Abstract:
An optical fiber of which at least one of the end faces comprises a convex-plane microlens coupled by the plane face thereof against said end face. Said optical fiber is a multimode fiber (2) having a core with a diameter of at least about ten micrometers, and said microlens is a dome-shaped lens (5) made of transparent thermoplastic material, the plane face (5a) of this microlens having an extension at least equal to the cross-section of the fiber core. Application, in particular, to light injection into optical fibers.
Abstract:
A method of forming a molded, field-installable optical connector. The method uses a support assembly which includes a wire mandrel (10), a mandrel holder (11), surrounding a portion of the wire, and a mandrel sleeve (12), surrounding a portion of the mandrel holder and including an end surface (15). Positioned at the end surface is a watch bearing jewel (16), with an aperture (17), through which the wire is inserted. A backbone insert (19) is also located around a portion of the mandrel sleeve. The assembly is positioned within a molding apparatus including a precision frusto-conical die (25), by inserting the wire through a second jewel (26), mounted in the die. After molding, the connector, which includes the first jewel embedded at one end of the molded part and the backbone insert as a strength member, is removed from the support assembly.
Abstract:
Photo-optical keyboard matrix (10) including a plurality of light transmitting optical fibers (12). The fibers are arranged in rows and columns with light generating means (14) disposed at the row terminations of the fibers and light receptors (16) are disposed at the column terminations of the fibers. The fibers are angularly cut at the matrix intersections of rows and columns to form an air prism. Individual key members, each provided with light blocking and unblocking means are movable into and out of the air prism area effectively blocking and unblocking light from generator to receptor thus providing optical keyboard switching apparatus.
Abstract:
Rotary optical coupler between a first array of optical conductors (1A-N) and a second identical array of optical conductors (2A-N), which coupler comprises an optical body (4) for a refractionless, mirror-symmetric passage of radiation between the two arrays of conductors (1A-N, 2A-N) by means of a single collective image transformation. The optical body (4) is further capable of rotating about the rotation axis (3) of the optical coupler at the same angular velocity, but in opposite direction with respect to the two arrays of conductors (1A-N, 2A-N).
Abstract:
A connector for holding a pair of optical fibers (22) in axial alignment along an axial direction with the ends of the optical fibers in end relationship includes a pair of fiber supporting members (13). Each supporting member (13) has at least one axially aligned inclined V-shaped channel (21) for accommodating the fiber (22) and means (15) for holding said fibers with the ends thereof projecting a predetermined distance from the end of a respective inclined V-shaped channel (21). A separate fiber receiving member (17) has a fiber junction region (29) including at least one V-shaped channel (31) of sufficient length having a level section at the junction region for supporting said projecting fibers (22) in end to end relationship. The respective inclined V-shaped channels (21) of said supporting members (13) being inclined downwardly along an axial direction toward said junction region (29) for urging the fibers downwardly into the level section. The receiving member (19) has a receptacle portion (39) and each of said supporting members (13) have an end surface and a pair of prongs (37) protrading outwardly therefrom in an axial direction. The respective prongs (37) of one supporting member (17) are in abutting relationship within said receptacle (39) with respective prongs (37) of the other supporting member (17) whereby said supporting members (17) are positioned in opposed assembled relationship to said fiber receiving member (17) with said respective inclined channels (21) being aligned with said level section of said channel on either side thereof. A transversely displaceable means (15) for engaging respective fibers (22) within said level section of V-shaped channel (31) is provided.
Abstract:
Control means for a fiber optic illumination system are disclosed having a light source and a fiber optics bundle (192) with a proximal end positioned adjacent to said light source and a distal end positionable in the immediate region where light is desired, said control means comprising a control unit (194) whose small size enables the control unit to be positioned so as not to interfere with the normal use of other implements being employed in the dental work area ad having signal generating means (123) including switch means (111) for activating said signal generating means to develop a function control signal, sensing means (124) displaced from and electrically isolated from said signal generating means for generating an activating signal upon receipt of said function control signal, and means (125) responsive to said activating signal for energizing said light source. The control means may comprise means for sensing the presence or absence of light, or means sensitive to other electromagnetic waves.
Abstract:
An individually armoured fiber optic core assembly (10) having a diameter not greater than 0.050" (1.72 mm) is provided as well as a process for making same. A fiber optic core (11) comprising a fiber optic element (12) and a surrounding protective layer (13) is encased within a drawn metal sheath (14) having a generally longitudinally extending seam (15). The ratio of the outside diameter of the fiber optic core (11) to the inside diameter of the metal sheath (14) is at least about 0.6:1. The fiber is formed by drawing metal strip (32') through a die (36) and simultaneously laying the core into the sheath as it is formed by the die. Optionally the sheath can be sealed by a line of solder applied along the length of the seam. Fiber optic cables comprising a plurality of individual fibers according to the invention are also described.
Abstract:
In the manufacture of an optical cable element for use in an optical cable, a water-impermeable medium (5) in a liquid or semi-liquid state is applied to an advancing optical fibre (F) immediately upstream of an extruder (1) in such a way and under such a pressure that the advancing optical fibre with waterimpermeable medium therearound passes into the extruder. After a tube of polymeric material has been extruded around the advancing optical fibre (F) and the surrounding water-impermeable medium in such a way that the internal diameter of the tube is greater than the overall diameter of the optical fibre and the extruded tube has been drawn down and so treated that molecules are longitudinally oriented, the space in the tube not occupied by the optical fibre is filled with water-impermeable medium of a jellylike nature.