Clean and test for fluid within a reflection optical switch system

• US 7,274,840 B2
• Filed: 07/23/2003
• Issued: 09/25/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/23/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Avago Technologies General IP PTE Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Avago Technologies Fiber IP Singapore PTE Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Inventors: Sims, Tyler
• Primary Examiner(s): Kim, Ellen E.
• Application Number:
  US10/625,818
• Publication Number:
  US 20050018956A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,525 Days
• Field of Search: 385/18, 210/175, 210/181, 210/184, 210/185
• US Class Current: 385/18
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3538 based on displacement or deformation of a liquid controlling the intensity of light by displacement or deformation of a fluid in general G02B26/004; fluid-filled lens of variable focal length G02B3/14
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/356 in an optical cross-connect device, e.g. routing and switching aspects of interconnecting different paths propagating different wavelengths to (re)configure the various input and output links switching polarized beams G02B6/3594; power equalizers G02B6/356 and G02B6/3594; path selecting means H04Q11/0001
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3576 Temperature or heat actuation thermal forces controlling reflecting elements in general G02B26/0866; thermo-optic devices G02F1/0147
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3582 Housing means or package or arranging details of the switching elements, e.g. for thermal isolation
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3596 With planar waveguide arrangement, i.e. in a substrate, regardless if actuating mechanism is outside the substrate

Abstract

Fluid within a reflection optical switch system is purified. Gettering structures are placed within a chamber within the reflection optical switch system. The gettering structures includes heating components which when actuated attract impurities. The heating components within the gettering structures are turned on to getter out impurities from fluid within the chamber.

Claims

1. A method for purifying a fluid within a reflection optical switch system, comprising:

placing gettering structures within a chamber within the reflection optical switch system, wherein placing gettering structures includes placing heating components around filament holes through which vapor enters the chamber from a reservoir, the heating components attracting impurities from the fluid when the heating components are actuated; and

actuating the heating components to getter out impurities from fluid.

2. A method for in a fluid within a reflection optical switch system, comprising:

placing gettering structures within a chamber within the reflection optical switch system, wherein placing gettering structures includes placing heating components on pillars within filament holes through which vapor enters the chamber from a reservoir, the heating components attracting impurities from the fluid when the heating components are actuated; and

actuating the heating components to getter out impurities from the fluid.

3. A method for purifying a fluid within a reflection optical switch system, comprising:

placing gettering structures within a chamber within the reflection optical switch system, wherein placing gettering structures includes placing a plurality of rectangular-shaped structures, the plurality of rectangular-shaped structures including rectangular-shaped structures of different sizes and composed of different materials so as to target different materials for gettering, the rectangular-shaped structures attracting impurities from the fluid when the rectangular-shaped structures are actuated; and

actuating the rectangular-shaped structures to getter out impurities from the fluid.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein at least some of the gettering structures are optically accessible from outside of the chamber.

5. A method for purifying a fluid within a reflection optical switch system, comprising:

placing gettering structures within a chamber within the reflection optical switch system, wherein placing gettering structures includes placing structures separated by a gap of predetermined size, the structures being used to generate a voltage differential across the gap, the structures attracting impurities from the fluid when the structures are actuated;

actuating the structures; and

taking electrical measurements from the structures to monitor impurity levels of the system.

6. A reflection optical switch system, comprising:

a chamber that stores a fluid; and

gettering structures within the chamber, wherein the gettering structures include heating components placed around filament holes through which vapor enters the chamber from a reservoir, the heating components absorbing impurities from the fluid when the heating components are actuated.

7. A reflection optical switch system, comprising:

a chamber that stores a fluid; and

gettering structures within the chamber, wherein the gettering structures include heating components placed on pillars within filament holes through which vapor enters the chamber from a reservoir, the heating components absorbing impurities from the fluid when the heating components are actuated.

8. A reflection optical switch system, comprising:

a chamber that stores a fluid; and

gettering structures within the chamber, wherein the gettering structures include a plurality of rectangular-shaped structures, the plurality of rectangular-shaped structures including rectangular-shaped structures of different sizes and composed of different materials so as to target different materials for gettering, the rectangular-shaped structures absorbing impurities from the fluid when the rectangular-shaped structures are actuated.

9. A reflection optical switch system as in claim 8, wherein at least some of the gettering structures are optically accessible from outside the chamber.

10. A reflection optical switch system, comprising:

a chamber that stores a fluid;

gettering structures within the chamber, wherein the gettering structures include structures separated by a gap of predetermined size, the structures being used to generate a voltage differential across the gap, the structures attracting impurities from the fluid when the structures are actuated; and

a measurement device coupled to the gettering structures for taking electrical measurements from the structures to monitor impurity levels of the system.

11. A reflection optical switch system, comprising:

a chamber that stores a fluid; and

gettering structures within the chamber, the gettering structures including heating components that absorb impurities from the fluid when the heating components are activated, wherein the gettering structures include bridge structures placed over filament holes through which the fluid enters the chamber.