Fusion Splicing Patents (Class 385/96)
  • Patent number: 11745283
    Abstract: An apparatus and system for preheating and removing surface oxidation of welding wire using electric arcs one via three or more tungsten electrodes connected to a polyphaser preheating power source is disclosed. Electric arc preheating of welding wire allows increased efficiency and deposition rates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Michael V. Hoeger
  • Patent number: 11719948
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a laser system that includes a first fiber having an output end and situated to propagate a first laser beam with a first beam parameter product (bpp) and a second fiber having an input end spliced to the output end of the first fiber at a fiber splice so as to receive the first laser beam and to form a second laser beam having a second bpp that is greater than the first bpp, wherein the output end of the first fiber and the input end of the second fiber are spliced at a tilt angle so as to increase the first bpp to the second bpp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: nLIGHT, Inc.
    Inventors: David Logan, Ryan Hawke, David R. Balsley, Ron Stevens
  • Patent number: 11454760
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing an optical fiber, the method including: a stripping step of partially stripping a coating layer of the optical fiber; a splicing step of fusion-splicing an exposed end surface of a glass fiber; and a recoating step of recoating a protective resin covering a stripped portion of the coating layer and an exposed portion of the glass fiber, in which the stripping step is a step of irradiating the coating layer with a laser light to strip the coating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Suguru Takasaki, Hiroshi Kohda
  • Patent number: 11360264
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a splice arrangement. The splice arrangement may include an elongate splice protection housing that defines a channel that extends lengthwise through the elongate splice protection housing from a first end of the splice protection housing to an opposite second end of the splice protection housing. The splice arrangement may also include a first fiber optic cable and a second fiber optic cable. First optical fibers of the first fiber optic cable and second optical fibers of the second fiber optic cable may be coupled together at a splice location positioned within the channel of the elongate splice protection housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: CommScope Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Mandy Lea Trnka, Scott L. Carlson, Jaime Gonzalez Batista, Yu Lu
  • Patent number: 11360260
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing an optical fiber includes: exposing a glass fiber by stripping a fiber coating layer at an end portion, on a splicing side, of each of a pair of optical fibers; fusion-splicing the glass fibers; and recoating a protective resin on a periphery of exposed portions of the glass fibers. The fiber coating layer includes a primary resin layer on an inner peripheral side and having a Young's modulus of 0.5 MPa or less and a secondary resin layer on an outer peripheral side and having a Young's modulus of 800 MPa or greater, the exposing includes forming a shape of a coating edge of the fiber coating layer which includes the primary resin layer and the secondary resin layer into a tapered shape which becomes narrower toward the end portion side, and the recoating includes coating the protective resin to include the coating edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Saori Kubara, Suguru Takasaki, Shuhei Toyokawa
  • Patent number: 11237330
    Abstract: This optical fiber alignment jig for aligning a plurality of optical fibers with the tip end coating stripped off to expose glass fiber includes a rail; a convex push-up part capable of moving in the extending direction of the rail; and a plurality of plate-shaped parts that each have a first surface and a second surface perpendicular to the extending direction of the rail and an inclined surface that can carry a respective optical fiber, the inclined surfaces of the plurality of plate-shaped parts being inclined, relative to the extending direction of the rail, in the same direction. The plurality of plate-shaped parts are arranged side by side along the extending direction of the rail with the first surface of one plate-shaped part facing the second surface of an adjacent plate-shaped part and are contacted by the push-up part so as to move toward the inclined surface side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: SUMITOMO ELECTRIC OPTIFRONTIER CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Ryuichiro Sato
  • Patent number: 11226449
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention makes it possible provide a reinforcement structure which (i) makes it possible to reinforce an optical fiber in a simple manner and (ii) decreases the likelihood of degradation of a heat-shrinkable tube. A reinforcement structure (1) includes a tension-resistance member (13), a heat-shrinkable tube (16) which bundles a plurality of optical fibers (11, 12) and the tension-resistance member (13), and a radiator (15) which is in thermal contact with the tension-resistance member (13). The tension-resistance member (13) has a flat surface which faces respective circumferential surfaces of the plurality of optical fibers (11, 12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: FUJIKURA LTD.
