Granted Patent B1

US 6,974,261 · App. 10/743,983 · Granted Dec 13, 2005

Abstract

Claims (32)

1. A method of mounting a fiber optic unit to a photosensor, the method comprising the steps to:

mounting the photosensor to a first carrier;

bonding a first end of the fiber optic unit to the photosensor to create a joint between the fiber optic unit and the photosensor;

mounting a second end of the fiber optic unit to a second carrier; and

compressing the joint between the fiber optic unit and the photosensor to strengthen the bond between the fiber optic unit and the photosensor.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of aligning an optical axis of the fiber optic unit with an optical axis of the photosensor.

3. The method of claim 2 , further comprising the step of applying a pressure along the optical axis of the fiber optic unit.

4. The method of claim 2 , further comprising the step of applying a pressure along the optical axis of the photosensor.

5. The method of claim 2 , further comprising the step of applying a flexible backing along the optical axis of the photosensor.

6. The method of claim 5 , further comprising the step of applying a pressure to the flexible backing.

7. The method of claim 5 , further comprising the step of compressing the flexible backing.

8. The method of claim 5 , further comprising the step of applying at least one compression force to the flexible backing.

9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of applying a pressure to a side of the first carrier.

10. A device for mounting a fiber optic unit to a photosensor, the device comprising:

a photosensor mounted to a first carrier;

a fiber optic unit coupled to the photosensor to create a joint between the photosensor and the fiber optic unit; and

a force applying means coupled to the photosensor and the fiber optic unit for applying a compression force to the joint substartially in an axial direction of the fiber optic unit.

11. The device of claim 10 , wherein the force applying means includes a second carrier mounted to the fiber optic unit.

12. The device of claim 10 , wherein the force applying means includes a flexible backing coupled to the first carrier.

13. The device of claim 12 , wherein the flexible backing is formed from a paste material.

14. The device of claim 10 , wherein the force applying means includes a spring.

15. The device of claim 14 , wherein the spring presses the flexible backing against the first carrier.

16. A device for mounting a fiber optic unit to a photosensor, the device comprising:

a photosensor mounted to a carrier;

a fiber optic unit bonded to the photosensor at a joint between the photosensor and the fiber optic unit; and

a force applying apparatus coupled to the photosensor and the fiber optic unit for applying a compression force to the joint substantially in an axial direction of the fiber optic unit.

17. The device for mounting of claim 16 , wherein the force applying apparatus includes a spring and a flexible layer between the spring and the photosensor.

18. A method of mounting a fiber optic unit to a photosensor, the method comprising the steps of:

mounting the photosensor to a carrier;

bonding a first end of the fiber optic unit to the photosensor at a joint between the fiber optic unit and the photosensor; and

compressing the joint between the fiber optic unit and the photosensor substantially in an axial direction of the fiber optic unit.

19. The method of mounting of claim 18 , further comprising the steps of aligning an optical axis of the fiber optic unit with an optical axis of the photosensor and applying pressure along at least one of the optical axis of the fiber optic unit and the optical axis of the photosensor.

Assignments (9)