Patent · US Expired

Electro-optical converter

US5067787A · kind A · utility

11Cited by
29References
8Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJan 23, 1989
Grant dateNov 26, 1991
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 23, 2009

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T156/10
  • WIPO fieldTelecommunications
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

An electro-optical converter has at least three optical or electrical ports at least one of which is optical and one of which is electrical. The converter includes an essentially rigid support, a fiber-optic lateral coupler secured to the support including at least two length-wise continuous optical fibers juxtaposed along a portion of their length to provide lateral transfer of optical energy therebetween, and an electro-optical device also secured to the support in close relationship to the coupler. The device has at least one optical port and at least one electrical port. One of the coupler fibers communicates within the converter with the optical port of the electro-optical device, to serve as an internal signal link therebetween. The length of the link between coupler and electro-optical device is of the order of 10 centimeters or less. Protective means associated with the optical fibers, the electro-optical device and the internal link serve to protect the components from outside physical disturbance. In another aspect, the electro-optical converter comprises a supporting body which includes a first section adapted to support a source of optical energy and to dissipate heat g…

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