Connectorized optical component misalignment detection system
First Claim
1. A method for detecting misalignment of a component and a fiber, comprising:
- activating a component within a receptacle at a first current and measuring a first power of a component'"'"'s output with a first detector;
positioning a structure holding a fiber in a bore of the receptacle wherein a first end of the fiber is positioned approximately perpendicular to and approximately at the center of an output surface of the component;
activating the component at the first current and measuring a second output power at a second end of the fiber with a second detector; and
calculating a ratio of the second power to the first power.
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Abstract
A misalignment detection system for checking the coupling of a component and a medium via a receptacle of a connectorized arrangement. Power coupling measurements between an optical component and a fiber are presented as illustrative examples of the invention. A ferrule of a fiber is inserted into a bore of a receptacle that has the component attached to the end of the receptacle opposite of the bore. The ferrule of the fiber is attached to a support structure having an absorber spring between the structure and ferrule. A first force is applied pressing the ferrule into the bore. Also, a rotating force orthogonal to the first force is applied to the structure causing the ferrule to wiggle in the bore. Power measurements are taken while the first force is applied and then also while the rotating force is applied.
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Citations
50 Claims
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1. A method for detecting misalignment of a component and a fiber, comprising:
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activating a component within a receptacle at a first current and measuring a first power of a component'"'"'s output with a first detector;
positioning a structure holding a fiber in a bore of the receptacle wherein a first end of the fiber is positioned approximately perpendicular to and approximately at the center of an output surface of the component;
activating the component at the first current and measuring a second output power at a second end of the fiber with a second detector; and
calculating a ratio of the second power to the first power. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A system for determining misalignment of a component and a fiber, comprising:
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a component;
a receptacle attached to said component;
a ferrule holding a fiber, insertable in said receptacle;
a support structure attached to said ferrule;
a slide connected to said support structure;
a first light detector proximate to the fiber;
a second light detector proximate to said receptacle; and
a rotator structure attachable to said support structure. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for detecting misalignment of a component, comprising:
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attaching a component to a receptacle having an output bore opening;
measuring a first output power of the component at the output bore opening;
inserting a ferrule having a first end of a fiber, attached to a support structure, into the output bore opening;
measuring a second output power from the first end of the fiber;
moving the support structure and ferrule in a circle, the circle in a plane that is approximately perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the fiber in the ferrule and support structure; and
measuring instances of the second output power from a second end of the fiber at various positions of the support structure and ferrule while being moved in a circle. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A device for measuring alignment comprising:
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a holder having a first place for a component and a second place for a first end of a medium;
a support structure having a place for the medium;
a rotator structure attached to said support structure; and
a power measuring mechanism proximate to said holder and to a second end of the medium. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. The device of clam 21, wherein a third ratio is calculated of the lowest and highest measurements of the third power.
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25. A device for measuring alignment and/or coupling efficiency, comprising:
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a coupling structure having a first place for a component and a second place for a first end of a medium;
a rotator structure attached to the medium; and
a power indicator. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. A means for determining alignment comprising:
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means for holding a component;
means for holding a medium, wherein said means for holding a medium has a first end coupled to said means for holding a component; and
means for measuring power proximate to said means for holding a component. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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- 39. The means of clam 38, wherein said means for measuring power may take a plurality of measurements of a third power from the end of the medium proximate to the second end of said means for holding a medium, corresponding to the force applied at the second end of said means for holding a medium in a plurality of directions, respectively.
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42. A system for determining misalignment of a component and a fiber, comprising:
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a component having a first detector;
a receptacle attached to said component;
a ferrule holding a fiber, insertable in said receptacle;
a support structure attached to said ferrule;
a moveable structure connected to said support structure; and
a rotator structure attachable to said support structure. - View Dependent Claims (43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48)
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49. A method for detecting misalignment of a component and a fiber, comprising:
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activating a component within a receptacle at a first current and measuring a first power of a component'"'"'s output with a detector;
positioning a structure holding a fiber in a bore of the receptacle wherein a first end of the fiber is positioned approximately perpendicular to and approximately at the center of an output surface of the component;
activating the component at the first current and measuring a second output power at a second end of the fiber with the detector; and
calculating a ratio of the second power to the first power. - View Dependent Claims (50)
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Specification