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 Title: |
US5305407:
Apparatus and method for underwater fiber-optic coupling
[ Derwent Title ]
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| Country: |
US United States of America
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| Inventor: |
Monroe, Marshall M.; Glendale, CA
Perkins, Kerry M.; Simi Valley, CA
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| Assignee: |
The Walt Disney Company, Burbank, CA
other patents from WALT DISNEY COMPANY (617665) (approx. 101)
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| Published / Filed: |
1994-04-19
/ 1992-10-06
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| Application Number: |
US1992000957265
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| IPC Code: |
Advanced:
G02B 6/42;
Core:
more...
IPC-7:
G02B 6/421;
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| U.S. Class: |
Current:
385/089;
385/088;
385/092;
Original:
385/089;
385/921;
385/088;
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| Field of Search: |
385/089,88,92,90,91,93,39,94
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| Priority Number: |
| 1992-10-06 |
US1992000957265 |
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| Abstract: |
An apparatus and method for underwater coupling of a fiber-optic cable to a light source without exposing the light source to the surrounding water. The apparatus employs an optically clear coupling element having one or more blind holes on one surface sized to snugly hold a fiber optic cable. The coupling element closes a watertight enclosure containing a light source such that the blind holes are on the exterior of the enclosure. Light emitted by the light source can pass through the optically clear coupling element to be received by fiber-optic cables fitted into the exterior blind holes. The fiber optic cables can be removed and replaced without opening the enclosure and exposing the light source to contact by the surrounding water.
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| Attorney, Agent or Firm: |
Pretty, Schroeder, Brueggemann & Clark ;
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| Primary / Asst. Examiners: |
Lee, John D.; Heartney, Phan T.
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| INPADOC Legal Status: |
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| Family: |
None
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First Claim:
Show all 16 claims |
I claim:
1. A fluid impervious coupler for coupling a light source and at least one fiber-optic cable comprising:
- a fluid impervious enclosure defining an interior space in which the light source is housed;
- an optically clear coupling element forming a part of said enclosure;
- said coupling element having an interior surface facing into said interior space, and
- an exterior surface facing outwardly from said enclosure; and
- a blind hole extending into said exterior surface less than all the way through said coupling element, said blind hole sized to snugly hold the fiber-optic cable and form a friction fit therewith, the light from the light source passing through said optically clear coupling element into the fiber-optic cable for transmission along it,
whereby the fiber-optic cable can be removed and replaced without intrusion of fluid into said fluid impervious enclosure.
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| Background / Summary: |
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| Drawing Descriptions: |
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| Description: |
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| Forward References: |
Show 4 U.S. patent(s) that reference this one
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