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10761280 USView original on Google PatentsCompare ↗Brief ↗

A Sealed, Stamped Metal Assembly for Guiding Light in Fiber Optics

This patent describes a tiny, sealed optical assembly that uses precisely shaped metal parts and mirrors to guide light signals between a fiber optic cable and an electronic light-emitting or light-sensing device without needing lenses between the main mirrors.

Granted 2020ActiveExpires 2039Owned by Cudoquanta FloridaInvented by Robert Ryan Vallance, Jeremy Burke, Rand Dannenberg

Original patent title: “Hermetic optical subassembly”

Plain-English explanation by SahiLast reviewed · August 1, 2026

This patent describes a tiny, sealed optical assembly that uses precisely shaped metal parts and mirrors to guide light signals between a fiber optic cable and an electronic light-emitting or light-sensing device without needing lenses between the main mirrors. Granted to Cudoquanta Florida in 2020 with 22 claims and 1 forward citation, and it is expected to expire in 2039.

Coverage

What does this patent actually cover?

This patent details a "hermetic optical subassembly" designed to precisely direct light signals. It includes a first metal part, called an "optical bench," that holds an optical fiber and has a tiny mirror. A second metal optical bench also has a mirror. Between these two mirrors, light travels without passing through any lenses or prisms. A "carrier" holds a "photonic device," which is something that either creates light (like a laser) or detects it (like a photodetector). All these parts are carefully aligned so light goes from the fiber, bounces off the first mirror, then the second mirror, and finally reaches the photonic device, or vice-versa. The entire assembly is sealed tightly, making it "hermetic" to protect the delicate components. The metal benches and their mirrors are made by "stamping" malleable metal, which allows for very precise shapes. For example, it could connect a laser to a fiber optic cable for high-speed internet.

The gap

What does this patent NOT cover?

  • Does not cover optical assemblies that use lenses or prisms directly between the two main mirrors to guide the light signal.
  • Does not cover assemblies where the optical benches or mirrors are formed by methods other than stamping a malleable metal material.
  • Does not cover non-hermetically sealed optical components, meaning it must be tightly sealed against outside elements.
  • Does not cover direct fiber-to-device coupling without the use of two intermediate mirrors to redirect the optical path.
  • Does not cover systems where the first optical bench, second optical bench, and carrier are not coupled together to form a single package.

These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.

Key facts

Patent numberUS 10761280
StatusActive
FieldTelecom & Wireless
AssigneeCudoquanta Florida
InventorsRobert Ryan Vallance, Jeremy Burke, Rand Dannenberg
Filed2019
Granted2020
Expires2039
Claims22
Times cited1
LitigationNone on record
Value · $88K–$281KModest

What made this novel

The clever part is using precisely stamped malleable metal to form the optical benches and their mirrors. This allows for very accurate alignment of light paths in a compact, robust, and hermetically sealed package, all without needing complex lenses between the main mirrors.

The Patent Drawing

Representative patent drawing for Hermetic optical subassembly (US 10761280)
Representative figure · US 10761280All figures on Google Patents →
Hermetic optical subassembly(Primary claim)telecommunicationssemiconductorsconsumer electronicsmechanical

Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.

Where you've seen this

Real-world examples

01

Fiber optic transceivers in data centers

02

Optical modules for 5G telecommunications infrastructure

03

High-speed optical interconnects for supercomputers

04

Sensors in harsh industrial environments

05

Components for long-haul fiber optic networks

Why it matters

The bigger picture

This technology is important for creating reliable and compact optical communication components. By precisely aligning and sealing these tiny light-guiding parts, it helps ensure that high-speed data signals can travel long distances without degradation. This is crucial for data centers, telecommunications networks, and other applications where optical signals are used to transmit vast amounts of information quickly and dependably. The robust, sealed design protects sensitive components from environmental damage.

Filed

April 8, 2019

Granted

September 1, 2020

Market context

Who's building on this

Companies in this space

Companies specializing in optical networking components and high-speed data transmission are likely building on or using similar principles. Major players like Broadcom, Lumentum, and Coherent (formerly II-VI) continually innovate in compact, high-performance optical subassemblies for data centers and telecom. Startups focused on next-generation optical interconnects also explore robust packaging solutions.

Market impact

This type of technology contributes to the ongoing miniaturization and increased reliability of optical transceivers, which are essential for the growth of high-speed data networks. By enabling more robust and potentially cost-effective manufacturing through stamping, it helps drive down the cost and improve the performance of optical modules. This, in turn, supports the expansion of cloud computing, 5G networks, and other data-intensive applications, making optical communication more accessible and dependable.

Claim 1 — Plain English

What this patent covers

This patent details a "hermetic optical subassembly" designed to precisely direct light signals. It includes a first metal part, called an "optical bench," that holds an optical fiber and has a tiny mirror. A second metal optical bench also has a mirror. Between these two mirrors, light travels without passing through any lenses or prisms. A "carrier" holds a "photonic device," which is something that either creates light (like a laser) or detects it (like a photodetector). All these parts are carefully aligned so light goes from the fiber, bounces off the first mirror, then the second mirror, and finally reaches the photonic device, or vice-versa. The entire assembly is sealed tightly, making it "hermetic" to protect the delicate components. The metal benches and their mirrors are made by "stamping" malleable metal, which allows for very precise shapes. For example, it could connect a laser to a fiber optic cable for high-speed internet.

