Patents by Inventor Lawrence C. Smyth

Lawrence C. Smyth 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).

  • Patent number: 4439221
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are described for making an optical fiber coupler. A pair of optical fibers are supported in predetermined orientation by positioning means. The latter are spaced apart along a common axis. The optical fibers are positioned within tube means of a selected size intermediate the positioning means. In use, the tube means functions as a furnace to distribute heat uniformly to at least a portion of the fibers to fuse the same together. One of the positioning means preferable is rotatable, to enable twisting of the fibers. It is also preferable that at least one fiber has a tensile force applied to it. More preferably, the tensile force is sufficient to cause necking of the heated fiber, thereby forming a biconical section therein. Rotation of one positioning means through about one half revolution normally causes twisting of the biconical section and fusion thereof to the other fiber. Typically, both fibers are subject to a pulling force to create biconical sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1983
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1984
    Assignee: Her Majesty the Queen in right of Canada as represented by the Minister of National Defence
    Inventors: Lawrence C. Smyth, Alexander W. Lightstone