WO1998014812B1 - Method of coupling a high intensity point source to a fiber bundle - Google Patents
Method of coupling a high intensity point source to a fiber bundleInfo
- Publication number
- WO1998014812B1 WO1998014812B1 PCT/US1997/016796 US9716796W WO9814812B1 WO 1998014812 B1 WO1998014812 B1 WO 1998014812B1 US 9716796 W US9716796 W US 9716796W WO 9814812 B1 WO9814812 B1 WO 9814812B1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- bundle
- point source
- fibers
- ferrule
- source cable
- Prior art date
Links
- 239000000835 fiber Substances 0.000 title claims abstract 26
- 230000001808 coupling Effects 0.000 title claims 3
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 title claims 3
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 title claims 3
- 150000001875 compounds Chemical class 0.000 claims abstract 8
- 238000004382 potting Methods 0.000 claims abstract 8
- 238000005498 polishing Methods 0.000 claims abstract 6
- 230000000875 corresponding Effects 0.000 claims abstract 2
- 239000004593 Epoxy Substances 0.000 claims 3
- 125000003700 epoxy group Chemical group 0.000 claims 3
- 238000007906 compression Methods 0.000 claims 2
- 239000000853 adhesive Substances 0.000 claims 1
- 230000001070 adhesive Effects 0.000 claims 1
- 239000002904 solvent Substances 0.000 claims 1
- 239000001993 wax Substances 0.000 claims 1
Abstract
A method and apparatus which can couple a high intensity point source, such as from a single fiber, to a fiber bundle (B). A bundle of fibers is fed through a hole in the light post (200). A removable potting compound is applied to the tip of the bundle to hold the fibers together for polishing. The tip of the bundle is polished and then the potting compound is removed from the tip of the bundle. A window (210) is placed over a light inlet of the hole so as to seal the bundle. A point source cable (P5) introduces a point source of light to the bundle of fibers. A ferrule (300, 500) is provided around the point source cable, having a diameter sized corresponding to a diameter of said light post. The ferrule and the bundle of fibers are clamped with a split sleeve (400) which extends therebetween.
Claims
1. A method of providing a coupler for coupling a high intensity point source to a fiber bundle, comprising the steps of: i) providing a light post having a hole for receiving a bundle of fibers; ii) feeding a tip of the bundle of fibers through the hole in the light post; iii) holding the fibers together for polishing; iv) polishing the tip of the bundle; and v) fixedly positioning a light-transmitting device over the light inlet of the hole adjacent the polished tip of the bundle, so as to provide the light post with the bundle of fibers fixed in said hole and the window fixed over said polished tip.
2. The method of claim 34, further comprising the step of: positioning a point source cable for introducing a point source of light through said window and said polished tip, to the bundle of fibers.
3. The method of claim 32, wherein the bundle of fibers and the point source cable are maintained adjacent to each other in substantial concentric alignment.
4. The method of claim 33, wherein the fibers are held together for polishing by a removable potting compound applied to the tip of the bundle prior to polishing, and wherein after polishing the tip of the 17
bundle, the potting compound is removed from the tip of the bundle.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein said potting compound applied is adhesive, wax or epoxy.
6. The method of claim 3, wherein the bundle of fibers and the point source cable are maintained adjacent to each other and in concentric alignment by a split sleeve which extends between the light post and a ferrule around the point source cable having about the same diameter as the light post.
7. The method of claim 5, further including providing a tubular body around the split sleeve.
8. The method of claim 7, further including providing a nut at an end of the body opposite to the light post.
9. The method of claim 8, further including providing a compression spring between said ferrule and said nut such that said ferrule is biased toward said light post, said nut having an opening therethrough for receiving said point source cable.
10. The method of claim 6, further including providing a ferrule surrounding said light post with said split sleeve surrounding both said light post ferrule and said ferrule around said point source cable ..
11. The method of claim 2, further providing as the point source cable a single fiber.
12. The method of claim 2, further including providing as the point source cable a fiber bundle having a diameter of about 1 mm or less.
13. The method of claim 14, wherein said potting compound applied is a removable epoxy and said step of removing includes applying solvent which removes the epoxy.
14. A device for coupling a point source cable and a fiber bundle made in accordance with the method of claim 6, comprising: a) a light post having a hole for receiving a bundle of fibers; b) a bundle of fibers within said hole having a polished tip, and a light-transmitting device over a light inlet of the hole adjacent said polished tip; c) a point source cable for introducing a point source of light to the bundle of fibers; d) a ferrule surrounding the point source cable and having a diameter sized corresponding to a diameter of said light post; and e) a split sleeve extending over and clamping both the ferrule and the bundle of fibers.
15. The device of claim 14, further including a tubular body around the split sleeve.
16. The device of claim 15, further including a nut at an end of the body opposite to the light post.
17. The device of claim 16, further including a compression spring between said ferrule and said nut such that said ferrule is biased toward said light post, said nut having an opening therethrough for receiving said point source cable.
i╬┤. The device of claim 17, further including a ferrule surrounding said light post with said split sleeve surrounding both said light post ferrule and said ferrule around said point source cable.
19. The device of claim 14, wherein the point source cable is a single fiber.
20. The device of claim 14, wherein the point source cable is a fiber bundle.
21. The device of claim 14, wherein said polished tip is substantially free from potting compound.
22. The device of claim 14, wherein no potting compound is present between the bundle of fibers and said point source cable.
Priority Applications (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU44906/97A AU4490697A (en) | 1996-10-04 | 1997-09-18 | Method of coupling a high intensity point source to a fiber bundle |
| EP97943429A EP0929832A2 (en) | 1996-10-04 | 1997-09-18 | Method of coupling a high intensity point source to a fiber bundle |
| JP10516601A JP2001501325A (en) | 1996-10-04 | 1997-09-18 | How to connect a high intensity point light source to a fiber bundle |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US08/725,480 US5881192A (en) | 1996-10-04 | 1996-10-04 | Method of coupling a high intensity point source to a fiber bundle |
| US08/725,480 | 1996-10-04 |
Publications (3)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| WO1998014812A2 WO1998014812A2 (en) | 1998-04-09 |
| WO1998014812A3 WO1998014812A3 (en) | 1998-06-18 |
| WO1998014812B1 true WO1998014812B1 (en) | 1998-07-30 |
Family
ID=24914737
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US1997/016796 WO1998014812A2 (en) | 1996-10-04 | 1997-09-18 | Method of coupling a high intensity point source to a fiber bundle |
Country Status (7)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (2) | US5881192A (en) |
| EP (1) | EP0929832A2 (en) |
| JP (1) | JP2001501325A (en) |
| CN (1) | CN1232548A (en) |
| AU (1) | AU4490697A (en) |
| TW (1) | TW338112B (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1998014812A2 (en) |
Families Citing this family (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US6432047B1 (en) * | 1999-02-25 | 2002-08-13 | Micro Medical Devices, Inc. | Endoscopic surgical procedures and endoscopic apparatus comprising segmented fiber optic cables |
| JP2001133658A (en) * | 1999-11-04 | 2001-05-18 | Dai Ichi Kasei Kk | Resin ferrule for optical fiber connector and forming mold thereof |
| US20040008950A1 (en) * | 2001-03-20 | 2004-01-15 | Daiichi Kasei Co., Ltd. | Resin ferrule for use in optical fiber connector and molding die therefor |
| US7196783B2 (en) | 2002-11-15 | 2007-03-27 | Accurate Machining, Inc. | Optical fiber bundle utilizing electromagnetic radiation feedback |
| WO2005052652A2 (en) * | 2003-11-25 | 2005-06-09 | Zygo Corporation | Optical fiber connectors and systems including optical fiber connectors |
Family Cites Families (23)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4461538A (en) * | 1981-10-20 | 1984-07-24 | Augat Inc. | Active receptacle having resilient sleeve-like bushing |
| CH665912A5 (en) * | 1983-07-21 | 1988-06-15 | Bbc Brown Boveri & Cie | COUPLING FOR AN OPTICAL FIBER. |
| JPS6210608A (en) * | 1985-07-09 | 1987-01-19 | Sumitomo Electric Ind Ltd | Fiber for optical energy transmission |
| US4757431A (en) * | 1986-07-01 | 1988-07-12 | Laser Media | Off-axis application of concave spherical reflectors as condensing and collecting optics |
| US4773723A (en) * | 1987-03-26 | 1988-09-27 | Joseph Cuda | Heat sink structure for a fiber optic light source |
| US4944567A (en) * | 1987-11-05 | 1990-07-31 | Allied-Signal Inc. | Fiber optic laser beam delivery system |
| DE3744367C1 (en) * | 1987-12-29 | 1989-08-24 | Schott Glaswerke | Process for the production of a fibre-optical guide bundle |
| JPH01246724A (en) * | 1988-03-28 | 1989-10-02 | Ngk Insulators Ltd | Optical-fiber complex insulator and its manufacture |
| GB8816603D0 (en) * | 1988-07-13 | 1988-08-17 | Bt & D Technologies Ltd | Optical components |
| US5042900A (en) * | 1988-09-12 | 1991-08-27 | Lumitex, Inc. | Connector assemblies for optical fiber light cables |
| US4913508A (en) * | 1988-09-30 | 1990-04-03 | At&T Bell Laboratories | Passive optical device |
| JPH02143207A (en) * | 1988-11-25 | 1990-06-01 | Hitachi Ltd | Optoelectronic device with optical coupling body |
| GB8912356D0 (en) * | 1989-05-30 | 1989-07-12 | Keymed Medicals & Ind Equip | A method of forming a fibre optic terminal assembly |
| US5016963A (en) * | 1989-08-08 | 1991-05-21 | E-Tek Dynamics, Inc. | Fiber optic coupler and method of making same |
| US5031994A (en) * | 1990-01-19 | 1991-07-16 | Adc Telecommunications, Inc. | Optical switch assembly |
| US5179610A (en) * | 1991-04-19 | 1993-01-12 | Trimedyne, Inc. | Connector for coupling of laser energy |
| EP0534431B1 (en) * | 1991-09-25 | 1996-05-01 | Nec Corporation | Optical receptacle |
| US5290277A (en) * | 1992-04-03 | 1994-03-01 | Angeion Corporation | Multi-fiber linear array laser catheter connector |
| JP3531199B2 (en) * | 1994-02-22 | 2004-05-24 | 三菱電機株式会社 | Optical transmission equipment |
| US5452392A (en) * | 1994-06-20 | 1995-09-19 | Cogent Light Technologies, Inc. | Fiber optic, coupling apparatus having means for preventing thermal damage to the fiber optic at the fiber-to-light source coupling |
| FR2730038B1 (en) * | 1995-01-27 | 1997-04-18 | Fort Fibres Optiques | OPTICAL SYSTEM INCLUDING A REFLECTOR LAMP |
| JPH08334644A (en) * | 1995-06-02 | 1996-12-17 | Hitachi Cable Ltd | Plastic light branching/coupling device and its manufacture |
| US5680492A (en) * | 1995-08-01 | 1997-10-21 | Cogent Light Technologies, Inc. | Singular fiber to bundle illumination with optical coupler |
-
1996
- 1996-10-04 US US08/725,480 patent/US5881192A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
1997
- 1997-09-18 EP EP97943429A patent/EP0929832A2/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1997-09-18 WO PCT/US1997/016796 patent/WO1998014812A2/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1997-09-18 JP JP10516601A patent/JP2001501325A/en active Pending
- 1997-09-18 CN CN97198458.1A patent/CN1232548A/en active Pending
- 1997-09-18 AU AU44906/97A patent/AU4490697A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1997-10-02 TW TW086114381A patent/TW338112B/en active
- 1997-12-04 US US08/985,242 patent/US5905830A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
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