Optical waveguides – With optical coupler – Switch
Patent
1990-06-06
1992-05-05
Sikes, William L.
Optical waveguides
With optical coupler
Switch
G02B 636
Patent
active
051101947
ABSTRACT:
In a controlled fiber-optic switch for selectably connecting or disconnecting the ends of first (13) and second (11) optical fibers, guiding and holding elements (2) hold said fibers' ends in opposite position and define two alternative switching positions for the first fiber's end. By activating means (8, 20) lateral bending forces are applied to the first fiber (13). The first fiber's free end becomes switched by altering the fiber's effective length between its fixation (5) and its guiding and holding elements (2). Switching movement is controlled by a guiding aperture (9) for lateral guidance of the first fiber (13). The free fiber end of the first fiber (13) is located on one side of the aperture (9). A bendable portion of the first fiber is located and fixed on the other side of the aperture. In the connect position, the first fiber (13) is kept under residual axial stress against the opposite end of the second fiber (11). In an alternating switch arrangement, a pair of first fibers ( 13, 14) are crossing each other in the aperture (9). By lateral shearing movement, the free ends of both fibers exchange their positions in guiding grooves (6A, 6B). The advantage is substantial reduction of connection losses and of reflections with high bit-rate applications.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4775207 (1988-10-01), Silberberg
patent: 4946236 (1990-08-01), Dautartas et al.
Toshiki I. Tanaka et al., "Simple and Reliable Optical Bypass Switch for Fiber-Optic Data Bus Application", 7th European Conf. on Optical Communication.
Cockburn Joscelyn G.
Heartney Phan T.
International Business Machines - Corporation
Sikes William L.
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