Patent · US Expired

Method providing optimum optical trains alignment in a passive multi-channel fiber optic rotary joint

US5271076A · kind A · utility

32Cited by
2References
11Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateOct 5, 1992
Grant dateDec 14, 1993
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 5, 2012

Classification

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

Abstract

A method is disclosed for use in the fabrication of a passive multi-channel ptical fiber rotary joint having an axis of rotation and of the type in which optical fiber communication channels are coupled via bilaterally symmetrically disposed miniature-collimation-lenses as collimated beams to one and the other sides of an image-derotation-prism-and-prism-rotational-drive-subassembly prism which rotates at a predetermined ratio of the relative rotation of the sides of the rotary joint to derotate optical propagation paths across the transverse rotary interface associated with the respective ones of the miniature collimation lenses. Each channel at each side of the rotary joint includes a fiber and lens junction at which a ferrule encased fiber termination couples to the axially outwardly disposed face of the miniature collimation lens. A lens array holding piece serves as the mount for this junction. Each array piece is provided with a locality of axial engagement at the adjacent side of the image derotation prism of the image-derotation-prism-and-prism-rotational-drive subassembly.

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