Patents Examined by John Ngo
  • Patent number: 5680494
    Abstract: An FC-type optical fiber connector adapter, such as an FC/PC optical fiber connector adapter, is provided with a circumferential flange and at least one substantially radially extending projection for mounting in a panel designed to accommodate biconic optical fiber connector adapters. In one embodiment, the FC-type optical fiber connector adapter contains a circumferential groove with an O-ring to facilitate a tight frictional connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Assignee: Bell Atlantic Network Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Craig S. Kaas
  • Patent number: 5680496
    Abstract: The fiber optic cable assembly mounts to a perimeter surface of a swimming pool or a spa to provide lighting around the perimeter of the swimming pool or spa. The fiber optic cable assembly includes a bundle of fiber optic fibers, a tube, a track, and a plurality of fasteners. The front surface of the track and the rear surface of the tube cooperatively define a chamber between the track and the tube to eliminate interference between the fasteners and the tube such that the tube is uniformly received in the track. Another embodiment of the invention provides a track with a rear surface that defines a reservoir. The reservoir advantageously collects excess adhesive used in the mounting process of the track to prevent unsightly and difficult to remove excess adhesive from building up around the track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Assignee: American Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Garrett J. Burkitt, III, Dennis C. Dunn, Kevin L. Potucek
  • Patent number: 5680492
    Abstract: A gradient index (GRIN) lens couples light from a single fiber optic into a fiber bundle or directly into the input port of an illumination device, such as a medical illumination device. The single fiber optic provides a high intensity beam of light having a high NA. An entry face of the GRIN lens is positioned adjacent to an exit aperture of the fiber within the near field of the fiber and thereby receives a beam having a substantially uniform cross-section, rather than a Gaussian cross-section as would occur with the GRIN lens positioned in the far field of the fiber. An exit face of the GRIN lens is positioned adjacent to the fiber bundle or input port of the illumination device. As such, the GRIN lens effectively images the exit aperture of the fiber of the input aperture of the fiber bundle as input port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Assignee: Cogent Light Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark D. Hopler, Glenn P. Empey, Zafirios Gourgouliatos
  • Patent number: 5677974
    Abstract: A hybrid cable for distributing communications signals and three-phase moderate-voltage alternating current, and a distribution method and network using the hybrid cable. The cable includes a hollow conduit, an optical fiber pulled through the conduit and housed within the conduit, power conductors disposed around the conduit, and a sheath which provides both structural protection and dielectric properties encasing the power conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1997
    Assignee: Southern New England Telephone Company
    Inventors: Ronald Duane Elms, John Garland Messina, Dwight Apollos Phelps, John Joseph Wells
  • Patent number: 5677970
    Abstract: An optical scanning device of the thin film waveguide type, which has a scanning speed and excellent scanning accuracy that can be used in a laser beam printer, a digital copier, a facsimile apparatus or the like, and an image forming apparatus using the optical scanning device are disclosed. The optical scanning device comprising: a thin film waveguide; a light source for emitting a plurality of laser beams to the thin film waveguide; a comb-like electrode for exciting a surface acoustic wave for deflecting the laser beams in the thin film waveguide; and a plurality of emitting means for emitting the deflected laser beams to an outside of the thin film waveguide, the emitting means being equal in number to the laser beams is disclosed. In an embodiment, the plurality of emitting means are located at the same position in a traveling direction of the incident laser beams, and have different emittance angles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1997
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox
    Inventor: Keiichi Nashimoto
  • Patent number: 5675679
    Abstract: A light branching and coupling device excellent both in transmitting performance and in distributing performance in which the intermediate portion of an optical fiber 10a (10b) is thermally drawn to form light transmission fiber portions 11a and 15a (11b and 15b) and a light branching and coupling fiber portion 13a (13b) having a diameter smaller than that of the light transmission fiber portions and, at the same time, form tapering fiber portions 12a and 14a (12b and 14b) between the light transmission fiber portions and the light branching and coupling fiber portion so that the tapering fiber portions are tapered off gradually toward the light branching and coupling fiber portion 13a (13b) side. The light branching and coupling fiber portions 13a and 13b thus formed are fused with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hayato Yuuki
  • Patent number: 5675676
    Abstract: An optical branching apparatus in which a pair of optical transmission lines as reverse and forward links are branched into a plurality of lines includes a plurality of wavelength demultiplexing ports and a plurality of optical transmission media. The plurality of wavelength demultiplexing ports have wavelength demultiplexing/multiplexing units each connected to a branch point of each of the optical transmission lines to demultiplex a light beam having different wavelengths from the each optical transmission line and output demultiplexed light beams to branch destinations, and to transmit light beams having different wavelengths and input from branch sources and output a multiplexed light beam to the each optical transmission line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Shuji Yamashita, Kiyoshi Sekikawa
  • Patent number: 5675681
    Abstract: Multifiber interconnection element for optic fiber cable including two cylindrical complementary elements with optic fibers belonging to multifiber cables to be connected, abutted to the same. Each one of the complementary elements shows outside a longitudinal notch at least, having shape and size similar to the shape and size of a corresponding longitudinal slide obtained on the internal surface of a coupling bush. These complementary elements are inserted for reciprocal coupling inside this bush with the relevant front contact parts turned one against the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Assignee: Italtel SPA
    Inventors: Guido Chiaretti, Giacomo Parafioriti
  • Patent number: 5673348
    Abstract: This invention relates to devices in the field of optical communication networks and measurement devices and to an apparatus for adjustment of a first optical device relative to a second optical device. The apparatus for adjustment can be used for example in attenuating devices, coupling devices and filtering devices. A precise and reproducible adjustment is achieved by an apparatus for adjustment of a first optical device relative to the position of a second optical device and includes first apparatus for fixing the first optical device, second apparatus for fixing the second optical device and further apparatus for fastening said first and said second apparatus' planes parallel to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1997
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventors: Jochen Ziegler, Rolf Steiner
  • Patent number: 5668912
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a sand [sic; cable] containing one or more elongated elements (11,21,22) for the transport of signals and/or electrical power, comprising an essentially flat support (2) made of a plastic material, including means for housing the elongated elements, characterized in that the housing means are in the form of at least one groove (3) which extends longitudinally along the flat support (2), all the grooves (3) being located on the same side (4) of the support (2), this support (2) being surrounded by a sheath (9) made of a plastic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1997
    Assignee: Alcatel NA Cable Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: David A. Keller
  • Patent number: 5668902
    Abstract: In a coupling structure for directly coupling a semiconductor laser to an optical fiber without using a lens, a coupling structure is provided which is superior in producibility, low in coupling loss and stable in operation of the semiconductor laser, by removing an influence of a return light due to Fresnel reflection from an end face of the optical fiber. A re-combination of the semiconductor laser to an active layer of the optical fiber is prevented by scattering a reflection light at the end face of the optical fiber by positively increasing a surface roughness Rz of the end face of the optical fiber to a range from 0.04 .mu.m to 0.06 .mu.m. The end face is formed by cutting the optical fiber with a blade saw having abrasive of particle size in a range from #1000 gauge to #2000 gauge corresponding to a range from 8 .mu.m to 20 .mu.m. The end face may be polished with abrasive having size in a rage from #1000 to #2000 gauge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1997
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuhiko Kurata
  • Patent number: 5666447
    Abstract: A color laser printing apparatus that incorporates the use of fiber optics and a flexible beam-combining device to combine two or more lasers having different wavelengths that correspond to the photosensitivities of the image-receiving media. Use of fiber optics on a flexible beam-combining device allows high flexibility in the placement of components associated with a color laser printing apparatus and making the system easier to align. Because the components of the system no longer require placement in close proximity to one another, certain aspects of the system can be made more compact and any adverse effects of heat generation of the components, such as the lasers, can be greatly reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1997
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Chih-Li Chuang, Sanwal Prasad Sarraf
  • Patent number: 5666456
    Abstract: A guide tool and associated method are provided for inserting guide pins in a plurality of stacked multi-fiber connectors and for mating two opposed stacks of multi-fiber connectors. The guide tool comprises a rail with a first and a second mount disposed thereon. At least one of the mounts is slidably disposed on the rail. The mounts receive a stack of multi-fiber connectors or a pin applicator body. In operation, a first stack of multi-fiber connectors are disposed in the first mount, a pin applicator is disposed in the second mount, the second mount is slid along the rail until the guide pins are operatively inserted into the first stack of connectors. The applicator is removed from the second mount and a second stack of connectors can be disposed therein for being slid into an operative mating relationship with the first stack of connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1997
    Assignee: Siecor Corporation
    Inventor: James R. Merriken
  • Patent number: 5666455
    Abstract: A waveguide device includes an indium phosphide substrate, an active layer formed on the indium phosphide substrate, and a cladding layer formed on the active layer, the cladding layer having a ridge structure the side wall of which is configured into a reversed mesa form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1997
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Aoki, Tatemi Ido, Takayuki Tsutsui, Kazuhisa Uomi, Tomonobu Tsuchiya, Makoto Okai, Atsushi Nakamura
  • Patent number: 5666449
    Abstract: An optical waveguide device having an optical waveguide chip, first and second adapters, and an optical fiber plug. The optical waveguide chip has an optical waveguide structure having a connection end, and an end surface of the chip is flush with the connection end. The first adapter is fixed to the chip, and has an outer surface set in predetermined positional relation with the connection end. The second adapter has an inner surface including a first region and a second region, and is detachably mounted to the first adapter so that the outer surface of the first adapter comes to close contact with the first region. The optical fiber plug has an optical fiber having an excitation end and a ferrule in which the optical fiber is inserted and fixed. The optical fiber plug is detachably mounted to the second adapter so that the outer surface of the ferrule comes to close contact with the second region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1997
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Shinya Sawae, Sadayuki Miyata, Takashi Yamane
  • Patent number: 5666450
    Abstract: Alignment between an optical fiber and a laser diode is carried out by the steps of fixing a position sensitive detector and an optical fiber on a common supporting device, arranging a position sensitive detector opposite the laser diode, measuring the converging point of the light beams from the laser, calculating the difference between the converging point and the optical fiber, displacing the optical fiber relative to the laser diode by the calculated difference for harmonizing the converging point with the center of the optical fiber within a tolerance, moving minutely the optical fiber with the laser in the direction for increasing the light power emitted from the other end of the optical fiber and fixing the optical fiber at the point which gives the maximum power to the optical fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1997
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries,Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasushi Fujimura, Yoshiki Kuhara, Naoyuki Yamabayashi
  • Patent number: 5664033
    Abstract: An remote fiber test system includes a non-blocking N.times.N optical switch having N input ports and N output ports with one of the input ports coupled to a measurement test instrument for examining any of the optical fibers coupled to the output ports. The non-blocking switch includes a plurality of N input mechanical optical switches and an plurality of N output mechanical optical switches with each of the input mechanical optical switches having an input optical transmission path representing one of the input ports and each of the output mechanical optical switches having an output optical transmission path representing one of the output ports. Each input mechanical optical switch has N output optical transmission paths which each optical transmission path being coupled to one of the input optical transmission paths of each of the output mechanical optical switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1997
    Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Friedrich Scheu, Duwayne R. Anderson, William K. Bucher, Steve U. Reinhold, Lorimer L. Twigg, Mark D. Marineau
  • Patent number: 5664043
    Abstract: An optical fiber hermetic feed-through for polarization maintaining fibre has, contained within a hollow metallic plug, a ceramic ferrule that is a concentricity providing sliding fit around the fiber and serves to hold the fiber centered in an aperture in the end wall of the plug. The fiber is secured with adhesive in the bore of the ferrule which is similarly secured within the plug. An hermetic seal between plug and fiber is provided by a soft solder fillet whose short length and circular symmetry minimises the stress applied to the fibre by the freezing of the solder and thereby minimises the degradation of the polarisation maintaining properties of the fibre.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1997
    Assignee: Northern Telecom Limited
    Inventors: Alan Donaldson, Steven John Freer
  • Patent number: 5661835
    Abstract: An optical composite module includes a housing having two opposing side surfaces, a light separating unit disposed in the housing and adapted to separate pumping light and signal light, optical fibers respectively mounted on the opposing side surfaces of the housing to cause the signal light to pass through the light separating unit on a substantially straight line, and a pumping light source unit disposed in the housing and adapted to cause the pumping light to be incident on the light separating unit. This optical composite module can reduce a loss of light and improve the utilization efficiency of pumping light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1997
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Kato, Hisao Go, Toshio Takagi
  • Patent number: 5661831
    Abstract: An optical module has an optical wave-guide structure formed on a silicon substrate and a laser diode array solder bonded to first pads patterned on the silicon substrate in a self-aligned manner by virtue of surface tension of solder during a reflow stage, and the first pads are shaped into a rectangular parallelopiped configuration so as to make a ratio of a solder bump height to a pad width large without decrease of the volume of the solder bump, thereby generating large surface tension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1997
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Jun-Ichi Sasaki, Masataka Itoh, Hiroshi Honmou, Toshitaka Torikai