Zero force socket for laser / photodiode alignment

• US 20050101172A1
• Filed: 11/08/2004
• Published: 05/12/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/10/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: II-VI Delaware, Inc. (Coherent Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Finisar Corporation (II-VI Incorporated)
• Inventors: Jones, Nathan, Shi, Ting
• Granted Patent: US 7,686,521 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/266
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 12/853 Fluid activated
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/193 Means for increasing contact pressure at the end of engagement of coupling part , e.g. zero insertion force or no friction

Abstract

The present invention relates to the use of zero force sockets to provide power to an optical device, such as a laser diode or photodiode, during active alignment of the optical device. The zero force sockets can be repeatedly changed between an open position for insertion and removal of optical device leads with minimal drag and a closed position for securing and providing power to the optical device leads. A pneumatically driven air cylinder can be used to open and/or close the zero force sockets. Devices for securing the optical device leads in place include, for example, lead clamps, which close upon conductive sleeves into which the optical device leads have been inserted, and conductive leaf springs, which close (when a pneumatic plunger is withdrawn) upon the laser diode leads, securing them in place and providing a conductive pathway.

Claims

1. A zero insertion force socket for use in actively aligning an optical device, the socket comprising:

a socket that can be repeatedly changed between an open position for insertion and removal of optical device leads and a closed position for securing and providing power to the optical device leads, the socket comprising;

one or more electrical contacts, the electrical contact(s) providing power to the. optical device leads when the optical device leads are inserted into the socket and the socket is in a closed position, the electrical contact(s) providing substantially no drag on the optical device leads while the socket is in an open position;

means for placing the socket in a closed position and thereby securing the optical device lead(s); and

means for placing the socket in an open position such that the optical device lead(s) can be inserted or removed with substantially no drag.

2. A socket as in claim 1, wherein the optical device comprises a laser diode.

3. A socket as in claim 1, wherein the optical device comprises a photodiode.

4. A socket as in claim 1, wherein the means for placing the socket in a closed position and thereby securing the optical device lead(s) and the means for placing the socket in an open position such that the optical device lead(s) can be inserted or removed with substantially no drag both comprise a pneumatically controlled air cylinder.

5. A socket as in claim 4, wherein the pneumatically controlled air cylinder closes the socket when it is activated and opens the socket when it is deactivated.

6. A socket as in claim 4, wherein the pneumatically controlled air cylinder opens the socket when it is activated and closes the socket when it is deactivated.

7. A socket as in claim 1, wherein the contacts comprise conductive sleeves.

8. A socket as in claim 1, wherein the contacts comprise beryllium copper.

9. A socket as in claim 7, further comprising non-conductive clamp fingers that engage the conductive sleeves to secure the optical device leads when the socket is in a closed position.

10. A socket as in claim 6, wherein the contacts comprise conductive leaf springs that contact the optical device leads when the socket is in a closed position but are spread apart by a plunger such that the leaf springs do not contact the optical device leads when the socket is in an open position.

11. A zero insertion force socket for use in actively aligning an optical device, the socket comprising:

a socket that can be repeatedly changed between an open position for insertion and removal of optical device leads and a closed position for securing and providing power to the optical device leads, the socket comprising;

one or more conductive sleeves, the conductive sleeves providing power to the optical device leads when the optical device leads are inserted into the socket and the socket is in a closed position, the conductive sleeves providing substantially no drag on the optical device leads while the socket is in an open position;

non-conductive clamp fingers that engage the conductive sleeves to secure the optical device leads when the socket is in a closed position and disengage the conductive sleeves to allow the optical device lead(s) to be inserted or removed with substantially no drag when the socket is in an open position; and

a pneumatically controlled air cylinder which changes the socket, and thus the clamp fingers, between the open position and the closed position.

12. A socket as in claim 11, wherein the optical device comprises a laser out diode.

13. A socket as in claim 11, wherein the optical device comprises a photodiode.

14. A socket as in claim 11, wherein the pneumatically controlled air cylinder closes the socket when it is activated and opens the socket when it is deactivated.

15. A socket as in claim 11, wherein the pneumatically controlled air cylinder opens the socket when it is activated and closes the socket when it is deactivated.

16. A socket as in claim 11, wherein the sleeves are encased in a non-conductive material.

17. A socket as in claim 11, wherein the conductive sleeves comprise beryllium copper.

18. A zero insertion force socket for use in actively aligning an optical device, the socket comprising:

a socket that can be repeatedly changed between an open position for insertion and removal of optical device leads and a closed position for securing and providing power to the optical device leads, the socket comprising;

one or more conductive leaf springs; and

a pneumatically controlled air cylinder which moves a plunger between a forward position and a retracted position, wherein;

when the plunger is in the forward position the conductive leaf springs are spread apart, thereby allowing the optical device lead(s) to be inserted or removed with substantially no drag; and

when the plunger is in the retracted position the conductive leaf springs contact the optical device leads, securing and providing power and/or signals to the optical device leads.

19. A socket as in claim 18, wherein the optical device comprises a laser diode.

20. A socket as in claim 18, wherein the optical device comprises a photodiode.

21. A socket as in claim 18, wherein the socket comprises a non-conductive material.

22. A socket as in claim 18, wherein the leaf springs comprise beryllium copper.