Janet L Armstrong

US Patent:

6665469, Dec 16, 2003

Filed:

Jan 2, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/038396

Inventors:

Kenneth R. Schroll - Chatham NJ
James P. Waters - Boonton Township NJ
Janet Armstrong - Somerset NJ

Assignee:

General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems, Inc. - McLeansville NC

International Classification:

G02B 626

US Classification:

385 32, 385 31

Abstract:

A device for injecting light from one of a first group of optical fibers into a corresponding one of a second group of optical fibers includes a holder for locating each of the fibers in the first and second groups, a clamp for securing fibers in the second group to the holder, and a depressor for laterally displacing each of the fibers in the second group, thus forming a bend in each of the fibers in the second group. The maximum curvature in the bend occurs where the fibers in the second group exit the clamp. Light is injected from fibers in the first group into corresponding fibers in the second group at the point of maximum curvature. An optical gel may be used to used to promote optical coupling between fibers in the first group and fibers in the second group. The optical fibers in the second group may include a lens for focusing the light to be injected. The device can function in reverse to extract light from fibers in the second group into fibers in the first group.

US Patent:

6819831, Nov 16, 2004

Filed:

Mar 4, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/090329

Inventors:

Kenneth R. Schroll - Chatham NJ 07928
James P. Waters - Boonton Township NJ 07005
Janet Armstrong - Somerset NJ 08873

International Classification:

G02B 626

US Classification:

385 25, 385 65

Abstract:

A multi-port optical coupler applies the transition loss principle to exchange light among optical fibers through optical fiber bends. In a four-port embodiment, the coupler includes first and second injector fibers located in precise optical alignment on a substrate. A continuous fiber segment is configured so that a portion thereof is positioned on the substrate between and in optical alignment with the injector fibers. This portion of the fiber segment can be moved to a second position out of alignment with the injector fibers. First and second depressors impart first and second bends to portions of the fiber segment adjacent to and in optical alignment with the first and second injector fibers. Light can be injected into or extracted from the fiber segment through these bends by the injector fibers when the fiber bend is severe enough to create a transition loss and when the bends are in optical alignment with the injector fibers. The depressors can be adjustable to allow independent adjustment of the first and second bends and, therefore, the respective transition loss.