Patents by Inventor Christopher Philip Brophy

Christopher Philip Brophy has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Fluid-encapsulated MEMS optical switch
    Patent number: 6404942
    Abstract: A fluid encapsulated MEMS optical switch includes an optical waveguide matrix with MEMS mirrors situated in trenches located at waveguide cross-points. The trenches are filled with collimation-maintaining fluid and the mirrors are immersed therein. The collimation maintaining fluid prevents the light beam from spreading when it enters the switch cross-points. This feature enables the use of much smaller MEMS mirrors and prevents some of the typical MEMS mirror problems found in the related art. In particular, the MEMS mirror disclosed in the present invention is reduced to approximately 15 &mgr;m wide and 2 &mgr;m thick, resulting in shorter actuation distances of approximately 15 &mgr;m. This feature results in an optical switch having faster switching times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Victoria Ann Edwards, Bernard Eid, Christopher Philip Brophy, Darol Chamberlain
  • Fluid-encapsulated MEMS optical switch
    Patent number: 6389189
    Abstract: A fluid encapsulated MEMS optical switch includes an optical waveguide matrix with MEMS mirrors situated in trenches located at waveguide cross-points. The trenches are filled with collimation-maintaining fluid and the mirrors are immersed the rein. The collimation maintaining fluid prevents the light beam from spreading when it enters the switch cross-points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Victoria Ann Edwards, Bernard Eid, Christopher Philip Brophy, Darol Chamberlain