US5133030A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fiber optic switch having a curved reflector
Assignee: EIDP Inc
•
Filing: 1991-07-26
•
Granted: 1992-07-21
•
Expires: 2011-07-26
Abstract
Abstract A switch for controlling the transmission of light from a first optical fiber to at least a second optical fiber or from a single bidirectional optical fiber back to itself includes a housing having a spherical concave reflector mounted therewithin. Fiber mounting means is provided for mounting optical fiber(s) at a predetermined location within the housing such that at least a portion of a beam of light emanating from the end face of one fiber propagates along an incidence path toward the reflector from which it is reflected by the curved concave reflector along a predetermined reflectance path. A light interrupter is mounted within the housing for switchable movement between a light transmissive state and a light interruptive state. A light absorbing member is positioned such that residual light reflected from the light interrupter is directed toward and absorbed by the light absorbing member. A switch presence indicator for providing an indication that the light interrupter is disposed in the interdiction position may also be included.
Inventors
- 👤 Jerald D. Lee
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 11:43
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/26; G02B6/35; G02B6/351; G02B6/3512; G02B6/28; G02B6/2804; G02B6/2817; G02B6/352; G02B6/353; G02B6/354; G02B6/3544; G02B6/3548; G02B6/3552; G02B6/3586; G02B6/3588
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 55
Claim 1
Independent Claim
368 words
A switch for controlling the transmission of light from a first optical fiber to at least a second optical fiber, each optical fiber having an end face thereon, a predetermined portion of each optical fiber adjacent to the end face thereof having an axis therethrough, the switch comprising; a housing; a curved concave reflector fixedly mounted within the housing; means for mounting a first optical fiber and a second optical fiber at predetermined locations within the housing such that at least a portion of a beam of light emanating from the end face of a first optical fiber mounted within the housing propagates along an incidence path toward the reflector from which the beam of light is reflected by the curved concave reflector along a predetermined reflectance path toward a second optical fiber mounted within the housing; and a light interrupter switchable between a light transmissive state and a light interruptive state, wherein the light interrupter has a surface formed of an optically opaque material, the light interrupter being displaceable from a retracted position to an interdiction position, in the interdiction position the surface of the light interrupter is disposed in at least one of either the incidence path or the reflectance path, the disposition of the light interrupter in the retracted position defining the light transmissive state of the light interrupter while the disposition of the light interrupter in the interdiction position defining the light interruptive state of the light interrupter; the light interrupter being connectable to an actuator for displacing the same from one position to the other position, wherein the light interrupter has a surface thereon, the surface of the light interrupter defining at least a segment of a paraboloid, the paraboloid having a focus and an axis of symmetry, when the light interrupter is in the interdiction position and lies in the incidence path the surface of the light interrupter is positioned such that the focus of the paraboloid is at the center of the sphere and the axis of symmetry of the paraboloid defines a predetermined angle with the axis of a first optical fiber whereby light reflected from the surface is directed substantially orthogonal to the axis of a second optical fiber.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
368 words
A switch for controlling the transmission of light from a first optical fiber to at least a second optical fiber, each optical fiber having an end face thereon, a predetermined portion of each optical fiber adjacent to the end face thereof having an axis therethrough, the switch comprising; a housing; a curved concave reflector fixedly mounted within the housing; means for mounting a first optical fiber and a second optical fiber at predetermined locations within the housing such that at least a portion of a beam of light emanating from the end face of a first optical fiber mounted within the housing propagates along an incidence path toward the reflector from which the beam of light is reflected by the curved concave reflector along a predetermined reflectance path toward a second optical fiber mounted within the housing; and a light interrupter switchable between a light transmissive state and a light interruptive state, wherein the light interrupter has a surface formed of an optically opaque material, the light interrupter being displaceable from a retracted position to an interdiction position, in the interdiction position the surface of the light interrupter is disposed in at least one of either the incidence path or the reflectance path, the disposition of the light interrupter in the retracted position defining the light transmissive state of the light interrupter while the disposition of the light interrupter in the interdiction position defining the light interruptive state of the light interrupter; the light interrupter being connectable to an actuator for displacing the same from one position to the other position, wherein the light interrupter has a surface thereon, the surface of the light interrupter defining at least a segment of a paraboloid, the paraboloid having a focus and an axis of symmetry, when the light interrupter is in the interdiction position and lies in the incidence path the surface of the light interrupter is positioned such that the focus of the paraboloid is at the center of the sphere and the axis of symmetry of the paraboloid defines a predetermined angle with the axis of a first optical fiber whereby light reflected from the surface is directed substantially orthogonal to the axis of a second optical fiber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The switch of claim 1 wherein the mounting means mount each optical fiber such that the axis through the portion of one optical fiber is substantially parallel to the axis through the portion of the other optical fiber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
