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US4144541A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Light-activated semiconductor device package unit

Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute
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Filing: 1977-01-27
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Granted: 1979-03-13
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Expires: 1997-01-27
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Abstract

Abstract Optoelectronic devices perform functions under control of light energy striking a light-sensitive area of the device. A flexible light pipe with a connector matching a counterpart at the optoelectronic device guides light energy from a light source to the optoelectronic device, avoiding the requirement for a fixed arrangement of light source and optoelectronic device.

Inventors

  • 👤 Donald L. Schaefer
  • 👤 Victor A. K. Temple

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-25 07:00
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/42; G02B6/4201; G02B6/4202; G02B6/4248

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim 151 words
An optoelectronic semiconductor unit comprising, in combination: a semiconductor device having a light-sensitive area; a guide tube having a pair of open ends; a locating fixture mounted on the device and extending outwardly therefrom, said locating fixture having a hole at its outer extremity in alignment with said area, one end of the tube being received in the hole and being in spaced relationship to said area, there being means for sealing the junction between the tube and the fixture; a light pipe removably insertable into the other end of said guide tube for conducting light energy onto said light-sensitive area; and a sealed package, said device and said locating fixture being wholly disposed in the package and said guide tube extending from the locating fixture and through and outwardly of the package, said package being operable for hermetically enclosing said semiconductor device and said one end of said guide tube.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 151 words
An optoelectronic semiconductor unit comprising, in combination: a semiconductor device having a light-sensitive area; a guide tube having a pair of open ends; a locating fixture mounted on the device and extending outwardly therefrom, said locating fixture having a hole at its outer extremity in alignment with said area, one end of the tube being received in the hole and being in spaced relationship to said area, there being means for sealing the junction between the tube and the fixture; a light pipe removably insertable into the other end of said guide tube for conducting light energy onto said light-sensitive area; and a sealed package, said device and said locating fixture being wholly disposed in the package and said guide tube extending from the locating fixture and through and outwardly of the package, said package being operable for hermetically enclosing said semiconductor device and said one end of said guide tube.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 21 words
An optoelectronic semiconductor unit as set forth in claim 1, wherein said light pipe comprises a plurality of flexible light-guiding fibers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 41 words
An optoelectronic semiconductor unit as set forth in claim 1, and including an electrical lead in electrical contact with said device at a location spaced laterally from the locating fixture, said lead extending through and being electrically isolated from said package.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 21 words
An optoelectronic semiconductor unit as set forth in claim 1, including means sealing the junction between the device and the fixture.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 26 words
An optoelectronic semiconductor unit as set forth in claim 1, and including a light-transparent sealant within the hole and in covering relationship to said light-sensitive area.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 36 words
An optoelectronic semiconductor unit as set forth in claim 1, wherein said fixture is formed from a light-transparent material and engages said device, said hole being in the fixture terminating at a location within the fixture.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 36 words
An optoelectronic semiconductor unit as set forth in claim 1, wherein is included a light-transparent plate between the fixture and the device, said recess including a hole through the fixture in alignment with said light-sensitive area.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 177 words
An optoelectronic semiconductor unit comprising, in combination: an enclosure including a top cover member having a first flange, a bottom cover member spaced from the top cover member and having a second flange, and an insulator member between said first and second flanges, one of said members having an opening therethrough, said top cover defining a first electrode having a first contact area, said bottom cover defining a second electrode having a second contact area; an optoelectronic semiconductor device having a photosensitive region and disposed between and in electrical contact with said first and second contact areas; and optical interface means, including a guide tube having a pair of open ends and extending through said opening, a locating fixture wholly disposed within the enclosure and having a hole aligned with said photosensitive region, one end of the guide tube being in the hole and spaced from said region, the guide tube being hermetically sealed to the fixture over said photosensitive region, said guide tube adapted to receive a light-guiding pipe for directing light energy onto said region.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 177 words
An optoelectronic semiconductor unit comprising, in combination: an enclosure including a top cover member having a first flange, a bottom cover member spaced from the top cover member and having a second flange, and an insulator member between said first and second flanges, one of said members having an opening therethrough, said top cover defining a first electrode having a first contact area, said bottom cover defining a second electrode having a second contact area; an optoelectronic semiconductor device having a photosensitive region and disposed between and in electrical contact with said first and second contact areas; and optical interface means, including a guide tube having a pair of open ends and extending through said opening, a locating fixture wholly disposed within the enclosure and having a hole aligned with said photosensitive region, one end of the guide tube being in the hole and spaced from said region, the guide tube being hermetically sealed to the fixture over said photosensitive region, said guide tube adapted to receive a light-guiding pipe for directing light energy onto said region.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 19 words
An optoelectronic semiconductor unit as set forth in claim 8, wherein said opening is in said top cover member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 18 words
An optoelectronic semiconductor unit as set forth in claim 8, wherein said opening is in said insulator member.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US2640901A Cited
US3423594A Cited
US3532873A Cited
US3585454A Cited
US3590344A Cited
US3796881A Cited
US3938173A Cited
US3840889A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1982-03-12 1982-09-11 1983-03-13 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1986-03-12 1986-09-11 1987-03-13 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1990-03-12 1990-09-11 1991-03-13 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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