    Inventors: Shogo Wada, Kensuke Yoshida
  • Patent number: 11204465
    Abstract: An optical fiber holder for holding an optical fiber includes a holder body part on which a first optical fiber and a second optical fiber having a different outer diameter are mountable, a lid body which is disposed to the holder body part, and a fiber posture correction block which is provided on the lid body on a side close to a terminal processing part of the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber. The holder body part includes a first regulating part at an end part thereof on a terminal processing part side, and the first regulating part regulates movement of a first glass fiber of the first optical fiber and a second glass fiber of the second optical fiber. The fiber posture correction block includes a contact part to contact the second optical fiber at an end part thereof on the terminal processing part side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: SEI OPTIFRONTIER CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Ryuichiro Sato
  • Patent number: 11181692
    Abstract: A reinforcing apparatus for reinforcing a fusion-splicing part between optical fibers includes a main body part, a heater that heats a heat-shrinkable tube covering the fusion-splicing part, and a pair of clamp parts that are provided at opposite sides of the heater and respectively hold an optical fiber or an optical connector. The pair of the clamp parts respectively include a storage part that stores the optical fiber or the optical connector, and a clamper that is rotatably supported in the main body part and can be disposed in an open state where an upper portion of the storage part is opened and in a closed state where the optical fiber or the optical connector stored in the storage part is sandwiched. A clamp part of at least one part of the pair of clamp parts includes a sliding part that is slidably mounted on a storage part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: SEI OPTIFRONTIER CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ryosuke Meo, Ryuichiro Sato, Hiroshi Takayanagi
  • Patent number: 11150431
    Abstract: A fiber optic pigtail assembly that includes a plurality of optical fibers and at least one optical connector. The optical fibers each have a first end opposite a second end. The plurality of optical fibers are ribbonized together from the first end of each of the plurality of optical fibers partway toward the second end of each of the plurality of optical fibers and form a ribbonized end portion. The at least one optical connector is connected to the second end of each of the plurality of optical fibers. A loose portion of the plurality of optical fibers is positioned between the at least one optical connector and the ribbonized end portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Sean McCloud, Tony Yuen, Jamie Leonard
  • Patent number: 11061189
    Abstract: There is provided an optical fiber protection structure capable of mitigating deterioration of optical characteristics of an optical fiber under a high-temperature environment and a method of manufacturing an optical element using the same. An optical combiner structure protects bare fiber exposure portions in which bare fibers are exposed from the coverings of optical fibers. The optical combiner structure has a fiber accommodation portion having a fiber accommodation groove that accommodates the bare fiber exposure portions therein, fixation resins filled within the fiber accommodation groove for fixing a portion of the coverings within the fiber accommodation groove, and seal resins for sealing spaces between the bare fibers and the coverings on ends of the bare fiber exposure portions. The seal resins are formed so as to be spaced from an inner surface of the fiber accommodation groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: FUJIKURA LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroto Nakazato, Tomoyuki Fujita, Kazuya Ishida
  • Patent number: 11002910
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a fibre optic fusion splicing technique, in particular to a fibre optic fusion splicer for reliable and stable fibre optic fusion splicing, that is characterized by comprising: an alignment part for fixing and aligning first and second optical fibres that are to be fusion spliced; a fusion splicing module having an electrode bar for fusion splicing the first and second optical fibres that are fixed to and aligned in the alignment module; an optical module for photographing the aligned state of the first and second optical fibres aligned by the alignment module, and the fusion-spliced state of the first and second optical fibres fusion-spliced by the fusion splicing module; a support part in which the fusion splicing module and the optical module are mounted; and a lift module for moving the support part up and down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: SOLTECH INFONET CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chang Hoon Lee, Kyung Jin Youn, Kyeong Ho Sun, Byung Chul Park, Chang Bae Lee, Ji Won Lee
  • Patent number: 10989875
    Abstract: A theft tracking system for tracking a stolen fusion splicer of fusion splicers each of which is wirelessly accessible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: SEI OPTIFRONTIER CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi Ooki, Takahiro Suzuki
  • Patent number: 10976492
    Abstract: A fiber optic cable includes a plurality of fusion spliced optical fibers, with a polymeric overcoating extending over a fusion splice region as well as over a stripped section of each optical fiber proximate to the fusion splice region, wherein the plurality of fusion spliced optical fibers has a non-coplanar arrangement at the fusion splice region. A method for fabricating a fiber optic cable includes fusion splicing first and second pluralities of optical fibers arranged in a respective one-dimensional array to form a plurality of fusion spliced optical fibers, and contacting the fusion splices as well as stripped sections of the fusion spliced optical fibers with polymeric material in a flowable state. Either before or after the contacting step, the method further includes altering a position of at least some of the spliced optical fibers to yield a configuration in which the plurality of fusion spliced optical fibers have a non-coplanar arrangement at the fusion splice region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventor: Qi Wu
  • Patent number: 10901723
