GB2185590A - Rotary optical fibre connectors - Google Patents

Rotary optical fibre connectors Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2185590A
GB2185590A GB08620995A GB8620995A GB2185590A GB 2185590 A GB2185590 A GB 2185590A GB 08620995 A GB08620995 A GB 08620995A GB 8620995 A GB8620995 A GB 8620995A GB 2185590 A GB2185590 A GB 2185590A
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GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
fibre
guide
optical
fibres
ofthe
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB08620995A
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GB8620995D0 (en
GB2185590B (en
Inventor
Ayman El Fatatry
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
General Electric Co PLC
Original Assignee
General Electric Co PLC
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by General Electric Co PLC filed Critical General Electric Co PLC
Publication of GB8620995D0 publication Critical patent/GB8620995D0/en
Publication of GB2185590A publication Critical patent/GB2185590A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2185590B publication Critical patent/GB2185590B/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
    • G02B6/36—Mechanical coupling means
    • G02B6/3604—Rotary joints allowing relative rotational movement between opposing fibre or fibre bundle ends

Abstract

An optical fibre connector for enabling relative rotation to take place between two optically coupled optional fibres 3,8 comprises a guide 7 having a bore for accommodating the end regions of the fibres, the guide 7 and one of the fibres being relatively rotatable with respect to each other about the bore axis. The fibres may be held continuously in the coupling position, although one of the fibres 8 may be movable longitudinally into and out of the guide 7, which in this case has a tapered cross-section 11, to guide the movable fibre 8 into the coupling position. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Optical fibre connectors This invention relates to optical fibre connectors, and an object of the invention isto provide a form of con nector which allows relative rotation between two optically coupled fibresto take placeabouta common axis.
According to one aspect of the invention an optical fibre connector comprises a guide having a bore for accommodating end regions of two fibres in alignment with each other, and means for positioning the end surfaces of the fibres closely adjacent to each other to provide optical coupling between them, the guide and one ofthe fibres being relatively rotatable with respect to each other about the bore axis.
Preferably the other one of the fibres is fixed within the bore of the guide, and the guide and that fibre are rotatable with respectto said one fibre.
The positioning means may be arranged to maintain the fibres continuously in the coupling position closely adjacent to each other, although in some cases said one ofthefibres may be movable long itudinally into and out of the guideto permit itto be moved into, a nd withdrawn from, the cou pl ing position. Forthis purpose the guide is preferably oftapered cross-section so as to guide the movable fibre into alignmentwith the otherfibre.
According, therefore, to another aspect ofthe invention an optical fibre connectorcomprisesatap- ered guide, a first optical fibre having an end region fixed within the tapered end ofthe guide, and a furtherfibre having an end region located at the wider end ofthe guide and movable longitudinally towards the end ofthefirstfibre into a position in which there is optical coupling between the two ends ofthefibres,theguideandfirstfibre being rotatable relative to thefurtherfibre.
Such an arrangement permits intermittent coupling between the fibres to be achieved.
The invention is particularlyapplicabletothecon- tinuousorintermittentmonitoring of light signals carried by a cabled or uncabled optical fibre mounted on a drum as it enables the monitoring to be carried out, not only when the drum is stationary, but also when the drum is rotating forfeeding or reeling in the cable orfibre as the case maybe.
One embodimentofthe invention will now be described by way of example with reference to Figures 1 and 2 ofthe accompanying schematic drawing, in which Figure 1 illustrates, in diagrammatic form, equipment utilising a connector in accordance with the invention, and Figure2 represents an enlarged section ofthe connector itself.
