Patents by Inventor Simon T. Nicholls

Simon T. Nicholls 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).

  • Method of making fluoride glass optical coupler
    Patent number: 5139550
    Abstract: A fused coupler is formed from two twisted optic fibers (2, 3) of fluoride glass by heating them in the slot (18) of a temperature-controlled heater (15) in a shroud (14) containing an oxygen-free atmosphere. The glass of the fibers may be ZBLAN glass in which case the temperature is 323.degree. C..+-.10.degree. C. In an alternative embodiment the shroud is dispensed with and inert gas (nitrogen) is injected into a hole in the slot (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1992
    Assignee: British Telecommunications public limited company
    Inventors: Simon T. Nicholls, Michael Scott
  • Fluoride glass optical coupler component, coupler, and methods
    Patent number: 5061031
    Abstract: A coupler component is formed by embedding an optic fibre of fluoride glass in a slot in a substrate of a crown glass or flint glass which has a hardness similar to that of the fibre. The slot has a convex base and the slotted face of the substrate is ground and polished using a non-aqueous polishing medium to expose a portion of the embedded fibre. A coupler may be formed by mating the polished faces of two such components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1991
    Assignee: British Telecommunications public limited company
    Inventors: Simon T. Nicholls, Michael Scott
  • Optical fiber termination
    Patent number: 4735479
    Abstract: An optical fiber terminating device and a method of terminating optical fibers are shown. Fibres are secured in a receptacle which is formed by two parts joined together to form a precise "V" shaped groove having an internal angle of sixty degrees. The groove is arranged to receive a close packed array of small diameter juxtaposed fibers which are permanently fixed within the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1988
    Assignee: British Telecommunications plc
    Inventor: Simon T. Nicholls