Patent · US Expired

Electrically actuated switch for light waveguides

US4318587A · kind A · utility

20Cited by
5References
4Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJan 18, 1980
Grant dateMar 9, 1982
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 18, 2000

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG02B6/3572
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An electrically actuated switch for opening and closing an optical connection between at least a first and second light waveguide characterized by a common basic member supported in a housing of the switch at one end with the remaining portion of the member being free of the housing, a mobile switching blade supporting one of the waveguides being mounted on the basic member, a fixed support for the other waveguide being mounted on the member and an electrical coil being positioned to create a magnetic field to change the position of the switching blade between a rest and a second position to open and close the connection between the two waveguides. Preferably, the electrical coil telescopically receives a coil member which has an internal surface for mounting the one end of the common basic member which is preferably a one piece member. The mounting of the basic common member reduces the influence of thermal stresses and external forces on the parts which stresses or forces might change or shift the accurate position of the end faces of the light waveguides which are to be coupled to one another in the switching operation.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.