US4818263A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for precisely positioning microlenses on optical fibers
Assignee: Flextronics Photonics PPT Inc
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Filing: 1987-06-11
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Granted: 1989-04-04
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Expires: 2007-06-11
Abstract
Abstract A microlens is precisely positioned on the end of an optical fiber by urging the fiber against a moving abrasive lap at a desired angle and simultaneously turning the fiber end, either continuously or in discrete steps. The turning causes the fiber end to contact the abrasive at points all around its periphery, thereby removing material equally from all sides of the fiber and producing a precise lens form. The pressure with which the fiber end is urged against the abrasive is maintained substantially constant by spring action of the fiber. The resulting conical lens is centered on the fiber by action of friction forces which constrain the fiber to rotate in a fixed position despite the fiber's freedom of movement within a guide tube. The invention repeatably provides optically accurate lenses of a variety of conifurgations centered to within one micron on fibers of all types, including polarization-preserving fibers.
Inventors
- 👤 John H. Mitch
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 04:23
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/42; G02B6/4201; G02B6/4202; G02B6/4203; B; B24; B24B; B24B19/00; B24B19/22; B24B19/226
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
72 words
A method for providing a microlens on the end of an optical fiber comprising the steps: providing an abrasive surface; positioning the optical fiber so that the axis of the end portion thereof defines a desired angle with the abrasive surface; effecting relative movement between the end portion of the fiber and the abrasive surface; and providing a spring means for urging the end portion of the fiber against the abrasive surface.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
72 words
A method for providing a microlens on the end of an optical fiber comprising the steps: providing an abrasive surface; positioning the optical fiber so that the axis of the end portion thereof defines a desired angle with the abrasive surface; effecting relative movement between the end portion of the fiber and the abrasive surface; and providing a spring means for urging the end portion of the fiber against the abrasive surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 in which the providing a spring means step comprises bending the optical fiber and allowing said fiber some freedom of movement.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 which further comprises the step periodically changing the force with which the end portion of the fiber is urged against the abrasive surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 which further comprises the step changing the angle defined between the abrasive surface and the axis of the end portion of the fiber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 which further comprises the step turning the end portion of the optical fiber.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
An optical fiber having a microlens made by the method of claim 1.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
74 words
A method for precisely positioning a microlens on the end of an optical fiber comprising the providing an abrasive surface; positioning the optical fiber so that the axis of the end portion thereof defines a desired angle with the abrasive surface; effecting relative movement between the end portion of the fiber and the abrasive surface while maintaining said desired angle; and turning the end portion of the optical fiber while maintaining said desired angle.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
74 words
A method for precisely positioning a microlens on the end of an optical fiber comprising the providing an abrasive surface; positioning the optical fiber so that the axis of the end portion thereof defines a desired angle with the abrasive surface; effecting relative movement between the end portion of the fiber and the abrasive surface while maintaining said desired angle; and turning the end portion of the optical fiber while maintaining said desired angle.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 7 in which the turning step is effected without rotating portions of the fiber remote from said end portion.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 7 in which the turning step includes transmitting torque to the end of the fiber from a portion of said fiber remote from said
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 7 in which the turning step includes turning the end portion of the fiber at a time-varying rate.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 7 in which the movement of the abrasive surface relative to the fiber is colinear with the projection of the axis of the end portion of the fiber onto the abrasive surface and in a direction away from the fiber.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
128 words
A method for precisely positioning a microlens on the end of an optical fiber comprising the steps: providing an abrasive surface; providing a fiber guide means sized larger than the fiber so the fiber can pass therethrough; positioning the fiber in the fiber guide means; positioning the fiber guide means so that the end of the fiber passing therethrough engages the abrasive surface; turning the end portion of the fiber; effecting relative movement between the turning end portion of the fiber and the abrasive surface; and sweeping the turning end portion of the fiber within the fiber guide means so that the fiber is constrained to turn at a fixed location, thereby precisely centering the resultant lens despite loose fitting of the fiber within the fiber guide means.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
128 words
A method for precisely positioning a microlens on the end of an optical fiber comprising the steps: providing an abrasive surface; providing a fiber guide means sized larger than the fiber so the fiber can pass therethrough; positioning the fiber in the fiber guide means; positioning the fiber guide means so that the end of the fiber passing therethrough engages the abrasive surface; turning the end portion of the fiber; effecting relative movement between the turning end portion of the fiber and the abrasive surface; and sweeping the turning end portion of the fiber within the fiber guide means so that the fiber is constrained to turn at a fixed location, thereby precisely centering the resultant lens despite loose fitting of the fiber within the fiber guide means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
An optical fiber having a microlens made by the method of claim 12.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
90 words
An apparatus for precisely positioning a microlens on the end of an optical fiber comprising: an abrasive surface; clamp means for securely coupling to the fiber; guide means for routing the fiber from the clamp means to the abrasive surface, said guide means allowing the fiber some freedom of movement between the clamp means and the abrasive surface; motion means for effecting relative movement between the abrasive surface and the end of the fiber; and rotation means for changing the surface of the optical fiber engaged with the abrasive surface.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
90 words
An apparatus for precisely positioning a microlens on the end of an optical fiber comprising: an abrasive surface; clamp means for securely coupling to the fiber; guide means for routing the fiber from the clamp means to the abrasive surface, said guide means allowing the fiber some freedom of movement between the clamp means and the abrasive surface; motion means for effecting relative movement between the abrasive surface and the end of the fiber; and rotation means for changing the surface of the optical fiber engaged with the abrasive surface.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 14 in which the clamp means comprises a collet coupling the fiber to the rotation means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
51 words
The apparatus of claim 14 in which the clamp means, the guide means, the pressure means, the motion means and the rotation means comprise, in combination, a rotating body defining a fiber guide path terminating adjacent the abrasive surface and means for securing the fiber fixedly apart from said rotating body.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 14 in which the guide means comprises a conduit through which the fiber is threaded, the apparatus further comprising means for forcing a fluid through a gap defined between the fiber and the conduit.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
29 words
In an apparatus for machining an article not readily susceptible to visual observation, the improvement comprising monitoring means for monitoring electronically the acoustic energy emitted by the machining operation.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
29 words
In an apparatus for machining an article not readily susceptible to visual observation, the improvement comprising monitoring means for monitoring electronically the acoustic energy emitted by the machining operation.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
42 words
The invention of claim 18 in which the machining operation involves periodic motion of the apparatus or the article being machined and in which the monitoring means includes means for synchronizing said electronic monitoring function with the frequency of said periodic motion.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
22 words
The invention of claim 18 in which the machining operation comprises polishing a lens surface on an end of an optical fiber.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-04-03 | 1992-10-03 | 1993-04-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-04-03 | 1996-10-03 | 1997-04-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-04-03 | 2000-10-03 | 2001-04-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |