US4756591A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device for releasable coupling of an optical fiber to an optoelectronic component
Assignee: Siemens AG
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Filing: 1985-02-06
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Granted: 1988-07-12
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Expires: 2005-02-06
Abstract
Abstract A device for releasably coupling an optical fiber to an optoelectronic component comprises a support (3) having a V-shaped groove (2) cut into it for holding an optical fiber. The fiber terminates with its end face opposite an optoelectronic component (1) fixed on the same support (3). The optical fiber is fixed in the groove (2) by means of spring force (5) which acts on holding elements (16,17) as well as plastic layers (15) that press the fiber into the groove (2).
Inventors
- 👤 Karl Fischer
- 👤 Werner Spaeth
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 10:22
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/42; G02B6/4292; G02B6/36; G02B6/38; G02B6/3807; G02B6/3833; G02B6/3834; G02B6/3838; G02B6/4201; G02B6/4204; G02B6/4219; G02B6/4228; G02B6/423; G02B6/4249; G02B6/3628; G02B6/3648; G02B6/3652; G02B6/3684; G02B6/3692; G02B6/4236
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
159 words
A device for the detachable coupling of an optical fiber to an optoelectronic component, the device comprising: an integral support having means for retaining the optoelectronic component and having a V-shaped groove therein for receiving the end of the optical fiber, said retaining means and said groove having a predetermined orientation such that the end face of the optical fiber is aligned with the active surface of the component for optimum transmission of radiation; means for applying a spring force to hold the optical fiber in said groove; said spring force applying means includes two holding elements disposed on the side of said optical fiber opposite to said groove and spring means for applying an independent compressional force to each of said two holding elements; and said two holding elements comprising a metal portion and including a resilient layer disposed between said two holding elements and the optical fiber while engaged and for detaching the optical fiber while disengaged.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
159 words
A device for the detachable coupling of an optical fiber to an optoelectronic component, the device comprising: an integral support having means for retaining the optoelectronic component and having a V-shaped groove therein for receiving the end of the optical fiber, said retaining means and said groove having a predetermined orientation such that the end face of the optical fiber is aligned with the active surface of the component for optimum transmission of radiation; means for applying a spring force to hold the optical fiber in said groove; said spring force applying means includes two holding elements disposed on the side of said optical fiber opposite to said groove and spring means for applying an independent compressional force to each of said two holding elements; and said two holding elements comprising a metal portion and including a resilient layer disposed between said two holding elements and the optical fiber while engaged and for detaching the optical fiber while disengaged.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The device recited in claim 1, wherein said groove is stepped to provide a matched support for a portion of the optical fiber which is bare and a portion which has a protective cover.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device recited in claim 1, wherein said resilient layer is an elastomer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device recited in claim 1, wherein said holding elements are coated with said resilient layer comprising plastic.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device recited in claim 1, wherein said support is made of a silicon crystal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device recited in claim 5, wherein said silicon crystal is provided with metallization.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device recited in claim 1, further comprising lens means arranged between said active surface of the optoelectronic component and said end face of the optical fiber.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The device recited in claim 1, wherein the optoelectronic component is a second optical fiber and said active surface of the component is the end face of the second optical fiber.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
41 words
The device recited in claim 1, wherein said support is provided with flutes, said device further comprising at least one holding element having claws which engage said flutes, said holding element being adapted to fix the optical fiber in said groove.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device recited in claim 9, wherein said flutes are cut into the sides of openings provided in said support.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device recited in claim 10, wherein said openings are slot-shaped recesses.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device recited in claim 9, wherein said flutes are cut into the lateral faces of said support and extend parallel to said groove.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device recited in claim 1, wherein said groove has a slanting depth.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
142 words
A device for the detachable coupling of an optical fiber to an optoelectronic component, the device comprising: an integral support body having means for retaining the optoelectronic component and having a V-shaped groove therein for receiving the end of the optical fiber, said retaining means and said groove having a predetermined orientation such that the end face of the optical fiber is aligned with the active surface of the component for optimum transmission of radiation; said groove being stepped to provide two different axially aligned V-grooves serving as a matched support adapted dimensionally for a portion of the optical fiber which is bare and adapted dimensionally for a portion which has a protective cover; and means for applying a spring force to hold and in alignment the optical fiber in said groove while engaged and for detaching the optical fiber while disengaged.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
142 words
A device for the detachable coupling of an optical fiber to an optoelectronic component, the device comprising: an integral support body having means for retaining the optoelectronic component and having a V-shaped groove therein for receiving the end of the optical fiber, said retaining means and said groove having a predetermined orientation such that the end face of the optical fiber is aligned with the active surface of the component for optimum transmission of radiation; said groove being stepped to provide two different axially aligned V-grooves serving as a matched support adapted dimensionally for a portion of the optical fiber which is bare and adapted dimensionally for a portion which has a protective cover; and means for applying a spring force to hold and in alignment the optical fiber in said groove while engaged and for detaching the optical fiber while disengaged.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
151 words
Apparatus for detachably coupling an optical fiber to an optoelectronic component, the apparatus comprising: an integral support member having means for retaining the optoelectronic component and having a V-shaped groove therein adapted to receive a portion of the optical fiber, the integral support member further having a rectangular recess in the region immediately adjacent to the means for retaining the optoelectronic component, a rectangular member having a V-shaped groove on its exterior substantially aligned with the V-shaped groove of the integral support member adapted for insertion into the rectangular recess and capable of lateral movement within said rectangular recess for precise alignment of the end of the optical fiber with the optoelectronic component, and clamping means extending over the fiber and both of the v-grooves for maintaining the precise alignment between the end of the optical fiber and the optoelectronic component while engaged and for detaching the optical fiber while disengaged.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
151 words
Apparatus for detachably coupling an optical fiber to an optoelectronic component, the apparatus comprising: an integral support member having means for retaining the optoelectronic component and having a V-shaped groove therein adapted to receive a portion of the optical fiber, the integral support member further having a rectangular recess in the region immediately adjacent to the means for retaining the optoelectronic component, a rectangular member having a V-shaped groove on its exterior substantially aligned with the V-shaped groove of the integral support member adapted for insertion into the rectangular recess and capable of lateral movement within said rectangular recess for precise alignment of the end of the optical fiber with the optoelectronic component, and clamping means extending over the fiber and both of the v-grooves for maintaining the precise alignment between the end of the optical fiber and the optoelectronic component while engaged and for detaching the optical fiber while disengaged.
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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) | 1991-07-12 | 1992-01-11 | 1992-07-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-07-12 | 1996-01-11 | 1996-07-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-07-12 | 2000-01-11 | 2000-07-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |