Optical fiber alignment switch
OwnerKeyth M. Smith, Kishi A. Mitchell +1inventors
InventorsKeyth M. Smith, Kishi A. Mitchell, Xiaoming Liu
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Abstract
An optical switch for selectively coupling the free end of an input fiber to the free ends of one of two output fibers. Each of the output fibers is adhesively fixed within a v-groove of an output alignment block. The output alignment blocks are held in stacked relationship within a housing with their v-grooves upturned. An input alignment block having an inverted v-groove within its bottom surface is provided for guiding the input optical fiber, upon switching, toward engagement with the output fiber fixed to the upper output alignment block.
Claims19
An optical switch for selectively completing a light transmission path between an input fiber and one of a pair of output fibers comprising, in combination:
- a) a first and a second output alignment block, each of said output alignment blocks being arranged to receive one of said output fibers;
- b) each of said output alignment blocks having a top surface and a bottom surface;
- c) said output alignment blocks being arranged into a stack with the first alignment block below the second output block so that the top surface of the first output alignment block contacts the bottom surface of the second alignment block;
- d) each of said output alignment blocks having a groove within its top surface for receiving an output fiber;
- e) a two-position switch actuable between a first state and a second state;
- and
- f) said input fiber being responsive to the state of said two-position switch so that an optical path between said input fiber and said first output fiber is completed when said two-position switch is in said first state and an optical path is completed between said input fiber and said second output fiber when said two-position switch is in said second state.
An optical switch for selectively completing a light transmission path between an input fiber and one of a pair of output fibers comprising, in combination:
- a) a first and a second output alignment block, each of said output alignment blocks being arranged to receive one of said output fibers;
- b) each of said output headers having a top surface and a bottom surface;
- c) said output alignment blocks being arranged into a stack with the first alignment block below the second output alignment block so that the top surface of the first output alignment block contacts the bottom surface of the second output alignment block;
- d) each of said output alignment blocks having a v-groove within its top surface;
- e) said output fibers adhesively fixed to each of said output alignment blocks within a v-groove;
- f) a two-position switch actuable between a first state and a second state, said two-position switch having an arm, the state of said switch being defined by the angular orientation of said arm;
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- g) a fiber guide fixed to said arm for directing the free end of said input fiber toward said output fibers.
An optical switch for selectively completing a light transmission path between an input fiber and one of a pair of output fibers comprising, in combination:
- a) a first and a second output alignment block, each of said output alignment blocks having a top surface and a bottom surface with a v-groove within the top surface of each of said output alignment bodies;
- b) one of said output fibers being fixed within the v-groove of each of said output alignment bodies;
- c) a two-position switch actuable between a first state and a second state for guiding said input fiber between said first and second output fibers;
- d) each of said output alignment blocks, said input fiber and said output fibers being within a housing including (i) an opposed pair of generally-planar end panels, (ii) an opposed pair of generally-planar side panels and (iii) generally-planar top and bottom panels in opposed relation to one another;
- and
- e) said output alignment blocks being fixed to said opposed side panels of said housing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.