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:
Mar. 04, 2003
Filed:
Apr. 26, 2001
Robert O. Miller, Carrollton, TX (US);
Optical Switch Corporation, Richardson, TX (US);
Abstract
An apparatus ( ) includes an optical switch ( ) and a control circuit ( ). The optical switch includes a member ( ) which supports optical fibers ( ). A sliding piece ( ) is movably supported on the member and also supports optical fibers ( ). Movement of the sliding piece is effected by two magnetic field generators ( ) respectively supported by the member and sliding piece, the direction of movement being controlled by varying the direction of a current flow to one of the generators, while maintaining an unchanging current flow to the other. Each generator includes a plurality of ferromagnetic poles ( ), and a serpentine electrical conductor ( ). In one operational position of the sliding piece, optical radiation follows a first optical path ( ) through one pair of the fibers. In a different operational position, optical radiation follows a different optical path ( ) through a different pair of the fibers ( ).