High-reliability MXN fiber optic switches
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An optical switch comprising:
- an input assembly comprising an input optical fiber and a collimating lens in an optical path of an optical signal from the input fiber to radially expand the signal;
a first output assembly comprising a collimating lens and a first output optical fiber, the collimating lens disposed in the optical path of the optical signal from the input assembly, the first output fiber disposed in the optical path from the collimating lens;
a second output assembly comprising a second output optical fiber and a collimating lens; and
a first prism movable between a first position and a second position, the first prism in the first position disposed in the optical path of the expanded signal between the input assembly and the first output assembly so as to redirect the signal through the collimating lens of the second output assembly and into the second output fiber, the first prism in the second position disposed out of the optical path from the input assembly.
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Abstract
Optic switches manipulate an optical signal that has been expanded by a collimating lens. Switching is effected by introducing a prism between collimating lenses to redirect the optical signal to an alternative lens. The prism preferably has a cross-section defining a parallelogram, so that the optical signal is reflected twice within the prism to minimize cross-sectional distortion and avoid spectral effects. A circuit provides feedback on the actual position of the relay and prism for fault detection and diagnosis.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. An optical switch comprising:
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an input assembly comprising an input optical fiber and a collimating lens in an optical path of an optical signal from the input fiber to radially expand the signal; a first output assembly comprising a collimating lens and a first output optical fiber, the collimating lens disposed in the optical path of the optical signal from the input assembly, the first output fiber disposed in the optical path from the collimating lens; a second output assembly comprising a second output optical fiber and a collimating lens; and a first prism movable between a first position and a second position, the first prism in the first position disposed in the optical path of the expanded signal between the input assembly and the first output assembly so as to redirect the signal through the collimating lens of the second output assembly and into the second output fiber, the first prism in the second position disposed out of the optical path from the input assembly. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An optical switch comprising:
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a first input assembly comprising a first input optical fiber coaxial with a GRIN lens to transmit a first expanded optical signal; a first output assembly comprising a first output optical fiber coaxial with a GRIN lens, the GRIN lens aligned with the GRIN lens of the first input assembly; a second output assembly comprising a second output optical fiber coaxial with a GRIN lens; a first redirecting element; a first relay which moves the first redirecting element between a first position and a second position in response to a control signal, the first redirecting element in the first position disposed between the GRIN lens of the first input assembly and the GRIN lens of the first output assembly to redirect the expanded first signal toward the GRIN lens of the second output assembly, the first redirecting element in the second position clear of the first signal; and a first position indicating circuit coupled to the first relay, the position circuit providing a signal in response to the position of the first redirecting element. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. An electromechanical optical switch comprising:
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a switch housing unit which accepts a main input optical fiber; a plurality of subswitches disposed within the switch housing unit, each subswitch comprising; an input assembly comprising an input optical fiber coaxial with a GRIN lens to transmit an expanded optical signal; a first output assembly comprising a first output optical fiber coaxial with a GRIN lens, the GRIN lens aligned with the GRIN lens of the input assembly; a second output assembly comprising a second output optical fiber coaxial with a GRIN lens; a first prism having a cross-section which defines a parallelogram to redirect optical signals without distortion; a first relay which moves the first prism between a first position and a second position in response to a control signal, the first prism in the first position disposed between the GRIN lens of the input assembly and the GRIN lens of the first output assembly to redirect the expanded signal toward the GRIN lens of the second output assembly, the first prism in the second position clear of the signal; and a first position indicating circuit coupled to the first relay, the position circuit providing a signal in response to the position of the first prism; wherein one of the subswitches comprises a first subswitch, the input fiber of the first subswitch defining the main input fiber, at least one of the output fibers of the first subswitch being optically coupled to the input fiber of another subswitch. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22)
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Specification