Patent · US Expired

Method and apparatus for variable attenuation of an optical waveguide

US4721351A · kind A · utility

17Cited by

3References

18Claims

0Family size

Assignee

Siemens Aktiengesellschaft · DE

Inventors

Wolfgang Goepfert · Straubing, DE
Walter Proebster · Munich, DE
Dieter Will · Lauf an der Pegnitz, DE

Key dates

Filing date	Sep 10, 1984
Grant date	Jan 26, 1988
Priority date	—
Expiry date	Sep 10, 2004

Classification

Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
CPC primaryY10S359/90
WIPO fieldOptics
WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A method and apparatus for variable attenuation of a flexible optical waveguide empart a variable curvature to the waveguide such that selected, conditioned radition losses result. In one embodiment the curvature is emparted by winding a portion of the waveguide around a grooved roller, in other embodiments the curvature is emparted by slides which are laterally moveable within curved recesses of a supporting frame, the slides engaging the waveguide and causing the waveguide to conform to varying portions of the curved recesses.

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