Abstract:
A method of forming an ordered optic fiber array is provided by forming an array of holes (12) in a glass block (10) based on an enlarged pattern of a desired precision array, heating and drawing the glass block from a first end thereof, and reducing an outside dimension of the glass block and the array of holes to a predetermined size for the precision array. A portion of the alignment block body (18) is separated to form at least one fiber alignment plate (14), and optic fibers (22) are attached. This can be used in a connector arrangement (30) for optic fibers (22) having first and second fiber alignment plates (32, 34) being located on a floating mount. Alignment structures are located on the alignment plate (16) for precise alignment. Another method of assembling an ordered optic fiber array can be used in which optic fibers are positioned with a computer-controlled manipulator and adhered to a substrate.
Abstract:
A graded index fiber formed of a plurality of fused graded index fibers is provided. Each fiber is formed from a preform comprising a plurality of fused low index rods with at least one high index rod arranged in a pre-determined pattern which have been drawn and fused. An array may be made utilizing such fibers, with each fiber having a center located at a specified position. A method of forming the GRIN fibers and the GRIN fiber array is also provided.
Abstract:
A conduit bundle includes an inner bundle of first-type conduits extending between inner-bundle first and second ends. The first-type conduits are mutually and adjacently bonded along coinciding portions of their lengths in order to define an inner-bundle rigid region that, as view into a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the inner-bundle rigid region, exhibits an inner-bundle periphery. A separation structure including a structure wall having structure-wall inside and outside surfaces is provided and the inside surface thereof is bonded to the periphery of the inner-bundle rigid region. The conduit bundle further includes a plurality of second-type conduits. Each second-type conduit includes a rigidly bonded region along at least a portion of the length thereof that is bonded to at least one of (i) the structure-wall outside surface and (ii) the bonded region of another second-type conduit of the plurality of second-type conduits.
Abstract:
A graded index fiber formed of a plurality of fused graded index fibers is provided. Each fiber is formed from a perform 10 comprising a plurality of fused low index rods 11, 12, 13, 14 with at least one high index rod 16 arranged in a pre-determined pattern which have been drawn and fused. An array may be made utilizing such fibers, with each fiber having a center located at a specific position. A method of forming the GRIN fibers and the GRIN array is also provided.
Abstract:
A mesh (36) is placed around a bundle (32) of fused glass fibers. The bundle is then immersed in a leaching bath (44). The ends of the bundle are protected from the bath fluid by ferrules (34). Some of the glass of the bundle is leached out, so as to provide a flexible fiber bundle.
Abstract:
An air compressor (10) includes a compressor pump (24), a first air tank (26c) and a second air tank (54). The first air tank is in fluid communication with the output of the compressor pump and the second tank. The air compressor can be operated with the second air tank physically connected to the first air tank, or with the second air tank removed from the first air tank.
Abstract:
A method of mounting electro-optical devices on an optical element using an auxiliary substrate is provided herein. Electro-optical fiber optic assemblies are also described herein.
Abstract:
A conduit bundle includes an inner bundle of first-type conduits extending between inner-bundle first and second ends. The first-type conduits are mutually and adjacently bonded along coinciding portions of their lengths in order to define an inner-bundle rigid region that, as view into a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the inner-bundle rigid region, exhibits an inner-bundle periphery. A separation structure including a structure wall having structure-wall inside and outside surfaces is provided and the inside surface thereof is bonded to the periphery of the inner-bundle rigid region. The conduit bundle further includes a plurality of second-type conduits. Each second-type conduit includes a rigidly bonded region along at least a portion of the length thereof that is bonded to at least one of (i) the structure-wall outside surface and (ii) the bonded region of another second-type conduit of the plurality of second-type conduits.
Abstract:
A method for forming a waveguide having a desired MxN array (42) of optical fibers (12) extending between first (44A) and second (44B) surfaces. Also provided are methods of forming ordered fiber arrays.
Abstract:
A method of forming an ordered optic fiber array is provided by forming an array of holes in a glass block based on an enlarged pattern of a desired precision array, heating and drawing the glass block from a first end thereof, and reducing an outside dimension of the glass block and the array of holes to a predetermined size for the precision array. A portion of the alignment block body is separated to form at least one fiber alignment plate, and optic fibers are attached. This can be used in a connector arrangement for optic fibers having first and second fiber alignment plates, with at least one of the first and second fiber alignment plates being located on a floating mount. Alignment structures are located on the alignment plate for precise alignment. Another method of assembling an ordered optic fiber array can be used in which optic fibers are positioned with a computer controlled manipulator and adhered to a substrate.