Apparatus and method for aligning optical fibers with an array of radiation emitting devices
First Claim
1. In an optical fiber alignment apparatus of the type having first and second optically-opposed fibers, means associated with the first fiber for generating an alignment signal, radiation-responsive means coupled to the second fiber for adjusting relative positions of the fibers, the improvement wherein the means for generating the alignment signal comprises an array of stationary radiation-emitting (REDs) mounted adjacent to the first fiber.
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Abstract
The invention is an improvement in an optical fiber alignment apparatus of the type having a pair of optically-opposed fibers, means associated with one of the fibers for generating an alignment signal, means associated with the other fiber for alignment-sensitive detction of the alignment signal, and means responsive to such detection to adjust relative positions of the fibers. In the improvement, the means for generating the alignment signal comprises an array of radiation-emitting devices (REDs). Radiation from the REDs in an array associated with a particular fiber is received in a radiation guide of the other fiber and indivudally measured. The position of the other fiber is adjusted until radiation received from each RED is substantially equal to that received from each other RED in the array. In one arrangement, the radiation guide is part of the signal-carrying fiber. In another arrangement, the radiation guide is part of a separate aligning fiber mounted adjacent to and movable with the signal-carrying fiber.
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Citations
26 Claims
- 1. In an optical fiber alignment apparatus of the type having first and second optically-opposed fibers, means associated with the first fiber for generating an alignment signal, radiation-responsive means coupled to the second fiber for adjusting relative positions of the fibers, the improvement wherein the means for generating the alignment signal comprises an array of stationary radiation-emitting (REDs) mounted adjacent to the first fiber.
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15. An improved apparatus for aligning two optical fibers including:
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a pair of optical fibers; a separate array of stationary REDs mounted adjacent to each fiber; a separate radiation-responsive means coupled to each fiber for adjusting fiber position until radiation received from each RED in an array is substantially equal to that received from each other RED, whereby the fibers are aligned with one another. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. An improved method for aligning an optical fiber core with a target including the steps of:
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energizing an array of stationary REDs mounted adjacent to the core; receiving emitted radiation in a radiation guide; adjusting the position of the core and the radiation guide until radiation received from each RED is substantially equal to that received from each other RED, thereby aligning the core with the target. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26)
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Specification