Patent · US Expired

Rotary joint for optical fibers

US4641915A · kind A · utility

63Cited by
10References
4Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 16, 1984
Grant dateFeb 10, 1987
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 16, 2004

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG02B6/3886
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A rotary joint for optical fibers consists of two rotary members which enable efficient transmission of optical signals without the need of converting the same into electric signals by attaching rod lenses having a refractive index in the second order distribution relative to its center axis, to respective tips of the optical fibers capable of relative rotation so that an optical signal emitted from the tip of one optical fiber is transmitted from the end of one rod lens in the form of parallel rays to the other rod lens, and as a converged beam to the tip of the other optical fiber. The joint further includes a mechanism for imparting pressure to the rotary members, and a mechanism for finely setting the angle between the two rod lenses.

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