Patents by Inventor Thomas A. Swann

Thomas A. Swann 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).

  • Termination interface structure and method for joining an optical fiber to a graded index rod lens
    Patent number: 4962988
    Abstract: In order to make possible the provision of a good fusion joint with low losses between an optical fiber and a graded index (GRIN) glass rod lens with considerably larger diameter, the end of the GRIN lens to which the optical fiber is to be joined is tapered down radially the extent of at least one third the radius of the cylindrical lens at an angle approximately 45.degree.. It is then possible to make a mechanically good fused joint with low transmission losses in the mid portion of the reduced-diameter end of the lens by heating the butt joint with an electric arc. The taper may be frusto-conical, convex or concave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 16, 1990
    Assignee: Optomec Design Company
    Inventor: Thomas A. Swann