    Abstract: A management system for managing updating of operating software of a plurality of fusion splicers to which unique identifiers are assigned respectively, is disclosed. The management system is provided with a receiving unit that receives identifiers from a plurality of fusion splicers through wireless signals, the identifiers being assigned to the respective fusion splicers, a determination unit that determines whether or not operating software of a fusion splicer assigned to an identifier received by the receiving unit is operating software to be updated, an acquisition unit that acquires operating software update information appropriate for the fusion splicer for which the operating software is determined by the determination unit to be operating software to be updated, and a transmitting unit that transmits the operating software update information appropriate for the individual fusion splicer acquired by the acquisition unit to the fusion splicer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: SEI Optifrontier Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi Ooki, Makoto Miyamori
  • Patent number: 10825309
    Abstract: Disclosed is a theft sensing system for sensing a theft of a fusion splicer by using an information terminal. The system includes a wireless communication unit that enables the fusion splicer to perform wireless communication with the information terminal, an authentication processing unit that performs an authentication process such that the fusion splicer and the information terminal are wirelessly connected to each other, an acquisition unit that acquires wireless situation data between the fusion splicer and the information terminal which are wirelessly connected to each other, a decision unit that decides whether the fusion splicer moves in a direction away from the information terminal based on a change in the wireless situation data acquired by the acquisition unit, and a notification unit that performs a predetermined notification process in the information terminal when the decision unit decides that the fusion splicer moves in the direction away from the information terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: SEI OPTIFRONTIER CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi Ooki, Makoto Miyamori
  • Patent number: 10663687
    Abstract: A fiber optic pigtail assembly that includes a plurality of optical fibers and at least one optical connector. The optical fibers each have a first end opposite a second end. The plurality of optical fibers are ribbonized together from the first end of each of the plurality of optical fibers partway toward the second end of each of the plurality of optical fibers and form a ribbonized end portion. The at least one optical connector is connected to the second end of each of the plurality of optical fibers. A loose portion of the plurality of optical fibers is positioned between the at least one optical connector and the ribbonized end portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: LEVITON MANUFACTURING CO., INC.
    Inventors: Sean McCloud, Tony Yuen, Jamie Leonard
  • Patent number: 10663666
    Abstract: This invention is a method and system for addressing structural weaknesses and geometric differentials introduced to a cable when splicing optic fibers. The apparatus and method utilize structurally integrated layers of protective polymers and bonding materials selected for strength and flexibility relative to their thickness. This results in an apparatus having a minimally increased circumference compared to the cable. The method and apparatus include one or more strengthening layers which allow the repaired cable substantially similar flexibility compared to the cable, but prevent formation of sharp bends or kinks. The strengthening layers also allow the repaired cable a resistance to tension similar to the original cable. The method and apparatus further include an outer layer having a geometric configuration which includes sloped terminating ends designed to prevent the reinforced area of the cable from being damaged by the force of objects or substances in contact with cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Lloyd, Brandon J. Wiedemeier
  • Patent number: 10641961
    Abstract: An optical fibre (10) which has a first refractive index profile (61) that can be changed by heating to a second refractive index profile (62), at least one first dopant (7) for providing the first refractive index profile, at least one concealed dopant (8), and at least one mobile dopant (9), wherein the mobile dopant has a molar refractivity and is present in a concentration (19) such as to balance a change (146) in the first refractive index profile induced by the concealed dopant, and has a diffusion constant (16) greater than a diffusion constant (15) of the concealed dopant, so that heating of the optical fibre causes the mobile dopant to diffuse more quickly than the concealed dopant, thereby allowing the concealed dopant and the mobile dopant to change the first refractive index profile to the second refractive index profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: SPI Lasers UK Limited
    Inventors: Fabio Ghiringhelli, Mikhail Nickolaos Zervas, Julia Helen Shaw, Andrew Marshall
  • Patent number: 10641960
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for assembling a fiber optic splice is provided. A first optical fiber end is inserted into a first clamp of the apparatus and a second optical fiber end is inserted into a second clamp of the apparatus. Situated between the first clamp and the second clamp is a curing chamber comprising a capillary tube containing resin and an ultra violet light. The first clamp moves a first distance, based on a first measured strain, towards the curing chamber. The second clamp is moved a second distance, based on a second measured strain, towards the curing chamber. The first clamp is then moved a third distance, based on a third measured strain, towards the curing chamber. The ultraviolet light is activated to cure the resin in the capillary tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Mark Beranek, Nicholas Peterson, Bradley Yost, Michael Block
  • Patent number: 10481331
    Abstract: A reinforcement sleeve for connecting a plurality of optical fibers to each other by fusion splice includes: a base member; a cover member that sandwiches a fusion splice portion of the plurality of optical fibers between the cover member and the base member; a first adhesive layer disposed between the base member and the plurality of optical fibers; and a second adhesive layer disposed between the cover member and the plurality of optical fibers. A width of the reinforcement sleeve is defined by a reinforcement sleeve standard relating to a reinforcement sleeve, and a height of the reinforcement sleeve is 1/n of a height defined by the reinforcement sleeve standard, where n is an integer equal to or larger than 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: FUJIKURA LTD.
