Patent · US Expired

Variable optical attenuator for optical fiber coupling

US4645294A · kind A · utility

20Cited by
1References
10Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 11, 1984
Grant dateFeb 24, 1987
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 11, 2004

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG02B6/3594
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

The variable optical attenuator varies the angle and distance of coupling between two fiber ends by moving the end of one of the fibers along a circular arc passing through the end of the other fiber. It comprises a rectangular block 3 to support said fibers 1 and 2, having a slit 6 through its end, running parallel to its broad surfaces and dividing the block into two branches 7, 8, a cylindrical through hole 9 traversing one of the branches 7 substantially in line with the inside end of the slit and opened on the side of the supporting surface 4 of the block to establish the coupling zone between the fibers afixed to said surface, and driving and control means 20, 25 for swivelling the branch 7 carrying one of the fibers, which means act substantially on the free end of said branch 7.

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