Micro-electromechanical optical switch assembly for optical data networks

A micro-electromechanical optical switch assembly comprising:

• a substrate and a cover disposed over an upper surface of the substrate;
• an array of input optical fibers and an array of output optical fibers supported by the substrate;
• an array of input reflective switching elements, each one of the input switching elements disposed to receive light transmitted from an associated input optical fiber, each of the input switching elements rotatably supported by the substrate for rotation about an axis parallel with an end portion of the associated input optical fiber;
• an array of output reflective switching elements, each one of the output switching elements disposed to transmit light to an associated output optical fiber, each of the output switching elements rotatably supported by the substrate for rotation about an axis parallel with an end portion of the associated output optical fiber;
• an intermediate reflective element supported by the cover on an optical path between the input switching elements and the output switching elements and disposed to direct light received from the input switching elements to the output switching elements;
• and
• an actuating mechanism operative to control rotation of the input switching elements and the output switching elements.