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US 5,852,689 AGranted
Method for making fluid optical switches
AssigneeHewlett-Packard Company
InventorDavid K. Donald
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The method builds upon the highly repeatable properties of commercial optical fiber, and using commercial fiber for the waveguides in a fabric of optical switches. The method describes assembly of the fabric, locating the intersections, and a structure for placing the mating resistor.
Claims12
A method for fabricating fluid optical switches comprising the steps of:
- forming a lattice with a plurality of intersections in a waveguide plate;
- inserting optical fiber uprights into the lattice;
- cleaving and inserting ladder rungs between the uprights in the waveguide plate;
- orienting the ladder rungs;
- selectively cutting the fibers at the intersections of the lattice at an angle;
- and
- placing the waveguide plate over a heater plate, that includes at least one heater on a mesa, such that a heater is at each cut intersection.
4 more elements
A fluid optical switch comprising:
- a waveguide plate, that includes a lattice of optical fiber, wherein the intersections of the lattice are cut such that one face is highly reflective;
- a heater plate positioned below the waveguide plate, having a heater on a mesa and a trench such that a reservoir is formed, that includes a fluid, within the reservoir, having an air bubble;
- and
- wherein the switch is ON when a bubble is over the heater and OFF when the bubble is gone from the heater.
1 more element
A vented fluid optical switch comprising:
- a waveguide plate, that includes a lattice of optical fiber, wherein each intersection is cut such that one face is highly reflective, having a vent;
- a heater plate positioned below the waveguide plate, having a heater on a mesa and a trench, the heater proximate to one of the intersections and near to the vent;
- fluid within a trench, wherein the trench is a reservoir for the fluid;
- and
- a fluid injector, positioned within the reservoir, operative to create an injection of fluid;
- wherein the switch is OFF when the injection of fluid covers the mesa and ON when the injection of fluid escapes from the intersection.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.