The Boeing Company

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Microelectronics and Computer Technology Corporation

Optical Switch Corporation

Kenneth C Noddings

Michael A Olla

Daniel M Andrews

Thomas Alan Bishop

Robert O Miller

Chris Karaguleff

David C Jurbergs

Terry Lee Holcomb

Brian J Fujimori

Mahmood A Majid

Jason J Yu

Charles L Spooner

Frederick L Brinlee

Thomas J Hirsch

Daniel J Mockler

Robert C Gardner

An optical fiber cable assembly which includes an optical fiber cable which includes at least a first core and a second core positioned spaced apart from one another within a cladding material, wherein the at least first core and the second core and the cladding material extend in a direction of a length of the optical fiber cable. The assembly further includes material positioned at a predetermined location along the length of the optical fiber cable, wherein the material is associated with the optical fiber cable such that when the material is exposed to an environment change, the material transmits a force onto the optical fiber cable, changing a shape of the optical fiber cable.

Multicore optical fiber cable strain enhancement

A controlled radius splice protector includes a first fiber optic fiber, a second fiber optic fiber, a fiber splice connecting the first fiber optic fiber and the second fiber optic fiber, a hot melted splice tubing extending over the fiber splice and a jacket tubing receiving the hot melted splice tubing and pre-formed to a selected bend radius.

Controlled radius splice protector and fabrication process

In one of the embodiments there is disclosed a self healing optical fiber cable assembly comprising an elongated optical fiber core having a cladding layer, a buffer layer, a sealing layer that seals any microcracks or defects in the buffer layer, the cladding layer, and the optical fiber core, and, an outer protection layer, wherein an end of the outer layer is connected to a strain relief device to provide expansion protection to the cable assembly and to minimize strain on the cable assembly, and further wherein an end of the strain relief device is connected to an optical fiber module. The cable assembly may further comprise a constraining layer and/or a strengthening layer. There is also disclosed a method of making a self healing optical fiber cable assembly.

Self healing optical fiber cable assembly and method of making the same

A method of forming a waveguide or an optical assembly includes molding a waveguide material, optionally in alignment with one or more optical components. The one or more optical components are aligned in a precision mold that is also used to form the waveguide. A cladding and encapsulation material can also be molded. The molded materials can be used to hold the components together in alignment in a single assembly. A connector structure can be molded as part of the assembly or can be prefabricated and incorporated into the molded assembly to facilitate connecting the assembly to other components without requiring active alignment or polishing of optical fiber ends.

Fabrication of optical devices and assemblies

An optical switch includes an input member, a reflective output member coupled to the input member, and a transmissive output member. The input member supports a plurality of input waveguides, each input waveguide having a reflective surface and operable to receive a corresponding optical signal. The reflective output member supports a plurality of first output waveguides, each first output waveguide coupled to a corresponding input waveguide. The transmissive output member supports a plurality of second output waveguides and has a first position spaced apart from the input member such that the reflective surface of each input waveguide totally internally reflects a corresponding optical signal to a corresponding one of the first output waveguides, and a second position in proximal contact with the input member such that each second output waveguide frustrates the total internal reflection of a corresponding input waveguide and receives a corresponding optical signal.

Integrated fiber array optical switch and method of operation

An assembly of an optical interconnect module adaptable for mating with an optical connector having at least one optical fiber and an alignment pin. A method of assembly includes the steps of (1) mounting an optical device onto a connector body, wherein the connector body is a portion of the optical interconnect module, and wherein the optical device is operable for transmitting or receiving optical signals to/from the optical fiber, (2) inputting a relative position between the alignment pin and an end of the optical fiber, (3) and forming a slot in the connector body by using the measured relative position between the alignment pin and the end of the optical fiber, wherein a relative position between the slot and the optical transceiver mirrors the relative position between the alignment pin and the end of the optical fiber so that the optical device and the end of the optical fiber are substantially aligned to permit transmission of the optical signals when the optical connector and the optical interconnect module are mated, wherein the slot is adaptable for receiving the alignment pin.

Parallel optical transceiver link

Growing community of inventors

Manhattan Beach, CA, United States of America

Kenneth C Noddings