Patent · US Expired

Method and apparatus for making fiber optic couplers

US6341503B1 · kind B1 · utility

3Cited by
16References
7Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 14, 2000
Grant dateJan 29, 2002
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 14, 2020

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T156/1798
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for terminating the end of an optical fiber. In particular the present invention relates to a method for forming a low reflectance termination on an end of an optical fiber. The method including the step of tensioning the optical fiber between two spaced apart points thereon. The method further including the step of moving a ball termination torch from a given location in a given direction with respect to the fiber such that a potion of the flame therefrom intercepts the fiber and severs the fiber into two pieces each having a tapered end. The method further includes the steps of retracting at least one of the tapered ends a predetermined distance in a direction away from the other of the tapered ends and continuing to move the torch such that the flame heats the at least one of the tapered ends to cause it to become shortened.

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