Patents by Inventor Nicholas E. Achurch

Nicholas E. Achurch 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).

  • Fabrication of fused fibre devices
    Patent number: 5342425
    Abstract: Apparatus for fabricating fused optical fibre devices comprises a furnace provided with an electric heating element (5). A heat-distributing insert (7) is provided within the heating element (5), the heating element and the insert being sized and shaped to define a heating chamber for an optical fibre arrangement. The apparatus includes means for passing electric current through the heating element (5), and means (8) for supplying and maintaining an inert atmosphere within the heating chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1994
    Assignee: BT&D Technologies Limited
    Inventors: Christopher J. Rowe, David B. Mortimore, Iain J. Wilkinson, Nicholas E. Achurch
  • Fibre modulators
    Patent number: 5321777
    Abstract: A modulation assembly includes a fibre having a drawn tapered portion, and apparatus for applying a perturbation to the tapered portion to vary the percentage transmission through the fibre.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1994
    Assignee: British Telecommunications public limited company
    Inventors: Andrew M. Hicks, Iain J. Wilkinson, Nicholas E. Achurch, Stephen Hornung
  • Method for fabrication of fused fibre devices
    Patent number: 5288301
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for fabricating fused optical fibre devices includes a furnace provided with an electric heating element. A heat-distributing insert is provided within the heating element, the heating element and the insert being sized and shaped to define a heating chamber for an optical fibre arrangement. The method includes passing electric current through the heating element, and supplying and maintaining an inert atmosphere within the heating chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 22, 1994
    Assignee: BT&D Technologies Limited
    Inventors: Christopher J. Rowe, David B. Mortimore, Iain J. Wilkinson, Nicholas E. Achurch
  • Orientating optical fibres
    Patent number: 5108173
    Abstract: A method and apparartus for setting the orientation of an optical fibre (6) having at least one planar section extending along its length comprises a light source (3) for generating a beam of light which impinges on the fibre (6). Light reflected by the fibre is detected by a light detector (5) and the fibre is rotated by means of a tube (1) into which it is inserted while the intensity of the detected light is monitored. When the intensity becomes a maximum then the planar face is facing in a known direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1992
    Assignee: British Telecommunications public limited company
    Inventors: Nicholas E. Achurch, Ian P. Copple, Stephen A. Cassidy