    Inventors: Katsushi Agata, Norihiro Momotsu
  • Patent number: 10365437
    Abstract: A fusion splicer includes: a first gear including a first eccentric cam unit; a first rotating member including a first main body having a first abutting surface abutting on the first eccentric cam unit, a first arm unit extending from the first main body and rotatably supported by a main base, and a second arm unit extending from the first main body; a second gear including a second eccentric cam unit; and a second rotating member including a second main body having a second abutting surface abutting on the second eccentric cam unit, a third arm unit extending from the second main body and rotatably supported by the second arm unit, a fourth arm unit extending from the second main body, and a placing unit at a tip end of the fourth arm unit with a groove for receiving one of optical fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: FURUKAWA ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tomohiro Akiyama, Hisanori Yonenaga
  • Patent number: 10338315
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for splicing crystal fibers to silica glass fibers. Embodiments of the present disclosure provide mechanically stable bonds with negligible optical transmission loss by splicing fibers through a thermally enhanced reaction bonding process at lower temperatures than the melting point of the crystal. In an embodiment, mixing of the materials at elevated temperatures forms a stable intermediary material which enhances strength and reduces the transmission losses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: The Government of the United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Rajesh Thapa, Rafael R. Gattass, Daniel J. Gibson, Woohong Kim, L. Brandon Shaw, Jasbinder S. Sanghera
  • Patent number: 10107964
    Abstract: A fiber holding tool and a fiber spacing adjustment method, which comprises a body and a cover, among which, the body and the cover are pivotally connected by a rotating shaft, and the body comprises a fiber accommodating groove used to accommodate the fiber, wherein, the fiber holding tool comprises a spacing conversion portion that can be rotated relative to the body, and the body comprises a conversion gap accommodating the spacing conversion portion; the spacing conversion portion comprises a plurality of groove bodies of different spacing for accommodating the optical fibers. The fiber holding tool according to the present invention can use the original fusion splicer to weld the ribbon fiber having a diameter of 200 ?m, without replacing with a new supporting optical communication device, which results in low cost, and can ensure welding quality, and ease the operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: INNO INSTRUMENT (CHINA) .INC
    Inventor: Yangri Zhao
  • Patent number: 9709730
    Abstract: A hollow-core photonic crystal fiber gas cell and method for preparing the same. The hollow-core photonic crystal fiber gas cell comprises a single-mode fiber, a fiber splicing protection sleeve, a hollow-core photonic crystal fiber, and a photoelectric detector. One end of the single-mode fiber is fusion spliced with one end of the hollow-core photonic crystal fiber to form a fusion splice and seal one end of the hollow-core photonic crystal fiber gas cell. The fiber splicing protection sleeve covers and protects the fusion splice. The other end of the hollow-core photonic crystal fiber is processed into an output end by fusion sealing, and the surface of the output end faces, but is not parallel to, a detection surface of the photoelectric detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Shanghai Institute of Optics And Fine Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences
    Inventors: Haiwen Cai, Zeheng Chen, Fei Yang, Jianxin Geng, Dijun Chen, Weibiao Chen
  • Patent number: 9696493
    Abstract: A high efficiency optical combiner minimizes core region distortions in the area where fusion splicing between an input tapered fiber bundle (or any other type of “cladding-less” input fiber) and output fiber are joined. The thickness of the output fiber's glass cladding layer in the splice region is reduced (if not removed altogether) so that a core-to-core splice is formed and any necked-down region where the glass flows to join the core regions (while also joining the outer diameters) is essentially eliminated. The reduction of distortions in the core region of the splice improves the transmission efficiency between an input tapered fiber bundle and output fiber, reaching a level of about 99%. This high efficiency optical combiner is particularly well-suited for applications where a number of pump sources are combined and applied as an input to a fiber laser or amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: OFS FITEL, LLC
