Patent · US Expired

Wave-shaped AC arc for lensing system

US4758386A · kind A · utility

8Cited by
9References
8Claims
0Family size

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJan 15, 1987
Grant dateJul 19, 1988
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 15, 2007

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG02B6/2552
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A system is provided for forming an end of an optical fiber into a lens, using a high frequency AC electric arc of predetermined frequency, which avoids the creation of harmonic frequencies that could degrade the finished lens. An arc is established between a pair of electrodes, wherein the arc current varies substantially sinusoidally, to minimize the amplitude of harmonic frequencies. Voltage pulses are delivered to a primary of a transformer, while the secondary of the transformer is coupled through a capacitor to one electrode, and the other electrode is coupled back to the secondary of the transformer. The inductance of the secondary winding plus the reflected inductance of the primary winding, when combined with the capacitance, results in a resonant circuit, which generates a sinusoidal output when excited at its resonant frequency. The square waves inputted to the transformer primary are at a frequency approximately equal to the resonant frequency of the resonant circuit.

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