Fiber optic rotary flex

• US 6,819,854 B1
• Filed: 06/02/2003
• Issued: 11/16/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/02/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Moog Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Moog Components Group Inc. (Moog Incorporated)
• Inventors: Shockley, John D., Bowman, Anthony L., Young, Edward L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Font, Frank G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Mooney, Michael P.
• Application Number:
  US10/250,076
• Time in Patent Office: 533 Days
• Field of Search: 385/134-137, 385/147, 385/26, 385/25
• US Class Current: 385/134
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3604 Rotary joints allowing relative rotational movement between opposing fibre or fibre bundle ends

Abstract

A rotary hub unit (U) for a transmission cable (C) includes a stationary hub (10) having a longitudinal axis (12). An angular transition cable portion (14) transmits a signal (16) between a first junction (18) and a second end junction (20). The first junction end (18) is perpendicular to the second junction end (20). A housing (22) is rotatably mounted about the longitudinal axis (12) and has an interior (24) adapted to receive a coiled portion (26) of transmission cable. The coil (26) is wrapped about the longitudinal axis (12), has a first end (28) mated with the angular transition second junction end (20), and an outer end (32) such that the rotary hub unit (U) permits limited movement of the outer end (32) of the coil (26).

Claims

1. A hub unit for a transmission cable comprising:

a stationary hub having a longitudinal axis therethrough;

an angular transition portion of a desired transmission cable for transmitting a signal between a first junction end mounted with the stationary hub to a second junction end mounted with the stationary junction hub;

the first junction end of the angular transition portion being essentially perpendicular to the second junction end;

a housing unit rotatably mounted about the longitudinal axis of the stationary hub and having an interior adapted to receive a portion of transmission cable; and

a coiled portion of transmission cable formed about the longitudinal axis of the stationary hub in the housing interior;

the coiled portion of transmission cable having a first end mated with the second junction end of the angular transition portion and an outer end for transmitting the signal out of the housing;

whereby the hub unit permits limited movement of the outer end of the transmission cable coil about the longitudinal axis of the stationary hub.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein the transmission cable comprises a cable adapted to transmit an optical signal.

3. The invention of claim 1 wherein the transmission cable is a fiber optic cable.

4. The invention of claim 1 wherein the first junction end of the angular transition portion is located along the central longitudinal axis of the stationary hub.