US 6,655,848 B2 · Method of making an optical manifold

Abstract

A three dimensional optical circuit featuring an optical manifold for organizing, guiding and protecting individual optical fibers is shown. One aspect of the present invention is a three dimensional manifold which may be constructed using a rapid prototyping process such as, but not limited to, stereolithography (“SLA”), fused deposition modeling (“FDM”), selective laser sintering (“SLS”), and the like. The manifold has a number of input openings in a first ordered arrangement at one end connected by passageways to a number of output openings in a second ordered arrangement at the opposite end. A plurality of optical fibers may be directed through the passageways of the manifold to produce a three dimensional optical circuit such as a shuffle. Moreover, the optical manifold may be used in conjunction with a number of connections or terminations to form a various optical modules. These modules may be configured for rack mounting within enclosures for electrical components.

Claims3

Dependent claims

A method of making an optical manifold, comprising the steps of:

(a) creating a CAD data source representative of the optical manifold;
and
(b) creating the optical manifold by a rapid prototyping process using the CAD data source
wherein the optical manifold comprises an input end having a plurality of openings in a first ordered arrangement, an output end having a plurality of output openings in a second ordered arrangement that differs from that of said first ordered arrangement, and a plurality of passageways, each of said passageways connecting a single input opening with a single output opening.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method of making an optical manifold

Life of this patent

Method of making an optical manifold

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims3