Consolidated transmission cables, interconnections and connectors
First Claim
1. A method of embedding one or more optical fibers into a matrix, comprising the steps of:
- positioning an optical fiber onto a substrate;
supplying one or more increments of material so as to cover at least a portion of the fiber; and
bonding the increments using a process sufficient to consolidate the increments without melting the material in bulk.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A continuous, single-step, low-temperature process combines metal coating with the splicing of fibers, producing a single, continuous low-cost process for embedding fibers in metal, and/or the splicing of fibers with a joint featuring uniform composition and high strength requiring no additional adhesives. The method can be used to create terminations for cables, or it can be used as a method of splicing or joining optical fibers by positioning the ends of the two fibers under the foils, so that they abut prior to creating the bond. The consolidation material may be provided in sheets, with or without fiber-locating grooves or, alternatively, droplets may be used. In the preferred embodiment, ultrasonic vibrations are used as the source of consolidation energy. A range of metals are suited to the process, including aluminum, copper, titanium, nickel, iron and their alloys as well a numerous other metals of more limited structural utility.
29 Citations
32 Claims
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1. A method of embedding one or more optical fibers into a matrix, comprising the steps of:
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positioning an optical fiber onto a substrate;
supplying one or more increments of material so as to cover at least a portion of the fiber; and
bonding the increments using a process sufficient to consolidate the increments without melting the material in bulk. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 30)
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17. A method of embedding one or more optical fibers into a matrix, comprising the steps of:
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providing a substrate of the material and positioning the optical fiber thereon;
supplying one or more increments of material so as to cover at least a portion of the fiber; and
ultrasonically bonding the increments to consolidate the increments without melting the material in bulk. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 31, 32)
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Specification