The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 10, 1990
Filed:
Jun. 20, 1988
Bernd D Zimmermann, Hickory, NC (US);
Richard O Claus, Christiansburg, VA (US);
Kent A Murphy, Roanoke, VA (US);
Center for Innovative Technology, Herndon, VA (US);
Abstract
The present invention pertains to an optical splice. The optical splice includes a member having an alignment cavity which receives optical waveguides and allows light to pass there between. The member is made of a material that is moldable such that when an optical waveguide is received by the member, the alignment cavity expands but constricts about the optical waveguide in a predetermined position. The member has a plurality of funnels which communicate with the alignment cavity and guide an optical waveguide into the alignment cavity where it is received thereby. The present invention also pertains to a method for making a funnel in a member. The method includes the steps of placing a drawn-down end of a capillary into a mold; inserting an alignment rod into the mold and the capillary through the drawn-down end thereof; filling the mold with a curable material; allowing the material to cure to form the member; and removing the alignment rod and capillary from the member to form in the member an alignment cavity with a funnel. In a preferred embodiment the member is an optical splice.