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:
Jun. 06, 2006
Filed:
Mar. 23, 2005
Zuyun Fang, Las Vegas, NV (US);
Zuyun Fang, Las Vegas, NV (US);
OptiWorks, Inc., Fremont, CA (US);
Abstract
In some embodiments, an optical switch includes multiple individually-retractable wedge switching prisms stacked in a longitudinal channel, corresponding plural transverse-translation rhomboid prisms extending transversely away from the longitudinal channel, and corresponding plural fiber collimators oriented longitudinally and aligned along a transverse line on both sides of the longitudinal channel. To switch light to a selected fiber collimator, its corresponding wedge switching prism is inserted in the longitudinal channel to deflect light to a corresponding transverse-translation prism and on to the selected fiber collimator; the other switching prisms are retracted from the channel. In some embodiments, longitudinally-adjacent switching prisms are oriented in opposite directions. A reverse-deflection wedge prism can be provided between each switching prism and its corresponding transverse-translation prism. The described preferred systems allow improved system stability, as well as ease of manufacturing and alignment.