With Additional Optical Element Between Facing Fiber Ends Patents (Class 385/73)
  • Publication number: 20040223678
    Abstract: A polarization maintaining coupler is provided that allows a user to change the coupling ratio of two or more output fibers. The coupler can include an assembly containing a PM fiber in a ferrule. The ferrule is attached to a housing, which includes a lens for collimating light from the PM fiber onto an optical component that splits the incoming polarized light into two orthogonally polarized components. Each of these orthogonal components is then output into a separate PM or single mode fiber. By rotating the input PM fiber with respect to the optical component, the coupling ratio of the output fibers can be changed. This change in the coupling ratio can be accomplished either by rotating the input PM fiber, or by rotating the optical component together with the output fibers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2003
    Publication date: November 11, 2004
    Applicant: FINISAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jian He, Ping Xie
  • Patent number: 6810196
    Abstract: A fiber optic cable suitable for blowing into and through ducts containing pressurized gas, such as natural gas, has the fibers therein arranged in arrays that form longitudinally extending vents. The vents are blocked from transmission of any gas by each being filled with a compliant member which assumes the cross-sectional shape of the vents thereby blocking it. In a second embodiment of the invention, the first and third ferrules are fixed within the housing with their offset bores in alignment. A second ferrule is interposed between the first and third ferrules and is mounted in a rotatable member for misaligning the bore in the second ferrule with the bores in the first and third ferrule to produce attenuation of a signal passing through the ferrules by misaligning the fibers contained in the bores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: Fitel USA Corp.
    Inventors: Sean L. Jones, Francis G. McCormack, David N. Ridgeway, Ian A. White
  • Patent number: 6789952
    Abstract: A connection device (1) for optical fibers, for use in a polluted environment includes a first connector (2) designed to be associated with at least a first optical fiber (16) and a second connector (3) designed to be associated with at least a second optical fiber (25) to be connected to the first fiber, wherein one of the connectors (2, 3) carries a fluid reserve (36) having a refractive index equal to that of the optical fibers, and at least pumping means (37) connected to said fluid reserve and which, in operation, can be actuated in response to connecting and disconnecting movements of the two connectors (2, 3) to inject, at each connecting/disconnecting movement, the fluid into a space (58) encompassing the front ends of the two fibers bringing them closer together or spacing them apart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Connecteurs Electriques Deutsch
    Inventor: Jean-Marc Lancelle
  • Patent number: 6789953
    Abstract: An optical coupler is provided with two receptacles for receiving connectors mounted at a predetermined angle relative to one another with a light guiding element disposed therebetween. The light guiding element may be a reflective surface, a length of optical fiber, a planar waveguide, or a polymer waveguide. The optical coupler of the present invention is preferably used in combination with an optical backplane to interconnect the backplane with a daughtercard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Corning Cable Systems LLC
    Inventors: Michael deJong, Stuart R. Melton, Charles A. Yow, Jr., Daniel Leyva, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6782160
    Abstract: An optical coupler includes a housing, and includes first and second optical terminals and a prism disposed in the housing. One terminal is moveable with respect to the other, and the prism maintains an optical alignment between the terminals. Because it includes a prism instead of a more complex and delicate optical assembly, such an optical coupler can often be less expensive and more rugged, and can often have a higher connection density, than prior optical couplers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: VanWinkle T. Townsend, Robert J. Varley
  • Publication number: 20040161204
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an in-line fiber optic device including a housing and an opening extending through the housing defining an optical pathway, the pathway including an optically significant element for altering a signal transmitted through the pathway, and the device including a housing with a removable portion to permit access to the optical path. The present invention also relates to a fiber optic device with a housing defining an optical path with a first and second ferrule, the optical path including an optically significant element and a first end of the housing about an outer end of the first ferrule removable to permit access to the first end of the first ferrule. The present invention further relates to a system for altering the signal being transmitted through an optical fiber telecommunications connection. The present invention also relates to a method of providing an optically significant element in an optical fiber telecommunications assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2003
    Publication date: August 19, 2004
    Applicant: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven C. Zimmel, Ronald J. Drechnik
  • Patent number: 6755575
    Abstract: An extender for an electrical data bus including a power line and signal lines has first and second electrical connectors for connection to respective electrical connectors attached to respective electrical data buses. The electrical connectors include a data interface circuit for communication with the electrical bus, an optical transmitter and optical receiver electrically connected to the data interface circuit, and driver circuits for the optical transmitter and optical receivers. The driver circuits obtain power from the power line on the local electrical data bus. An optic fiber is connected between the optical transmitters and receivers at respective first and second electrical connectors to transfer data optically between the first and second electrical connectors and thereby extend the range of the data bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Zarlink Semiconductor AB
    Inventors: Bertil Kronlund, Claus Johansson
  • Publication number: 20040120652
    Abstract: A light guide for an interconnecting device. The light guide comprises a first section having a Fibre Channel connector disposed therein and a second section having a Fibre Channel receptacle disposed therein. The second section is coupled to the first section. A mirror section is disposed within either the second section or the first section to direct light out the Fibre Channel receptacle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Inventors: Fay Chong, William L. Grouell
  • Publication number: 20040114876
    Abstract: An optical filter module having a multilayered filter inserted in the paths of optical waveguides thereof. In the optical filter module, precise V-shaped grooves are formed on the principle plane of a plane substrate so that optical fibers protrude therefrom. The optical fibers are mounted on the plane substrate. After the multilayered filter is inserted in a filter insertion groove that is formed so as to intersect the V-shaped grooves on the plane substrate, the filter is sandwiched and clamped by two sheets of covers provided on the plane substrate. Provided is a method of precisely mounting the filter that improves the optical axis adjustment between input and output optical fibers and reduces misregistration of the filter to be inserted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2003
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventors: Takaaki Furumochi, Kazunari Nishihara, Tetsuro Shimamura, Mikio Degawa
  • Patent number: 6747793
    Abstract: An optical amplifier array is integrated with a switching matrix with a tunable filter. As a result, switching and amplification can be performed in a common hermetic package, for example, thus offering advantages associated with small footprint and low cost. The optional integration of the tunable filter, with or without the switching matrix, further allows for the monitoring of the separate optical links to ensure the proper routing of signals and/or proper spectral slotting of the various channels in each of the WDM optical signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Axsun Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Dale C. Flanders
  • Publication number: 20040096178
    Abstract: A fiber optic cable suitable for blowing into and through ducts containing pressurized gas, such as natural gas, has the fibers therein arranged in arrays that form longitudinally extending vents. The vents are blocked from transmission of any gas by each being filled with a compliant member which assumes the cross-sectional shape of the vents thereby blocking it.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Inventors: Sean L. Jones, Francis G. McCormack, David N. Ridgeway, Ian A. White
  • Publication number: 20040091228
    Abstract: First and second parts of a fiber optic attenuator body receive first and second end portions of corresponding optical fibers. A polymeric thermoplastic attenuating element is mounted in a third part of the body so that a first contact face of the element optically couples to an end face on the first fiber end portion, and a second contact face of the element couples to an end face on the second fiber end portion, once the first and second attenuator body parts are connected to the third body part. In one embodiment, the attenuating element is formed of a copolymer of methylmethacrylate (MMA) and trifluoroethylmethacrylate (TFEMA). In another embodiment, the attenuating element is formed from polymethyl-2-fluoroacrylate (PFMA). Both elements exhibit a reflectance of −50 dB or less, a Tg of more than 100 degrees C., and a transmission of more than 85% at wavelengths from 850 nm to 1620 nm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2002
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Applicant: Fitel USA Corp.
    Inventors: Frank Calabrese, Kaushik Chakrabarty, Arturo Hale
  • Patent number: 6715930
    Abstract: An optical fiber shutter adapter including a housing having a bay and a bay opening for receiving a second connector. The optical fiber shutter adapter further includes a door disposed near the bay opening and having a blocking portion for blocking laser radiation from being emitted from the bay opening when the door is in a closed position. The door is connected to the housing for movement from the closed position to an open position for allowing the second connector to be received into the bay for connection to the shutter adapter. The blocking portion of the door moves into the adapter housing when the door is moved from the closed position towards the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher J. McBride
  • Patent number: 6715929
    Abstract: An optical multiplexing module, which is easier in adjustment of an optical axis, has an optical multiplexing element and a prism to change optical paths of input light. The module also has one or more input collimators at the input-side end thereof a single output collimator at the output-side end thereof. The optical axes of the collimators are adjustable by optical axis adjusting means. Further, according to the method of correcting the optical axes, after fabricating the collimators into the module, with an optical loss between optical parts monitored, an external force is applied in turn to a plurality of arbitrary locations around a joint portion of one optical part. This application allows a hit location showing a maximum reduction in optical loss to be found out. Radiating a laser beam onto an opposite-side location on the joint portion to the hit location leads to an easier correction of displacements of the optical axis with ease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: The Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Watanabe, Satoru Abe, Hiroshi Matsuura
  • Publication number: 20040052473
    Abstract: There is provided an optical fiber connector part comprising a housing which internally holds the end of an optical transmission route, and a shutter part which shields an output light beam from the optical transmission route in the housing or releases the output light beam, wherein the shutter part has an optical diffusing reflection surface which diffuses and reflects the output light beam when the output light beam is shielded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2003
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Applicant: THE FURUKAWA ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Koji Seo, Masato Shiino
  • Patent number: 6707981
    Abstract: A concept of designing a Variable Optical Attenuation Collimator (VOAC) is disclosed to achieve a variable degree of optical power attenuation through the collimator by adding an Attenuation Control Element (ACE) between a lens element and fiber pigtails of a traditional fiber optical collimator. The body of the ACE can be implemented in many different forms of a light blocker element capable of being controllably moved into a main light path of the VOAC to obstruct a controlled portion of light power. The light blocker can be a Micro Electro Mechanical Structure (MEMS) operating with a controlled electrostatic force, a bimetal wire driven by a controlled heating current, an electrical current-carrying wire within a surrounding permanent magnetic field or a deflectable permanent magnetic wire within a controlled surrounding magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Global Opticom, Inc.
    Inventor: Yi He
  • Patent number: 6694077
    Abstract: An optical collimator (10) includes an input optical fiber (11), an output optical fiber (12), a ferrule (13) receiving the input optical fiber and the output optical fiber therein, a molding lens (14), and a filter (15). The molding lens includes a solid cylindrical main body (141), and a pair of cylindrical protrusions (142, 143) respectively extending from opposite ends of the main body. The main body includes an inmost oblique end face (18), and an opposite aspherical end face (19). The ferrule is received in one protrusion and opposes the oblique end face. The filter is received in the other protrusion and opposes the aspherical end face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Qiang Liu, Mingbao Zhou, River Yang
  • Patent number: 6684022
    Abstract: A manual variable optical attenuator (10) includes a base (2), a cover (3), an optical module (4), a shifting device (5), and an optical fiber retainer (6). The optical module comprises a mirror (41), a frame (42), a dual optical fiber collimator (43), a stopper (44), a graded transmittance filter (45), and a filter carrier (46). The shifting device comprises a screw pole (51), a first holder (52), and a second holder (53). The screw pole comprises a terminal portion (511) rotatably received in the first holder, a first annular groove (512) accommodating the second holder, a second annular groove (513) receiving a gasket (514), an adjusting slot (515), and a screw thread (516). The gasket protrudes from a circumferential surface of the screw pole and seals a gap between the screw pole and a sidewall (36) of the cover. External harmful contamination cannot penetrate into the attenuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yao-Hao Chang
  • Patent number: 6669375
    Abstract: A multi-fiber in-line attenuator module configured for insertion in the fiber optic pathway of an optoelectronic network to provide a predetermined value of attenuation for all propagating modes in the pathway includes first and second multi-channel interface members each having a mating face, an interconnect face, and alignment holes and n-optical channels formed therethrough, a multi-fiber ribbon cable terminating in the interconnect face of each multi-channel interface member with the optical fibers thereof disposed in the n-optical channels, alignment pins disposed in the alignment holes of the first and second multi-channel interface members so that the n-optical channels of the first and second multi-channel interface members are optically aligned, a mating clip for retaining the first and second multi-channel interface members in mated combination, and an NDF (neutral density filter) film adhered to at least one of the mating faces of the first and second the multi-channel interface members, the adhere
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Advanced Interconnect, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Bonja, Mark E. Fillion, Andre A. Vankov
  • Patent number: 6668113
    Abstract: An optical assembly includes a first lens positioned along a first axis and configured to focus light from a light source along the first axis, and a second lens positioned along the first axis and configured to focus light from the first lens onto an optical target. A third lens is positioned along a second axis and configured to approximately collimate light from a second light source along the second axis, and a reflector positioned along the second axis is configured to reflect light from the third lens onto a fourth lens. The fourth lens is positioned on a third axis angled from the second axis and configured to focus light from the reflector onto an optical detector. Furthermore, the optical assembly is preferably a single molded optic. The optical assembly may be used in an optoelectronic transceiver having an optical subassembly, including a light source and an optical detector. The optical assembly is used to couple a pair of closely spaced optical fibers to the light source and optical detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: Finisar Corporation
    Inventors: Chris K. Togami, Paul K. Rosenberg, Jan Lipson, Lewis B. Aronson
  • Patent number: 6665464
    Abstract: An optical function module comprises a collimator block having a substrate, at least two collimators disposed on the substrate in confronting relation to one another for collimating a light flux directed along a preselected path between the collimators, and support members each for supporting a respective one of the collimators on the substrate. An optical function device is removably connected by a connecting structure to the collimator block so that the optical function device is positioned along the preselected path of the light flux between the collimators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Makoto Suzuki, Kenji Suzuki, Takayuki Kosaka, Tomohiro Shimada
  • Publication number: 20030223701
    Abstract: The ferrule part 16 comprises ferrule 60, first and second optical fibers 62 and 64, and optical filter 68. Ferrule 60 has first and second end surface 60a and 60b, ferrule insertion hole 60c, and groove 68. Ferrule insertion hole 60c extends along a first axis, and accommodates first and second optical fibers 62 and 64. Groove 66 extends along a second axis crossing the first axis, and extends so as to extend across ferrule 60. Groove 66 is provided along a plane defined by the second axis and a third axis perpendicular to the first and second axes. Optical filter 68 can reflect a part of light incident on one surface 68b of the pair of surfaces of optical filter 68, and can transmit a part of the light incident on other surface 68a.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2003
    Publication date: December 4, 2003
    Inventors: Masaki Furumai, Shuzo Suzuki, Hitoshi Terauchi, Manabu Yoshimura, Kazuhito Saito, Manabu Shiozaki, Kazunori Yoshida
  • Patent number: 6641310
    Abstract: A fiber optic cable connector including a coupler body with a channel for receiving a connector plug therein; and a door spanning the channel, the door biased to cover the channel but displaceable with respect to the channel when the plug body is received in the channel to prevent light from escaping the channel when the plug body is removed from the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Teraconnect, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard J. Williams
  • Publication number: 20030194176
    Abstract: An optical coupler includes a housing, and includes first and second optical terminals and a prism disposed in the housing. One terminal is moveable with respect to the other, and the prism maintains an optical alignment between the terminals. Because it includes a prism instead of a more complex and delicate optical assembly, such an optical coupler can often be less expensive and more rugged, and can often have a higher connection density, than prior optical couplers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2002
    Publication date: October 16, 2003
    Applicant: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: VanWinkle T. Townsend, Robert J. Varley
  • Publication number: 20030185520
    Abstract: A method of mating optical fibers includes the steps of coupling a first end portion of a first optical fiber to a first connector, coupling a second end portion of a second optical fiber to a second connector, disposing fluid between the first end portion and the second end portion, and placing an end surface of the first end portion and an end surface of the second end portion into contact with each other at a contact point, to thereby cause the fluid to flow away from the contact point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2002
    Publication date: October 2, 2003
    Inventors: Dana C. Bookbinder, Michael E. DeRosa
  • Publication number: 20030185519
