Patent ID: 6167176
Filing Date: 2000-12-26
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
A hermetically sealed fiber optic coupler for packaging end joined optical fibers, said coupler comprising:(a) at least one first optical fiber having a glass-based portion having a first free end;(b) a second optical fiber having a glass-based portion having a second free end joined to said first free end of the glass-based portion of said first optical fiber to form an end joint;(c) an outer chamber having at least one open end, said outer chamber surrounding said end joint, said outer chamber and said end joint being hermetically sealed with a thermosetting plastic, said outer chamber being evacuated to form a vacuum therein; and(d) a primary tubular sleeve positioned within said outer chamber around said end joint, wherein said primary tubular sleeve is a one piece tube; means for tacking said glass-based portions of said first and second optical fibers directly to said primary tubular sleeve; and means for hermetically sealing the ends of said primary tubular sleeve.