    Inventors: Lalitkumar Bansal, Clifford E Headley
  • Patent number: 9574749
    Abstract: A system includes one or more lasers, a collimator, and a controller. The one or more lasers are configured to generate laser illumination. The collimator is configured to adjust at least one of a degree of collimation, a divergence, and an intensity of the laser illumination and to direct the laser illumination towards one or more targets. The controller is configured to control the one or more lasers and the collimator in order to adjust the laser illumination directed at the one or more targets, and the controller is configured to control the one or more lasers and the collimator differently in different operating modes. Example operating modes could include a spotlight mode, a single-color dazzler or pulsating mode, a multi-color dazzler or pulsating mode, a communication mode, and an infrared-based operation mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Nicholas D. Trail, Michael J. Aden, Gregory P. Hanauska, James P. Mills
  • Patent number: 9530544
    Abstract: A furcation assembly for electrical conductors of an electro-optical cable with electrical conductors and optical conductors has an inner tube surrounded by a metallic shield layer and a polymer jacket surrounding the metallic shield layer. The inner tube may have a circular or a generally ovaloid cross section inner diameter. A transition housing may be applied over an interconnection between the metallic shield layer and a metallic shield of the electro-optical cable. A pull strand may be provided in the inner tube inner diameter, for ease of insertion of the electrical conductors and/or additional water proofing characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: CommScope Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Nahid Islam
  • Patent number: 9526129
    Abstract: Provided is a thermal mechanical diffusion system and method. In accordance with the present invention, one end of a fiber under tension is vibrated while a portion of the fiber is heated. A push-pull action of one end of the fiber forces increased (or rapid) diffusion of dopants in the portion of the fiber that is in a heat zone, which receives the heat. By controlling the amplitude and frequency of the vibration, a diffusion profile of one or more fibers can be dictated with precision. Heat sources having narrower thermal profiles can enable greater precision in dictating the diffusion profile. As an example, this can be particularly useful for creating a diffusion taper within a fiber to be spliced, where the taper is a result of thermal expansion of the fiber core. Diffusion can occur much more rapidly than is typical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: 3SAE Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert G. Wiley, Brett Clark, John Lower
  • Patent number: 9513439
    Abstract: An optical fiber fusion splicer includes: a pair of right and left V-grooved stands having V-grooves for butting tips of a pair of optical fibers each other while positioning the tips of a pair of optical fibers; a pair of elastic members respectively supporting the pair of V-grooved stands and formed into the form of an elastically deformable plate; a fixed base on which the pair of elastic members is mounted, whereby the pair of V-grooved stands is fixed thereto through the pair of elastic members, and which is long in a right-left direction; and a pair of micrometers aligning the tips of the pair of optical fibers by finely moving the pair of V-grooved stands with respect to each other while elastically deforming the pair of elastic members by pressing the pair of V-grooved stands from forward and backward directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: FUJIKURA LTD.
    Inventor: Katsumi Sasaki
  • Patent number: 9377583
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described herein for cleaving an optical element at a defined distance from a splice (or other reference point/feature) of the optical element within a desired precision and/or accuracy. In some embodiments, a method includes receiving an indication of a location of a feature in an intermediate optical assembly visible within an image of the intermediate optical assembly. The feature can be for example, a splice. A position of the intermediate optical assembly is translated relative to a cleave unit based on the indication. After translating, the intermediate optical assembly, the intermediate optical assembly is cleaved to form an optical assembly that has an end face at a location disposed at a non-zero distance from the location of the feature. In some embodiments, the location of the feature can be determined with an image recognition system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Thorlabs, Inc.
    Inventors: Giorgio Giaretta, Timothy J. Howell, Michael E. Harju, Ying Qin
  • Patent number: 9377593
    Abstract: Alignment of a multimode waveguide to a source of light or another waveguide is evaluated using a multi-wavelength light source and a modal decomposition processing of an intensity profile of a waveguide output beam, wherein inter-modal interference is averaged out over wavelength. Fitting a superposition of mode intensity profiles to a wavelength-averaged intensity profile of the output beam provides information about the modal composition of the output beam, which may be used to assess the alignment of the multimode waveguide with respect to the input light beam, and to provide a feedback for guiding a waveguide alignment process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Lumentum Operations LLC
    Inventors: Xiuquan Ma, Hongbo Yu, Martin H. Muendel
  • Patent number: 9268090
    Abstract: A fusion splicing apparatus includes discharge electrodes 13 and 15 to discharge-heat and fusion-splice end faces 5a and 7a of optical fibers 1 and 3, fiber holders 17 and 19 to hold the optical fibers 1 and 3, V-groove blocks 21 and 23 to receive, position, and fix parts of the optical fibers 1 and 3 on the end face sides of the fiber holders 17 and 19, V-groove-block moving mechanisms 33 and 35 to move the V-groove blocks 21 and 23 so as to shift an axial center of the optical fibers 1 and 3 from a straight line between the discharge electrodes 13 and 15, and holder moving mechanisms 37 and 39 to move the fiber holders 17 and 19 so as to shift the axial center of the optical fibers 1 and 3 from the straight line between the discharge electrodes 13 and 15.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: FUJIKURA LTD.
    Inventors: Kouichi Yokota, Katsumi Sasaki, Noriyuki Kawanishi
  • Patent number: 9250384
    Abstract: A multicore fiber includes a first multicore fiber member and a second multicore fiber member, one end face of the first multicore fiber member being spliced to one end face of the second multicore fiber member, wherein at least two core end faces of multiple cores in the first multicore fiber member are spliced one-to-one to core end faces of multiple cores in the second multicore fiber member, and, among the cores in the first multicore fiber member and the cores in the second multicore fiber member spliced one-to-one at the core end faces, at least one core in the first multicore fiber member and one core in the second multicore fiber member spliced thereto have different effective core areas, and an open end face of the core having the larger effective core area is a face which light enters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: FUJIKURA LTD.
    Inventor: Shoichiro Matsuo
  • Patent number: 9199411
    Abstract: A butting step S1 of butting end surfaces of multi-core fibers against each other by aligning central axes CA of clads 20 of the multi-core fibers to cause each core 11 of one multi-core fiber 1a and each core 11 of the other multi-core fiber 1b to face each other, and a fusing step S2 of fusing the multi-core fibers to each other by carrying out discharge by a pair of discharge electrodes 50a and 50b that sandwich a butted position of the multi-core fibers and face each other are provided. The fusing step S2 causes tips 51a and 51b of the discharge electrodes to perform reciprocating motion such that a straight line SL that connects the tips 51a and 51b of the discharge electrodes moves while describing a surface perpendicular to the central axes CA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: FUJIKURA LTD.
    Inventors: Yoko Arakawa, Katsuhiro Takenaga, Shoichiro Matsuo
  • Patent number: 9170372
    Abstract: A method of making a fusion-spliced optical fiber includes holding a ferrule in one end of a holding element, said holding element having a stem extending from the other end thereof, said ferrule disposed around an optical fiber segment, said optical fiber segment having an exposed end that extends from said ferrule; receiving said holding element in a ferrule holding element of a fusion-splicing device; fusion-splicing said exposed end of said optical fiber segment to an end of another optical fiber to form a spliced portion; and transferring said spliced portion by supporting at least said stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: FURUKAWA ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tomohiro Akiyama
  • Patent number: 9146354
    Abstract: A fusion splicer includes a pair of holder installation parts for mutually butting optical fibers in a first direction, and a fusion splicing part for mutually fusing and splicing the optical fibers by a pair of electrodes opposed along a second direction, and the holder installation part includes a base fixed to a body, and a positioning member in which a base fitting part fitted into the base is formed in a lower side, and the positioning member can be attached to and detached from both of the bases after an attitude is reversed, and a center position in a width direction along the second direction in the base fitting part is arranged in a straight line of the first direction passing through a center position between the electrodes even in a state in which the positioning member is fitted into any of the bases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: SEI OPTIFRONTIER CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Ryuichiro Sato
  • Patent number: 9136663
    Abstract: In a fiber amplifier including a third optical fiber made of a double clad fiber for amplifying light and a fifth optical fiber made of a single clad fiber for transmitting the light amplified by the double clad fiber, a fourth optical fiber made of a triple clad fiber is inserted between the third optical fiber and the fifth optical fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: FUJIKURA LTD.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Taya
  • Publication number: 20150139592
    Abstract: An anti-reflection device, comprising: a first optical fiber, having a first optical fiber core; and a second optical fiber, having a second optical fiber core which is fusion spliced to the first fiber core to form a spliced point optical fiber core. Thereby, the present disclosure provides a method for manufacturing an anti-reflection device, comprising the step of: providing a fusion splicer to perform a parameter setup process upon at least one optical fiber so as to proceed with a splice process on the at least one optical fiber based on the result of the parameter setup process, while enabling an optical fiber alignment operation, an end surface preheating operation, an optical fiber splicing operation and an optical fiber fusion stretching operation during the proceeding of the splice process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: HSIN-CHIA SU, CHIEN-MING HUANG, SHIH-TING LIN, YU-CHENG SONG, YAO-WUN JHANG
  • Patent number: 9033594
    Abstract: A method for connecting an optical waveguide embedded in a fiber composite component, in particular of an aircraft and spacecraft, to an external optical waveguide, comprising the following steps: ascertaining a path of the embedded optical waveguide in the fiber composite component; determining a nodal position at which the embedded optical waveguide is to be coupled with the external optical waveguide; exposing, at least in portions, the embedded optical waveguide at the nodal position by removing at least part of the fiber composite component around the embedded optical waveguide; severing the exposed embedded optical waveguide; aligning relative to each other an end portion of the severed, embedded optical waveguide and an end portion of the external optical waveguide; and splicing the mutually aligned end portions of the optical waveguides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Nicholas E. Brownjohn, Stefan Osternack
  • Publication number: 20150131950
    Abstract: An optical fiber cable for installation in a subterranean formation, where the temperature could be in excess of 150 degrees C. The optical fiber cable has an outer metallic jacket defining an elongated conduit with an internal elongated channel that receives an optical fiber. The optical fiber has two strands joined by a splice. A splice protector has a body with a passageway receiving the splice. The body has an outer region configured to be joined by a fusion weld to the outer metallic jacket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Corneliu V. DUCRA, Remi CHARBONNEAU, Paul LEFEBVRE, Andre VINCELETTE
  • Patent number: 9028158
    Abstract: A multi-stage fiber processing system comprises first and second fiber holders configured to hold respective portions of at least one fiber and a plurality of heat sources arranged between the first and second fiber holders and configured to provide a heat zone that axially extends about the at least on fiber. The first and second fiber holders can be configured to translate away from each other for tapering. The plurality of heat sources can include two 3 electrode heat sources that deliver an extended, substantially isothermic heat field axially about the fiber. All but one heat source can be turned off to splice the fiber. The two 3 electrode heat sources can generate 9 arcs to from the heat zone, wherein arcs between the two 3 electrode heat sources can be rotated about the at least one fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: 3SAE Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert G. Wiley, Brett Clark, John Lower
  • Patent number: 9016953
    Abstract: A fiber optic cable and connector assembly including a fiber optic connector mounted at the end of a fiber optic cable. The fiber optic connector includes a ferrule assembly including a stub fiber supported within a ferrule. The stub fiber is fusion spliced to an optical fiber of the fiber optic cable at a location within the fiber optic connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael James Ott, Thomas P. Huegerich, Steven C. Zimmel, Ponharith Nhep
  • Patent number: 8992101
    Abstract: An optical fiber reinforcing heating device has a base part, to which a first lid part for covering a sleeve accommodation groove for containing a fiber reinforcement sleeve covering a fusion-splicing part of optical fibers is attached so as to be openable and closable. A pair of fiber holders for holding and securing the optical fibers are disposed on both end sides of the first lid part. Each fiber holder has a second lid part which is attached to a fiber container so as to be openable and closable and presses the optical fiber against the fiber container. A switch lever which is movable longitudinally of the sleeve accommodation groove is disposed on the upper face of the second lid part built in with a pin adapted to move in conjunction with the switch lever. A joint hole adapted to engage the pin is formed within the first lid part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: SEI Optifrontier Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masakazu Fukuda, Ryuichiro Sato, Hisao Yui, Hiroshi Takayanagi
  • Patent number: 8985876
    Abstract: A ferrule holder is provided as one capable of improving convenience in a fusion splice between a built-in fiber and an optical fiber. The ferrule holder 1 is provided with a main body 2 and a lid 3. The main body 2 has a mount portion 4 on which a ferrule body is to be mounted, and the mount portion 4 is provided with a first mount surface 8, and a second mount surface 9 provided through a step portion 11 on the rear side of the first mount surface 8. This allows, for example, the ferrule body with a dust cap thereon to be mounted on the first mount surface 8 in the fusion splice in the case of an SC connector; it also allows the ferrule body with a dust cap thereon to be mounted on the second mount surface 9 in the fusion splice in the case of an LC connector. Therefore, there is no need for preparing a plurality of ferrule holders according to types of connectors, which can achieve improvement in convenience in the fusion splice between the built-in fiber and the optical fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignees: SEI Optifrontier Co., Ltd., Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshikyo Tamekuni, Yuji Suzuki, Yukihiro Yokomachi
  • Patent number: 8979396
    Abstract: A side pump fiber and a method of making a side pump fiber are provided. A plurality of pump fibers can be joined to a side of a signal fiber, at different locations. The method includes creating a lengthwise, tapered, concave pocket cut in a pump (or side pump) fiber, inserting the signal fiber in the pocket cut, and then coupling the side pump fiber to the center fiber at the pocket cut. Optical amplifiers and lasers, as examples, can be made using the above method and side pump fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: 3SAE Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert G. Wiley
  • Publication number: 20150049991
    Abstract: An optical fiber fusion splicer includes: a windshield cover that is formed so as to be openable and closable and that includes one or more cover members that cover a heat fusion portion in a closed state; a pair of fiber mounting portions that are provided on left and right sides of the heat fusion portion; a pair of fiber mounting detectors that are provided in the fiber mounting portions and that detect that an optical fiber has been mounted. Also, when both the fiber mounting detectors detect that the optical fibers have been mounted in a state where the cover member is open, an operation to close the cover member is performed, the fusion splice is performed, connection portion inspection is performed, and an operation to open the windshield cover is performed after the connection portion inspection is completed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Applicant: FUJIKURA LTD.
    Inventor: Noriyuki KAWANISHI
  • Publication number: 20150030294
    Abstract: An efficient heating groove for an optical fiber fusion splicer and an optical fiber fusion splicer. The heat substrate of the heating groove is a metal sheet with heat conducting property. The manufacture method of the heating groove comprises printing, in sequence, insulating medium, heating resistor, transition point conductor, and protection glass glaze on the outer surface of the heating substrate with heat conducting property. Two heating resistors, each with a resistance of 4.7±0.5? and power density of 10-20 W/cm2, are separately printed on the outer face of the two heating surfaces in the heating groove. The heating resistor is made of resistive material with a temperature coefficient of 1500±150 ppm/° C. The resistance of the heating resistor is distributed in a way that, the resistance at two ends is larger than that at a center, and the resistance is reduced gradually or by step, from two ends to the center.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventor: Peng LIU
  • Patent number: 8939660
    Abstract: An optical fiber fusion splicer includes positioning members and clamping members. Each clamping member clamps the bare fiber. A first guiding portion protrudes from the top surface of each positioning member and guides a distal end portion of the bare fiber toward the groove. A concave face of the first guiding portion has a V-shaped cross section. Each clamping member includes a second guiding portion, which guides a base portion of the bare fiber toward the groove of the corresponding positioning member, and a pressing member, which presses the bare fiber against the top surface of the fiber positioning member. A concave face of the second guiding portion has an inverted-V-shaped cross section. The fusion splicer can clamp bare fibers while the bare fibers are received by the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: SEI Optifrontier Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ryuichiro Sato
  • Publication number: 20150023638
    Abstract: A node for a low loss passive optical hub is provided. The low loss passive optical hub includes a 1:N-split fiber and a plastic-optical fiber. The 1:N-split fiber has a fused-fractional end and N second-fractional ends. The 1:N-split fiber is formed from N sub-fibers. The N sub-fibers each have a first-fractional end and a second-fractional end. The N first-fractional ends are fused to form the fused-fractional end. The plastic-optical fiber has a first end and a second end. The first end of the plastic-optical fiber is optically coupled to the fused-fractional end of the 1:N-split fiber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2013
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventor: Charles Lo