Optical fiber laser fusion splicer
US5339380A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 19, 1993 |
| Grant date | Aug 16, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 19, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/3862
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An optical fiber fusion splicer apparatus (20) comprises a laser power source that produces a laser beam (32) having a laser beam axis (26). The laser power source includes a laser (22), a shutter (28) that controllably blocks and passes the laser beam, and an optical system (30) that expands the diameter of the laser beam. A parabolic mirror (34) has its axis coincident with the laser beam axis (26) and a bore (48) therethrough coincident with the laser beam axis (26). Optical fiber clamps (42, 46) hold the two optical fibers (40, 44) with their axes coincident with the laser beam axis (26) and their ends (62, 64) at the focal point (38) of the parabolic mirror (34). A sensor (82) measures the power reaching the optical fiber ends (62, 64) at the focal point (38) of the parabolic mirror (34), and a controller (72) controls the power level of the laser (22) responsive to the power measured by the sensor. The alignment of the optical fibers (40, 44) is sensed, preferably by a reflective device (74) that measures their internal reflectance or a video camera (68) that images their peripheries, and the optical fiber ends (62, 64) are aligned responsively.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.