Optical aligning by eccentric laser welding
US6547447B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 29, 2002 |
| Grant date | Apr 15, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 29, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/422
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Automated manufacturing in the fiber optics industry has introduced a series of new problems due to the small size of the parts being assembled and the precise optical alignments required. However, processes requiring the manual assembly of parts using glue are slowly being replaced by automated processes involving the laser welding of metallically encased optical parts. Unfortunately, almost every step in the process causes a small degree of misalignment, which may cause the device to fall below transmission standards. The present invention provides a method of assembling an optical device which includes special steps that involve re-aligning the elements in the optical device after other steps in the method have caused a misalignment. In particular, the method of the present invention includes testing the alignment of the optical elements at several stages throughout the assembly process, and applying addition asymmetric welds to the finished product to improve the transmission results.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.