Patent · US Expired

Automated placement of optical fibers

US6798970B1 · kind B1 · utility

4Cited by
12References
28Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 26, 2002
Grant dateSep 28, 2004
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 6, 2022

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG02B6/368
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An apparatus for placing a fiber on a substrate, the apparatus including a base, a supporting member attached to the base, a first placement head attached to the support member, the first placement head having an extendable plunger slidably coupled to the first placement head, the first placement head having an airflow channel formed proximate to a tip of the plunger, a substrate carrier attached to the base, wherein, during operation of the apparatus, the substrate carrier holds a substrate beneath the plunger mechanism, and wherein, during operation of the apparatus, a vacuum source is connected to the placement head to draw a flow of air through the airflow channel, and wherein, during operation of the apparatus, the placement head picks up and holds a fiber against the plunger tip using forces associated with the flow of air.

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