GB2233108A - Fibre optic connector having smaller and larger diameter optic fibres - Google Patents

Fibre optic connector having smaller and larger diameter optic fibres Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2233108A
GB2233108A GB8913263A GB8913263A GB2233108A GB 2233108 A GB2233108 A GB 2233108A GB 8913263 A GB8913263 A GB 8913263A GB 8913263 A GB8913263 A GB 8913263A GB 2233108 A GB2233108 A GB 2233108A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
diameter optical
optical fibre
larger diameter
light
connector system
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB8913263A
Other versions
GB8913263D0 (en
Inventor
Norman Barrie Jones
George L Papageorgiou
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.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
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 Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to GB8913263A priority Critical patent/GB2233108A/en
Publication of GB8913263D0 publication Critical patent/GB8913263D0/en
Priority to PCT/GB1990/002039 priority patent/WO1992012445A1/en
Publication of GB2233108A publication Critical patent/GB2233108A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

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
    • G02B6/26—Optical coupling means
    • G02B6/262—Optical details of coupling light into, or out of, or between fibre ends, e.g. special fibre end shapes or associated optical elements
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01D—MEASURING NOT SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR A SPECIFIC VARIABLE; ARRANGEMENTS FOR MEASURING TWO OR MORE VARIABLES NOT COVERED IN A SINGLE OTHER SUBCLASS; TARIFF METERING APPARATUS; MEASURING OR TESTING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G01D5/00—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable
    • G01D5/26—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable characterised by optical transfer means, i.e. using infrared, visible, or ultraviolet light
    • G01D5/268—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable characterised by optical transfer means, i.e. using infrared, visible, or ultraviolet light using optical fibres
    • 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
    • G02B6/26—Optical coupling means
    • G02B6/28—Optical coupling means having data bus means, i.e. plural waveguides interconnected and providing an inherently bidirectional system by mixing and splitting signals
    • G02B6/2804—Optical coupling means having data bus means, i.e. plural waveguides interconnected and providing an inherently bidirectional system by mixing and splitting signals forming multipart couplers without wavelength selective elements, e.g. "T" couplers, star couplers

Abstract

A fibreoptic connector system comprises of two parts one part being a number of smaller diameter optical fibres the other being a larger diameter optical fibre both parts connected in such a way that light from at least one of the smaller diameter optical fibres 22 is emitted into the larger diameter optical fibre 23 and light emitted from the larger diameter optical fibre is transmitted to remaining smaller diameter optical fibres surrounding light emitting smaller diameter optical fibre. Appropriate electronic circuitry may compensate automatically for connector tolerances. <IMAGE>

Description

FIBREOPTIC CONNECTOR SYSTEM Technical field This invention relates to fibreoptic connector systems and in particular fibreoprtic connectors and associated electronics useful mainly in fibreoptic sensor applications.
Background art Efficient fibreoptic sensors have been developed or are under development, capable of measuring a wide variety of parameters. A number of these sensors comprise an optical fibre length and an appropriate system at one of its ends that converts changes in the quantity to be measured into light changes. The same single fibre is often used to both transmit light to the measuring system at its end and to transmit it back to a suitable photodetector. In several fields of sensor applications it is generally desirable for the fibreoptic sensor to be disposable after a single use or to be capable of disconnection and reconnection.A problem arising in using these disposable or reconnectable sensors is that of connecting the disposable length of the optical fibre bearing the sensing system at its other end to an appropriate electro-optical apparatus that launches light into the disposable length of the fibre and detects the light coming back from the sensing end, modulated by the quantity under measurement. Usually these systems utilise a fibre-optic coupler or a beam-splitter in the form of a semitransparent mirror. Accurate alignment is required in order to achieve this connection and this calls for carefully machined connectors that inevitably raise the cost of the system.
Small misalignments of the connector system during a measuring session require adjustments to the signal offset level.
Disclosure of invention According to the present invention there is provided a fibreoptic connector system, which in association with appropriate electronic circuitry, renders unnecessary accurate optical alignment at the point of contact between the disposable or reconnected length of optical fibre and the electro-optical apparatus comprising:: A light emitting and receiving structure either in the form of a fibreoptic bundle consisting of a number of optical fibres of a small diameter with one or more of them connected to a light source serving as light emitters, the rest of them connected to a photodetector, serving as light sensing fibres or in the form of a tubular light waveguide or hollow optical fibre surrounding one or more optical fibres of small diameter said tubular waveguide or hollow optical fibre connected to a photodetector and said optical fibres surrounded by said tubular waveguide or hollow optical fibre connected to a light source; a length of optical fibre of a diameter larger than the diameter of fibres comprising the fibreoptic bundle, mounted in an appropriate connector and facing said fibreoptic bundle and facing at least one optical fibre of said bundle; means to bring said fibreoptic bundle and said length of larger diameter optical fibre in close proximity facing each other; appropriate electronic circuitry to compensate for -wiisali-nments of said fibreoptic bundle and said larger diameter optical fibre, and light losses resulting from factors such as surface imperfections of the two structures, accumulation of dust particles and tolerances in the manufacture of the said length of larger diameter optical fibre and surrounding and supporting structures. Said electronic circuit automatically compensates for offset shifts of signal b averaging li received back by the receiving fibres of said bundle and using this average as the signal reference.One method of achieving this averaging is by low-pass filtering of the received signal, the filter characteristics determining the speed by which automatic offsetting is achieved. Once said automatic offset adjustment has been fulfilled, said electronic circuitry can be disconnected by the user to restore signal low frequency performance if so desired.
Brief description of drawings For the purposes of promoting a better understanding of the principles of the invention, particular features of the invention will be highlighted by way of examples with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig 1 shows a cross section view of said fibreoptic bundle comprising seven similar fibres of small diameter, the central fibre 11 used to launch light and the rest of the fibres used to sense light coming back from said larger diameter fibre the bundle being surrounded by supporting structure 12.
Fig 2 shows 8 longitudinal section view of Ce-sid connector assembly comprising a fibreoptic bundle 21 with a central light launching fibre 22 facing a larger diameter optical fibre 23 with sensor system 24 at its other end. Eccentricity of said larger diameter fibre due to tolerances of surrounding and supporting structures 25 do not significantly affect the quantity of light received provided that fibre 23 faces the entire surface of the smaller diameter fibre 22.
Fig 3 shows said tubular light waveguide or hollow optical fibre 31 surrounding optical fibre 32. This structure can be used instead of said fibreoptic bundle.
Fig 4 shows a block diagram of automatic offsetting electronic circuit whereby a feed-back loop with a low-pass filter bl is used to compensate for connector imperfections
and tolerances. 3 liter 41 output is used as a reference of the full-wave rectifier circuitry 42. The signal is subsequently filtered by means of low-pass filter 43.

Claims (8)

  1. CLAIMS 1. A fibreoptic connector system comprising two parts the first part being a number of smaller diameter optical fibres the second part being one or more larger diameter optical fibres both said parts being in close proximity to each other and connected in such a way that light from one or more of said amaller diameter optical fibres is emitted into said larger diameter optical fibres and light from said larger diameter optical fibres is emitted into at least one of the remaining of the said smaller diameter optical fibres.
  2. 2. A fibreoptic connector system comprising two parts -the first part being a tubular waveguide or hollow optical fibre surrounding a smaller diameter optical fibre the second part being a larger diameter optical fibre both said parts being in close proximity to each other and connected in such a way that light from said smaller diameter optical fibre is transmitted into said larger diameter optical fibre and light from said larger diameter optical fibre is transmitted into said tubular waveguide or hollow optical fibre.
  3. 3. A fibreoptic connector system as claimed in any of the preceding Claims whereby appropriate electronic circuitry is used to compensate for misalignments of said two parts.
  4. IL. A fibreoptic connector system as claimed in any of the preceding Claims whereby said electronic circuitry averages light coming from said larger diameter optical fibre(s) and utilizes this as the new signal reference.
  5. 5. A fibreoptic connector system as claimed in any of the preceding Claims whereby said signal averaging is carried out through low-pass filtering.
  6. 6. A fibreoptic connector system as claimed in any of the preceding Claims whereby the output of said low-pass filter is used in an electronic feed-back circuit.
  7. 7. A fibreoptic connector system as claimed in any of the preceding claims whereby light emitted by said smaller diameter optical fibre(s) is amplitude modulated and whereby signal received from said larger diameter optical fibre is demodulated by using full wave rectifier circuitry and whereby the output of full wave rectifier is low-pass filtered and the output of low-pass filter is used as a reference to the full-wave rectifier circuitry thus achieving a feedback loop for automatic offsetting of the system.
  8. 8. A fibreoptic connector system as claimed in any of the preceding claims whereby said electronic automatic offsetting system is disconnectable by the user to restore system low frequency response.
GB8913263A 1989-06-09 1989-06-09 Fibre optic connector having smaller and larger diameter optic fibres Withdrawn GB2233108A (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB8913263A GB2233108A (en) 1989-06-09 1989-06-09 Fibre optic connector having smaller and larger diameter optic fibres
PCT/GB1990/002039 WO1992012445A1 (en) 1989-06-09 1990-12-31 Fibreoptic connector system

