Abstract: An optical switch (10) includes a housing (3), an input port (4), an output port (5), a switching element (6), a holder (7), and a driver (63). The holder holds the input and output ports in alignment with one another and is assembled with the switching element. The switching element includes an optical component assembly (61) and a rotating mechanism (60). The optical component assembly is fixed on the rotating mechanism and is brought to move between a top stopper (85) (an upward position), wherein the optical component assembly is out of optical paths running between the input port and the output port, and a bottom stopper (86) (a downward position), wherein the optical component assembly is in the optical paths. The optical component assembly includes a prism (612), which redirects optical paths passing through it, thereby effecting switching between the input and output ports.

Abstract: A motor driven variable optical attenuator (10) comprises a base (12), a cover (13), an attenuation device (11), and a motor (19). The attenuation device comprises a fixed collimator (111), a movable collimator (112) retained in a holding device (113), and an adjusting device. The two collimators are aligned end-to-end. The adjusting device comprises a first screw rod (114), and a second screw rod (115). The first screw rod comprises a thread portion (1141) rotatably engaged in the holding device, and a gear (1142). The second screw rod comprises a thread portion (1151), and a head (1152). The thread portion of the second screw rod meshes with the gear of the first screw rod. The motor comprises a cylindrical projection (195) engaged in the head of the second screw rod. The motor rotates the second screw rod, which drives the first screw rod, which laterally moves the holding device.

Abstract: An optical switch (99) according to the present invention comprises a base (60), a switching element (40), a first input port (10), a first output port (15), a second input port (20), a second output port (25), a third input port (30), and a third output port (35). Six holders (61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66) are arranged symmetrically on the base to hold the three input ports, in alignment with the corresponding three output ports. The switching element is accommodated in a space (67) surrounded by the input and output ports. A driver (not shown) drives the switching element to move in or out of the space or to rotate in the space, thereby switching light beams transmitted from the three input ports between the three different output ports.

Abstract: An optical fiber holder (6) includes an optical fiber retainer (2), a C-shaped spacer (3), and a base (4) having a fixing hole (41) defined therein. The optical fiber retainer has a fixing portion (22), and a retaining portion (21) for retaining a number of optical fibers (5) therein. The fixing portion of the optical fiber retainer is encircled by the C-shaped spacer, and received in the hole of the base. The C-shaped spacer is tightly retained in an annular groove (411) defined in the base around the hole. The optical fiber retainer can rotate with respect to the retained C-shaped spacer.

Abstract: An optical switch (1) having a sealing system connects to input fibers (42, 43) and output fibers (44, 45), and includes a switching device (5), a top housing (10), a bottom housing (30), a gasket (20) and four fiber clamps (40). The top and bottom housings each define a ringed channel (104, 304). The gasket is received in the ringed channels of the top and bottom housings. When screws combining the top and bottom housings together are tightened, the gasket deforms to fill the ringed channels, thereby forming a good seal between an inside and an outside of the housing.

Abstract: A variable optical attenuator (99) comprises a holder (4), a rotatable mechanism (5), a refractor (6), an input port (2) and an output port (3). The input port and the output port are engaged with corresponding upright beams (42, 43) of the holder, which hold the input port and the output port in alignment with each other. The refractor is mounted on the rotatable mechanism by adhering to or soldering on a groove (52) of the rotatable mechanism, wherein the rotatable mechanism mates with a through hole (46) of the holder to make the center of the refractor and the optical axis of input and output collimators (22, 32) of the input and output ports in line.

Abstract: An optic switch includes a casing to which first and second input devices and first and second output devices are attached. The first input and output devices are aligned with each other and the second input and output devices are aligned with each other. A movable reflection device is movable between a non-engaged position and an engaged position between the input and output devices by a driving device. The movable reflection device has first and second reflective surfaces. A fixed reflection device is fixed inside the casing and has a third reflective surface which is parallel to and opposes the first reflective surface when the movable reflection device is at the engaged position. When the movable reflection device is at the non-engaged position, optic signals from the first and second input devices are allowed to directly pass to the first and second output devices respectively.

