Optical fiber array for a thermal printer and method of making same
US5109460A · kind A · utility
37Cited by
11References
14Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 23, 1991 |
| Grant date | Apr 28, 1992 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 23, 2011 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/3863
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An optical fiber array is disclosed that is useful in a print head of a thermal printer. The array is comprised of materials that hold a collection of output ends of optical fibers in precise alignment to each other and to a well defined plane. The materials of the array are selected so that each material has a polishing rate that is substantially the same. This selection of materials facilitates efficient fabrication of the arrays. Additionally, a fixture that facilitates ease of assembly and finishing of the array is disclosed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.