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB8913263A GB2233108A (en) 1989-06-09 1989-06-09 Fibre optic connector having smaller and larger diameter optic fibres

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB8913263D0 GB8913263D0 (en) 1989-07-26
GB2233108A true GB2233108A (en) 1991-01-02

Family

ID=10658158

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB8913263A Withdrawn GB2233108A (en) 1989-06-09 1989-06-09 Fibre optic connector having smaller and larger diameter optic fibres

Country Status (2)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2233108A (en)
WO (1) WO1992012445A1 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1997008576A1 (en) * 1995-08-25 1997-03-06 Nichimen Europe Plc Connection between optical fibres

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2321102A (en) * 1997-01-09 1998-07-15 Neil Martyn Crick Single optical fibre reflective sensor

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4423923A (en) * 1981-10-05 1984-01-03 Texas Instruments Incorporated Method and fixture for coupling optical fibers
US4433896A (en) * 1981-10-05 1984-02-28 Texas Instruments Incorporated Coaxial optical fiber connector
US4465335A (en) * 1982-10-12 1984-08-14 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Army Concentric core optical fiber coupler
EP0181805A1 (en) * 1984-10-26 1986-05-21 Lignes Telegraphiques Et Telephoniques L.T.T. Passive fibre-optic coupler
US4682849A (en) * 1981-09-16 1987-07-28 Showa Electric Wire & Cable Co. Ltd. Optical fiber junction and method of making same

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2064503A1 (en) * 1970-12-30 1972-07-13 Licentia Gmbh Method for coupling light rays into an optical fiber
US4252403A (en) * 1979-11-06 1981-02-24 International Telephone And Telegraph Corporation Coupler for a graded index fiber
JPS59125711A (en) * 1983-01-06 1984-07-20 Sumitomo Electric Ind Ltd Branching/combining connector of light
US4672199A (en) * 1984-03-02 1987-06-09 Fiberdynamics, Inc. Fiberoptic temperature/pressure sensor system
DE3608465A1 (en) * 1985-03-16 1986-09-18 Hewlett-Packard GmbH, 7030 Böblingen Light-transmitting device for a fibre-optical sensor
US4891612A (en) * 1988-11-04 1990-01-02 Cascade Microtech, Inc. Overlap interfaces between coplanar transmission lines which are tolerant to transverse and longitudinal misalignment

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4682849A (en) * 1981-09-16 1987-07-28 Showa Electric Wire & Cable Co. Ltd. Optical fiber junction and method of making same
US4423923A (en) * 1981-10-05 1984-01-03 Texas Instruments Incorporated Method and fixture for coupling optical fibers
US4433896A (en) * 1981-10-05 1984-02-28 Texas Instruments Incorporated Coaxial optical fiber connector
US4465335A (en) * 1982-10-12 1984-08-14 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Army Concentric core optical fiber coupler
EP0181805A1 (en) * 1984-10-26 1986-05-21 Lignes Telegraphiques Et Telephoniques L.T.T. Passive fibre-optic coupler

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1997008576A1 (en) * 1995-08-25 1997-03-06 Nichimen Europe Plc Connection between optical fibres

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB8913263D0 (en) 1989-07-26
WO1992012445A1 (en) 1992-07-23

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WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)