Fiber array coupler
AssigneeLucent Technologies Inc.
InventorsNagesh Ramamoorthy Basavanhally, Ronald Edward Scotti, John David Weld
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Abstract
A fiber array faceplate for receiving, precisely positioning and immobilizing bare optical fiber. The faceplate includes a plate arrangement of at least two mutually parallel plates each having an array of fixed apertures. At least one of the plates is movable in translational motion such that the at least two plates collectively define an array of adjustable-size apertures that can open wide enough to readily receive bare optical fiber and then decrease in size to immobilize the received optical fiber.
Claims29
An article comprising:
- a plate arrangement comprising at least two mutually parallel plates, wherein:
- a plurality of apertures are defined in each of said parallel plates;
- said plurality of apertures in said parallel plates align to define a plurality of adjustable-size apertures that are movable between a first configuration and a second configuration;
- in said first configuration, said apertures in each of said parallel plates align such that said adjustable-size apertures have a size that is suitable for receiving bare optical fibers, one to each adjustable-size aperture;
- and
- in said second configuration, said apertures in each of said parallel plates align such that said adjustable-size apertures have a size that is suitable for immobilizing said received bare optical fibers.
An article comprising:
- a first plate having a first array of apertures;
- and
- a second plate parallel to said first plate and having a second array of apertures;
- wherein:
- said first array of apertures and said second array of apertures collectively define an array of adjustable-size apertures;
- at least one of said first plate and said second plate is movable in translational motion to change a position of said first array of apertures relative to said second array of apertures to change a size of an opening of each adjustable-size aperture between a first size and a second size, wherein:
- said first size is suitable for receiving bare optical fibers, one to each adjustable-size aperture;
- and
- said second size is suitable for immobilizing said received bare optical fibers.
A method comprising:
- defining a plurality of adjustable-size apertures;
- adjusting said adjustable-size apertures to a first size that is suitable for receiving bare optical fiber;
- inserting bare optical fiber into said adjustable-size apertures;
- and
- adjusting said adjustable-size apertures to a second size that is suitable for immobilizing bare optical fiber.
An article comprising a plate arrangement having at least two mutually parallel plates, said plates collectively defining means for receiving bare optical fiber, wherein, in a first configuration, said means has a size that is suitable for receiving said bare optical fiber, and in a second configuration, said means has a size that is suitable for immobilizing said received bare optical fibers.
An article comprising:
- a first aperture defined in a first plate;
- and
- a second aperture defined in a second plate, wherein:
- said first plate and said second plate are mutually parallel;
- and
- said first aperture and said second aperture align to define an adjustable-size aperture that is movable between a first configuration and a second configuration;
- and further wherein:
- in said first configuration, said first and second aperture align such that said adjustable-size aperture has a size that is suitable for receiving bare optical fiber;
- and
- in said second configuration, said first and second aperture align such that said adjustable-size aperture immobilizes received bare optical fiber by contacting said received bare optical fiber with a rim of said first aperture and a rim of said second aperture.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.