Patents Examined by Jerry T. Rahill
  • Patent number: 7978944
    Abstract: A laser light cable includes an optical fiber and a wire cladding that surrounds the optical fiber and is electrically conductive in the longitudinal direction of the laser light cable. The wire cladding includes a continuous layer of axially-adjacent wires formed from a wire item wrapped around the optical fiber. Axially-adjacent wires of the wire cladding abut in a light-proof manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Trumpf Laser GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Bernd Armbruster, Stephan Neuschaefer-Rube
  • Patent number: 7577330
    Abstract: Connectorized nano-engineered optical fibers and method for forming them are disclosed. The methods include heating a mid-span bare fiber portion of the nano-engineered fiber to collapse the airlines therein so as to form an airline-free portion. The fiber is then inserted into a ferrule channel so that the fiber end protrudes beyond the ferrule end face, but with the airline-free portion positioned at the ferrule end face. The fiber is then cleaved at or near the ferrule end face in the airline-free portion, and the new fiber end face polished to create a solid fiber end face that coincides with the ferrule end face. The methods result in at most only minimal changes to the mode field diameter (MFD) and/or to the outer cladding diameter, which is essential in forming a connectorized nano-engineered fiber that can connect to like-size nano-engineered or non-nano-engineered fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Corning Cable Systems LLC
    Inventors: Robert R. Beshears, Dana C. Bookbinder, Terry L. Cooke, John B. Johnson, Dennis M. Knecht, Ming-Jun Li, Michael H. Rasmussen
  • Patent number: 7284912
    Abstract: An optical fiber interconnect system comprising a connector for carrying an array of optical fibers along a longitudinal axis. The adapter comprises a push-push coupling mechanism configured to receive and couple with the connector upon application of a first pushing force to the connector. The connector is disengaged and may be withdrawn from the adapter upon application of a second pushing force upon the connector. The pushing forces can be applied at a pushing region by using a stylus member. Spring-biased automatic shutters are included in the adapter to provide protection against dust and other contaminants, as well as eye injuries, when only one of the connectors is inserted in the adapter. The release mechanism that disengages the connector and adapter facilitates the handling of a small connector. When the release is operated, the separation of the connector and adapter is initiated actively without the need of a strong pull.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignees: Illum Technologies, Inc., Adamant Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshio Suzuki, Gregory Bunin
  • Patent number: 7275878
    Abstract: The present invention relates to controlling parameters of an optical output of an optical transmitter. An optical package can be selected based on a level of attenuation of a parameter of a transmitter output by the optical package. The laser and the optical package can be assembled and a parameter of the transmitter output can be measured. An optical barrel can be selected based on the measurement, wherein the optical barrel is selected based on an attenuation level to satisfy a range of a desired parameter value. The optical package and the optical barrel can be assembled. A system for assembling the optical device is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Finisar Corporation
    Inventors: Gary Landry, Norman Brent Stapleton, James K. Guenter, Jimmy A. Tatum
  • Patent number: 7254291
    Abstract: One embodiment of an optical interferometer includes a first MMI device coupled to a second MMI device via a waveguide. The first MMI device separates a first signal into a guided portion and a diffused portion. The guided portion is transmitted to the second MMI device through the waveguide. At least part of the diffused portion reflects off a reflector towards the second MMI device and is coupled with the guided portion within either the second MMI device or a part of the waveguide proximal to the second MMI device, forming at least part of a second signal. The difference between the propagation times of the guided portion and the at least part of the diffused portion results in constructive or destructive interference between the two portions, allowing specific channels to be added to or dropped from the first signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Avanex Corporation
    Inventors: Jean-Rene Burie, Ali Guermache
  • Patent number: 7076142
    Abstract: The present invention relates to coated photonic crystal fibers including a photonic crystal fiber and a protective coating surrounding the photonic crystal fiber. The coating is obtained by curing a resin composition, which may include a urethane (meth)acrylate oligomer. The present invention also relates to a coated photonic crystal fiber including a photonic crystal fiber and a protective coating having a refractive index below 1.45.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: DSM IP Assets B.V.
    Inventors: Timothy E. Bishop, Tosko Misev
  • Patent number: 7046873
    Abstract: An optical switch device is capable of positioning an optical fiber in substantially perpendicular directions without using an additional member so as to improve the easiness in mounting the optical fiber. While a silicon substrate is bonded on the surface of a glass substrate, on the silicon substrate, a plurality of fiber-mounting grooves for mounting the optical fiber and an actuator including a mirror for switching an optical path between a plurality of the optical fibers. On an internal surface of the fiber-mounting groove, a fiber clamp is constructed for applying an obliquely inclined pushing force to the optical fiber. Thereby, the optical fiber is pushed with the fiber clamp toward the other internal surface as well as toward the glass substrate so as to position the optical fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masaya Tamura
  • Patent number: 7021835
    Abstract: Optical alignment apparatus is disclosed that includes a heatsink positioned on a supporting substrate and a laser positioned on the heat sink. The laser defines a light emitting axis substantially parallel to the surface of the supporting substrate. A conductive layer is formed on the surface of the supporting substrate adjacent the heat sink and a dielectric layer is formed on the conductive layer. The conductive layer and the dielectric layer define a selected bondline thickness. An optical block is fixedly mounted on the dielectric layer so as to receive light along an optical axis substantially parallel with the surface of the supporting substrate. The bondline thickness is selected to align the optical axis of the optical block with the optical axis of the light generating component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Inventor: Joseph John Vandenberg
  • Patent number: 6970630
    Abstract: A preform for a low loss fiber optic cable and method and apparatus for fabricating such a preform is provided. The method includes providing AlCl3 and CVD precursors and locally doping CaCl3. Alkali and/or alkaline earth fluxing agents can be introduced. The alkali and/or alkaline earths are doped along with the aluminum into the silica glass core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
    Inventors: George H. Sigel, Jr., Daniel S. Homa
  • Patent number: 6501878
    Abstract: The invention relates to an optical fiber and a fiber termination which provide an output of laser light propagating through the fiber in a required direction while focusing it into a small spot. In one embodiment of the invention the termination includes a tapered fiber rod with an angled ball formed at the end of the rod. A corresponding method of manufacturing of the termination is provided. In another embodiment the termination includes a fiber rod having an angled end and a GRIN lens disposed so as to receive light reflected from the angled end, the lens being an integral part of the termination. In other embodiments the lens is replaced with a cylindrical or tapered multimode stub which provide similar function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: Nortel Networks Limited
    Inventors: Richard P. Hughes, Trevor G. Zapach, Jill A. Oosterom