Search Patents
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Publication number: 20120183266Abstract: A multi-stage fiber processing system comprises first and second fiber holders configured to hold respective portions of at least one fiber and a plurality of heat sources arranged between the first and second fiber holders and configured to provide a heat zone that axially extends about the at least on fiber. The first and second fiber holders can be configured to translate away from each other for tapering. The plurality of heat sources can include two 3 electrode heat sources that deliver an extended, substantially isothermic heat field axially about the fiber. All but one heat source can be turned off to splice the fiber. The two 3 electrode heat sources can generate 9 arcs to from the heat zone, wherein arcs between the two 3 electrode heat sources can be rotated about the at least one fiber.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 19, 2012Publication date: July 19, 2012Applicant: 3SAE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Robert G. Wiley, Brett Clark, John Lower
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Patent number: 9028158Abstract: A multi-stage fiber processing system comprises first and second fiber holders configured to hold respective portions of at least one fiber and a plurality of heat sources arranged between the first and second fiber holders and configured to provide a heat zone that axially extends about the at least on fiber. The first and second fiber holders can be configured to translate away from each other for tapering. The plurality of heat sources can include two 3 electrode heat sources that deliver an extended, substantially isothermic heat field axially about the fiber. All but one heat source can be turned off to splice the fiber. The two 3 electrode heat sources can generate 9 arcs to from the heat zone, wherein arcs between the two 3 electrode heat sources can be rotated about the at least one fiber.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2012Date of Patent: May 12, 2015Assignee: 3SAE Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Robert G. Wiley, Brett Clark, John Lower
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Publication number: 20100226613Abstract: A multi-electrode system comprises a fiber support configured to hold at least one optical fiber and a set of electrodes disposed about the at least one optical fiber and configured to generate arcs between adjacent electrodes to generate a substantially uniform heated field to a circumferential outer surface of the at least one optical fiber. The electrodes can be disposed in at least a partial vacuum.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2010Publication date: September 9, 2010Applicant: 3SAE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Brett Clark, Robert Wiley, Jared C. Meitzler, Clyde J. Troutman
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Patent number: 7922400Abstract: A multi-electrode system comprises a fiber support configured to hold at least one optical fiber and a set of electrodes disposed about the at least one optical fiber and configured to generate arcs between adjacent electrodes to generate a substantially uniform heated field to a circumferential outer surface of the at least one optical fiber. The electrodes can be disposed in at least a partial vacuum.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2010Date of Patent: April 12, 2011Assignee: 3SAE Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Brett Clark, Robert G. Wiley, Jared C. Meitzler, Clyde J. Troutman
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Patent number: 8858096Abstract: A side pump fiber and a method of making a side pump fiber are provided. A plurality of pump fibers can be joined to a side of a signal fiber, at different locations. The method includes creating a lengthwise, tapered, concave pocket cut in a pump (or side pump) fiber, inserting the signal fiber in the pocket cut, and then coupling the side pump fiber to the center fiber at the pocket cut. Optical amplifiers and lasers, as examples, can be made using the above method and side pump fibers.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2012Date of Patent: October 14, 2014Assignee: 3SAE Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Robert G. Wiley
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Patent number: 7670065Abstract: A multi-electrode system comprises a fiber support configured to hold at least one optical fiber and a set of electrodes disposed about the at least one optical fiber and configured to generate arcs between adjacent electrodes to generate a substantially uniform heated field to a circumferential outer surface of the at least one optical fiber. The electrodes can be disposed in at least a partial vacuum.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2008Date of Patent: March 2, 2010Assignee: 3SAE Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Brett Clark, Robert Wiley, Jared C. Meitzler, Clyde J. Troutman
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Patent number: 8979396Abstract: A side pump fiber and a method of making a side pump fiber are provided. A plurality of pump fibers can be joined to a side of a signal fiber, at different locations. The method includes creating a lengthwise, tapered, concave pocket cut in a pump (or side pump) fiber, inserting the signal fiber in the pocket cut, and then coupling the side pump fiber to the center fiber at the pocket cut. Optical amplifiers and lasers, as examples, can be made using the above method and side pump fibers.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2014Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Assignee: 3SAE Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Robert G. Wiley
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Publication number: 20100135621Abstract: A multi-electrode system includes a fiber holder that holds at least one optical fiber, a plurality of electrodes arranged to generate a heated field to heat the at least one optical fiber, and a vibration mechanism that causes at least one of the electrodes from the plurality of electrodes to vibrate. The electrodes can be disposed in at least a partial vacuum. The system can be used for processing many types of fibers, such processing including, as examples, stripping, splicing, annealing, tapering, and so on. Corresponding fiber processing methods are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 15, 2010Publication date: June 3, 2010Applicant: 3SAE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Robert G. Wiley, Brett Clark, Jared C. Meitzler, Clyde J. Troutman
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Patent number: 7712981Abstract: In accordance with various aspects of the present invention, provided is an extremely compact, simple, and cost-effective approach for aligning optical fibers in an optical fiber fusion splicer. The basis of this alignment method is an āSā-Curve Piezo Bending Actuator. The device comprises a thin strip of elastically flexible material (such as spring steel, beryllium copper, or fiber reinforced polymer) that is coated in four areas with a piezoelectric material (such as barium titanate or other known compounds).Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2008Date of Patent: May 11, 2010Assignee: 3SAE Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Robert G. Wiley, Brett G. Clark, Jared Meitzler
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Patent number: 8721196Abstract: A multi-electrode system includes a fiber holder that holds at least one optical fiber, a plurality of electrodes arranged to generate a heated field to heat the at least one optical fiber, and a vibration mechanism that causes at least one of the electrodes from the plurality of electrodes to vibrate. The electrodes can be disposed in at least a partial vacuum. The system can be used for processing many types of fibers, such processing including, as examples, stripping, splicing, annealing, tapering, and so on. Corresponding fiber processing methods are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2011Date of Patent: May 13, 2014Assignee: 3SAE Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Robert G. Wiley, Brett Clark, Jared C. Meitzler, Clyde J. Troutman
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Patent number: 7985029Abstract: A multi-electrode system includes a fiber holder that holds at least one optical fiber, a plurality of electrodes arranged to generate a heated field to heat the at least one optical fiber, and a vibration mechanism that causes at least one of the electrodes from the plurality of electrodes to vibrate. The electrodes can be disposed in at least a partial vacuum. The system can be used for processing many types of fibers, such processing including, as examples, stripping, splicing, annealing, tapering, and so on. Corresponding fiber processing methods are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2010Date of Patent: July 26, 2011Assignee: 3SAE Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Robert G. Wiley, Brett Clark, Jared C. Meitzler, Clyde J. Troutman
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Patent number: 8911161Abstract: Provided is a thermal mechanical diffusion system and method. In accordance with the present invention, one end of a fiber under tension is vibrated while a portion of the fiber is heated. A push-pull action of one end of the fiber forces increased (or rapid) diffusion of dopants in the portion of the fiber that is in a heat zone, which receives the heat. By controlling the amplitude and frequency of the vibration, a diffusion profile of one or more fibers can be dictated with precision. Heat sources having narrower thermal profiles can enable greater precision in dictating the diffusion profile. As an example, this can be particularly useful for creating a diffusion taper within a fiber to be spliced, where the taper is a result of thermal expansion of the fiber core. Diffusion can occur much more rapidly than is typical.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2012Date of Patent: December 16, 2014Assignee: 3SAE Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Robert G. Wiley, Brett Clark, John Lower
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Publication number: 20120183265Abstract: Provided is a thermal mechanical diffusion system and method. In accordance with the present invention, one end of a fiber under tension is vibrated while a portion of the fiber is heated. A push-pull action of one end of the fiber forces increased (or rapid) diffusion of dopants in the portion of the fiber that is in a heat zone, which receives the heat. By controlling the amplitude and frequency of the vibration, a diffusion profile of one or more fibers can be dictated with precision. Heat sources having narrower thermal profiles can enable greater precision in dictating the diffusion profile. As an example, this can be particularly useful for creating a diffusion taper within a fiber to be spliced, where the taper is a result of thermal expansion of the fiber core. Diffusion can occur much more rapidly than is typical.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2012Publication date: July 19, 2012Applicant: 3SAE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Robert G. Wiley, Brett Clark, John Lower
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Patent number: 9526129Abstract: Provided is a thermal mechanical diffusion system and method. In accordance with the present invention, one end of a fiber under tension is vibrated while a portion of the fiber is heated. A push-pull action of one end of the fiber forces increased (or rapid) diffusion of dopants in the portion of the fiber that is in a heat zone, which receives the heat. By controlling the amplitude and frequency of the vibration, a diffusion profile of one or more fibers can be dictated with precision. Heat sources having narrower thermal profiles can enable greater precision in dictating the diffusion profile. As an example, this can be particularly useful for creating a diffusion taper within a fiber to be spliced, where the taper is a result of thermal expansion of the fiber core. Diffusion can occur much more rapidly than is typical.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2014Date of Patent: December 20, 2016Assignee: 3SAE Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Robert G. Wiley, Brett Clark, John Lower