Opto-mechanical device having optical element movable by twin flexures
US5594820A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 8, 1995 |
| Grant date | Jan 14, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 8, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/358
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An opto-mechanical switch suitable for use in optical telecommunications systems comprises an input port and two output ports interconnected by an optical path, an optical element and an actuation mechanism for moving the optical element relative to the optical path so as to change coupling of light beams between the input port and the output ports. The optical element is supported by a flexible suspension unit comprising a pair of mutually-spaced twin elongate flexures. Each of the pair of flexures is attached at one end to an anchorage and at its other end to a mounting for optical element. The flexures are identical in length and flexibility and are spaced apart in the direction of displacement of the optical element. In use, when the actuator displaces the optical element, the flexures flex in common in the direction of displacement of the optical element. The optical element may be an optical fiber, a mirror, a prism, and so on. The twin flexures obviate the need for precision sliding surfaces which assures greater dependability, especially in switches which are used very infrequently, such as routing switches for re-routing traffic around a failed local station in a ring arch…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.