Pressure actuated optical latching relay
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An optical relay comprising:
- a first input optical waveguide;
a first output optical waveguide, optically aligned with the first input optical waveguide to form a first direct optical path;
a second output optical waveguide intersecting the first input optical waveguide;
a transparent mirror housing, located at the intersection of the first input optical waveguide and the second output optical waveguide;
a liquid metal slug adapted to move within a switching channel passing through the transparent mirror housing, the liquid metal slug having a reflective surface;
a first pressure actuator operable to move the liquid metal slug within the switching channel so that it blocks the first direct optical path and completes a first reflected optical path from the first input optical waveguide to the second output optical waveguide;
a second pressure actuator operable to move the liquid metal slug within the switching channel to remove it from the first direct optical path; and
a metal coating applied to a portion of the interior of the transparent mirror housing, the metal coating being wettable by liquid metal, wherein the transparent mirror housing is a triangular tube and the metal coating is applied to the corners of the transparent mirror housing, the metal coating tending to cause the liquid metal slug to form a reflective surface.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A pressure actuated optical relay containing a transparent mirror housing, located at the intersection of two optical paths. A liquid metal slug is moved within a channel passing through the transparent mirror housing by the action of pressure exerted by an actuation fluid. The liquid metal slug is moved in or out of the transparent mirror housing to select between the optical paths. When the liquid metal slug is within the optical path, an incoming optical signal is reflected from a reflective surface of the slug. The liquid metal of the slug adheres to wettable metal surfaces within the channel to provide a latching mechanism.
82 Citations
21 Claims
-
1. An optical relay comprising:
-
a first input optical waveguide;
a first output optical waveguide, optically aligned with the first input optical waveguide to form a first direct optical path;
a second output optical waveguide intersecting the first input optical waveguide;
a transparent mirror housing, located at the intersection of the first input optical waveguide and the second output optical waveguide;
a liquid metal slug adapted to move within a switching channel passing through the transparent mirror housing, the liquid metal slug having a reflective surface;
a first pressure actuator operable to move the liquid metal slug within the switching channel so that it blocks the first direct optical path and completes a first reflected optical path from the first input optical waveguide to the second output optical waveguide;
a second pressure actuator operable to move the liquid metal slug within the switching channel to remove it from the first direct optical path; and
a metal coating applied to a portion of the interior of the transparent mirror housing, the metal coating being wettable by liquid metal, wherein the transparent mirror housing is a triangular tube and the metal coating is applied to the corners of the transparent mirror housing, the metal coating tending to cause the liquid metal slug to form a reflective surface.
-
-
2. An optical relay comprising:
-
a first input optical waveguide;
a first output optical waveguide, optically aligned with the first input optical waveguide to form a first direct optical path;
a second output optical waveguide intersecting the first input optical waveguide;
a transparent mirror housing, located at the intersection of the first input optical waveguide and the second output optical waveguide;
a liquid metal slug adapted to move within a switching channel passing through the transparent mirror housing, the liquid metal slug having a reflective surface;
a first pressure actuator operable to move the liquid metal slug within the switching channel so that it blocks the first direct optical path and completes a first reflected optical path from the first input optical waveguide to the second output optical waveguide;
a second pressure actuator operable to move the liquid metal slug within the switching channel to remove it from the first direct optical path;
a first wettable metal contact located in the switching channel above the first direct and first reflected optical paths;
a second wettable metal contact located in the switching channel below the first direct and first reflected optical paths; and
a third wettable metal contact located in the switching channel below the second wettable metal contact. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
-
-
14. A method for selecting between a direct optical path and a reflected optical path in an optical relay having a liquid metal slug moveable within a switching channel in response to the pressure of an actuation fluid, the method comprising:
-
coupling an input optical signal to an input optical waveguide of the optical relay, the input optical waveguide being optically aligned with a first output optical waveguide to form the direct optical path;
if the direct optical path is to be selected;
energizing a first pressure actuator to move the liquid metal slug out of the direct optical path to a first position in the switching channel, whereby the input optical waveguide is optically coupled to first output optical waveguide; and
if the reflected optical path is to be selected;
energizing a second pressure actuator to move the liquid metal slug into the direct optical path to a second position in the switching channel, whereby the input optical signal is reflected from a surface of the liquid metal slug into a second output optical waveguide to complete the reflected optical path;
wherein the liquid metal slug is held in the first position by a first wettable metal contact and the liquid metal slug is held in the second position by a second wettable metal contact. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
-
-
21. A method for selecting between a direct optical path and a reflected optical path in an optical relay having a liquid metal slug moveable within a switching channel in response to the pressure of an actuation fluid, the method comprising:
-
coupling an input optical signal to an input optical waveguide of the optical relay, the input optical waveguide being optically aligned with a first output optical waveguide to form the direct optical path;
if the direct optical path is to be selected;
energizing a pressure actuator to change the pressure of the actuation fluid in a first direction and move the liquid metal slug out of the direct optical path to a first position in the switching channel, whereby the input optical waveguide is optically coupled to first output optical waveguide; and
if the reflected optical path is to be selected;
energizing the pressure actuator to change the pressure of an actuation fluid in a second direction and move the liquid metal slug into the direct optical path to a second position in the switching channel, whereby the input optical signal is reflected from a surface of the liquid metal slug into a second output optical waveguide to complete the reflected optical path;
wherein the liquid metal slug is held in the first position by a first wettable metal contact and the liquid metal slug is held in the second position by a second wettable metal contact.
-
Specification