U.S. patent application number 10/604564 was filed with the patent office on 2004-09-16 for system for bending polymer or glass optical wave guides.
This patent application is currently assigned to LITTON SYSTEMS, INC.. Invention is credited to Montgomery, Eric W., Speer, Robert W..
Application Number | 20040179801 10/604564 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32684679 |
Filed Date | 2004-09-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040179801 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Montgomery, Eric W. ; et
al. |
September 16, 2004 |
SYSTEM FOR BENDING POLYMER OR GLASS OPTICAL WAVE GUIDES
Abstract
A bend (B) in a wave guide (G) is formed having two angled cuts
(201, 202) on either side of a middle pivot point (207). The angled
cuts (201, 202) extend through a first side of a cladding layer
(101) of the wave guide formed with at least one inner layer (102)
and one outer layer (101). The wave guide (G) is then bent at the
angled cuts about the middle pivot point (207) to make a desired
angle bend. The middle pivot point (207) has a reflective angled
surface (401) such that light (404) propagating through the wave
guide (G) will be reflected and turned at the desired angle.
Inventors: |
Montgomery, Eric W.;
(Springfield, MO) ; Speer, Robert W.;
(Springfield, MO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MARSTELLER & ASSOCIATES, P.C.
PO BOX 803302
DALLAS
TX
75380-3302
US
|
Assignee: |
LITTON SYSTEMS, INC.
1840 Century Park East
Los Angeles
CA
|
Family ID: |
32684679 |
Appl. No.: |
10/604564 |
Filed: |
July 30, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60319667 |
Nov 4, 2002 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
385/129 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G02B 2006/12119
20130101; G02B 6/43 20130101; G02B 6/125 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
385/129 |
International
Class: |
G02B 006/10 |
Claims
1. A method for bending a wave guide comprising the steps of:
forming two angled cuts on either side of a middle pivot point
having a first and second sides, said angled cuts extending through
a first side of a cladding layer of the wave guide formed with at
least one inner core layer and one outer cladding layer; and
pivoting the wave guide at the angled cuts about the middle pivot
point to make a desired angle bend in the wave guide, whereby the
middle pivot point has a reflective angled surface such that light
propagating through the wave guide will be reflected and turned at
the desired angle.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the wave guide is a polymer
optical wave guide.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the wave guide is a glass optical
wave guide.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein each of the angle cut creates an
angle approximately forty five degrees symmetrically formed about
an axis normal to a longitudinal axis of the wave guide extending
through a vertex of each respective angle cut.
5. A wave guide of the type having a signal transmissive core
element and at least one cladding layer, the wave guide having a
bend comprising: two angled cuts formed on either side of a middle
pivot point having a first and second sides, said angled cuts
extending through a first side of a cladding layer of the wave
guide; and the wave guide having been pivoted at the angled cuts
about the middle pivot point to make a desired angle bend in the
wave guide, whereby the middle pivot point has a reflective angled
surface such that light propagating through the wave guide will be
reflected and turned at the desired angle.
6. The invention of claim 5 wherein the wave guide is a polymer
optical wave guide.
7. The invention of claim 5 wherein the wave guide is a glass
optical wave guide.
8. The invention of claim 5 wherein each of the angle cut creates
an angle approximately forty five degrees symmetrically formed
about an axis normal to a longitudinal axis of the wave guide
extending through a vertex of each respective angle cut.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application Serial No. 60/319,667, filed Nov. 4, 2002, entitled
SYSTEM FOR BENDING POLYMER OR GLASS OPTICAL WAVE GUIDES.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0002] 1. Technical Field
[0003] The present invention relates to a method of optical
interconnection for optical transmission between a printed circuit
board ("PCB") daughter card and PCB backplane or midplane. More
particularly, the present invention describes a method of turning a
polymer wave-guide at a right angle at the PCB daughter card-PCB
backplane/midplane interface using a technique that maintains
waveguide alignment.
[0004] 2. Background Art
[0005] Optical wave-guides are generally constructed with a core of
a light transmissible material and one or more cladding layers. The
core may be made of synthetic plastic or polymer or a glass
material. Additionally, the choice of core and cladding materials
determine whether the wave-guide member is flexible or rigid.
[0006] Optical interconnect technology lacks reliable and cost
effective method for turning a known wave-guide member at a right
angle for the purpose of optical interconnection between a PCB
daughter card and PCB backplane. The present invention offers an
efficient solution for ninety degree bending and re-alignment of a
flexible polymer wave-guide.
[0007] While the above cited references introduce and disclose a
number of noteworthy advances and technological improvements within
the art, none completely fulfills the specific objectives achieved
by this invention.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0008] The present invention consists of a right-angle turn in a
polymer optical wave-guide layer that has at least one cladding
layer of a lower index of refraction material on both sides (above
and below) or surrounding the core element.
[0009] Two angled cuts are machined, using micro-machining
techniques such as etching or laser ablation, through the top
cladding layer and the wave-guide located in the middle or center
layer. The angles are of a magnitude that will sum to ninety
degrees total at the two joints when the top three layers are bent
so that the angled faces are joined.
[0010] The angle of the cuts will be such that two joints of
forty-five degrees each will be created on either side of a middle
pivot piece. Thus a reflective angled surface is created such that
the light propagating through the wave-guide is reflected and
turned at a right angle.
[0011] These and other objects, advantages and features of this
invention will be apparent from the following description taken
with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein is shown the
preferred embodiments of the invention
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0012] A more particular description of the invention briefly
summarized above is available from the exemplary embodiments
illustrated in the drawings and discussed in further detail below.
Through this reference, it can be seen how the above cited
features, as well as others that will become apparent, are obtained
and can be understood in detail. The drawings nevertheless
illustrate only typical, preferred embodiments of the invention and
are not to be considered limiting of its scope as the invention may
admit to other equally effective embodiments.
[0013] FIG. 1 is a side view of a known wave-guide and cladding
layers before modification.
[0014] FIG. 2 shows the two forty-five degree notches cut into the
top cladding layer of the wave-guide.
[0015] FIG. 3 shows the angle from normal of the edges of both
cuts.
[0016] FIG. 4 shows the wave-guide bent at a right angle.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] So that the manner in which the above recited features,
advantages, and objects of the present invention are attained can
be understood in detail, more particular description of the
invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to the
embodiment thereof that is illustrated in the appended drawings. In
all the drawings, identical numbers represent the same
elements.
[0018] The present interconnect scheme provides a unique method of
turning a wave-guide at a right angle that is both cost effective
and simple in nature.
[0019] FIG. 1 shows the side view of a known wave-guide G having an
inner element 102 sandwiched between two cladding layers 101, 103.
The layers 101, 103 are of a lower index of refraction to promote
internal reflection of the signal 404. Layer 101 is the top
cladding layer, which will be cut or etched, and core element 102
is the wave-guide layer, which will also be cut or etched.
[0020] Core element 102 can consist of a plastic, polymer or glass
material that has a characteristic ability to transmit a selected
signal such as a beam or ray of light 404.
[0021] Cladding layer 103 is the bottom cladding layer that will
remain intact, but is to be bent. This arrangement will add
rigidity and a natural alignment to the structure.
[0022] FIG. 2 shows the total angle of the cut in the top two
layers 101, 102 of the arrangement. Groove 201 is a cut or etched
area. Groove 201 spans forty-five degrees from one side to the
other, and should be symmetrical about an axis 203 perpendicular to
a longitudinal axis 204 through the wave-guide.
[0023] FIG. 3 shows the angle of the cut or etched area 201 from
the normal line 203 extending out of the vertex. The total
forty-five degrees is broken down into two symmetrical angles 301
and 302 twenty-two and a half degrees to either side of the normal
203. The two surfaces 304, 205 on either side of the cut or etched
area 201 will join or tightly abut next to each other, allowing the
wave guide G to be bent forty-five degrees.
[0024] Similarly, the wave guide G can be bent along a normal axis
extending from the vertex of the angle cut 202 bringing together
the opposing surfaces forming the angle cut 202.
[0025] The presence of two overlapping or adjacent cut or etched
areas 201 and 202 will allow for a total bend of ninety degrees. As
is shown in FIG. 2, angle cuts 201 and 202 are formed having
adjacent sides 205 of angle cut 201 and side 206 of angle cut 202
intersect at an apex or pivot point 207. Pivot point 207 is
preferably positioned aligned between or with the outer or exterior
surface 208 of cladding layer 101.
[0026] FIG. 4 shows the final bent structure with a light signal
404 passing through the wave-guide portion 102. The back surface
401 of the bend B in the wave-guide layer 102 helps turn the signal
404 through reflection.
[0027] The wave guide G is illustrated having two cladding
layers.
[0028] It should be understood that a core element 102 surrounded
by one or more cladding layers may also be used by taking the
measurements and cuts along a central longitudinal axis of the wave
guide G. Additionally, a right angle bend in shown in the wave
guide, but other angles greater or less than ninety degrees may be
similarly formed adjusting the angles of cuts 201 and 202.
[0029] It is anticipated that the optical interconnect system
described by the present invention can provide a method of
constructing a right angle bend in a wave-guide in a more cost
efficient and simpler process than previous methods.
[0030] It is readily apparent that the present invention will be a
great improvement over existing technology. The present invention
will be easily compatible with current PCB manufacturing processes,
thus allowing for ease of manufacture in a typical factory tooled
for the production of printed circuit boards.
[0031] The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention
are illustrative and explanatory thereof, and various changes in
the size, shape and materials, as well as in the details of the
illustrated construction may be made with-out departing from the
spirit of the invention.
* * * * *