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Flexible, modular, compact fiber optic switch

  • US 6,445,844 B1
  • Filed: 12/21/1999
  • Issued: 09/03/2002
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/15/1999
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A fiber optic switching module comprising:

  • a) a first and a second group of collimator receptacles which are separated from each other at opposite ends of a free space optical path, and each of which collimator receptacles is respectively adapted for receiving and fixing an optical fiber collimator assembly;

    that in turn receiver and fixes an end of an optical fiber, and which is adapted for emitting a quasi-collimated beam of light into the optical path; and

    b) a first and a second set of reflective light beam deflectors that are both disposed within the optical path between the groups of collimator receptacles, each of the light beam deflectors in said first or said second set respectively being;

    associated with one of the optical fiber collimator assemblies receivable in the collimator receptacles;

    located so the quasi-collimated beam of light emittable from the associated optical fiber collimator assembly impinges upon the light beam deflector to be reflected therefrom; and

    energizable by drive signals supplied to said fiber optic switching module to be oriented for reflecting the quasi-collimated beam of light emittable from the associated optical fiber collimator assembly to also reflect off a selected one of the light beam deflectors in said second or in said first set;

    said collimator receptacles of each group together with optical fiber collimator assemblies fixable therein, and said light beam deflectors that are associated with those optical fiber collimator assemblies collectively having orientations such that beams of light emittable from optical fiber collimator assemblies, upon impinging upon and reflecting from the associated light beam deflectors, substantially converge when said light beam deflectors are un-energized by drive signal supplied to said further fiber optic switching module;

    whereby a pair of light beam deflectors, one light beam deflector of the pair belonging to the first set and one belonging to the second set, when selected and oriented by the drive signals supplied thereto, establish an optical coupling for at least one quasi-collimated beam of light between a pair of optical fiber collimator assemblies respectively fixable in the first and in the second group of collimator receptacles.

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