Double-tube fiber coupler package
AssigneeFinisar Corporation
InventorsSenlu Xu, Steve Wang, Johnny Zhong
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Coupler packages for providing protection against the elements for fused fiber couplings. The coupler package has an inner and outer cylinder for providing additional buffering against vibration, temperature expansion, corrosion, and water penetration. The double tube structure increases the penetration length for water, while the seals decrease the cross section for water penetration.
Claims30
A coupler package for enclosing fused optical fibers, the coupler package comprising:
- an inner assembly that includes an outer aperture and an inner aperture, the inner aperture forming an inner chamber that includes anti-vibrational protection and enclosing the fused optical fibers so as to prevent moisture from interacting with the fused optical fibers, wherein the inner chamber is thermally insulated;
- and
- an outer assembly forming an outer chamber, the outer chamber enclosing the inner chamber, wherein the outer chamber is thermally insulated from the exterior of the coupler package.
A coupler package for use with optical fibers having an unfused portion of fibers and a fused portion of fibers, the optical fibers passing beyond the periphery of the coupler package the coupler package comprising:
- an inner wall forming a lengthwise bore comprising inner and outer apertures being sealed at each end by inner and outer seals, respectively, the inner aperture comprising anti-vibrational rings coupled to the ends of the inner seal, wherein the inner wall encloses the fused portion of the optical fibers, the unfused portion of the optical fibers passing through the inner and outer seals, the seals forming a barrier against moisture;
- and
- an outer wall enclosing the inner wall, the outer wall having first and second sealed ends, the unsealed portion of the optical fibers passing through the first and second sealed ends.
A coupler package for enclosing optical fibers being fused together, the coupler package comprising:
- an inner cylinder having a sealed opening at each end, the optical fibers passing through the inner cylinder and extending beyond the ends of the cylinder, wherein the inner cylinder encloses a portion of the optical fibers being fused together;
- an outer cylinder enclosing the inner cylinder having a sealed opening at each end wherein the optical fibers extend beyond the ends of the outer cylinder;
- and
- one or more anti-vibrational rings coupled between the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.