The switch of claim 1 further comprising a light absorbing member disposed in the housing and positioned with respect to the optically opaque surface of the light interrupter such that light reflected from the optically opaque surface is directed toward and absorbed by the light absorbing member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
The switch of claim 3 wherein the light absorbing member is mounted to the housing and wherein the light absorbing member defines a predetermined angle with respect to the axis of symmetry of the paraboloidal surface of the light interrupter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
The switch of claim 3 wherein the light absorbing member is defined by a portion of the housing and wherein the light absorbing member defines a predetermined angle with respect to the axis of symmetry of the paraboloidal surface of the light interrupter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
The switch of claim 3 wherein the light absorbing member is mounted to the light interrupter and wherein the light absorbing member defines a predetermined angle with respect to the axis of symmetry of the paraboloidal surface of the light interrupter.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The switch of claim 3 wherein the light absorbing member has a planar surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The switch of claim 3 wherein the light absorbing member has a grooved surface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The switch of claim 3 further comprising a switch presence indicator for providing an indication that the light interrupter is disposed in the interdiction position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
74 words
The switch of claim 9 wherein the switch presence indicator comprises a predetermined portion of the surface of the light interrupter, the predetermined portion of the surface of the light interrupter having a predetermined reflectance and a predetermined light scattering property associated therewith, the predetermined portion of the surface of the light interrupter being operative to scatter a predetermined small amount of light emanating from the first optical fiber to the second optical fiber.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
54 words
The switch of claim 9 wherein the switch presence indicator comprises a dot of light scattering material, the dot having a predetermined size and a predetermined reflectance, the dot of light scattering material being operative to scatter a predetermined small amount of light emanating from the first optical fiber to the second optical fiber.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The switch of claim 9 wherein the switch presence indicator is disposed on the surface of the light interrupter.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The switch of claim 9 wherein the switch presence indicator is disposed on the surface of the light absorbing member.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
362 words
A switch for controlling the transmission of light from a first optical fiber to at least a second optical fiber, each optical fiber having an end face thereon, a predetermined portion of each optical fiber adjacent to the end face thereof having an axis therethrough, the switch comprising: a housing; a curved concave reflector fixedly mounted within the housing; means for mounting a first optical fiber and a second optical fiber at predetermined locations within the housing such that at least a portion of a beam of light emanating from the end face of a first optical fiber mounted within the housing propagates along an incidence path toward the reflector from which the beam of light is reflected by the curved concave reflector along a predetermined reflectance path toward a second optical fiber mounted within the housing; a light interrupter switchable between a light transmissive state and a light interruptive state, wherein the light interrupter has a surface formed of an optically opaque material, the light interrupter being displaceable from a retracted position to an interdiction position, in the interdiction position the surface of the light interrupter is disposed in at least one of either the incidence path or the reflectance path, the disposition of the light interrupter in the retracted position defining the light transmissive state of the light interrupter while the disposition of the light interrupter in the interdiction position defining the light interruptive state of the light interrupter; the light interrupter being connectable to an actuator for displacing the same from one position to the other position, wherein the light interrupter has a surface thereon, the surface of the light interrupter is generally planar, when the light interrupter is in the interdiction position and lies in the incidence path the surface thereof defines a predetermined angle with the axis of a first optical fiber whereby light reflected from the surface is directed away from the end face of a second optical fiber; and a light absorbing member disposed in the housing and positioned with respect to the optically opaque surface such that light reflected from the optically opaque surface is directed toward and absorbed by the light absorbing member.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
362 words
A switch for controlling the transmission of light from a first optical fiber to at least a second optical fiber, each optical fiber having an end face thereon, a predetermined portion of each optical fiber adjacent to the end face thereof having an axis therethrough, the switch comprising: a housing; a curved concave reflector fixedly mounted within the housing; means for mounting a first optical fiber and a second optical fiber at predetermined locations within the housing such that at least a portion of a beam of light emanating from the end face of a first optical fiber mounted within the housing propagates along an incidence path toward the reflector from which the beam of light is reflected by the curved concave reflector along a predetermined reflectance path toward a second optical fiber mounted within the housing; a light interrupter switchable between a light transmissive state and a light interruptive state, wherein the light interrupter has a surface formed of an optically opaque material, the light interrupter being displaceable from a retracted position to an interdiction position, in the interdiction position the surface of the light interrupter is disposed in at least one of either the incidence path or the reflectance path, the disposition of the light interrupter in the retracted position defining the light transmissive state of the light interrupter while the disposition of the light interrupter in the interdiction position defining the light interruptive state of the light interrupter; the light interrupter being connectable to an actuator for displacing the same from one position to the other position, wherein the light interrupter has a surface thereon, the surface of the light interrupter is generally planar, when the light interrupter is in the interdiction position and lies in the incidence path the surface thereof defines a predetermined angle with the axis of a first optical fiber whereby light reflected from the surface is directed away from the end face of a second optical fiber; and a light absorbing member disposed in the housing and positioned with respect to the optically opaque surface such that light reflected from the optically opaque surface is directed toward and absorbed by the light absorbing member.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
The switch of claim 14 wherein the light absorbing member is mounted to the housing and wherein the light absorbing member defines a predetermined angle with respect to the planar opaque surface.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
39 words
The switch of claim 14 wherein the light absorbing member is defined by a portion of the housing and wherein the light absorbing member defines a predetermined angle with respect to the planar opaque surface of the light interrupter.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
37 words
The switch of claim 14 wherein the light absorbing member is mounted to the light interrupter and wherein the light absorbing member defines a predetermined angle with respect to the planar opaque surface of the light interrupter.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
14 words
The switch of claim 14 wherein the light absorbing member has a planar surface.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
14 words
The switch of claim 14 wherein the light absorbing member has a grooved surface.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
25 words
The switch of claim 14 further comprising a switch presence indicator for providing an indication that the light interrupter is disposed in the interdiction position.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
55 words
The switch of claim 20 wherein the switch presence indicator comprises a dot of light scattering material, the dot having a predetermined size and a predetermined reflectance, the dot of light scattering material being operative to scatter a predetermined small amount of light emanating from a first optical fiber back toward a second optical fiber.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
19 words
The switch of claim 20 wherein the switch presence indicator is disposed on the surface of the light interrupter
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
20 words
The switch of claim 20 wherein the switch presence indicator is disposed on the surface of the light absorbing member.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
25 words
The switch of claim 20 further comprising a switch presence indicator for providing an indication that the light interrupter is disposed in the interdiction position.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
55 words
The switch of claim 24 wherein the switch presence indicator comprises a dot of light scattering material, the dot having a predetermined size and a predetermined reflectance, the dot of light scattering material being operative to scatter a predetermined small amount of light emanating from a first optical fiber back toward a second optical fiber.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
19 words
The switch of claim 24 wherein the switch presence indicator is disposed on the surface of the light interrupter.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
343 words
A switch for controlling the transmission of light from a first optical fiber having an end face thereon, a predetermined portion of an optical fiber adjacent to the end face thereof having an axis therethrough, the switch comprising: a housing; a curved concave reflector fixedly mounted within the housing; means for mounting at least an optical fiber at a predetermined location within the housing such that at least a portion of a beam of light emanating from the end face of an optical fiber mounted within the housing progates along an incidence path toward the reflector from which the beam of light is reflected by the curved concave reflector along a predetermined reflectance path: and a light interrupter, switchable between a light transmissive state and a light interruptive state, wherein the light interrupter has a surface formed of an optically opaque material, the light interrupter being displaceable from a retracted position to an interdiction position, in the interdiction position the surface of the light interrupter is disposed in at least one of either the incidence path or the reflectance path, the disposition of the light interrupter in the retracted position defining the light transmissive state of the light interrupter while the disposition of the light interrupter in the interdiction position defining the light interruptive state of the light interrupter, the light interrupter being connectable to an actuator for displacing the same from one position to the other position, wherein the light interrupter has a surface thereon, the surface of the light interrupter defining at least a segment of a paraboloid, the paraboloid having a focus and an axis of symmetry, when the light interrupter is in the interdiction position and lies in the incidence path the surface of the light interrupter is positioned such that the focus of the paraboloid is at the center of the sphere and the axis of symmetry of the paraboloid defines a predetermined angle with the axis of an optical fiber whereby light reflected from the surface is directed substantially orthogonal to the axis of an optical fiber.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
343 words
A switch for controlling the transmission of light from a first optical fiber having an end face thereon, a predetermined portion of an optical fiber adjacent to the end face thereof having an axis therethrough, the switch comprising: a housing; a curved concave reflector fixedly mounted within the housing; means for mounting at least an optical fiber at a predetermined location within the housing such that at least a portion of a beam of light emanating from the end face of an optical fiber mounted within the housing progates along an incidence path toward the reflector from which the beam of light is reflected by the curved concave reflector along a predetermined reflectance path: and a light interrupter, switchable between a light transmissive state and a light interruptive state, wherein the light interrupter has a surface formed of an optically opaque material, the light interrupter being displaceable from a retracted position to an interdiction position, in the interdiction position the surface of the light interrupter is disposed in at least one of either the incidence path or the reflectance path, the disposition of the light interrupter in the retracted position defining the light transmissive state of the light interrupter while the disposition of the light interrupter in the interdiction position defining the light interruptive state of the light interrupter, the light interrupter being connectable to an actuator for displacing the same from one position to the other position, wherein the light interrupter has a surface thereon, the surface of the light interrupter defining at least a segment of a paraboloid, the paraboloid having a focus and an axis of symmetry, when the light interrupter is in the interdiction position and lies in the incidence path the surface of the light interrupter is positioned such that the focus of the paraboloid is at the center of the sphere and the axis of symmetry of the paraboloid defines a predetermined angle with the axis of an optical fiber whereby light reflected from the surface is directed substantially orthogonal to the axis of an optical fiber.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
47 words
The switch of claim 27 further comprising a light absorbing member disposed in the housing and positioned with respect to the optically opaque surface of the light interrupter such that light reflected from the optically opaque surface is directed toward and absorbed by the light absorbing member.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
40 words
The switch of claim 28 wherein the light absorbing member is mounted to the housing and wherein the light absorbing member defines a predetermined angle with respect to the axis of symmetry of the paraboloidal surface of the light interrupter.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
43 words
The switch of claim 28 wherein the light absorbing member is defined by a portion of the housing and wherein the light absorbing member defines a predetermined angle with respect to the axis of symmetry of the paraboloidal surface of the light interrupter.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
41 words
The switch of claim 28 wherein the light absorbing member is mounted to the light interrupter and wherein the light absorbing member defines a predetermined angle with respect to the axis of symmetry of the paraboloidal surface of the light interrupter.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
14 words
The switch of claim 28 wherein the light absorbing member has a planar surface.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
14 words
The switch of claim 28 wherein the light absorbing member has a grooved surface.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
25 words
The switch of claim 28 further comprising a switch presence indicator for providing an indication that the light interrupter is disposed in the interdiction position.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
71 words
The switch of claim 34 wherein the switch presence indicator comprises a predetermined portion of the surface of the light interrupter, the predetermined portion of the surface of the light interrupter having a predetermined reflectance and a predetermined light scattering property associated therewith, the predetermined portion of the surface of the light interrupter being operative to scatter a predetermined small amount of light emanating from an optical fiber back toward itself.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
41 words
The switch of claim 34 wherein the switch presence indicator comprises a dot of light scattering material, the dot of light scattering material being operative to scatter a predetermined small amount of light emanating from an optical fiber back toward itself.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
19 words
The switch of claim 34 wherein the switch presence indicator is disposed on the surface of the light interrupter.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
20 words
The switch of claim 34 wherein the switch presence indicator is disposed on the surface of the light absorbing member.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
224 words
A switch for controlling the transmission of light from a first optical fiber having an end face thereon, a predetermined portion of an optical fiber adjacent to the end face thereof having an axis therethrough, the switch comprising: a housing: a curved concave reflector mounted within the housing: means for mounting at least an optical fiber at a predetermined location within the housing such that at least a portion of a beam of light emanating from the end face of an optical fiber mounted within the housing propagates along an incidence path toward the reflector from which the beam of light is reflected by the curved concave reflector along a predetermined reflectance path: a light interrupter switchable between a light transmissive state and a light interruptive state, wherein the light interrupter has a surface thereon, the surface of the light interrupter is generally planar, when the light interrupter is in the interdiction position and lies in the incidence path the surface thereof defines a predetermined angle with the axis of an optical fiber whereby light reflected from the surface is directed away from the end face thereof: and a light absorbing member disposed in the housing and positioned with respect to the optically opaque surface such that light reflected from the optically opaque surface is directed toward and absorbed by the light absorbing member
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
224 words
A switch for controlling the transmission of light from a first optical fiber having an end face thereon, a predetermined portion of an optical fiber adjacent to the end face thereof having an axis therethrough, the switch comprising: a housing: a curved concave reflector mounted within the housing: means for mounting at least an optical fiber at a predetermined location within the housing such that at least a portion of a beam of light emanating from the end face of an optical fiber mounted within the housing propagates along an incidence path toward the reflector from which the beam of light is reflected by the curved concave reflector along a predetermined reflectance path: a light interrupter switchable between a light transmissive state and a light interruptive state, wherein the light interrupter has a surface thereon, the surface of the light interrupter is generally planar, when the light interrupter is in the interdiction position and lies in the incidence path the surface thereof defines a predetermined angle with the axis of an optical fiber whereby light reflected from the surface is directed away from the end face thereof: and a light absorbing member disposed in the housing and positioned with respect to the optically opaque surface such that light reflected from the optically opaque surface is directed toward and absorbed by the light absorbing member
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
32 words
The switch of claim 39 wherein the light absorbing member is mounted to the housing and wherein the light absorbing member defines a predetermined angle with respect to the planar opaque surface.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
35 words
The switch of claim 39 wherein the light absorbing member is defined by a portion of the housing and wherein the light absorbing member defines a predetermined angle with respect to the planar opaque surface.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
37 words
The switch of claim 39 wherein the light absorbing member is mounted to the light interrupter and wherein the light absorbing member defines a predetermined angle with respect to the planar opaque surface of the light interrupter.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
14 words
The switch of claim 39 wherein the light absorbing member has a grooved surface.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
14 words
The switch of claim 39 wherein the light absorbing member has a grooved surface.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
25 words
The switch of claim 39 further comprising a switch presence indicator for providing an indication that the light interrupter is disposed in the interdiction position.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
51 words
The switch of claim 45 wherein the switch presence indicator comprises a dot of light scattering material, the dot having a predetermined size and a predetermined reflectance, the dot of light scattering material being operative to scatter a predetermined small amount of light emanating from an optical fiber back toward itself.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
19 words
The switch of claim 45 wherein the switch presence indicator is disposed on the surface of the light interrupter.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
20 words
The switch of claim 45 wherein the switch presence indicator is disposed on the surface of the light absorbing member.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
25 words
The switch of claim 45 further comprising a switch presence indicator for providing an indication that the light interrupter is disposed in the interdiction position.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
51 words
The switch of claim 49 wherein the switch presence indicator comprises a dot of light scattering material, the dot having a predetermined size and a predetermined reflectance, the dot of light scattering material being operative to scatter a predetermined small amount of light emanating from an optical fiber back toward itself.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
19 words
The switch of claim 49 wherein the switch presence indicator is disposed on the surface of the light interrupter.
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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) | 1995-07-21 | 1996-01-20 | 1996-07-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-07-21 | 2000-01-20 | 2000-07-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-07-21 | 2004-01-20 | 2004-07-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |