Optical coupler and alignment apparatus with multiple eccentric adjustments
US5812258A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 20, 1995 |
| Grant date | Sep 22, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 20, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/422
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The present invention adjusts the relationship of two optical components within an optical coupler by the use of eccentric sleeves. As individual eccentric sleeves of an adjustable subassembly are rotated, they change either the angle or the location of the axis of one optical component relative to the location of the axis of another fixed optical component. Adjustment of the alignment of the optical components therefore requires only the rotation of the sleeves of the adjustable subassembly. Locking the sleeves into a selected adjustment is accomplished by the insertion of a low expansion, quick setting, bonding agent into holes located so that they feed the bonding agent into the spaces between the sleeves. Thus, after the bonding agent has fused together the otherwise movable parts, any further movement of the sleeves is prevented, and the alignment is permanently preserved.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.