Linear translation switch with optical fibers
US4854660A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 12, 1988 |
| Grant date | Aug 8, 1989 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 12, 2008 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/3582
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An optical switch for switching the light output of one optical fiber into another optical fiber is disclosed. The optical switch includes an imaging system having a symmetry such as a spherical reflector. The switch also includes a group of optical fiber end faces including a first optical fiber end face via which light is transmitted to the imaging system and second and third fiber end faces. A translation mechanism is provided for linearly translating the group of fiber end faces and imaging system relative to one another between a first position in which the light from the first fiber end face is imaged by the imaging system into the second fiber end face and a second position in which light from the first fiber end face is imaged by the imaging system into the third fiber end face. The switch may be used to selectively remove a node from a fiber optic network having a ring like configuration.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.