Method of molding an optical simulator
First Claim
1. A process for producing an optical simulator, said process comprising the steps of:
- depositing a relatively thin rigid coating of metal by electro-less plating on an optical fiber;
depositing a relatively thick electroplated coating of metal over the relatively thin rigid coating on the optical fiber;
forming the plated optical fiber in a loop with a first end face and a second end face;
molding the plated optical fiber together with an alignment fixture of electrically insulative material, said alignment fixture having a first connector aligned with the first end face of inter-mating with an optical emitter and a second connector aligned with the second end face for intermating with an optical detector; and
applying to an end face of the plated optical fiber attenuation inducing means for providing attenuation of optical power to the optical detector, said attenuation including means comprising a compact device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An optical simulator 10, shaped to be interchangeable with a complimentary connector 7 that intermates with an optical connector housing 6 having an optical emitter 4 and an optical detector 5, comprises an alignment fixture with connectors for intermating with the optical emitter 4 and the optical detector 5. Included is an optical fiber 11 formed in a loop and installed within the alignment fixture 12 with a first end face 15 of the loop 11 aligned with the emitter 4 and a second end face 16 of the loop 11 aligned with the detector 5 of the optical connector 6. The simulator 10 is a solid molded body of an electrically insulating material. The optical fiber formed in a loop 11 further comprises an optical fiber having a rigid thin coating of electroplated metal 14.
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Citations
8 Claims
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1. A process for producing an optical simulator, said process comprising the steps of:
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depositing a relatively thin rigid coating of metal by electro-less plating on an optical fiber; depositing a relatively thick electroplated coating of metal over the relatively thin rigid coating on the optical fiber; forming the plated optical fiber in a loop with a first end face and a second end face; molding the plated optical fiber together with an alignment fixture of electrically insulative material, said alignment fixture having a first connector aligned with the first end face of inter-mating with an optical emitter and a second connector aligned with the second end face for intermating with an optical detector; and applying to an end face of the plated optical fiber attenuation inducing means for providing attenuation of optical power to the optical detector, said attenuation including means comprising a compact device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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- 3. The process of claim 10 wherein said electrically insulating material is selected from the group consisting of ceramics, thermoset polymers and high temperature thermoplastic materials.
Specification