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US 5,185,846 AGranted
Optical fiber alignment apparatus including guiding and securing plates
AssigneeAT&T Bell Laboratories
InventorsNagesh R. Basavanhally, Richard Borutta, Theodore Sizer, II, James A. Walker
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A bundle (12) of optical fibers (13) is fixed in a matrix array by apertures in a guiding plate (14) and a securing plate (15). The apertures (18) in the guiding plate are larger than those in the securing plate and the securing plate apertures (17) are funnel-shaped to aid in insertion of the fibers. Each row of optical fibers may be inserted simultaneously by mounting the row on a uniquely designed vacuum holder (26).
Claims5
An optical device comprising:
- a bundle of optical fibers;
- a planar securing member having therein a first array of first apertures;
- a planar guiding member having therein a second array of second apertures;
- the securing member and guiding member being substantially parallel with the first and second arrays of apertures being in substantial axial alignment;
- each of said first apertures and said securing member having a wider dimension on the side of the securing member facing the guiding member than on the side of the securing member remote from the guiding member;
- each optical fiber having a first end portion extending through the guiding member and then into the securing member;
- the first end portions of the optical fibers being bonded together and to the guiding member and the securing member by a bonding medium.
4 more elements
An optical device comprising:
- a bundle of optical fibers;
- a planar securing member having therein a first array of first apertures;
- a planar guiding member having therein a second array of second apertures, each of the second apertures having a substantially hour-glass configuration;
- the securing member and guiding member being substantially parallel with the first and second arrays of apertures being in substantial axial alignment;
- each optical fiber having a first end portion extending through the guiding member and then into the securing member;
- the first end portions of the optical fibers being bonded together and to the guiding member and the securing member by a bonding medium.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.