Back to results
US 6,556,764 B2Granted
Apparatus and method for holding an optical fiber component during optical fiber alignment
AssigneeIntel Corporation
InventorDouglas E. Crafts
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus and a method for holding and aligning a fiber optic component. One embodiment includes a collimator tube with a collar to house a portion of an optical fiber, and a clamping device coupled to a support structure to support the collar. The clamping device applies a normal force to the collar when the collar is disposed between the clamping device and the support structure, releasably coupling the collar to the support structure. After alignment, the collar can be affixed to the support structure with epoxy in a manner that reduces or eliminates misalignment caused by curing of the epoxy.
Claims26
An apparatus comprising:
- a collimator tube having a collar, the collimator tube housing a portion of an optical fiber;
- a support structure to support the collar;
- and
- a U-shaped clamping device releasably coupling the collar to the support structure to permit the collimator tube to be adjusted laterally;
- the clamping device having an opening such that a portion of the clamping device applies a force normal to the collar, releasably coupling the collar to the support structure such that the collar may move relative to the clamping device and the support structure to allow the optical fiber disposed in the opening to be positioned in alignment with an optical amplifier.
2 more elements
An apparatus comprising:
- a collimator tube having a collar, the collimator tube housing a portion of an optical fiber;
- a support structure to support the collar;
- and
- a spring coupled to the support structure to apply a normal force to the collar when the collar is disposed between the spring and the support structure, the spring releasably coupling the collar to the support structure to allow the collar to move laterally relative to the spring and the support structure, and to allow the optical fiber to be positioned in alignment with an optical amplifier, the spring having an open portion to accommodate the optical fiber.
1 more element
An apparatus comprising:
- a collimator tube having a collar, the collimator tube housing a portion of an optical fiber;
- a support structure, to support the collar;
- and
- an elastomer coupled to the support structure to apply a normal force to the collar when the collar is disposed between the elastomer and the support structure, the elastomer releasably coupling the collar to the support structure to allow the collar to move relative to the elastomer and the support structure and to allow the optical fiber to be positioned in alignment with an optical amplifier, the elastomer having an open portion to accommodate the optical fiber.
1 more element
An apparatus comprising:
- a collimator tube having a collar, the collimator tube housing a portion of an optical fiber,
- a support structure to support the collar;
- and
- a wedge slidably coupled to the support structure to apply a normal force to the collar when the collar is disposed between the wedge and the support structure, the wedge releasably coupling the collar to the support structure to allow the collar to move relative to the wedge and the support structure and to allow the optical fiber to be positioned in alignment with an optical amplifier, the wedge having an open portion to accommodate the optical fiber.
1 more element
A method comprising:
- coupling a support structure to a mounting base;
- coupling a clamping device to the support structure;
- positioning a collar of a collimator tube between the clamping device and the support structure;
- applying a normal force from the clamping device to the collar when the collar is disposed between the clamping device and the support structure, releasably coupling the collar to the support structure;
- aligning an optical fiber in the collimator tube with an optical amplifier by moving the collar laterally;
- and
- affixing the collar to the support structure.
4 more elements
A method comprising:
- coupling a collar to a light collimator having an optical fiber;
- securing the collar to a support structure;
- aligning the optical fiber with an optical amplifier by adjusting the collar laterally with respect to the support structure;
- and
- affixing the collar and the support structure.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.