Fiber optic rotary joint with extended temperature range
US8369662B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 19, 2010 |
| Grant date | Feb 5, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 5, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B3/0075
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A fiber optic rotary joint has at least one fiber optic collimator. The fiber optic collimator has a plurality of lenses on a micro lens array. Furthermore a plurality of optical fibers are attached to the micro lens array. The fibers are further fixed by a fiber support. A spacer is provided between the micro lens array and the fiber support, setting the micro lens array and the fiber support apart from each other. The optical fibers have between the micro lens array and the fiber support a excess length greater than the distance between the micro lens array and the fiber support. This results in a slight bending of the fibers between the micro lens array and the fiber support. A temperature related extension of parts of the fiber optic rotary joint can be compensated by the excess length and does not lead to mechanical tension on the fibers.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.