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: 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 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: 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 fiber cable holder (9) includes a main body (1) and a coupler (3). The main body comprises a holding member (11) and a fixing member (12). The holding member comprises a base portion (113), and a pair of holding arms (114) extending upwardly from opposite sides of the base portion. Each holding arm has a gradual bend at a terminal portion thereof. A receiving opening (116) is defined between the terminal portions to receive optical fiber cables (4) therethrough. The fixing member includes a support panel (121), a pivot portion (122) depending from support panel, a stop chassis (124) depending from the pivot portion, and an annular groove (123) being defined between the pivot portion and the stop chassis. The coupler is resiliently secured in the groove to retain the main body on a base (2). The holder is thereby rotatably fixed on the base, and prevents excessive bending or pulling of fiber cables retained in the holder.

Abstract: An optical switch (80) includes a base (11), two input ports (20, 40), two output ports (30, 50), a reflector assembly (60), a driving means (70) and a cover (12). The reflector assembly has a first reflector (61) with two reflecting surfaces (611, 612) and a second reflector (62) with two reflecting surfaces (621, 622). The light beams from the input ports selectively propagate to the output ports by controlling the rotation angle (90° or N×90°; N: natural number) of the reflector assembly to be in a first position or a second position and therefore to switch different reflecting surface of the first reflector and the second reflector into the path of the light beams.

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 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 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 electrical variable optical attenuator includes a housing (1), a cover (2), an optical module (3), and a shifting device (4). The optical module comprises a reflective device (31), a graded transmittance filter (32), a filter carrier (33), and a container (38). The reflective device is an integrated piece comprising a first reflective plane (311), a second reflective plane (312), and an opening (313) movably accommodating the graded transmittance filter therein. The first and the second reflective planes are substantially perpendicular to each other. Because the first and second reflective planes are integrally formed on the reflective device, the attenuator is relatively easy to assemble. In addition, the attenuator is able to operate reliably in rugged conditions, including applications where the attenuator may be subjected to vibration, shock or extreme temperatures.

Abstract: An optical switch (99) according to the present invention comprises a housing (30), a first I/O port (10), a second I/O port (50), a driver (23) and a switching element (20). The housing holds the first I/O port and the second I/O port in alignment with a prism (22) having reflective surfaces (221, 222) and supports the driver on a substrate (31) of the housing. A mirror (21) of the switching element is rotationally attached to the driver, and is movable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, light beams from the first and second I/O ports transmit through the prism back to the second and first I/O ports, respectively; in the second position, light beams from the first and second I/O ports are reflected back to the first and second I/O ports by the mirror. Thus light signals from input fibers are switched between two output fibers of the I/O ports.

Abstract: An optical fiber holding device (100) comprises a fastening flange (120) and a coil-shaped fiber receiving portion (110) connecting with the flange. The receiving portion is formed by a wall (113) spiraling from an inner end (114) thereof outwardly. A central holding space (112), a spiral guiding passage (111), and an inlet (115) of the passage are thereby defined. The flange is connected with an outer end of the wall adjacent the inlet. A pair of through holes (121) is defined in the flange. The holding device is integrally formed by molding plastic material, or by bending a metal sheet. Each optical fiber (130) is inserted into the inlet, guided along the passage, and received in the central holding space. Screw s are extended through the through holes to secure the holding device together with the optical fibers to an optical module.

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: 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.

Abstract: An optical switch (99) includes a base (10), two input ports (20, 40), two output ports (30, 50), a movable reflector assembly (60), a driving means (70) and a cover (80). The movable reflector assembly has a first reflector (61) with two outer reflecting surfaces (611, 612) and a second reflector (62) with two inner reflecting surfaces (621, 622). The light beams from the input ports propagate to the output ports by moving the movable reflector assembly up and down between a first position and a second position and switching the first reflector and the second reflector into the path of the light beams in turn.

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 comprises 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, effecting a switching between input ports and output ports.