Elastic averaging coupling
US11500166B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 3, 2021 |
| Grant date | Nov 15, 2022 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 15, 2041 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/4243
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A passive optical alignment coupling between an optical connector having a first two-dimensional planar array of alignment features and a foundation having a second two-dimensional planar array of alignment features. One of the arrays is a network of orthogonally intersecting longitudinal grooves defining an array of discrete protrusions that are each in a generally pyramidal shape with a truncated top separated from one another by the orthogonally intersecting longitudinal grooves, and the other array is a network of longitudinal cylindrical protrusions. The cylindrical protrusions are received in the grooves, with protrusion surfaces of the cylindrical protrusions in contact with groove surfaces and the top of the discrete protrusions contacting the surface bound by the cylindrical protrusions. The optical connector is removably attachable to the foundation to define a demountable coupling, with the first array of alignment features against the second array of alignment features to define an elastic averaging coupling.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.