Optical Fiber Coupler With Fluid Passages for Cooling Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical couplers do not effectively enhance light transmission between optical fibers and facilitate cooling, which are essential for efficient signal transmission and fiber maintenance.
Innovation Solution
The design includes a conduit coupler that optically and fluidly connects two conduits, each containing an optics line and a fluid passage, ensuring precise alignment and fluid coupling to enhance light transmission and cooling, with features like connectors, seals, and a nut-and-insert configuration for secure alignment and fluid passage alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional optical couplers are used to connect optical fibers, then the basic coupling function is achieved, but light transmission efficiency is insufficient and cooling capability is lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the optical coupling function and fluid cooling function into a single integrated coupler structure. The coupler simultaneously aligns optical fibers for light transmission and provides fluid passages for cooling, eliminating the need for separate cooling components and thereby improving light transmission efficiency without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupler is designed as a multi-functional component that performs both optical alignment/coupling and thermal management through integrated fluid passages. This universal design allows a single component to serve multiple purposes: optical fiber alignment, light signal transmission, and active cooling, thereby addressing the limitation of conventional single-function couplers.
2Reliability
If optical fibers are tightly coupled to improve light transmission, then signal quality improves, but heat accumulation increases and cooling becomes necessary
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a fluid medium as an intermediary between the optical fibers and the external cooling system. Fluid passages are integrated into the coupler structure, allowing cooling fluid to flow directly around the optical fibers, efficiently carrying away heat generated during high-quality signal transmission while maintaining the tight coupling necessary for signal quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupler incorporates hydraulic cooling through integrated fluid passages that allow liquid cooling medium to circulate around the optical fibers. This hydraulic cooling system efficiently removes heat from the fibers during high-power operation, enabling sustained high-quality signal transmission without excessive temperature rise.
3Manufacturing precision
If precise alignment features are added to improve optical coupling, then light transmission improves, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupler is designed with segmented functional zones: optical alignment features are separated from fluid passage features, and the connector body is divided into distinct functional sections. This segmentation allows each feature to be optimized independently and manufactured using specialized processes, then assembled into the final coupler, thereby achieving high precision without proportionally increasing overall manufacturing complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration significantly improves light transmission efficiency between optical fibers, achieving at least 90% alignment and transmission, while also facilitating effective cooling through integrated fluid passages, thereby addressing the limitations of existing couplers.
Implementation Method 1
The first optics line is optically coupled to the second optics line at the interface
Implementation Method 2
facilitate cooling for the optical fibers
Data Source
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AI summary
An optical system (20) is provided that includes a first conduit (22A), a second conduit (228) and a conduit coupler (24). The first conduit (22A) includes a first optics line (28A) and a first fluid passage (44A) extending longitudinally along the first optics line (28A). The second conduit (228) includes a second optics line (288) and a second fluid passage (44B) extending longitudinally along the second optics line (28B). The conduit coupler (24) removably connects the first conduit (22A) to the second conduit (228) at an interface within the conduit coupler (24). The first optics line (28A) is optically coupled to the second optics line (288) at the interface. The first fluid passage (44A) is fluidly coupled with the second fluid passage (44B) at the interface.