembly comprising: a support sleeve comprising a body with an opening extending axially therethrough an a plurality of anchor holes near a first end extending from said opening through the sides of said sleeve; and, an optical cable, inserted into said first end, including a first portion comprising a protective coating overlying an optical fiber and a second portion comprising a bare optical fiber extending from said coating, said protective coating extending within said support sleeve beneath the anchor holes, the protective coating including nodules formed integrally with said protective coating to extend into the anchor holes securing said cable to said support sleeve, and a second end of the sleeve extending through said aperture and said bare optical fiber is aligned with said device.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The package of claim 10 wherein said support sleeve further comprises an elongated, cylindrical body.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The package of claim 11 wherein the inside diameter of the opening is substantially equal to the diameter of the protective coating overlying said fiber.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
The package of claim 10 wherein said support sleeve further comprises a solder window extending through a side of said sleeve into said axial opening which window corresponds in position to said bare optical fiber.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
The package of claim 13 wherein said bare optical fiber is sealed to the inside of the sleeve in the area of the solder window.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
10 words
The package of claim 14 wherein said seal is hermetic.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
44 words
The package of claim 15 wherein said seal comprises layers of chromium and gold wetted to the bare optical fiber, a gold-tin alloy preform wetted to said gold layer, and a lead-tin alloy wetted between said preform and the inside wall of said sleeve.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
27 words
The package of claim 13 wherein said support sleeve further comprises a test port through a side wall thereof, between said anchor holes an said solder window.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
The package of claim 10 wherein said bare optical fiber extends beyond a second end of said support sleeve.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
166 words
A method for fabricating an optically coupled device package, which package includes an optical device within a housing and having an optical cable connected to said housing, comprising the steps of: (a) preparing an optical fiber assembly by: (1) providing a support sleeve comprising a body with an opening extending axially therethrough and a plurality of anchor holes near a first end, extending from said opening through the sides of said sleeve; (2) inserting an optical cable into said first end of said sleeve, which cable includes a first portion comprising a protective coating overlying an optical fiber and a second portion comprising a bare optical fiber extending from said coating, sand further wherein said protective coating is adjacent said anchor holes; and, (3) forming nodules integral with said protective coating which extend into said anchor holes to secure said cable to said support sleeve; (b) inserting the fiber assembly through an aperture in said housing; and (c) aligning said optical fiber with said optical device.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
166 words
A method for fabricating an optically coupled device package, which package includes an optical device within a housing and having an optical cable connected to said housing, comprising the steps of: (a) preparing an optical fiber assembly by: (1) providing a support sleeve comprising a body with an opening extending axially therethrough and a plurality of anchor holes near a first end, extending from said opening through the sides of said sleeve; (2) inserting an optical cable into said first end of said sleeve, which cable includes a first portion comprising a protective coating overlying an optical fiber and a second portion comprising a bare optical fiber extending from said coating, sand further wherein said protective coating is adjacent said anchor holes; and, (3) forming nodules integral with said protective coating which extend into said anchor holes to secure said cable to said support sleeve; (b) inserting the fiber assembly through an aperture in said housing; and (c) aligning said optical fiber with said optical device.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 19 wherein said nodules are formed by causing a portion of the protective coating to flow and solidify in the anchor holes.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 20 wherein the protective coating is caused to flow by heating.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 19 wherein said nodules are formed by inserting a material into said anchor holes and fusing said material to said protective coating.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 19 further comprising sealing the bare optical fiber to the inside of said sleeve.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 23 wherein step (a)(1) further comprises providing a support sleeve with a solder window through a side thereof, extending to said axial opening.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 24 wherein molten solder is introduced through said solder window and wetted to said bare optical fiber prior to step (b) to form a hermetic seal of the fiber to the sleeve.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 25 wherein a solder preform is wetted to said bare optical fiber prior to inserting said fiber into said sleeve.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 19 further including providing a support sleeve comprising an elongated cylindrical body wherein the inside diameter of said axial opening is substantially equal to the diameter of the protective coating.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 19 further comprising fastening said fiber assembly within said aperture subsequent to step (c).
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 28 wherein said fastening is accomplished by soldering.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 29 wherein said soldering forms a hermetic seal of said assembly to said housing.
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) | 1990-11-23 | 1991-05-25 | 1991-11-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-11-23 | 1995-05-25 | 1995-11-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-11-23 | 1999-05-25 | 1999-11-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |