Patent · US Active

Optical switch

US7902989B2 · kind B2 · utility

7Cited by

33References

30Claims

0Family size

Inventors

Raleigh L. Cox · Baton Rouge, US
Christopher E. Cox · Denham Springs, US

Key dates

Filing date	Oct 12, 2009
Grant date	Mar 8, 2011
Priority date	—
Expiry date	Oct 12, 2029

Classification

Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
CPC primaryY10S250/901
WIPO fieldMeasurement
WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An optical switch having a housing, a light source and a light detector. The light source and light detector are located remote from the housing. The light source is connected to the housing with a first light guide, and the light detector is connected to the housing with a second light guide. The first and second light guide cables have distal ends positioned through the housing and are optically aligned but separated by a gap. The switch includes a device to interrupt a light beam that is usually adapted to removably occupy the gap. The switch may be embodied in a float.

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