    Abstract: An articulated enclosure for an optical package comprises toro-spherical portions which form adjustable joints. Preferably the enclosure comprises two parts, each part comprising a cylindrical portion coupled to a toro-spherical portion. The toro-spherical portion includes several meridianal cuts to allow flexibility to the toro-spherical portions and permit one toro-spherical portion to overlap the other toro-spherical portion. Optical elements and subassemblies such as fiber ferrules and collimating lenses are affixed inside the cylindrical portions. The coupled toro-spherical portions form an adjustable joint which allows movement in three degrees of freedom and permits precision alignment of the internal optical components. The tension in the adjustable joint holds the alignment temporarily while the joint is secured with either solder or adhesive. The articulated enclosure permits optical alignment of the subassemblies and improved thermal protection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2002
    Publication date: October 2, 2003
    Inventor: Michael Ushinsky
  • Patent number: 6626583
    Abstract: An optical multiplexer/demultiplexer module including a first ferrule assembly having a first sleeve and a first ferrule inserted and fixed in the first sleeve, the first ferrule having first and second optical fibers; a first element fixed to the first ferrule assembly, the first element having a first lens and a bandpass filter; and a second element fixed to the first element, the second element having a wedge plate for optical path correction, the wedge plate being formed of glass. The optical multiplexer/demultiplexer module further includes a third element fixed to the second element, the third element having a second lens; and a second ferrule assembly fixed to the third element, the second ferrule assembly having a second sleeve and a second ferrule inserted and fixed in the second sleeve, the second ferrule having a third optical fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Keizo Sakamoto, Takashi Shiotani
  • Publication number: 20030180005
    Abstract: An optical fiber shutter adapter including a housing having a bay and a bay opening for receiving a second connector. The optical fiber shutter adapter further includes a door disposed near the bay opening and having a blocking portion for blocking laser radiation from being emitted from the bay opening when the door is in a closed position. The door is connected to the housing for movement from the closed position to an open position for allowing the second connector to be received into the bay for connection to the shutter adapter. The blocking portion of the door moves into the adapter housing when the door is moved from the closed position towards the open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2002
    Publication date: September 25, 2003
    Applicant: LUCENT TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventor: Christopher J. McBride
  • Publication number: 20030179997
    Abstract: A gain flattening filter is provided to reduce volume and manufacturing cost of a gain flattened optical fiber amplifier, even when a required peak loss exceeds the limit of each dielectric thin film filter. The inventive gain flattening filter includes: a housing having a first opening and a second opening; a first ferrule disposed at one end of the housing, the first ferrule having an opening through which an input of an optical fiber is packaged; a second ferrule disposed at the other end of the housing, the second ferrule having an opening through which an output of the optical fiber is packaged; and, a plurality of thin film filters disposed in sequence between the first and second ferrules for flattening gain of optical signals passing therethrough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2002
    Publication date: September 25, 2003
    Inventors: Seong-Taek Hwang, Byung-Chang Kang, Yun-Je Oh
  • Patent number: 6625188
    Abstract: An optical semiconductor device to increase optical communication speed has a silicon substrate with an etched V-shaped first groove portion, a light emitting element which has an optical axis in the direction of the first groove portion and is mounted to the upper surface of the silicon substrate, and a high NA aspheric lens is mounted in the first groove portion. The first groove portion is composed of first and second opposing inclined surfaces and a third inclined surface perpendicular to the first and second inclined surfaces. A slit is cut in the silicon substrate extends in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the first groove portion and includes the first, second, and third inclined surfaces. The aspheric lens is mounted to the first and second inclined surfaces and has a part thereof protruding in the slit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Miki Ono, Kimihiro Kikuchi
  • Publication number: 20030174922
    Abstract: The present invention provides a polarizer-attached optical fiber ferrule, a polarizer-attached optical fiber connector, and a polarized-attached optical fiber connector adapter for coupling a linear polarizer with one or more optical fibers without employing a lens. The polarizer-attached optical fiber connector 2 is equipped with an optical fiber 10, a ferrule 5 fitted on the periphery of the optical fiber 10 and equipped with a slit 16 reaching the optical fiber 10, and a linear polarizer 18 inserted into the slit 16 so that it crosses the optical fiber 10.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2003
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Inventors: Kenjiro Hasui, Kouichi Muro, Yoshiaki Takeuchi
  • Publication number: 20030174965
    Abstract: A re-connectable optical interface system and method for optically interconnecting and disconnecting optical devices utilizes an optical insert with a reflective element and an optical structure with a displaceable optically bridging element, which can be positioned between two waveguides of the optical structure, to optically connect the optical devices. The optical insert is a part of a first optical device, while the optical structure is a part of a second optical device. The optical insert and the optical structure can be interconnected to establish an optical connection between the optical insert of the first optical device and at least one of the waveguides of the second optical device. When the optical insert and the optical structure are not interconnected, the optically bridging element is positioned between the waveguides to provide an optical connection between the waveguides.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2002
