GB2038018A - Optical fibre splice - Google Patents
Optical fibre splice Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2038018A GB2038018A GB7849256A GB7849256A GB2038018A GB 2038018 A GB2038018 A GB 2038018A GB 7849256 A GB7849256 A GB 7849256A GB 7849256 A GB7849256 A GB 7849256A GB 2038018 A GB2038018 A GB 2038018A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- fibres
- fibre
- splice
- ferrule
- jewels
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 239000013307 optical fiber Substances 0.000 title claims description 4
- 239000000835 fiber Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 40
- 239000010437 gem Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 33
- 230000003287 optical effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 16
- 239000011521 glass Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 11
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 8
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 3
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 claims description 16
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 claims description 16
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 claims description 16
- VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Silicium dioxide Chemical compound O=[Si]=O VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 8
- 238000000576 coating method Methods 0.000 claims description 8
- 229910001751 gemstone Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 8
- 239000012780 transparent material Substances 0.000 claims description 8
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 claims description 6
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 claims description 6
- 239000011248 coating agent Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000003822 epoxy resin Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 claims description 4
- 229920000647 polyepoxide Polymers 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000000377 silicon dioxide Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000000853 adhesive Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 230000001070 adhesive effect Effects 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000005253 cladding Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000004593 Epoxy Substances 0.000 abstract 1
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
- G02B6/255—Splicing of light guides, e.g. by fusion or bonding
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
- G02B6/26—Optical coupling means
- G02B6/264—Optical coupling means with optical elements between opposed fibre ends which perform a function other than beam splitting
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
- G02B6/36—Mechanical coupling means
- G02B6/38—Mechanical coupling means having fibre to fibre mating means
- G02B6/3801—Permanent connections, i.e. wherein fibres are kept aligned by mechanical means
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
- G02B6/36—Mechanical coupling means
- G02B6/38—Mechanical coupling means having fibre to fibre mating means
- G02B6/3807—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs
- G02B6/381—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs of the ferrule type, e.g. fibre ends embedded in ferrules, connecting a pair of fibres
- G02B6/3818—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs of the ferrule type, e.g. fibre ends embedded in ferrules, connecting a pair of fibres of a low-reflection-loss type
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Optics & Photonics (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Plasma & Fusion (AREA)
- Mechanical Coupling Of Light Guides (AREA)
Abstract
In jointing optical fibres it has been proposed to use ferrules containing watch jewels to provide accurate locations of the fibre ends. In the present arrangement the above technique is improved by the provision of a single tubular ferrule 21, with two jewels of the so-called Y- type inside the ferrule. These jewels are close to each other, and back-to- back with a thin window 28 of glass or other material which is transparent and whose refractive index is matched to that of the fibre cores 25, 27 between them. This window acts to positively and accurately locate the fibre ends, thus facilitating completion of the splice. After the fibre ends are inserted, they are held in place, e.g. by an epoxy filling 32 within the ferrules. <IMAGE>
Description
SPECIFICATION
Optical fibre splice
This invention reiates to methods of coupling optical transmission fibres and in particular to a fibre splice of the type having means for aligning the cores of the optical fibres to be connected.
Our co-pending applications No. 10461/76 (Serial No. 1544266) (M. A. Bedgood -J. S.
Leach 5-1) and No. 31623/76 (Serial No.
1 544535) (M. J. Phillips -- J. D. Archer 5-3) each of which describe oprical fibre connector arrangements for coupling a pair of fibres, using the bore of a so-called X-jewel, or a pair of watch jewels arranged back-to-back, in a tubular ferrule, to align the fibre ends. These methods of alignment of the fibre ends have the disadvantage of the necessity for external means of controlling the insertion of the bare fibre ends into the splice sleeve.
An object of this invention is to obviate the need for these external means.
According to the present invention there is provided a splice arrangement for coupling a pair of optical fibres, including a tubular ferrule for receiving the two fibres to be spliced, and two watch Jewels arranged back-to-back within the ferrule with a thin window of a transparent material between, the jewels being close together, and means for securing the fibres in the ferrule such that the position of the fibre ends is accurately set by the window.
This arrangement has the advantage over previous ones in that it obviates the need for an external means of controlling the insertion of the fibre ends into the splice sleeve.
An embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the drawings accompanying the specification in which: Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section of a basic splice element;
and Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of a secondary coated fibre splice, coupling.
Referring to Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawing, the arrangement includes a cylindrical tubular ferrule 11, in the bore of which a pair of watch Y jewels 12 are arranged back-to-back with a thin glass window 1 3 between.
Fig. 2 shows a fibre splice coupling in which the basic splice element 21, described with reference to Fig. 1, is included. Plastics coated optical fibres 23 having their outer coating or coatings 24 removed, but with the optical cladding of glass or plastics material still on the fibre and being cleaved at the end, are inserted one at each end of the splice element 21 so that each fibre end 25 is guided by the recess 26 into the bore 27 of the respective watch jewel 22. Note that for clarity the clearance between the fibres and the respective bores 27 is shown grossly exaggerated in the drawings. The thin window of glass or other transparent material 28 is also shown with its thickness exaggerated, it being as thin as possible without being excessively fragile.The window may be homogenous with refractive index reasonably matched to that of the fibre core to reduce reflection losses. Alternatively the window may have a waveguiding structure with a central region of diameter and higher refractive index essentially matching those of the fibre core and with a numerical aperture greater than or equal to those of the fibres to be connected.
When the fibres 23 are fully inserted with their ends in abutment with the glass window as shown in Fig. 2 each of the ferrules may be filled with an epoxy resin 32 which is heat cured to secure the fibres as described in the aforementioned pending patent application No 31623/76 (Serial No 1544535). Alternatively when the fibres are arranged in abutment they may be surrounded by a refractive index matching fluid and secured by annular crimps 29 which are applied when the fibres are correctly fitted to the splice or secured by a film of adhesive 30.
Similar methods of mounting the splice element to those described in our co-pending application No. 53435/77 (Serial No, 1 566929) (D. G. Dalgoutte -- 8) could also be employed.
The coupling arrangements is intended for use with large core fibres of glass, vapour deposited silica or plastics coated silica construction.
1. A splice arrangement for coupling a pair of optical fibres, including a tubular ferrule for receiving the two fibres to be spliced, and two watch Jewels arranged back-to-back within the ferrule with a thin window of a transparent material between, the jewels being close together, such that the position of the fibre ends is accurately set by the window.
2. A splice arrangement for coupling a pair of optical fibres, including a tubular ferrule for receiving the ends of the fibres to be spliced, two watch-type Y jewels arranged substantially centrally within the ferrule, the two jewels being arranged back-to-back, and a window of a transparent material whose refractive index is reasonably matched to that of the fibre cores to
reduce reflection losses, located between the jewels, the window being as thin as possible consistent with it having adequate strength and being closely adjacent to or contiguous with the jewels wherein each fibre has the outer coating or coatings 20 removed from its end so that that end may be inserted into the bore of a said jewel until its end abuts the window, and wherein after a fibre end has been thus inserted into one of the jewels the portion of the fibre end outside the jewel but within the ferrule is firmly secured to the ferrule.
3. A splice arrangement as claimed in claim 1 or 2, and in which before the fibres are inserted the ferrule is filled with an epoxy resin which is then heat cured to retain the fibres in place.
4. A splice arrangement as claimed in claim 1 or 2, and in which the ferrule is crimped onto the fibres.
5. A splice arrangement as claimed in claim 1
**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.
Claims (7)
1. A splice arrangement for coupling a pair of optical fibres, including a tubular ferrule for receiving the two fibres to be spliced, and two watch Jewels arranged back-to-back within the ferrule with a thin window of a transparent material between, the jewels being close together, such that the position of the fibre ends is accurately set by the window.
2. A splice arrangement for coupling a pair of optical fibres, including a tubular ferrule for receiving the ends of the fibres to be spliced, two watch-type Y jewels arranged substantially centrally within the ferrule, the two jewels being arranged back-to-back, and a window of a transparent material whose refractive index is reasonably matched to that of the fibre cores to
reduce reflection losses, located between the jewels, the window being as thin as possible consistent with it having adequate strength and being closely adjacent to or contiguous with the jewels wherein each fibre has the outer coating or coatings 20 removed from its end so that that end may be inserted into the bore of a said jewel until its end abuts the window, and wherein after a fibre end has been thus inserted into one of the jewels the portion of the fibre end outside the jewel but within the ferrule is firmly secured to the ferrule.
3. A splice arrangement as claimed in claim 1 or 2, and in which before the fibres are inserted the ferrule is filled with an epoxy resin which is then heat cured to retain the fibres in place.
4. A splice arrangement as claimed in claim 1 or 2, and in which the ferrule is crimped onto the fibres.
5. A splice arrangement as claimed in claim 1 or 2, and in which the ferrule is secured by a film of adhesive onto the outer cladding of the fibres.
6. An optical fibre splice arrangement substantially as described herein with reference to
Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 of the accompanying drawing.
7. A method of splicing a pair of optical fibres substantially as described herein with reference to
Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 of the accompanying drawing.
Priority Applications (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB7849256A GB2038018B (en) | 1978-12-20 | 1978-12-20 | Optical fibre splice |
| FR7931104A FR2444953A1 (en) | 1978-12-20 | 1979-12-19 | OPTICAL FIBER SPLICE |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB7849256A GB2038018B (en) | 1978-12-20 | 1978-12-20 | Optical fibre splice |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB2038018A true GB2038018A (en) | 1980-07-16 |
| GB2038018B GB2038018B (en) | 1983-01-19 |
Family
ID=10501839
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB7849256A Expired GB2038018B (en) | 1978-12-20 | 1978-12-20 | Optical fibre splice |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| FR (1) | FR2444953A1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2038018B (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR2623295A1 (en) * | 1987-11-13 | 1989-05-19 | Cordons Equipements Sa | Application to optical fibres of quick-fit couplings used in fluidic connections |
Family Cites Families (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPS5611923B2 (en) * | 1972-10-23 | 1981-03-18 | ||
| GB1544266A (en) * | 1976-03-16 | 1979-04-19 | Standard Telephones Cables Ltd | Connector arrangement for optical fibres |
| GB1561838A (en) * | 1976-04-01 | 1980-03-05 | Standard Telephones Cables Ltd | Terminating optical fibes |
| GB1544535A (en) * | 1976-07-29 | 1979-04-19 | Standard Telephones Cables Ltd | Coupling optical fibres |
| FR2386829A1 (en) * | 1977-04-04 | 1978-11-03 | Labo Cent Telecommunicat | PROCESS FOR PREPARING THE ENDS OF OPTICAL FIBERS |
-
1978
- 1978-12-20 GB GB7849256A patent/GB2038018B/en not_active Expired
-
1979
- 1979-12-19 FR FR7931104A patent/FR2444953A1/en not_active Withdrawn
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR2623295A1 (en) * | 1987-11-13 | 1989-05-19 | Cordons Equipements Sa | Application to optical fibres of quick-fit couplings used in fluidic connections |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| FR2444953A1 (en) | 1980-07-18 |
| GB2038018B (en) | 1983-01-19 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCNP | Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |