Substrate with multiple optically isolated grooves and method for using same

A substrate for receiving multiple optical fibers, the substrate comprising:

• a first elongate member with a first exterior surface and a first interior surface, wherein the first interior surface is defined by a first mating surface, a first interior portion, and a second mating surface, wherein a first optically isolated groove is disposed along the first interior portion, wherein the first groove is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the first elongate member, wherein the first groove is for receiving multiple optical fibers;
• a second elongate member with a second exterior surface and a second interior surface, wherein the second interior surface is defined by a third mating surface, a second interior portion, and a fourth mating surface, wherein the third mating surface is adapted to mate with the second mating surface of the first elongate member, wherein a second optically isolated groove is disposed along the second interior portion, wherein the second groove is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the second elongate member, wherein the second groove is for receiving multiple optical fibers;
• a third elongate member with a third exterior surface and a third interior surface, wherein the third interior surface is defined by a fifth mating surface, a third interior portion, and a sixth mating surface, wherein the fifth mating surface is adapted to mate with the fourth mating surface of the second elongate member, wherein a third optically isolated groove is disposed along the third interior portion, wherein the third groove is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the third elongate member, wherein the third groove is for receiving multiple optical fibers;
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• a fourth elongate member with a fourth exterior surface and a fourth interior surface, wherein the fourth interior surface is defined by a seventh mating surface, a fourth interior portion, and an eighth mating surface, wherein the seventh mating surface is adapted to mate with the sixth mating surface of the third elongate member, wherein the eighth mating surface is adapted to mate with the first mating surface of the first elongate member, wherein a fourth optically isolated groove is disposed along the fourth interior portion, wherein the fourth groove is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the fourth elongate member, wherein the fourth groove is for receiving multiple optical fibers.

A substrate for receiving multiple fiber optic couplings, the substrate comprising:

• a first elongate member with a first exterior surface and a first interior surface, wherein the first interior surface includes a is defined by a first mating surface, a first interior portion, and a second mating surface, wherein a first groove is disposed along the first interior portion, wherein the first groove is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the first elongate member, wherein the first groove is for receiving a first fiber optic coupling;
• a second elongate member with a second exterior surface and a second interior surface, wherein the second interior surface is defined by a third mating surface, a second interior portion, and a fourth mating surface, wherein the third mating surface is adapted to mate with the second mating surface of the first elongate member, wherein a second groove is disposed along the second interior portion, wherein the second groove is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the second elongate member, wherein the second groove is for receiving a second fiber optic coupling;
• a third elongate member with a third exterior surface and a third interior surface, wherein the third interior surface is defined by a fifth mating surface, a third interior portion, and a sixth mating surface, wherein the fifth mating surface is adapted to mate with the fourth mating surface of the second elongate member, wherein a third groove is disposed along the third interior portion, wherein the third groove is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the third elongate member, wherein the third groove is for receiving a third fiber optic coupling;
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• a fourth elongate member with a fourth exterior surface and a fourth interior surface, wherein the fourth interior surface is defined by a seventh mating surface, a fourth interior portion, and an eighth mating surface, wherein the seventh mating surface is adapted to mate with the sixth mating surface of the third elongate member, wherein the eighth mating surface is adapted to mate with the first mating surface of the first elongate member, wherein a fourth groove is disposed along the fourth interior portion, wherein the fourth groove is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the fourth elongate member, wherein the fourth groove is for receiving a fourth fiber optic coupling.

A method for using a substrate as a component of a fiber optic device, comprising the steps of:

• a) receiving at least two fiber optic cables in a first optically isolated groove of the substrate, each cable having a fiber jacket of the cable removed from a middle portion of the cable to expose an optical fiber within the cable;
• b) connecting the exposed optical fibers of each cable together in a connecting region of the first groove to form a first fiber optic coupling with at least four coupled fiber optic cables extending therefrom, each coupled fiber optic cable having a connection end joined in the first coupling and a lead end extending outward from the first groove;
• c) selecting at least one of the coupled fiber optic cables from the first coupling and severing the selected coupled fiber optic cable(s) from the first coupling;
• d) receiving at least two fiber optic cables in a second optically isolated groove of the substrate, each cable having a fiber jacket of the cable removed from a middle portion of the cable to expose an optical fiber within the cable;
• e) connecting the exposed optical fibers of each cable together in a connecting region of the second groove to form a second fiber optic coupling with at least four coupled fiber optic cables extending therefrom, each coupled fiber optic cable having a connection end joined in the second coupling and a lead end extending outward from the second groove;
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• f) selecting at least one of the coupled fiber optic cables from the second coupling and severing the selected coupled fiber optic cable(s) from the second coupling.

A method for using a substrate as a component of a fiber optic device, comprising the steps of:

• a) receiving at least two fiber optic cables in a first optically isolated groove of the substrate, each cable having a connection end and a lead end, each cable having a fiber jacket removed from the connection end of the cable to expose an optical fiber within the cable, wherein at least one electronic component is disposed in the first groove;
• b) connecting the exposed optical fibers from the connection end of each cable to predetermined points on the electronic component(s) in a connecting region of the first groove;
• c) receiving at least two fiber optic cables in a second optically isolated groove of the substrate, each cable having a connection end and a lead end, each cable having a fiber jacket removed from the connection end of the cable to expose an optical fiber within the cable, wherein at least one electronic component is disposed in the second groove;
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• d) connecting the exposed optical fibers from the connection end of each cable to predetermined points on the electronic component(s) in a connecting region of the second groove.