Optical waveguides – Accessories – External retainer/clamp
Patent
1997-02-10
1999-03-09
Lee, John D.
Optical waveguides
Accessories
External retainer/clamp
385 88, G02B 636
Patent
active
058811982
ABSTRACT:
A microactuator for precisely positioning an optical fiber, such as in alignment with an optical device, includes an alignment support structure, a carrier movably mounted on the alignment support structure and at least one actuator which bends or deflects in response to a predetermined stimuli to thereby controllably position the carrier and, in turn, an optical fiber mounted on the carrier relative to the alignment support structure. The actuator can include a bimorphic actuator, an asymmetric monomorph, a diaphragm or a comb structure, for example. As a result, the actuator typically deflects in response to electrical or thermal stimuli. The carrier can include the actuator such that upon deflection the actuator is urged against a portion of the alignment support structure and the carrier is correspondingly moved relative to the alignment support structure. Alternatively, the alignment support structure can include the actuator such that upon deflection the actuator is urged against a portion of the carrier and the carrier is correspondingly moved relative to the alignment support structure. By maintaining the alignment support structure in a fixed relation to an optical device, however, the carrier and, in turn, the optical fiber mounted on the carrier can be positioned in precise alignment with the optical device.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3836225 (1974-09-01), Wilde et al.
patent: 4303302 (1981-12-01), Ramsey et al.
patent: 4357072 (1982-11-01), Goodfellow et al.
patent: 4523802 (1985-06-01), Sakaguchi et al.
patent: 4652081 (1987-03-01), Fatatry
patent: 4679908 (1987-07-01), Goodwin
patent: 4688885 (1987-08-01), Poteat et al.
patent: 4701013 (1987-10-01), Jurczyszyn et al.
patent: 4702547 (1987-10-01), Enochs
patent: 4720163 (1988-01-01), Goodwin et al.
patent: 4721354 (1988-01-01), Kaspar et al.
patent: 4741796 (1988-05-01), Althaus et al.
patent: 4796975 (1989-01-01), Lukas et al.
patent: 4798439 (1989-01-01), Preston
patent: 4802727 (1989-02-01), Stanley
patent: 4844577 (1989-07-01), Ninnis et al.
patent: 4867524 (1989-09-01), Courtney et al.
patent: 4934778 (1990-06-01), Gillett
patent: 4955683 (1990-09-01), Shiga et al.
patent: 5029791 (1991-07-01), Ceccon et al.
patent: 5080458 (1992-01-01), Hockaday
patent: 5080461 (1992-01-01), Pimpinella
patent: 5123073 (1992-06-01), Pimpinella
patent: 5181214 (1993-01-01), Berger et al.
patent: 5214727 (1993-05-01), Carr et al.
patent: 5450508 (1995-09-01), Decusatis et al.
patent: 5457765 (1995-10-01), Suzuki et al.
patent: 5483608 (1996-01-01), Yokomachi et al.
patent: 5602955 (1997-02-01), Haake
patent: 5606635 (1997-02-01), Haake
Wilkinson, Kim, Jokerst and Allen, Integration of Thin Film Optoelectronic Devices Onto Micromachined Movable Platforms, IEEE Photonics Technology Letters, vol. 6, No. 9, Sep. 1994, pp. 1115-1118.
International Search Report, PCT/US96/15213, mailed Jun. 6, 1997.
Piezoelectric Voltage and Unimorphs, Bimorphs, and Stacks, Morgan Matroc, Inc. publication, p. 5 (Mar. 1993).
Melles Griot catalog, Nanopositioning Technology Guide,Components and Systems for Fiber Optics, Optics, Lasers and Integrated Optics (1993).
R. Boudreau, et al., High Gain(21 dB) Packaged Semiconductor Optical Amplifiers, Electronics Letters, vol. 27, No. 20, Sep. 26, 1991, pp. 1842-1843.
E. J. Murphy, Fiber Attachment for Guided Wave Devices, Journal of Lightwave Technology, vol. 6, No. 6, Jun. 1988, pp. 862-871.
A. Rosiewicz, High Reliability Packaging for Fibre Optic Sources,SPIE, vol. 717 Reliability Considerations In Fiber Optic Applications, 1986, pp. 63-73.
H. M. Presby and C. A. Edwards, Near 100% Efficient Fibre Microlenses, Electronic Letters, 12th Mar. 1992, pp. 582-584.
A. Rogner, W. Ehrfeld, D. Munchmeyer, P. Bley, C. Burbaum and J. Mohr, LIGA-Based Flexible Microstructures for Fiber-Chip Coupling, IMM Institut fur Mikrotechnik GmbH, 1991, pp. 167-170.
Lynn Haber, Opto-electronics Bets On Low Cost, Lightwave, Feb. 1995, pp. 1 and 23.
George Kotelly, Opto-electronics--High-volume, Low-cost Devices Needed, Lightwave, Feb. 1995, 1 page.
George Kotelly, Opto-electronics--High-volume, Low-cost Devices Needed, Lightwave, Feb. 1995, 1 page.
R. J. Pimpinella, A New Type of Fiber Optic Connector Designed for Military Optical Backplanes, Proceedings of The 42nd ECTC Conference, May 18-20, 1992, pp. A61-65.
Lee John D.
McDonnell Douglas Corporation
LandOfFree
Microactuator for precisely positioning an optical fiber and an does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Microactuator for precisely positioning an optical fiber and an , we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Microactuator for precisely positioning an optical fiber and an will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-1329784