Optical fiber tap utilizing reflector
First Claim
1. A tap for coupling light between an intermediate portion of an optical fiber and a light element, comprising:
- a light element;
means for maintaining the intermediate portion of the optical fiber bent so as to allow light coupling between a core thereof and the light element, the maintaining means including a closure member and a substrate having a fiber positioning groove therein, the groove being bent so as to define a constant bent attitude for the optical fiber intermediate portion, the closure member being bent and being complementary in shape to the bent groove, the closure member being moveable relative to the substrate groove between an open position whereat the intermediate portion of the optical fiber can be loaded adjacent to the groove and a closed position whereat the optical fiber intermediate portion is bent and resiliently clamped between the substrate groove and the closure member along a length of the groove and the closure member respectively; and
a spring for resiliently urging the closure member and substrate groove together in their closed position so as to resiliently compress the fiber therebetween.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A tap for withdrawing light from an intermediate portion of an optical fiber core by passing light through a side of the optical fiber comprises an optical coupler in contact with an outside surface of an optical fiber which is bent and disposed in a plane. A light reflector extending transverse to the plane deflects the withdrawn light towards the end surface of a light element disposed completely outside the plane. A similar arrangement may be used to inject light to an intermediate portion of an optical fiber. The tap may be used as a read tap to withdraw light, or as a write tap to inject light in optical fiber networks.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A tap for coupling light between an intermediate portion of an optical fiber and a light element, comprising:
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a light element; means for maintaining the intermediate portion of the optical fiber bent so as to allow light coupling between a core thereof and the light element, the maintaining means including a closure member and a substrate having a fiber positioning groove therein, the groove being bent so as to define a constant bent attitude for the optical fiber intermediate portion, the closure member being bent and being complementary in shape to the bent groove, the closure member being moveable relative to the substrate groove between an open position whereat the intermediate portion of the optical fiber can be loaded adjacent to the groove and a closed position whereat the optical fiber intermediate portion is bent and resiliently clamped between the substrate groove and the closure member along a length of the groove and the closure member respectively; and a spring for resiliently urging the closure member and substrate groove together in their closed position so as to resiliently compress the fiber therebetween. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A tap for coupling between an intermediate portion of an optical fiber and a light element, comprising:
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a light element having an end surface; means for maintaining the intermediate portion of the optical fiber bent and disposed in a plane, the end surface of the light element being completely outside the plane; an optical coupler in contact with an outer surface of the optical fiber; and a light reflector extending traverse to the plane so as to deflect the light between the light element and the optical fiber intermediate portion. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification