Optical switch having mirrors arranged to accommodate freedom of movement
First Claim
1. An optical switch comprising:
- a plurality of mirrors secured to a support structure, each mirror being located in a position wherein a respective light signal being emitted by a respective input optical fiber is reflected by the mirror, the mirror being movable relative to the support structure for first pivotable movement about a first axis and second pivotable movement about a second axis transverse to the first axis, an angular displacement of each pivotable movement being limited with the angular displacement of the first pivotable movement being limited to less than the angular displacement of the second pivotable movement, wherein the first axis extends in a first direction and the second axis extends in a second direction and wherein the second axis is at an angle to the light signal being reflected by the mirror and the mirror has a length in the first direction and a width in the second direction, the length being more than the width, the angular displacement of the first pivotable movement being limited to less than the angular displacement of the second pivotable movement which is at least in part due to the length of the mirror being more than the width of the mirror, and wherein at least 95 percent of all the mirrors are located over an area having a length in the first direction and a width in the second direction, the length being larger than the width.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An optical switch is described having mirrors that are located over an area having an approximate oval shape. Each mirror is pivotable about a first axis and about a second axis transverse to the first axis. Because of the construction and assembly of each mirror, pivoting about the first axis is more limited than pivoting about the second axis. The area over which the mirrors are located is designed to accommodate pivoting about the first axis and about the second axis such that the area has a length and a width wherein the length is much more than the width. In addition, pivoting about the first axis limits pivoting about the second axis and pivoting about the second axis limits pivoting about the first axis. Because pivoting about one axis limits pivoting about another axis, the area over which the mirrors are located has an oval shape as opposed to a rectangular shape.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. An optical switch comprising:
a plurality of mirrors secured to a support structure, each mirror being located in a position wherein a respective light signal being emitted by a respective input optical fiber is reflected by the mirror, the mirror being movable relative to the support structure for first pivotable movement about a first axis and second pivotable movement about a second axis transverse to the first axis, an angular displacement of each pivotable movement being limited with the angular displacement of the first pivotable movement being limited to less than the angular displacement of the second pivotable movement, wherein the first axis extends in a first direction and the second axis extends in a second direction and wherein the second axis is at an angle to the light signal being reflected by the mirror and the mirror has a length in the first direction and a width in the second direction, the length being more than the width, the angular displacement of the first pivotable movement being limited to less than the angular displacement of the second pivotable movement which is at least in part due to the length of the mirror being more than the width of the mirror, and wherein at least 95 percent of all the mirrors are located over an area having a length in the first direction and a width in the second direction, the length being larger than the width. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. An optical switch comprising:
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a plurality of input optical fibers, each for transmission of a respective light signal and having an end from which the light signal is emitted;
a substrate having a surface;
a plurality of support frames, each support frame being secured to a respective frame elevation component for first pivotable movement about a respective first axis, an angular displacement of the first pivotable movement being limited, the first axes extending in substantially a first direction;
a plurality of mirrors, each mirror being located in a position wherein a respective light signal being emitted by a respective input optical fiber is reflected by the mirror and being secured to a respective support frame for second pivotable movement about a respective second axis transverse to the first axis about which the support frame pivots, an angular displacement of the second pivotable movement being limited, the angular displacement of the first pivotable movement being limited to less than the angular displacement of the second pivotable movement, at least 95 percent of all the mirrors being located over an area having a length in the first direction and a width in the second direction, the length being larger than the width, wherein a ratio between the width and the length of the mirror is approximately equal to a sine of an angle between the respective light signal and a plane of the substrate; and
a plurality of output optical fibers, each having an end through which a respective light signal reflected by a respective one of the mirrors enters the output optical fiber for transmission through the output optical fiber. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7)
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8. An optical switch comprising:
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a plurality of mirrors secured to a support structure, each mirror being located in a position wherein a respective light signal being emitted by a respective input optical fiber is reflected by the mirror, the mirror being movable relative to the support structure for first pivotable movement about a first axis and second pivotable movement about a second axis transverse to the first axis, an angular displacement of each pivotable movement being limited with the angular displacement of the first pivotable movement being limited to less than the angular displacement of the second pivotable movement, wherein the first axis extends in a first direction and the second axis extend in a second direction, at least 95 percent of all the mirrors are located over an area having a length in the first direction and a width in the second direction, the length being larger than the width; and
a plurality of support frames, each support frame being pivotally secured to the support structure for pivotable movement about a respective first axis, and a plurality of torsion connectors, each torsion connector having one end secured to a respective support frame and an opposing end secured to a respective mirror, the mirror being pivotable relative to the support frame about the second axis which extends through the torsion component, the angular displacement of the first pivotable movement being limited more than the angular displacement of the second pivotable movement which is at least in part due to the inclusion of the torsion connector. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11)
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Specification