Abstract: A Switch/Variable Optical Attenuator (SVOA) includes a die including at least one 2×2 optical switch and a respective integral variable optical attenuator for each of the at least one 2×2 optical switch. Each of the at least one 2×2 optical switches includes an INPUT optical port, an OUTPUT optical port, an ADD optical port, and a DROP optical port. The INPUT optical port is connected to the OUTPUT optical port in one state of the switch, and the ADD optical port is connected to the OUTPUT optical port in a second state of the switch. A single air gap exists between the ports. The VOA is mounted on the die and is associated with the switch for selectively attenuating optical signals transiting the air gap from one port to another.

Abstract: A fiber optic rotary joint and an associated reflector assembly are provided for supporting optical communications between a rotor and a stator. The fiber optic rotary joint includes at least one optical source carried by the rotor or the stator for transmitting optical signals. The fiber optic rotary joint also includes a reflector mounted upon the other one of the rotor and stator for reflecting the optical signals. Further, the fiber optic rotary joint includes a receiver for receiving the optical signals following their reflection. The reflector is generally shaped and positioned such that the path length along which the optical signals propagate from the optical source(s) to the receiver is equal, regardless of the rotational position of the rotor to the stator. The reflector may have a reflective surface shaped to define a portion of an ellipse and/or a reflective surface shaped to define a portion of a hyperbola.

Abstract: This invention eliminates the lens/prism assemblies and the multiple pick-up fibers that must be multiply lensed to a detector to get sufficient signal strength for the system to work. This invention also compensates for some of the rapid rise and fall time of the present system. A single pick-up, either a fiber or a photodiode, is placed at the end of a waveguide. A lens or lens system is used to focus a single optical signal on to the fiber face or the photodiode active area. Various light injection techniques, such as fibers, fiber/lens assemblies, lensed VCEL, lasers, or LEDs can be utilized because of the location in the system.

Abstract: A rotary hub unit (U) for a transmission cable (C) includes a stationary hub (10) having a longitudinal axis (12). An angular transition cable portion (14) transmits a signal (16) between a first junction (18) and a second end junction (20). The first junction end (18) is perpendicular to the second junction end (20). A housing (22) is rotatably mounted about the longitudinal axis (12) and has an interior (24) adapted to receive a coiled portion (26) of transmission cable. The coil (26) is wrapped about the longitudinal axis (12), has a first end (28) mated with the angular transition second junction end (20), and an outer end (32) such that the rotary hub unit (U) permits limited movement of the outer end (32) of the coil (26).

Abstract: A self-energizing brake for a motor has a moving brake section, including a brake friction material located on a portion of a face thereof perpendicular to its axis of rotation which is automatically urged toward a brake mating surface upon the motor coming to a stop, thereby automatically energizing the brake, and which is automatically urged away from the brake mating surface upon the motor beginning its rotation, thereby automatically de-energizing the brake.

Abstract: An m-input/n-output (e.g. 1×1, 1×2, 2×2) optical fiber switch includes a switch substrate formed with v-grooves in which singlemode fibers are disposed with their ends operatively arranged in relation to a deflecting mirror to transmit or receive optical signals. To prevent misalignment between the optical paths defined by these singlemode fibers, a lens is fused to directly to each of the singlemode fiber ends to eliminate the need for separate collimating lens and create a stable and dimensionally invariable interface between the fiber and the lens, resulting in a more compact optical switch arrangement.