Shutter for fiber optic systems
US6614570B2 · kind B2 · utility
55Cited by
2References
4Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 29, 2001 |
| Grant date | Sep 2, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 29, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/358
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A light shutter for controlling a light signal between occluded and uninterrupted states. The shutter has a frame which mounts a beam under compression so that it assumes either of two bi-stable buckled positions. An occluder is mounted on the beam, A shape memory alloy actuator is provided which applies a force transverse on the beam as the actuator is heated to its shape change transition temperature. The transverse force bends the beam, causing it to buckle to the opposite bi-stable position. This moves the occluder into or out of the path of the light signal.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.