Thus, referring to Figure 1, this shows a cable drum 1 on which is wound an optical fibre cable 2 comprising a central optical fibre 3 in a protective cover 4 the cable leading to equipment E the output of which is required to be monitored. The drum 1 is supported on a shaftS rotatable in bearings 6foren- abling the cableto be fed out or reeled in as maybe desired. The shaft 5 is hollow and carries at one end a guide 7 having a narrow inner end and flaring outwards towards its outer end i.e the end fu rther from the drum, The drum end ofthe cable 2 extends into an opening 10 in the wall ofthe shaft 5, and the optical fibre 3 at that end ofthe cable extends longitudinally into the narrower end ofthe guide 7 within which it is a close fit, the fibre being secured in position within the guide.A second fibre 8 is coupled at one end to a monitoring instrument M, such as an Optical Time Domain Reflectometer (OTDR), and terminates at the opposite end adjacent the flared end 11 ofthe guide 7. At a pointadjacenttothissecondend,the cable has associated with it means as at 9 for moving that end ofthefibre 8 longitudinally into the guide, the sides of which taper inwards towards the narrower end, so thatthe fibre is guided to a position in which its end face is closely adjacent the end face of the first fibre 3, to provide optical coupling between them.The guide 7 and the end ofthefibre 3 are rotatable with respect to the fibre 8, whilst the latter is in the coupling position within the guide, thereby enabling optical coupling between the fibres to be maintained when the drum is rotated. This enables light signalsfed into thefibre 3 from the equipment Eto be monitored by the monitoring instrument M with the drum 1 either stationary or rotating.
An index matching fluid may be provided in the guide between the end faces of the fibres 3,8 so as to reduce friction and also increase the optical coupling efficiency.
The means 9 for moving the fibre 8 into the guide 7 may comprise a solenoid 12through which thefibre passes,thefibre having a coating 13 of magnetic material so that by energising the solenoid the fibre will be moved longitudinally into the tapered end of the guide 7 a spring (not shown) being providedfor returningthefibreto its original position when the solenoid is de-energised.Asuitable stop (notshown) is provided for arresting movement ofthe fibre 8 with its end face closely adjacent to but spaced slightlyfrom the end face of the fibre 3.
Movement of the fibre 8 may alternatively be achieved by means of a relay of any convenient construction.
It will be appreciated, however,that the invention mayfind use in a number of other applications where it is desired to form an optical coupling between two optical fibres which may rotate relative to one another.
1. An optical fibre connector comprising an alignment guide member with a bore for accomodat- ing the end regions of two optical fibres, such that the alignment guide member and one of said fibres are rotatable with respect to each other about the bore axis, and a means whereby the end surfaces of the optical fibres are positioned adjacent to each otherto provide optical coupling.
2. An optical fibre connector, as claimed in Claim 1,wherein one ofthefibres is continuously held in the coupling position bythealignmentguide member.
3. An optical fibre connector, as claimed in Claim
**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (7)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Optical fibre connectors This invention relates to optical fibre connectors, and an object of the invention isto provide a form of con nector which allows relative rotation between two optically coupled fibresto take placeabouta common axis. According to one aspect of the invention an optical fibre connector comprises a guide having a bore for accommodating end regions of two fibres in alignment with each other, and means for positioning the end surfaces of the fibres closely adjacent to each other to provide optical coupling between them, the guide and one ofthe fibres being relatively rotatable with respect to each other about the bore axis. Preferably the other one of the fibres is fixed within the bore of the guide, and the guide and that fibre are rotatable with respectto said one fibre. The positioning means may be arranged to maintain the fibres continuously in the coupling position closely adjacent to each other, although in some cases said one ofthefibres may be movable long itudinally into and out of the guideto permit itto be moved into, a nd withdrawn from, the cou pl ing position. Forthis purpose the guide is preferably oftapered cross-section so as to guide the movable fibre into alignmentwith the otherfibre. According, therefore, to another aspect ofthe invention an optical fibre connectorcomprisesatap- ered guide, a first optical fibre having an end region fixed within the tapered end ofthe guide, and a furtherfibre having an end region located at the wider end ofthe guide and movable longitudinally towards the end ofthefirstfibre into a position in which there is optical coupling between the two ends ofthefibres,theguideandfirstfibre being rotatable relative to thefurtherfibre. Such an arrangement permits intermittent coupling between the fibres to be achieved. The invention is particularlyapplicabletothecon- tinuousorintermittentmonitoring of light signals carried by a cabled or uncabled optical fibre mounted on a drum as it enables the monitoring to be carried out, not only when the drum is stationary, but also when the drum is rotating forfeeding or reeling in the cable orfibre as the case maybe. One embodimentofthe invention will now be described by way of example with reference to Figures 1 and 2 ofthe accompanying schematic drawing, in which Figure 1 illustrates, in diagrammatic form, equipment utilising a connector in accordance with the invention, and Figure2 represents an enlarged section ofthe connector itself. Thus, referring to Figure 1, this shows a cable drum 1 on which is wound an optical fibre cable 2 comprising a central optical fibre 3 in a protective cover 4 the cable leading to equipment E the output of which is required to be monitored. The drum 1 is supported on a shaftS rotatable in bearings 6foren- abling the cableto be fed out or reeled in as maybe desired. The shaft 5 is hollow and carries at one end a guide 7 having a narrow inner end and flaring outwards towards its outer end i.e the end fu rther from the drum, The drum end ofthe cable 2 extends into an opening 10 in the wall ofthe shaft 5, and the optical fibre 3 at that end ofthe cable extends longitudinally into the narrower end ofthe guide 7 within which it is a close fit, the fibre being secured in position within the guide.A second fibre 8 is coupled at one end to a monitoring instrument M, such as an Optical Time Domain Reflectometer (OTDR), and terminates at the opposite end adjacent the flared end 11 ofthe guide 7. At a pointadjacenttothissecondend,the cable has associated with it means as at 9 for moving that end ofthefibre 8 longitudinally into the guide, the sides of which taper inwards towards the narrower end, so thatthe fibre is guided to a position in which its end face is closely adjacent the end face of the first fibre 3, to provide optical coupling between them.The guide 7 and the end ofthefibre 3 are rotatable with respect to the fibre 8, whilst the latter is in the coupling position within the guide, thereby enabling optical coupling between the fibres to be maintained when the drum is rotated. This enables light signalsfed into thefibre 3 from the equipment Eto be monitored by the monitoring instrument M with the drum 1 either stationary or rotating. An index matching fluid may be provided in the guide between the end faces of the fibres 3,8 so as to reduce friction and also increase the optical coupling efficiency. The means 9 for moving the fibre 8 into the guide 7 may comprise a solenoid 12through which thefibre passes,thefibre having a coating 13 of magnetic material so that by energising the solenoid the fibre will be moved longitudinally into the tapered end of the guide 7 a spring (not shown) being providedfor returningthefibreto its original position when the solenoid is de-energised.Asuitable stop (notshown) is provided for arresting movement ofthe fibre 8 with its end face closely adjacent to but spaced slightlyfrom the end face of the fibre 3. Movement of the fibre 8 may alternatively be achieved by means of a relay of any convenient construction. It will be appreciated, however,that the invention mayfind use in a number of other applications where it is desired to form an optical coupling between two optical fibres which may rotate relative to one another. CLAIMS
1. An optical fibre connector comprising an alignment guide member with a bore for accomodat- ing the end regions of two optical fibres, such that the alignment guide member and one of said fibres are rotatable with respect to each other about the bore axis, and a means whereby the end surfaces of the optical fibres are positioned adjacent to each otherto provide optical coupling.
2. An optical fibre connector, as claimed in Claim 1,wherein one ofthefibres is continuously held in the coupling position bythealignmentguide member.
3. An optical fibre connector, as claimed in Claim 1,wherein one ofthe optical fibres is movable longitudinally into and out ofthe wider end of the align ment guide member,to allowfor intermittentcoupl- ing between the fibres.
4. An optical fibre connector, as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the alignment guide member is oftapered cross-section.
5. An optical fibre connector, as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the movable optical fibre is introduced into the alignmentguide member by means ofa solenoid which, when energised, acts on the magnetic coating of the optical fibre passing through it, thus moving the fibre and wherein a spring means withdraws the fibre when the solenoid is de-energised.
6. An optical fibre connector, as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the motion ofthe movable fibre is arrested by a stop which holdsthe movable fibre in alignmentwith the continuously-held fibre but slightly spaced therefrom.
7. An optical fibre connector as herein before des- cribed and illustrated in Figure 2 ofthe accompanying drawings.
GB8620995A 1986-01-20 1986-08-29 Rotary optical fibre connectors Expired GB2185590B (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB868601318A GB8601318D0 (en) 1986-01-20 1986-01-20 Optical fibre connectors

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB8620995D0 GB8620995D0 (en) 1986-10-08
GB2185590A true GB2185590A (en) 1987-07-22
GB2185590B GB2185590B (en) 1989-10-25

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Family Applications (2)

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GB868601318A Pending GB8601318D0 (en) 1986-01-20 1986-01-20 Optical fibre connectors
GB8620995A Expired GB2185590B (en) 1986-01-20 1986-08-29 Rotary optical fibre connectors

Family Applications Before (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB868601318A Pending GB8601318D0 (en) 1986-01-20 1986-01-20 Optical fibre connectors

Country Status (1)

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GB (2) GB8601318D0 (en)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0276139A2 (en) * 1987-01-20 1988-07-27 Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. Endoscope apparatus
EP0778480A1 (en) * 1995-12-07 1997-06-11 AEROSPATIALE Société Nationale Industrielle Bidirectional informations transmission optical rotary joint
WO2018140875A1 (en) 2017-01-27 2018-08-02 The General Hospital Corporation Systems and methods for providing an optical rotary joint

Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3922063A (en) * 1974-08-29 1975-11-25 Us Navy Winch mounted optical data transmission cable with fluid coupling
US4124272A (en) * 1976-12-14 1978-11-07 Westinghouse Electric Corp. Rotary fiber optic waveguide coupling
EP0014618A1 (en) * 1979-02-07 1980-08-20 Thomson-Csf Rotating coupling device for light guide connexion and its use between two rotating pieces
GB2057707A (en) * 1979-08-20 1981-04-01 Sumitomo Electric Industries Device for Transmitting Energy Through Electric Wire or Optical Cable Wound on Drum
GB1587531A (en) * 1978-01-18 1981-04-08 Ferranti Ltd Connectors
EP0035054A1 (en) * 1980-02-28 1981-09-09 AEG - TELEFUNKEN Nachrichtentechnik GmbH Rotary joint for optical wave guide
EP0051915A1 (en) * 1980-11-07 1982-05-19 Litton Systems, Inc. An optical connector and an optical connection including the connector
GB2091899A (en) * 1980-12-16 1982-08-04 Kokusai Denshin Denwa Co Ltd Rotary joints for optical fibres
EP0107035A1 (en) * 1982-10-25 1984-05-02 Litton Systems, Inc. Alignable single channel fiber optic rotary joint

Patent Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3922063A (en) * 1974-08-29 1975-11-25 Us Navy Winch mounted optical data transmission cable with fluid coupling
US4124272A (en) * 1976-12-14 1978-11-07 Westinghouse Electric Corp. Rotary fiber optic waveguide coupling
GB1587531A (en) * 1978-01-18 1981-04-08 Ferranti Ltd Connectors
EP0014618A1 (en) * 1979-02-07 1980-08-20 Thomson-Csf Rotating coupling device for light guide connexion and its use between two rotating pieces
GB2057707A (en) * 1979-08-20 1981-04-01 Sumitomo Electric Industries Device for Transmitting Energy Through Electric Wire or Optical Cable Wound on Drum
EP0035054A1 (en) * 1980-02-28 1981-09-09 AEG - TELEFUNKEN Nachrichtentechnik GmbH Rotary joint for optical wave guide
EP0051915A1 (en) * 1980-11-07 1982-05-19 Litton Systems, Inc. An optical connector and an optical connection including the connector
GB2091899A (en) * 1980-12-16 1982-08-04 Kokusai Denshin Denwa Co Ltd Rotary joints for optical fibres
EP0107035A1 (en) * 1982-10-25 1984-05-02 Litton Systems, Inc. Alignable single channel fiber optic rotary joint

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0276139A2 (en) * 1987-01-20 1988-07-27 Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. Endoscope apparatus
EP0276139A3 (en) * 1987-01-20 1989-05-03 Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. Endoscope apparatus endoscope apparatus
EP0778480A1 (en) * 1995-12-07 1997-06-11 AEROSPATIALE Société Nationale Industrielle Bidirectional informations transmission optical rotary joint
FR2742236A1 (en) * 1995-12-07 1997-06-13 Aerospatiale ROTATING OPTICAL JOINT WITH BIDIRECTIONAL INFORMATION TRANSMISSION
WO2018140875A1 (en) 2017-01-27 2018-08-02 The General Hospital Corporation Systems and methods for providing an optical rotary joint
EP3574352A4 (en) * 2017-01-27 2020-10-14 The General Hospital Corporation Systems and methods for providing an optical rotary joint
US10845546B2 (en) 2017-01-27 2020-11-24 The General Hospital Corporation Systems and methods for providing an optical rotary joint

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB8601318D0 (en) 1986-02-26
GB8620995D0 (en) 1986-10-08
GB2185590B (en) 1989-10-25

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PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee