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WO1990004803A1 - Interrupteur optique - Google Patents

Interrupteur optique Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1990004803A1
WO1990004803A1 PCT/AU1989/000459 AU8900459W WO9004803A1 WO 1990004803 A1 WO1990004803 A1 WO 1990004803A1 AU 8900459 W AU8900459 W AU 8900459W WO 9004803 A1 WO9004803 A1 WO 9004803A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
fibre
reflective face
optical switch
cover
relative
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.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/AU1989/000459
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Robert Brunswick
Pieter Albert Otten
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
AUSTRALIAN OPTICAL FIBRE RESEARCH Pty Ltd
Original Assignee
AUSTRALIAN OPTICAL FIBRE RESEARCH Pty Ltd
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by AUSTRALIAN OPTICAL FIBRE RESEARCH Pty Ltd filed Critical AUSTRALIAN OPTICAL FIBRE RESEARCH Pty Ltd
Publication of WO1990004803A1 publication Critical patent/WO1990004803A1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

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
    • G02B6/26—Optical coupling means
    • G02B6/35—Optical coupling means having switching means
    • G02B6/351—Optical coupling means having switching means involving stationary waveguides with moving interposed optical elements
    • G02B6/3512—Optical coupling means having switching means involving stationary waveguides with moving interposed optical elements the optical element being reflective, e.g. mirror
    • G02B6/3516—Optical coupling means having switching means involving stationary waveguides with moving interposed optical elements the optical element being reflective, e.g. mirror the reflective optical element moving along the beam path, e.g. controllable diffractive effects using multiple micromirrors within the beam
    • 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
    • G02B6/35—Optical coupling means having switching means
    • G02B6/354—Switching arrangements, i.e. number of input/output ports and interconnection types
    • G02B6/3544—2D constellations, i.e. with switching elements and switched beams located in a plane
    • G02B6/3548—1xN switch, i.e. one input and a selectable single output of N possible outputs
    • G02B6/3552—1x1 switch, e.g. on/off switch
    • 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
    • G02B6/35—Optical coupling means having switching means
    • G02B6/3564—Mechanical details of the actuation mechanism associated with the moving element or mounting mechanism details
    • G02B6/3568—Mechanical details of the actuation mechanism associated with the moving element or mounting mechanism details characterised by the actuating force
    • G02B6/3572—Magnetic force

Definitions

  • This invention relates to an optical switch and to a method of assembling such a switch, and more particularly provides a switch which is selectively adaptable for response to a variety of kinds of actuator to generate ON/OFF signals in a fibre optic sensing network.
  • a known class of optical switches relies on movement of a reflective element relative to the mouth of an optical fibre.
  • the element may move laterally of the light path or along the light path to intersect an incident diverging cone of light from the fibre and so vary the proportion of received light which is reflected back along the fibre.
  • Several practical difficulties remain with these devices. They are relatively complex and generally rely on sliding sealing elements such as elastomeric 0-rings. Because the reflection signal, at the ON position in particular, is very sensitive to the precise position of the
  • SUBSTITUTESHEET reflector and because it is also important to avoid cyclic contact with the end of the fibre even though the reflector may necessarily be very close to the end of the fibre, precision manufacturing is required to tolerances of the order of 10 microns. Because the reflector is usually in contact with the air, the need to avoid condensation on the reflector limits the range of applications for switch devices of the kind in question.
  • the invention accordingly provides, in a first aspect, a method of assembling an optical switch, comprising:- securing a body to an end of an optical fibre; disposing a reflective face to reflect at least a proportion of light received from said end of the fibre back along the fibre, which face is provided on a first member which is moveable relative to said body by an externally applied magnetic, electric or electromagnetic field to in turn move said reflective face relative to said end of the fibre; adjusting said first member to vary the displacement of the reflective face from said end of the fibre until a desired higher value of reflected signal is monitored in said fibre; placing a second member on said body with means biasing said reflective face to maintain said higher value; applying an external magnetic, electric or electromagnetic field to move said reflective face to a new position with respect to said end of the fibre; and adjusting the second member relative to said body to vary said new position until a desired lower value of reflected signal is monitored in said fibre.
  • the second member is preferably a cover defining a cavity for the first member and the biasing means and the method advantageously further includes sealingly securing the cover along the body after said adjustment of the second member.
  • securement of said body to said end of the fibre preferably includes sealingly securing the body about the fibre.
  • the invention also affords an optical switch when assembled or manufactured by the aforesaid method.
  • the invention further provides an optical switch comprising: means to locate an end of an optical fibre; and a member providing a reflective face disposed to reflect at least a proportion of light received from said end of the fibre back along the fibre and movable by an externally applied magnetic, electric or electromagnetic field, relative to said fibre location means, to in turn relatively move said reflective face between two different positions relative to said end of the fibre.
  • the switch according to the second aspect of the invention preferably further includes means, e.g. a helical spring, to act on said member to bias said reflective face to one of said positions.
  • a cover may be further provided to support said biasing means and this cover is preferably sealingly secured to a body providing said fibre locating means.
  • the said member advantageously includes a plunger slideable in a complementary bore in said body, and having an end surface which provides said reflective face.
  • the body may be sealingly secured about the fibre.
  • the end of the fibre, said member and the biasing means may be disposed in a gastight enclosure defined by the cover and body: this enclosure preferably contains a substantially moisture-free atmosphere, e.g. of nitrogen.
  • the moveable member, plunger, cover and optical fibre are conveniently co-axial.
  • Figure 1 is a perspective view of a magnetically operated optical switch according to the invention
  • Figure 2 is an axial cross-section of the switch, shown in its normal ON position
  • Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 but shows the switch in its OFF position
  • Figures 4a and 4b schematically show stages in a preferred assembly of the switch of Figures 1 to 3 in accordance with the method of the invention.
  • the illustrated optical switch 10 is shown in situ at the end of a length of optical fibre 12 and includes an annular body 14 with an axial bore 15, secured to fibre 12, a two-part moveable member 16 comprising an annular slug 18 and a solid cylindrical plunger 20 slideable in bore 15, and a cover 22.
  • the end of plunger 20 remote from slug 18 is polished to provide a reflective face 21 opposite the open end 13 of fibre 12.
  • Body 14 is counterbored at 23 to receive a standard ferrule connector 24 fitted to the segment of fibre 12 so that the fibre extends through a capillary bore in the connector.
  • the end 13 of the fibre is flush with the inner end of ferrule connector 24 and is displaced from the inner end of counterbore 23.
  • Fibre 12 is typically shielded by a reinforced sheath 12a including a threaded socket 26 which threadingly engages a spigot portion 14a of body 14.
  • Cover 22 has a disc base 28 and a relatively thin annular skirt 30 which is an interference fit at 25 about the outer peripheral surface of body 14 and thereby defines with the end of body 14 a cavity 32.
  • Cavity 32 houses slug 18 and a helical compression spring 34.
  • Spring 34 is disposed between the underside of cover base 28 and an annular shoulder seat 36 on the slug to bias the slug against the inner end face of body 14.
  • Plunger 20 has a forward portion 23a of slightly reduced diameter (e.g.
  • Reflective face 21 has thereby moved to a second, more remote position in front of the end of fibre 12 - the OFF position of Figure 4.
  • the switch is substantially bistable: once slug 18 begins to move under the influence of the magnet, it will certainly complete its travel against the spring, of substantially constant spring constant, to the OFF position.
  • Magnet 8 is conveniently a small rare-earth permanent magnet, or perhaps an electromagnet. In the simple case of linear motion sensing, the magnet might be carried by a moving component whose motion is to be sensed. It might alternatively move past the switch assembly rather than to and from.
  • a magnet to operate switch 10 may be added to known kinds of switch actuators, e.g. conventional industrial microswitches, temperature sensors, pressure sensors, level switches, magnetic proximity switches and pressure gauges.
  • the forward portion 23a of the plunger provides a sliding bearing surface in bore 15 and the advantage of forming this portion with a reduced diameter is that it is thereby substantially not scratched or otherwise damaged as it is polished through slug 18.
  • Tool 7 is then employed to push plunger 20 (Figure 4A) further in bore 19 and towards the end 13 of the fibre until a predetermined maximum reflection signal is monitored further along fibre 12 at a detector 6. This defines the ON position.
  • Spring 34 and cover 22 are then brought into place, in the latter case by forcing the cover onto body 14.
  • a magnet 8a is brought up to the outside of the cover to drive slug 18 against the underside of cover base 28.
  • the cover While maintaining the magnet, the cover is forced by a tool 7a into axial movement on the body ( Figure 4B) until a predetermined minimum reflection signal is monitored on fibre 12 at detector 6. This is the OFF position.
  • the interface between body and cover is then sealingly secured (e.g. by epoxy cement applied when the two were first brought together) to form, with the sealed securement of ferrule connector 24 in body counterbore 23, a gas-tight nitrogen-filled moisture-free enclosure housing the spring, plunger and reflector: there is no moisture present to cause condensation on the reflector in subsequent use.
  • the optimum inner position of the reflective face very close to (say 10 microns) but out of contact with fibre end 13 is set in a permanent calibration, as is the optimum outer position.
  • the actual length of the plunger and other parts are not critical. Normal "high volume” engineering tolerances, an order of magnitude greater than those for adequate optical tolerance, are acceptable. The expensive steps of individual grinding and lapping are not required.
  • Body 14 and cover 22 may conveniently be brass, or preferably any other material with a similar thermal expansion coefficient to the material of the slug and plunger.
  • the illustrated switch has several further advantages, in addition to those already indicated. There is no need to have a precise drive linkage, as all the precision is in the sealed switch mechanism. There is also no requirement for over travel protection, as the magnet can move past the switch.
  • the switch is of small physical size and non- intrusive.
  • the switch element is universally applicable to many types of switch mechanism e.g. industrial microswitch, temperature switch, pressure switch, level switch, magnetic proximity switch etc.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Light Control Or Optical Switches (AREA)

Abstract

Interrupteur optique comprenant un corps (14) servant au logement d'une extrémité d'une fibre optique et un élément (20) fournissant une face réfléchissante (21), disposée de manière à réfléchir au moins une partie de la lumière reçue en provenance de l'extrémité arrière de la fibre, le long de cette fibre. Cet élément (20) est déplaçable par rapport au corps (14) renfermant la fibre, au moyen d'un champ magnétique, électrique ou électromagnétique appliqué extérieurement, de manière à opérer un déplacement relatif de la face réfléchissante (21) entre deux positions différentes par rapport à l'extrémité de la fibre. Le procédé de montage d'un tel interrupteur consiste à ajuster l'élément (20) de manière à faire varier le déplacement de la face réfléchissante (21) par rapport à l'extrémité (13) de la fibre (12) jusqu'à ce qu'une valeur désirée plus élevée du signal réfléchi soit détectée dans la fibre. Un second élément (22) est alors placé sur le corps (14) renfermant la fibre, un ressort ou analogue étant prévu pour solliciter élastiquement la face réfléchissante (21), afin de maintenir la valeur plus élevée précitée. Un champ extérieur magnétique, électrique ou électromagnétique est appliqué pour déplacer la face réfléchissante (21) vers une nouvelle position par rapport à l'extrémité (13) de la fibre, puis le second élément (22) est ajusté par rapport au corps (14) renfermant la fibre, pour faire varier cette nouvelle position jsuqu'à ce qu'une valeur désirée plus faible du signal réfléchi soit détectée dans la fibre.
PCT/AU1989/000459 1988-10-24 1989-10-23 Interrupteur optique Ceased WO1990004803A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AUPJ112588 1988-10-24
AUPJ1125 1988-10-24

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1990004803A1 true WO1990004803A1 (fr) 1990-05-03

Family

ID=3773465

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/AU1989/000459 Ceased WO1990004803A1 (fr) 1988-10-24 1989-10-23 Interrupteur optique

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO1990004803A1 (fr)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5179602A (en) * 1991-07-02 1993-01-12 Norcross Corporation Magnetically operated fiber optic switch for controlling light transmission
US5506674A (en) * 1992-05-01 1996-04-09 Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. Method for identifying an optical fiber using a pattern of reflected light
EP1072912A1 (fr) * 1999-07-30 2001-01-31 SEIKOH GIKEN Co., Ltd. Atténuateur optique variable basé sur un miroir de translation linéaire
DE102011108371B4 (de) * 2011-07-22 2014-12-31 Advanced Optics Solutions Gmbh Überwachungssystem für Glasfaser-Netzverteiler
FR3090911A1 (fr) * 2018-12-20 2020-06-26 Latelec Interrupteur optique

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4303303A (en) * 1978-11-29 1981-12-01 Nippon Electric Company, Ltd. Mechanical optical switching device
JPS62102219A (ja) * 1985-10-30 1987-05-12 Toshiba Corp 光バイパス機構付き光伝送装置
JPS62226116A (ja) * 1986-03-27 1987-10-05 Sumitomo Electric Ind Ltd 光スイツチ
WO1988002869A1 (fr) * 1986-10-07 1988-04-21 Amp Incorporated Commutateur optique

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4303303A (en) * 1978-11-29 1981-12-01 Nippon Electric Company, Ltd. Mechanical optical switching device
JPS62102219A (ja) * 1985-10-30 1987-05-12 Toshiba Corp 光バイパス機構付き光伝送装置
JPS62226116A (ja) * 1986-03-27 1987-10-05 Sumitomo Electric Ind Ltd 光スイツチ
WO1988002869A1 (fr) * 1986-10-07 1988-04-21 Amp Incorporated Commutateur optique

Non-Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN, P-625, page 71; & JP,A,62 102 219 (TOSHIBA CORP), 12 May 1987. *
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN, P-680, page 50; & JP,A,62 226 116 (SUMITOMO ELECTRIC IND LTD), 5 October 1987. *

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5179602A (en) * 1991-07-02 1993-01-12 Norcross Corporation Magnetically operated fiber optic switch for controlling light transmission
US5506674A (en) * 1992-05-01 1996-04-09 Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. Method for identifying an optical fiber using a pattern of reflected light
US5671308A (en) * 1992-05-01 1997-09-23 Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. Optical waveguide having diffraction grating area and method of fabricating the same
EP1072912A1 (fr) * 1999-07-30 2001-01-31 SEIKOH GIKEN Co., Ltd. Atténuateur optique variable basé sur un miroir de translation linéaire
US6483982B1 (en) 1999-07-30 2002-11-19 Seikon Giken Co., Ltd. Reflecting-mirror-type variable optical attenuator
DE102011108371B4 (de) * 2011-07-22 2014-12-31 Advanced Optics Solutions Gmbh Überwachungssystem für Glasfaser-Netzverteiler
FR3090911A1 (fr) * 2018-12-20 2020-06-26 Latelec Interrupteur optique

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