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US 4,376,566 AGranted
Fiber optic switching method and apparatus with flexible shutter
AssigneeSheltered Workshop for the Disabled, Inc.
InventorPaul A. Blackington
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An extremely thin shutter is moved into and out of the space between closely-spaced ends of a pair of axially and angularly aligned optic fibers to prevent or establish transmission of light between the fibers. In one embodiment a cantilever shutter is rotated between two positions. In another embodiment a taut band-like shutter having an aperture is translated between two positions.
Claims12
Apparatus for selectively establishing and preventing light transmission between first and second optical fibers, comprising, in combination:
- a support member having first and second recesses adapted to receive respective optic fiber connectors to fixedly space the ends of said fibers in axial and angular alignment with each other and with an air space between the ends of said fibers;
- an opaque flexible planar shutter having a thickness less than the width of said air space;
- means for moving said shutter between a first position in which a portion of said shutter completely intersects said air space between the ends of said fibers to prevent light transmission between said ends and a second position in which no portion of said shutter is interposed in said air space;
- and means for constraining movement of said portion of said shutter to a plane substantially perpendicular to the axes of said fibers.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.