Abstract: An optical fiber cable holder (1) includes a clasping portion (11) and a fixing portion (12). The clasping portion includes a top cover (1), and two side walls (112) depending from opposite sides of the top cover. A pair of bent arms (114) respectively extends from other opposite sides of the top cover, to prevent excessive bending of any cable (3) secured in the holder. A pair of spring arms (113) slants inwardly from the side walls, to retain the cables in the clasping portion. The fixing portion includes a pair of locking legs (121) and four stop latches (122). The locking legs are engagingly received through a pair of holes (21) defined in a base plate (2). The stop latches are supported on the base plate. The holder is thereby fixed on the base plate.

Abstract: A collimating device (20) comprises a GRIN lens (22), a filter (24) and an outer tube (26). The GRIN lens and the filter are both secured in the outer tube. The outer tube is made of stainless steel, and has a first receiving portion (261) and a second receiving portion (262). The first receiving portion is cylindrical, and defines a cylindrical cavity (264) therein for receiving the GRIN lens. The second receiving portion is also cylindrical, and defines a generally rectangular cavity (266) therein for receiving the filter. The GRIN lens and the filter are glued in the outer tube with relatively little epoxy, and with no excess epoxy contaminating optical faces thereof.

Abstract: An optical switch (99) includes a housing (10), a driver (50), a first I/O port (20), a second I/O port (40) and a switching element (32). Each I/O port has a collimator (27,47) and attaches to input and to output fibers. The housing holds the first I/O port and the second I/O port in alignment with one another and supports the driver on a substrate (11) of the housing. The switching element is rotationally attached to the driver and has a first and second mirrors (322, 323) and a GRIN rod lens (324). The driver drives the switching element between a first position, wherein the rod lens aligns with the I/O ports, and a second position, wherein the mirrors align with the I/O ports. Thus light signals from input fibers are variously directed to output fibers on an opposite side, or on the same side, of the optical switch.

Abstract: An optical collimator comprises an optical fiber, a capillary, a GRIN lens and a glass tube. A bore is defined in the capillary. A conical depression is defined in an end of the capillary and in communication with the bore. The optical fiber is retained in the bore of the capillary. An end of the capillary is bonded with an end of the GRIN lens. The capillary and the GRIN lens are encased in the glass tube.

Abstract: An optical fiber cable holder (1) includes a holding member (2) and a fixing member (3). The holding member includes a top cover (21), a pair of holding arms (22) extending from opposite sides of the top cover, a pair of spring arms (23) extending from other opposite sides of the top cover, and a pair of locking hands (24) extending from the spring arms. A guide slot (211) is defined in the top cover, and a pair of receiving holes (213) is defined in the holding arms for retainingly receiving optical fibers (4) therein. The fixing member includes a base plate (2), an locking ring (32) connected with the base plate, and a locking groove (34) defined between the locking ring and the base plate. The locking hands are slidably received in the locking groove. The holding member is thereby rotatably engaged with the fixing member.

Abstract: An optical switch (99) includes a housing (10), a driver (50), a first I/O port (20), a second I/O port (40) and a switching element (32). Each I/O port has a collimator (27, 47) and attaches to input and to output fibers. The housing holds the first I/O port and the second I/O port in alignment with one another and supports the driver on a substrate (11) of the housing. The switching element is rotationally attached to the driver and has a first and second mirrors (322, 323) and a GRIN rod lens (324). The driver drives the switching element between a first position, wherein the rod lens aligns with the I/O ports, and a second position, wherein the mirrors align with the I/O ports. Thus light signals from input fibers are variously directed to output fibers on an opposite side, or on the same side, of the optical switch.

