Optical waveguides – With optical coupler – Particular coupling structure
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-11
2001-06-12
Font, Frank G. (Department: 2877)
Optical waveguides
With optical coupler
Particular coupling structure
C385S039000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06246819
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to optic fiber connectors, and more particularly, to a fiber optic displacement connector used for displacing an outer cover on an optical fiber and/or for tapping an optical signal from an optical fiber.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Optical fiber connectors have been used to tap optical signals from optical fibers. Such optical fiber connectors can be used to tap the optical signals from the optical fiber along intermediate points thereof. The optical fiber connector can also be used to terminate the optical fiber. In either arrangement, the optical signals are carried by the optical fiber connector from the optical fiber into an optical device such as a light detecting diode or photo transistor which would then generate an electrical signal based on the tapped optical signal.
One such conventional optical fiber connector is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,936,631. An arrangement is disclosed for tapping signal power from an optical fiber waveguide without requiring that the fiber be terminated or broken. An intermediate length of an optical cable (fiber waveguide) from which all or most of the outer cladding has been removed is sandwiched between first and second dielectric bodies. The first optical body is circular and is formed of a relatively compliant dielectric material, such as a soft plastic. The second body is formed of a relatively hard dielectric material such as glass or hard plastic. The two dielectric bodies, and an exposed portion where the cladding has been removed, are placed in a specially designed holder and forced together so that the fiber deforms the first body providing a large area of contact therewith. A photodetector disposed adjacent to the first body detects the power coupled out of the fiber, converting it to a representative electrical signal.
One disadvantage of the disclosed arrangement is the relative complexity of requiring various separate parts to be assembled together to tap the optical signal from the optical fiber.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a fiber optic displacement connector usable for removing an outer cover from a fiber optic cable.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a one piece fiber optic connector.
It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a fiber optic connector and method for displacing the buffer and cladding of an optical cable to tap the optical signal from the optical fiber.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a fiber optic connector that can be optically coupled to a light carrying center of fiber optic cable or an optical fiber without damaging the light carrying center or optical fiber.
These and other objects of the present invention are achieved by an optical fiber displacement connector and method used with a fiber optic cable as an optical tap. The fiber optic cable includes a light carrying center, a cladding and a buffer. The cladding displacement connector has surfaces which can be used for displacing the buffer and cladding to expose the light carrying center. The cladding displacement connector at least partially surrounds the light carrying center of the fiber optic cable. The cladding displacement connector is formed of an optically conductive material and is insertable into a printed circuit board or an integrated circuit chip. The connector can carry bidirectional and multi-wavelength light signals. The optical signal carried by the light carrying center of the fiber optic cable can be caused to exit the optical fiber by displacing the cladding, abrading the cladding, dissolving the cladding, and carving a groove into the light carrying center. The cladding displacement connector can then be placed adjacent to the light carrying center.
The foregoing objects of the present invention are also achieved by an optical fiber tap for optically connecting to an optical cable. The optical cable has a light carrying center and an outer cover. The optical fiber tap includes a body having a recess for receiving a portion of the light carrying center. The body has a first displacement portion and a second displacement portion, each said first displacement portion and said second displacement portion having a displacement surface at an end thereof for displacing the outer cover of the optical cable. The body has at least one surface for optical communication with the light carrying center.
The foregoing objects of the present invention are also achieved by an optical fiber tap for optically connecting to an optical cable. The optical cable has a light carrying center and an outer cover. The optical fiber tap includes a body having a recess for receiving a portion of the light carrying center. The body has a first displacement portion and a second displacement portion. Each of the first displacement portion and the second displacement portion has a displacement surface at an end thereof for displacing the outer cover of the optical cable. The body has at least one surface for optical communication with the light carrying center. The displacement surfaces have a first angled surface and a second angled surface. The recess has a first inner surface and a second inner surface. The first angled surface and the first inner surface form a first edge. The second angled surface and the second inner surface form a second edge. The first and second edges form cutting edges for displacing the outer cover.
The foregoing objects of the present invention are also achieved by an optical fiber tap for optically connecting to an optical fiber. The optical fiber tap includes a body having a recess for receiving a portion of the optical fiber. The body has a first leg and a second leg, at least one of which is positionable against the optical fiber.
The foregoing objects of the present invention are also achieved by a method of tapping an optical signal from a fiber optic cable having a light carrying center surrounded by an outer cover. The light carrying center is exposed using a fiber optic connector. The fiber optic connector is abutted against the light carrying center.
Still other objects and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, wherein the preferred embodiments of the invention are shown and described, simply by way of illustration of the best mode contemplated of carrying out the invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of other and different embodiments, and its several details are capable of modifications in various obvious respects, all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and description thereof are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3936631 (1976-02-01), Muska
patent: 3982123 (1976-09-01), Goell et al.
patent: 4103154 (1978-07-01), D'Auria et al.
patent: 4549782 (1985-10-01), Miller
patent: 4696534 (1987-09-01), Saha
patent: 4696535 (1987-09-01), Saha
patent: 4741584 (1988-05-01), Segerson
patent: 4784452 (1988-11-01), Hodge et al.
patent: 4792202 (1988-12-01), Zucker et al.
patent: 4802723 (1989-02-01), Miller
patent: 4822125 (1989-04-01), Beals et al.
patent: 4856864 (1989-08-01), Campbell et al.
patent: 4881789 (1989-11-01), Levinson
patent: 4887880 (1989-12-01), Levinson
patent: 5029962 (1991-07-01), Uken et al.
patent: 5037170 (1991-08-01), Uken et al.
patent: 5039188 (1991-08-01), Williams
patent: 5163105 (1992-11-01), Knoll et al.
patent: 5189298 (1993-02-01), Lieber
patent: 5235657 (1993-08-01), Tardy
patent: 5315675 (1994-05-01), Dennis et al.
patent: 5390271 (1995-02-01), Priest
Font Frank G.
Lauchman Layla
Lowe Hauptman & Gilman & Berner LLP
PRC Inc.
LandOfFree
Fiber optic cladding displacement connector does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Fiber optic cladding displacement connector, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Fiber optic cladding displacement connector will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2536006