Patents Examined by Eric Wong
  • Patent number: 10054744
    Abstract: An optical module includes a substrate on which an optical waveguide is formed, and an optical fiber assembly. The optical fiber assembly includes an optical fiber, a translucent member, and a mirror portion. The translucent member includes a joint surface joined to an end surface of the substrate at an end of the optical waveguide, and is attached to a distal end of the optical fiber. The mirror portion is formed on the translucent member, reflects light emitted from the distal end of the optical fiber in a direction different from a traveling direction of the light, and collects the reflected light into the end of the optical waveguide through the joint surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: FUJITSU OPTICAL COMPONENTS LIMITED
    Inventors: Masaharu Doi, Akira Ishii, Teruhiro Kubo, Yoshinobu Kubota
  • Patent number: 10036867
    Abstract: Enhanced traceability of cables is provided using illumination. An embodiment comprises introducing a chemiluminescent (alternatively, flourescent) solution into a chamber coupled to at least a portion of an insulating jacket that surrounds a transmission medium, the chamber being initially hollow and, in at least a portion thereof, comprised of a substance through which light is viewable, such that upon introduction of the solution, light emitted by the solution is viewable through at least a portion of the chamber. In another embodiment, a first and second compartment contain a first and second substance, respectively, and are physically separated by a separator material. The separator material, when triggered to open, forms an opening between the compartments that allows the substances to mix, the substances being chosen as providing a chemiluminescent reaction upon the mixing, such that light emitted by the chemiluminescent reaction is viewable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Eric J. Campbell, Sarah K. Czaplewski, Lee N. Helgeson, Jonathan L. Kaus, Pamela L. Lembke
  • Patent number: 10031291
    Abstract: For multi-mode interference (MMI) couplers that have a plurality of input and output ports, e.g. 4×4, a large number of modes may be supported in the multimode region, e.g. >10, as the width of the MMI core grows larger. In order for MMI couplers to form good images, the supported modes preferably have low modal phase error, which can't be achieved using a conventional single layer design. Accordingly, a multi-mode interference (MMI) coupler comprising an MMI core comprising a plurality of waveguide core strips alternating with a plurality of cladding strips solves the aforementioned problems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Elenion Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Alexandre Horth
  • Patent number: 10031285
    Abstract: The present embodiment relates to an MCF having a low transmission loss and having a structure for reducing a transmission loss and effectively suppressing an inter-core XT. The uncoupled MCF includes alkali metal having a predetermined concentration in which each of a plurality of cores contributes to reduction in the transmission loss, and a core pitch is set so that a sum h_total of power coupling coefficients of a specific core and the remaining all cores of the plurality of cores is 2.3×10?4/km or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Nakanishi, Tetsuya Hayashi, Takashi Sasaki, Yoshiaki Tamura, Tetsuya Haruna
  • Patent number: 10018796
    Abstract: Fiber optic ribbon assemblies having improved ribbon stack coupling are described. A fiber optic ribbon assembly may include a buffer tube and an optical fiber ribbon stack extending within the buffer tube. Additionally, at least one friction inducing component may be helically wrapped around the optical fiber ribbon stack along a longitudinal direction with gaps between longitudinally adjacent sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Superior Essex International LP
    Inventor: Thomas Christopher Cook
  • Patent number: 10007069
    Abstract: A fiber optical connector comprises at least one fiber optical connector and a receptacle. The least one fiber optical connector comprises an outer housing, an inner housing, a plurality of ferrules, a plurality of compressible springs, a plurality of optical fibers, a supporting seat and a rear supporting assembly. The rear supporting assembly comprises a rear supporting tube, a ring, a pipe and a sleeve. The plurality of ferrules are provided in the inner housing and the inner housing is provided with outer latching portions at two sides of the inner housing; the rear supporting assembly further comprises a clamping collar, the clamping collar is sheathed on an outer surface of a rear segment of the pipe. The receptacle is provided with mating tubes in which the ferrules of the at least one fiber optical connector are correspondingly inserted. With such a configuration, the number of ferrules provided inside a single SC connector of the optical fiber standard specification is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Molex, LLC
    Inventor: Fan-Chen Zseng
  • Patent number: 10009670
    Abstract: A fast optical switch can be fabricated/constructed, when a vanadium dioxide (VO2) and a two-dimensional (2-D) material is activated by either an electrical pulse (a voltage pulse or a current pulse) or a light pulse just to induce an insulator-to-metal phase transition (IMT) in vanadium dioxide. The applications of such a fast optical switch for an on-demand optical add-drop subsystem, integrating with or without a wavelength converter are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Inventors: Mohammad A. Mazed, Rex Wiig, Angel Martinez
  • Patent number: 10001597
    Abstract: A multicore optical fiber that includes seventeen cores arranged in a hexagonally close-packed configuration, each core having a core center and comprising silica and an up-dopant; and a cladding region surrounding the seventeen cores, the cladding region having a cladding edge, an outer diameter, and a cladding composition comprising silica. The outer diameter of the cladding region is between about 100 microns and 150 microns. Further, the hexagonally close-packed configuration has bi-lateral symmetry to accommodate bi-directional data flow within the fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Kevin Wallace Bennett, Douglas Llewellyn Butler, Ming-Jun Li, Robert Adam Modavis
  • Patent number: 10001614
    Abstract: An optical cable can include one or more graphenic elements disposed about one or more optically transmissive fibers. A graphenic element can be a coating of graphene or amorphous graphite, a ribbon of graphene or amorphous graphite, or fibers of graphene or amorphous graphite. The graphenic element provides a path for electrical conduction while the optically transmissive fiber provides a path for optical transmission. An optical cable as disclosed herein can include a plurality of electrical and optical paths with a much smaller diameter and weight than traditional cables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Li Gao, John L. Maida, Etienne Samson
  • Patent number: 10001602
    Abstract: Provided is a polarization-combining module in which it is possible to suppress deviation of an optical axis in a polarization-combining optical system and to perform efficient polarization combination with a less optical loss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: SUMITOMO OSAKA CEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tokutaka Hara, Toshio Kataoka
  • Patent number: 9995882
    Abstract: The present invention provides a telescope array and related components and methods. In various embodiments, the telescope array may include a plurality of telescopes, each telescope associated with a focal plane package and a telescope control system configured to control the focus and tracking of the telescope, such that each telescope may be independently focused and pointed. The focal plane package may comprise an optical fiber feed configured to provide a an optical signal to an optical fiber; and a mirror array configured to provide two shifted simultaneous signals to an image capture device. The telescope array may further comprise at least one switchable multi-fiber coupler configured to couple the signals of at least some of the plurality of telescopes and an array control system in communication with each of the telescope control systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: University of Florida Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Scott Eikenberry, Hipatia V. Donoso
  • Patent number: 9989831
    Abstract: A device includes an optical splitter comprising a plurality of splitter outputs. The splitter outputs are out of phase and include a non-uniform phase front. The device includes a one-dimensional phase compensation array communicating with the optical splitter. The phase compensation array receives the non-uniform phase front and outputs a uniform phase front. The phase compensation array includes a plurality of array outputs. The device includes a tunable linear gradient phase shifter communicating with said phase compensation array to impart a linearly-varying phase shift across said plurality of array outputs, thereby steering a beam along a first angle in a first plane. The device includes a waveguide grating out-coupler communicating with said linear gradient phase shifter, and a uniform phase shifter communicating with the waveguide grating out-coupler. The uniform phase shifter steers the flat phase front along a second angle in a second plane perpendicular to said first plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Marcel W. Pruessner, William S. Rabinovich, Rita Mahon, Peter G. Goetz
  • Patent number: 9983360
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method, as well as a fiber coupling unit, for coupling optical fibers to optical waveguides that are integrated into a substrate. The coupling unit features a contact surface for contacting the surface of the substrate with the integrated waveguides, as well as trench structures for accommodating optical fibers. The end faces of inserted fibers and/or a raised structure on the edge of the contact surface form a coupling or stopping face for the end face of the substrate with the integrated waveguides. At least one opening is produced in the contact surface and designed for accommodating a mechanical connecting element in a form-fitting fashion or guiding a mechanical connecting element parallel to the contact surface and perpendicular to the coupling or stopping face in a form-fitting fashion. Alternatively, the contact surface may also be rigidly connected to a connecting element protruding from the contact surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: FRAUNHOFER-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FOERDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG E.V.
    Inventors: Lars Brusberg, Henning Schroeder
  • Patent number: 9983367
    Abstract: An optical module for connecting between an optical fiber and a photoelectric conversion device mounted on a printed circuit board includes a main body made of transmissive material and having a slanted face and a bottom face, the slanted face being at an angle to the bottom face, a reception-purpose lens, and a transmission-purpose lens, wherein the slanted face serves as a mirror on an optical path extending in the main body between the reception-purpose lens and the transmission-purpose lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignees: FUJITSU COMPONENT LIMITED, FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventors: Hongfei Zhang, Osamu Daikuhara, Hidenobu Muranaka
  • Patent number: 9971093
    Abstract: Optical splitter modules and methods are disclosed. An optical splitter module includes a housing, a splitter chip, a plurality of optical fibers, and a base member. An outer coating of the optical fibers is stripped from the first end such that the first end has a bare portion extending from a fiber end and a stripped portion extending from the bare portion. The second end of each optical fiber has the outer coating with a diameter larger than the diameter of the stripped portion. A connector is coupled to the second end of each optical fiber. A fan-out body surrounds the coating of the optical fibers. The optical fibers are coupled to the surface of the base member such that the fiber end is positioned at the first edge of the base member. The first edge of the base member is coupled to the first edge of the splitter chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Corning Optical Communications LLC
    Inventor: Elli Makrides-Saravanos
  • Patent number: 9971112
    Abstract: An optoelectrical connector system can include an optical coupler that is configured to be positioned over a photonic device on the PCB. The optoelectrical connector system can further include a connector housing that is configured to be attached to the optical coupler after the optical coupler is positioned over the photonic device, so that the coupler can be aligned and fixed without the housing attached thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: FCI Asia Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Jeroen De Bruijn, Alexander Eichler-Neumann
  • Patent number: 9964726
    Abstract: A telecommunications assembly including a housing and a plurality of modules mounted within the housing. The modules includes a rear face in which is mounted at least one fiber optic connector. Within an interior of the housing are positioned at least one fiber optic adapters. Inserting the module through a front opening of the housing at a mounting location positions the connector of the module for insertion into and mating with the adapter of the housing. The adapters within the interior of the housing are mounted to a removable holder. A method of mounting a telecommunications module within a chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: CommScope Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Steven C. Zimmel, Ponharith Nhep, Trevor D. Smith
  • Patent number: 9964817
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes a TFT substrate having a display region with first and second electrodes, TFTs, scanning signal lines connected to the TFTs, a counter substrate, a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the TFT and counter substrates, and sealed by a sealant, scanning line leads connected to the scanning signal lines and formed outside of the display region, video signal line leads connected to the video signal lines and formed outside of the display region and a shield electrode formed on the TFT substrate covering the scanning line leads but not the video signal line leads. The second electrode is connected to one of the TFTs, and liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer are driven by an electric field, which is generated between the first and second electrodes. The shield electrode is electrically connected to the first electrode and overlapped with the sealant in plan view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignees: Japan Display Inc., Panasonic Liquid Crystal Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Anjo, Takahiro Nagami, Kenichi Hatakeyama
  • Patent number: 9958608
    Abstract: A method of fabricating an optical device includes forming on a semiconductor substrate a first optical cavity, a second optical cavity, a first light guide and a second light guide. The first light guide has an input, and is optically coupled to the first optical cavity by a first coupling strength. In addition, the first light guide is optically coupled to the second optical cavity by a second coupling strength. The second light guide has an output, and is coupled to the second optical cavity by a third coupling strength. The first coupling strength is greater than the second coupling strength, and the third coupling strength is greater than the second coupling strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Purdue Research Foundation
    Inventors: Minghao Qi, Li Fan, Jian Wang, Leo Tom Varghese
  • Patent number: 9958631
    Abstract: A cable management structure (100, 200, 300) for an optical fiber distribution rack (10) is disclosed. In one aspect, the cable management structure (100) supports cables extending from an optical fiber distribution element (50) supported by the rack (10). In one embodiment, a plurality of first cable support guides (102a) are vertically aligned along a first plane (190) while a plurality of second cable support guides (102b) are vertically aligned along a second plane (192). As presented, the first cable support guides (102a) are offset from the second cable support guides (102b) such that the first plane (190) is horizontally recessed from the second plane (192). In one embodiment a side channel frame (130) is provided to support the cable support guides (102). In another embodiment, the optical fiber distribution element (50) is provided with linearly spaced mounting arrangements (60) configured for engagement with cable support guides (202, 302).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: CommScope Connectivity Belgium BVBA
    Inventors: Johan Geens, Pieter Vermeulen, Eric Marcel M Keustermans, Lodewijk Van Noten