Patents by Inventor Thomas H. Tiefel, deceased

Thomas H. Tiefel, deceased 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: 5987200
    Abstract: A tunable fiber grating comprises a temperature-sensitive body secured to a fiber having a fiber grating region for transmitting thermally-induced strain to the grating. The amount of strain and hence the degree of wavelength tuning are controlled by adjusting the temperature of the temperature-sensitive body, wherein the extent of adjustment is preferably pre-determined according to feedback from a wavelength detector. Large thermal strains obtainable with the present invention allow a wide range of wavelength tuning with a relatively small and convenient temperature change near ambient temperature. In a preferred embodiment, the temperature-sensitive body is cylindrical and comprised of a nickel-titanium alloy bonded to the grating. In alternative arrangements, the thermal strain effect can be amplified. An add/drop multiplexer employing the tunable gratings is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Debra Anne Fleming, Sungho Jin, David Wilfred Johnson, Jr., Paul Joseph Lemaire, Thomas H. Tiefel, deceased