Fiber-optic free-space micromachined matrix switches
First Claim
1. An optical switch device for redirecting at least a portion of a beam of light traveling in free space along a first direction to a second direction different from the first direction, comprising:
- a base member;
a reflective panel pivotally connected to the base member and unbiasedly movable between a reflective state wherein the reflective panel is disposed to redirect the beam of light from the first direction to the second direction and a non-reflective state wherein the reflective panel is disposed to permit the beam of light to travel along the first direction, wherein the reflective panel includes at least one hinge pin member and at least one hinge pin connecting member disposed apart from one another and connected to an edge portion of the reflective panel, the at least one hinge pin connecting member projecting outwardly from the edge portion of the reflective panel for mounting the at least one hinge pin member between the at least one hinge pin connecting member; and
an actuator connected to the base member and the reflective panel and operative to cause the reflective panel to move to and between the reflective state and the non-reflective state.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An optical switch device redirects a beam of light traveling along a first direction to a second direction and includes a base member, a reflective panel and an actuator. The reflective panel is pivotally connected to the base member and moves between a reflective state and a non-reflective state. In the reflective state, the reflective panel is disposed to redirect the beam of light from the first direction to the second direction. In the non-reflective state, the reflective panel is disposed to permit the light beam to travel along the first direction. The actuator is connected to the base member and the reflective panel and is operative to cause the reflective panel to move to and between the reflective state and the non-reflective state. An array of optical switch devices can be arranged to form a free-space optical matrix crossconnect apparatus.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. An optical switch device for redirecting at least a portion of a beam of light traveling in free space along a first direction to a second direction different from the first direction, comprising:
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a base member; a reflective panel pivotally connected to the base member and unbiasedly movable between a reflective state wherein the reflective panel is disposed to redirect the beam of light from the first direction to the second direction and a non-reflective state wherein the reflective panel is disposed to permit the beam of light to travel along the first direction, wherein the reflective panel includes at least one hinge pin member and at least one hinge pin connecting member disposed apart from one another and connected to an edge portion of the reflective panel, the at least one hinge pin connecting member projecting outwardly from the edge portion of the reflective panel for mounting the at least one hinge pin member between the at least one hinge pin connecting member; and an actuator connected to the base member and the reflective panel and operative to cause the reflective panel to move to and between the reflective state and the non-reflective state. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An optical switch device for reflecting at least one beam of light, comprising:
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a base member; reflective means connected to the base member and unbiasedly movable between a reflective state for reflecting the at least one beam of light and a non-reflective state wherein the reflective means includes a reflective panel fabricated from a material being partially reflective and partially transparent whereby, when the reflective panel is disposed in the reflective state a portion of the at least one beam of light is redirected to the second direction while a remaining portion of the at least one beam of light continues in the first direction; and actuator means operative with the base member and the reflective means for causing the reflective means to move to and between the reflective state and the non-reflective state. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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16. A free-space optical matrix crossconnect apparatus, comprising:
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a base member; an array of reflective elements operatively connected to the base member and arranged in a plurality of columns and rows, each reflective element including a reflective panel and an actuator, the reflective panel being pivotally connected to the base member and unbiasedly movable between a reflective state wherein the reflective panel is disposed perpendicularly relative to the base member and a non-reflective state wherein the reflective panel is disposed in a facially opposing relationship on the base member; a plurality of fiber optic ports, each fiber optic port disposed along a periphery of the base member at a respective one of the columns and rows and capable of emitting and receiving a light beam so that when the light beam from a light emitting fiber optic port located at a selected one of the columns and rows is transmitted to a selected light receiving fiber optic port located at a selected remaining one of the rows and columns, the optical switch device located at an intersection formed by the selected column and row is actuated by the actuator to move the reflective panel from the non-reflective state to the reflective state to reflect the light beam from the light emitting fiber optic port to the selected light receiving fiber optic port. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification