USA As Represented by Secretary of the Navy

The United States of America As Represented by the United States

Christopher M Young

Steven J Cowen

James H Dombrowski

James H Daughtry

William H Marn

John T Redfern

John T Pryor

Michael E Kono

The present invention provides a system for determining the deployed length of a flexible tension element such as cable which is wrapped in a pack and fed through a funnel. The element may be sensed using different types of sensors such as optical, acoustical or magnetic sensors. A sensor is mounted in a funnel flush with the inside funnel surface. As wraps of the flexible tension element are deployed, or pulled off from the pack, individual wraps of the flexible tension element pass across the face of a detector as the flexible tension element is displaced in a generally circular pattern around the inside of the funnel. Signal processing circuitry produces a signal indicating the presence of the flexible tension element within a predetermined distance of the sensor. For example, when a wrap of the flexible tension element is within a predetermined range of the sensor, head a signal representing a first logic level, such as a logic 1, generally in the form of a pulse, is produced; when the flexible tension element is beyond a predetermined range of the sensor head, a signal representing a second logic level, such as a logic zero is produced. A computer counts the pulses and a software program implemented in the computer calculates information about the pack status, such as the deployed length of the flexible tension element. If signal pulses are missing, the software program interpolates between identified pulses to provide a count for the missing, or interpolated pulses. The total count of the missing pulses and detected pulses are correlated to the deployed length of the element.

System for determining the deployed length of a flexible tension element

The invention provides a fiber reinforced optical microcable comprised of a buffered optical waveguide coated with a fiber reinforced protective sheath formed of an ultraviolet light cured resin. The microcable is manufactured by soaking reinforcing fibers in the UV curable resin, placing the wetted fibers around the buffered optical waveguide, squeezing the fibers and buffered optical waveguide through a die, and then curing the resin with ultraviolet light.

Fiber optic microcable produced with radiation cured composite

The invention provides a process for fabricating a fiber optic microcable mposed of materials having properties which facilitate its manufacture. The microcable is comprised of an optical fiber core, a buffer surrounding the core, and a protective sheath surrounding the buffer consisting of an electromagnetic radiation cured resin impregnated with fibers suspended in the resin to enhance the resistance of the microcable to physical damage. The microcable is fabricated by soaking the fibers in an electromagnetic radiation curable resin, placing the wetted fibers around the core and buffer to form a matrix, and then irradiating the matrix with electromagnetic radiation to cure the resin.

Process for manufacturing a fiber reinforced optic microcable with a UV

The invention provides a fiber optic microcable having a uniform cross seonal dimension which may be manufactured in continuous lengths that exceed 10 kilometers. The microcable is comprised of an optical fiber core, a buffer surrounding the core, and a protective sheath surrounding the buffer consisting of an electromagnetic radiation cured resin impregnated with fibers suspended in the resin to enhance the resistance of the microcable to physical damage. The microcable is fabricated by soaking the fibers in an electromagnetic radiation curable resin, placing the wetted fibers around the core and buffer to form a matrix, and then irradiating the matrix with electromagnetic radiation to cure the resin.

An apparatus and method provides an optically aligned connector for at le one optical fiber. A connector plate is machined with one flat surface which is placed in an abutting relationship on an optically flat mirror surface. A quarter pitch graded refractive index lens is inserted in a hole through the connector plate and bonded in place. The hole through the connector need not be precision bored nor is the fit between the lens and hole critical since the optical alignment is not dependent on these fittings but rather depends upon the abutting relationship of the flat abutting surface and the surface of the mirror. An optically excited fiber is brought to the close proximity of the lens and suitably micropositioned to a location where a maximum light intensity is monitored by a detector optically coupled to the excited fiber. When the fiber is positioned so that a maximum reflected intensity is monitored it is secured in place by, for example, a UV cureable adhesive. Mechanically indexing mating connector plates assure that an optical alignment from one fiber through its lens to another lens and onto another fiber is created. Multiple optical couplings between several pairs of fiber-lenses can simultaneously be created between a pair of appropriately designed connector plates. Optionally, appropriately machined collars held between single or multifibered connector plates are filled with an acceptable index matching fluid to assure suitable optical coupling.

Retro-reflective alignment technique for fiber optical connectors

A method of fabricating an optically aligned coupling between an optical fiber and a connector having a precision-bored bushing guarantees proper light beam collimation. Graded refractive index rod lenses are coupled to the optical fiber by an installation procedure having a readily-reproducible measurement standard. Calibrating an alignment fixture calls for the inserting of a fused quartz right cylinder having a diameter to allow a snug fitting in the precision-bored bushing. The cylinder has an integral axially exposed mirrored face for reflecting the beam to create a calibration autocollimation with a beam from a laser projected through and in parallel with the axis of the precision-bored bushing. Disposing a mirror surface separated from and perpendicular to the axis of the precision-bored bushing allows the reflection of the projected beam back over its own path to result in autocollimation of the projected and reflected beams. Inserting a close fitting graded refractive index lens into an alignment ferrule that goes into the precision-bored bushing and exciting the optical fiber by a light source permits the positioning of the excited optical fiber on an axially exposed surface of the graded refractive index lens. Next, the light intensity reflected through the graded refractive index lens and into the optical fiber from the mirror surface is monitored and, when the monitored light is maximum, the fiber is secured in place on the surface of the graded refractive index lens to assure the optically aligned coupling.

Reproducible standard for aligning fiber optic connectors which employ

A high pressure penetrator for use with fiber optic cables is fabricated by method which assures reliable operation. The method of fabrication first calls for providing a bore through the pressure wall of a container of instrumentation. Applying wax to one end of a cylindrically-shaped lens prepares it for alignment in the bore. A suitable lens is the one-half pitch graded refractive index lens of the type marketed under the trademark, SELFOC. The cylindrically-shaped lens is inserted into the bore to locate its far end flush with one side of the wall and so that the wax applied end of the lens lies within the bore at the wall's opposite side. Melting the wax allows it to flow around the tip of the wax applied end of the lens and a subsequent cooling of the melted wax precisely fixes the cylindrically-shaped lens into position within the bore. A high strength epoxy resin is potted in the clearance space between the lens and the bore by vacuum drawing the resin into the clearing space so that, upon curing the resin, the lens will be securely held in place to permit an optical aligning of fibers on either end of the lens to assure optical signal transfer.

Growing community of inventors

San Diego, CA, United States of America

Christopher M Young