Abstract: An optical collimator (20) includes an optical fiber (21), a metal ferrule (22), a Graded Index (GRIN) lens (23) and an outer metal tube (24). The optical fiber has an exposed end (211) which is coated with metal. The exposed end of the optical fiber is inserted into the ferrule and laser welded thereto. The GRIN lens is also coated with metal. A plurality of soldering holes (241) is defined in a periphery of the outer tube. Solder is applied to the ferrule and the GRIN lens through the holes to firmly connect the outer tube, the ferrule and the GRIN lens together. After assembly, if the position of the GRIN lens or the optical fiber is found to be inaccurate, the GRIN lens and the ferrule can be easily resoldered.

Abstract: An optic adaptor connects first and second optic fibers in an aligned but spaced fashion for attenuation of optic signal traveling between the optic fibers. The adaptor includes a base secured to a patch panel and connected to the first optic fiber. The base defines a bore receiving and retaining a first end of a sleeve that receives the first optic fiber. A cylinder has a proximal end axially and movably received in the bore to receive a second end of the sleeve. A fiber connection member is mounted to the cylinder and attaches the second optic fiber to the cylinder with the second optic fiber received in the second end of the sleeve. A knob ring threadingly engages the cylinder. The knob is rotatably mounted to but is not axially movable with respect the base body whereby rotation of the knob induces axial movement of the cylinder and the second optic fiber with respect to the base body and the first optic fiber. Thus the distance between the optic fibers can be changed.

Abstract: An optical switch (1) having a sealing system connects to input fibers (42, 43) and output fibers (44, 45), and includes a switching device (5), a top housing (10), a bottom housing (30), a gasket (20) and four fiber clamps (40). The top and bottom housings each define a ringed channel (104, 304). The gasket includes a plurality of quadrate flanges (206). Each quadrate flange defines an elliptic opening (208) for inserting a fiber clamp holding a fiber. The gasket is received in the ringed channels of the top and bottom housings. When screws combining the top and bottom housings together are tightened, the gasket deforms to fill the ringed channels, thereby forming a good seal between an inside and an outside of the housing. The elliptic openings promote a balancing of stress in the quadrate flanges, increasing the life of the gasket.

Abstract: An optical switch (1) includes a first collimator (5) retaining a first input fiber (11) and a second output fiber (13), a second collimator (6) retaining a first output fiber (12) and a second input fiber (14), a switching element (30), a driving device (40), and a base (50). The switching element has a third reflector (33) fixed to the base and a first and second reflectors (31, 32) attached to a moveable block (41). The driving device moves the first and the second reflectors between a first position and a second position. The switching element switches light signals coming from the first and second input fibers between the first and second output fibers depending on whether the first and second reflectors reflect the light (in the first position) or whether the third reflector reflects the light (in the second position).

Abstract: A variable optical attenuator (10) of the present invention includes a cover (2), a housing (3), an optical module (4), a reciprocating means (5), and a filter (9). The reciprocating means, optical module, and filter are assembled in the housing. The reciprocating means includes a carrier (53) mounted to a rotatable screw rod (55). The filter has a varying optical density gradient over one of its dimensions and mounts on the carrier. Light signals are transmitted from an input optical fiber (45) through the filter and are reflected off a reflector (42) of the optical module to pass again through the filter to an output optical fiber (46). When the screw rod is rotated, the carrier with the filter mounted on it moves toward one side of the housing or another, varying the attenuation of the light signals. The screw rod can be rotated using a screwdriver through a side hole (33,34) on either side of the housing.

Abstract: An optical fiber holder assembly (2) includes a fiber holder (3) and a base (4). The fiber holder is assembled onto the base. The fiber holder is obtained by pressing a unitary sheet metal. The fiber holder has a body (31). Two inclined walls (38) are separately positioned at opposite ends of the body and extending downwardly from the body. Two openings (35) are separately defined in each inclined wall and a passageway formed therebetween. A guide slot (36) is defined in a middle of the body and communicates with the two openings. The fiber holder further includes two flexible portions (32). Each flexible portion has a fixing foot (34) and two opposite supporting arms (33). A clearance (37) is formed between the fixing foot and each supporting arm. The base defines two rectangular openings (41) for receiving the fixing feet.