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Inventor: Ken Nishimura
  • Publication number: 20030147596
    Abstract: The invention concerns a connection device (1) for optical fibres, for use in a polluted environment and comprising a first connector (2) designed to be associated with at least a first optical fibre (16) and a second connector (3) designed to be associated with at least a second optical fibre (25) to be connected to the first fibre, wherein one of the connectors (2, 3) carries a fluid reserve (36) having a refractive index equal to that of the optical fibres, and at least pumping means (37) connected to said fluid reserve and which, in operation, can be actuated in response to connecting and disconnecting movements of the two connectors (2, 3) to inject, at each connecting/disconnecting movement, the fluid into a space (58) encompassing the front ends of the two fibres bringing them closer together or spacing them apart.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2002
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventor: Jean-Marc Lancelle
  • Publication number: 20030147597
    Abstract: A light-blocking safety shutter is mounted in a fiber-optic adapter housing that mates with a standard fiber-optic male connector of the type with a fiber-containing ferrule protruding from a forward end. The shutter is mounted in the insertion passage of the adapter and is held in the light-blocking position by the cantilever manner in which the shutter is attached. The shutter may have several different shapes depending on the type of adapter in which it is mounted, including a shutter with a flat bumper panel or a shutter with raised dimple on the bumper panel. The bumper panel contacts the body of the inserted connector and takes the force that opens the shutter so that the ferrule is protected from contacting the shutter. The fiber-optic adapter may include one or more housings for receiving one or more fiber-optic male connectors, whereby the housing includes a shutter mounted in a cantilevered manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2002
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventor: Jaime Duran
  • Patent number: 6599024
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a fiber optic device for the optically connecting optical fiber. The device consists of fiber optic connectors holding the terminal ends of optical fiber in ferrules and an adapter for receiving fiber optic connectors. The adapter includes a sleeve within a longitudinal opening which aligns the ferrules and the terminal end of the optical fiber held by the ferrules. Within the sleeve is placed an attenuator which extends across the longitudinal opening in the sleeve and is held at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the opening by slots in the sidewall of the sleeve. The angle at which the attenuator is held may be perpendicular or non-perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the sleeve. The sleeve is further prevented from rotating within the adapter by pockets formed in the inner wall of the longitudinal opening engaging extensions of the attenuator beyond the sidewall of the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven C. Zimmel
  • Patent number: 6599023
    Abstract: An optical isolator includes a first collimator, a second collimator and an isolation assembly arranged between the collimators. The first collimator includes a first capillary retaining an input fiber and a first GRIN lens received and retained in a first glass sleeve. The isolation assembly includes two birefringent crystal wedges with an optical rotator interposed between the birefringent crystal wedges. A magnetic ring receives and retains the birefringent crystal wedges and the optical rotator together. The second collimator includes a second capillary retaining an output fiber and a second GRIN lens which are received and retained in a second glass sleeve. A first stainless steel sleeve receives and retains the first glass sleeve and the isolation assembly together while a second stainless sleeve is fit over the second collimator. Apertures are defined in the first stainless steel sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tai-Cherng Yu, Ju Jn Dy, Chun Yu Lee, Chien-Cheng Chen
  • Patent number: 6588940
    Abstract: A fiber optic connector system may include a elliptical reflector arranged to couple light from one optical fiber to another. The elliptical reflector has two foci, one of which may correspond to an end of a first optical fiber and the other of which may correspond to an end of another optical fiber. Thus, light emitted from one fiber may be coupled to another fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Kannan Raj, Roland M. Morley
  • Patent number: 6580842
    Abstract: A circulator array is constructed in a planar substrate by forming a plurality of waveguide pair structures, each waveguide pair structure having first and second sections respectively coupled by first and second polarization multiplexers. A nonreciprocal polarization rotation element is positioned in the optical paths of the waveguide pair structures and is configured to rotate the polarization of light passing from the second sections of the waveguides to the first sections while leaving unchanged the polarization of light passing from the first sections to the second sections, such that optical signals received at one port of the circulator structure are routed along a predetermined path to another port of the circulator structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Inventors: Markus P. Hehlen, William K. Bischel
  • Patent number: 6580558
    Abstract: An optical isolator includes a first pigtail assembly, a first collimating lens aligned with the first pigtail assembly, an optical rotator assembly, an adjustable assembly aligned with the rotator assembly, and a second pigtail assembly having a ferrule and a second optical fiber with an end attached within the ferrule. The rotator assembly includes a first birefringent wedge, an optical rotator and a magnet. The adjustable assembly includes a second birefringent wedge, a second collimating lens, and a holder holding at least a portion of the second birefringent wedge and at least a portion of the second collimating lens therein. The magnet of the rotator assembly encloses the first birefringent wedge and the rotator. The rotator is positioned between the first and second birefringent wedges. The adjustable assembly is adjustable relative to the rotator assembly. This achieves precise positional relationships among the rotator and the first and second birefringent wedges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Rong Li Zhu, Youfu Shao
  • Publication number: 20030095780
    Abstract: An optical attenuator (100) has an optical attenuation fiber (1) doped with cobalt. Two ferrules (2A), (2B) retain the optical attenuation fiber therein. Two butting ends of the ferrules are enclosed in a flange (6), which is received in a front end of an interconnection housing (7). An alignment sleeve (4) retains a rear end of the rear ferrule and is enclosed in a rear end of the interconnection housing. A latch (8) engages with the rear end of the interconnection housing. A plug housing (9) engages with the front end of the interconnection housing. A cover (10) then attaches over all the aforesaid components. A front end of the front ferrule is exposed outside the cover, for connecting with a complementary optical connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2002
    Publication date: May 22, 2003
    Inventor: Yao-Hao Chang
  • Publication number: 20030091294
    Abstract: The invention provides a connection structure of optical fibers and a process for connecting optical fibers, by which the optical fibers are prevented from being damaged, the working time required for the connection is shortened, yield is improved, and efficiency of connection working is improved. The connection structure of optical fibers comprises 2 connecting members and brought face to face with each other and each having a through-hole and 2 optical fibers inserted into the respective through-holes of the connecting members. The 2 optical fibers are connected within the through-hole of one connecting member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2002
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Applicant: Tomoegawa Paper Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyoichi Sasaki, Ritsu Kawase, Masayoshi Suzuki, Tatsushi Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20030081907
    Abstract: A light blocking device for an optical transmitter includes a flap (46) that is movable to a first position in which light is allowed to pass unhindered from a laser (18), and is movable to a second position to block the light emitted from the laser. The light blocking device further includes a panel member (48) connectable to a housing (10) of the optical transmitter. The flap (46) is connected to an edge of the panel member (48).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2001
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gerald Daniel Malagrino, Roderick John Raver
  • Publication number: 20030081908
    Abstract: Generally, the present invention relates to a fiber optic device that is easier to align than conventional devices, and to a method for aligning such devices. An embodiment of the invention includes a first focusing element having an optical axis and a first focal length, and a first optical fiber optically coupled to a first side of the first focusing element. The first optical fiber is disposed at a first transverse distance from the optical axis so that light from the first optical fiber propagates on a second side of the first focusing element as a substantially collimated beam at a first angle to the optical axis. A wedged optical element is optically coupled to the second side of the first focusing element and deviates the substantially collimated beam so as to propagate in a direction substantially parallel to the optical axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Applicant: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward C. Gage, Timothy S. Gardner, Ronald E. Gerber, John J. Taranto
  • Publication number: 20030077044
    Abstract: An optical multiplexer/demultiplexer module including a first ferrule assembly having a first sleeve and a first ferrule inserted and fixed in the first sleeve, the first ferrule having first and second optical fibers; a first element fixed to the first ferrule assembly, the first element having a first lens and a bandpass filter; and a second element fixed to the first element, the second element having a wedge plate for optical path correction, the wedge plate being formed of glass. The optical multiplexer/demultiplexer module further includes a third element fixed to the second element, the third element having a second lens; and a, second ferrule assembly fixed to the third element, the second ferrule assembly having a second sleeve and a second ferrule inserted and fixed in the second sleeve, the second ferrule having a third optical fiber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2002
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Applicant: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Keizo Sakamoto, Takashi Shiotani
  • Publication number: 20030068112
    Abstract: The present invention provides improved optical switches in which no mechanical movement is required to direct optical pathways between plural fiber ports. Advantageously, the inventive switches incorporate two-stage polarization rotation to improve isolation depth, as well as temperature and wavelength independence. The inventive switches also incorporate light bending devices to allow two fibers to be coupled to the light beams using a single lens achieving small beam separation for compactness. In the inventive switch, an optical signal is spatially split into two polarized beams by a birefringent element, which passes through a polarization rotation device that comprises waveplates, walk-off elements, and electrically controllable polarization rotators, and recombine into an output fiber, achieving polarization independent operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2001
    Publication date: April 10, 2003
    Inventors: Guanghai Jin, Jing Zhao
  • Patent number: 6535655
    Abstract: A fiber-optic polarizer made by a process comprised of providing a substrate, coupling or embedding an optical single mode fiber to the substrate, making a narrow trench across the fiber at an angle, thereby bifurcating the fiber core into a first fiber core end and a second fiber core end, inserting and securing a thin polarizing material of a monolithic, non-laminated structure into the narrow trench, such that a light spot size emitted from a first fiber core is completely encompassed by the polarizing material, and the light spot size emerging from the polarizing material is substantially collected within the mode field diameter of a second fiber core. The narrow trench having a width of about 30-50 &mgr;m, and the polarizing material having a thickness of about 15-50 &mgr;m. The polarizing material having a monolithic composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Kenjiro Hasui, Toshihiko Ono, Toshio Sasaki, Hiroki Takahashi, Yoshiaki Takeuchi
  • Publication number: 20030031423
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a fiber optic device for the optically connecting optical fiber. The device consists of fiber optic connectors holding the terminal ends of optical fiber in ferrules and an adapter for receiving fiber optic connectors. The adapter includes a sleeve within a longitudinal opening which aligns the ferrules and the terminal end of the optical fiber held by the ferrules. Within the sleeve is placed an attenuator which extends across the longitudinal opening in the sleeve and is held at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the opening by slots in the sidewall of the sleeve. The angle at which the attenuator is held may be perpendicular or non-perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the sleeve. The sleeve is further prevented from rotating within the adapter by pockets formed in the inner wall of the longitudinal opening engaging extensions of the attenuator beyond the sidewall of the sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2002
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Applicant: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven C. Zimmel
  • Publication number: 20030012517
    Abstract: An optical isolator includes a first collimator, a second collimator and an isolation assembly arranged between the collimators. The first collimator includes a first capillary retaining an input fiber and a first GRIN lens received and retained in a first glass sleeve. The isolation assembly includes two birefringent crystal wedges with an optical rotator interposed between the birefringent crystal wedges. A magnetic ring receives and retains the birefringent crystal wedges and the optical rotator together. The second collimator includes a second capillary retaining an output fiber and a second GRIN lens which are received and retained in a second glass sleeve. A first stainless steel sleeve receives and retains the first glass sleeve and the isolation assembly together while a second stainless sleeve is fit over the second collimator. Apertures are defined in the first stainless steel sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2001
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Inventors: Tai-Cherng Yu, Ju Jn Dy, Chun Yu Lee, Chien-Cheng Chen
  • Publication number: 20030002809
    Abstract: Integrated optical devices in which one or more optical fibers are vertically integrated with other optical components in a multilayer arrangement. Optical components include lenses, etalons that may be passive or actuable, WDM filters and beamsplitters, for example. One vertically integrated optical device comprises a fiber socket layer comprising a plurality of sockets including a first socket and second socket arranged proximate to each other, and a lens that has a central axis offset from the cores of the first and second fibers. Optical devices include filters, variable optical attenuators, and switches, for example. A component layer may comprise a spacer layer that provides a predetermined opening that is hermetically sealed to protect sensitive components, such as MEMS devices. Also, a method of forming a socket layer using a two-sided etching process is disclosed. Furthermore, an integrated laser device is disclosed that includes a laser layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventor: Benjamin B. Jian
  • Patent number: RE38205
    Abstract: The disclosure describes a connector for fiber optic transmission cables, incorporating into it a variable attenuator. The variable attenuation is achieved by having a screw arrangement vary an air gap, and additional embodiments of the invention feature ways of fixing the attenuation at a given level and of minimizing back-reflection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignees: Johanson Manufacturing Corporation, PD-LD Incorporated
    Inventors: John P. Loughlin, Ronald Joseph Vecchio, Vladimir Sinisa Ban, Cuneyt Erdogan