The clever bit

The clever part is using precisely stamped malleable metal to form the optical benches and their mirrors. This allows for very accurate alignment of light paths in a compact, robust, and hermetically sealed package, all without needing complex lenses between the main mirrors.

What it does not cover

  • Does not cover optical assemblies that use lenses or prisms directly between the two main mirrors to guide the light signal.
  • Does not cover assemblies where the optical benches or mirrors are formed by methods other than stamping a malleable metal material.
  • Does not cover non-hermetically sealed optical components, meaning it must be tightly sealed against outside elements.
  • Does not cover direct fiber-to-device coupling without the use of two intermediate mirrors to redirect the optical path.
  • Does not cover systems where the first optical bench, second optical bench, and carrier are not coupled together to form a single package.

Patent timeline

Filing

Application submitted to the patent office

Publication

Application published, typically 18 months after filing

Grant

Patent officially issued

Expiration

Patent enters public domain

PatentBrief Score

Impact Score

Early stage

Citation count

6/40

Early citations

Claim breadth

15/20

Broad claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more →

Recency

10/20

Granted 5–10 years ago

Assignee scale

0/20

Independent or smaller assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →

PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.

Heuristic Value Estimate

What this patent might be worth

Modest

$88K – $281K

Midpoint $176K · 12.6 yr remaining · industry ×1.5

Adjust inputs →

Heuristic only — blends forward/backward citation counts, claim scope, time remaining, litigation history, and CPC-derived industry baseline. Real valuations need a professional appraisal.

Patent Claims

1 independent claim · 0 dependent

Preamble: A hermetic optical subassembly…

Elements required (9)

  1. A

    : a first optical bench supporting an optical fiber, and comprising at least one first mirror defined by stamping a first malleable metal stock material

  2. B

    a second optical bench comprising at least one second mirror defined by stamping a second malleable metal stock material

  3. C

    a carrier supporting at least one photonic device, wherein the optical fiber, the first mirror, the second mirror and the photonic device are in optical alignment, and the first mirror and the second mirror direct an optical signal between the photonic device and the optical fiber, wherein the optical signal is transmitted between the first mirror and the second mirror without relying on any refractive optical element supported between the first optical bench and the second optical bench, and wherein the first optical bench, the second optical bench and the carrier are coupled to form a hermetic package. 2. The hermetic optical subassembly as in claim 1 , wherein the first optical bench is attached to a top of the second optical bench, and the carrier is attached to a bottom of the second optical bench, and wherein the first optical bench has a body made of a metallic material, the second optical bench has a body made of a metallic material, and the carrier is made of a non-electrically conductive material. 3. The hermetic optical subassembly as in claim 1 , further comprising an optical element supported on the first optical bench, in optical alignment between the first mirror and the optical fiber, wherein the optical element directs optical signals between the optical fiber and the first mirror. 4. The hermetic optical subassembly as in claim 3 , further comprising a plurality of first mirrors, wherein the optical element comprises a filter block supported on the first optical bench, wherein the filter block splits an input optical signal from the optical fiber into a plurality of output optical signals each having a different wavelength, and wherein the output optical signals are each directed at a corresponding one of the plurality of first mirrors, or wherein the filter block combines a plurality of input optical signals of different wavelength directed from the plurality of mirrors into an output optical signals to the optical fiber. 5. The hermetic optical subassembly as in claim 4 , wherein the filter block is a multiplexer that combines a plurality of input optical signals each having a different wavelength into a single output optical signal to be directed to the optical fiber, wherein the photonic device comprises a plurality of transmitters each providing an optical signal of a different wavelength, wherein the first optical bench comprises a plurality of first mirrors and the second optical bench comprises a plurality of second mirrors corresponding to the plurality of first mirrors and corresponding to the plurality of transmitters, and wherein corresponding transmitter, first mirror and second mirror are in optical alignment, and corresponding first mirror and corresponding second mirror direct corresponding optical signal provided by corresponding transmitter to the multiplexer. 6. The hermetic optical subassembly as in claim 5 , wherein the photonic device comprises a plurality of receivers each receiving an optical signal of a different wavelength, wherein the multiplexer operates in reverse to separate a single input optical signal directed from the optical fiber into a plurality of output optical signals each having a different wavelength to be directed to the respective receivers, wherein corresponding first mirror and corresponding second mirror direct corresponding output optical signal to corresponding receiver. 7. The hermetic optical subassembly as in claim 4 , wherein the filter block is a demultiplexer that splits a single input optical signal from the optical fiber into a plurality of output optical signals each having a different wavelength, wherein the photonic device comprises a plurality of receivers each receiving an optical signal of a different wavelength, wherein the first optical bench comprises a plurality of first mirrors and the second optical bench comprises a plurality of second mirrors corresponding to the plurality of first mirrors and corresponding to the plurality of receivers, and wherein corresponding receiver, first mirror and second mirror are in optical alignment, and corresponding first mirror and corresponding second mirror direct corresponding optical signal from the demultiplexer to the corresponding receiver. 8. The hermetic optical subassembly as in claim 7 , wherein the photonic device further comprises a plurality of transmitters each providing an optical signal of a different wavelength, wherein the demultiplexer operates in reverse to combine a plurality of the optical signals each of a different wavelength from the respective transmitters into a single output optical signal to be directed to the optical fiber, wherein corresponding first mirror and corresponding second mirror direct corresponding optical signal from corresponding transmitter. 9. The hermetic optical subassembly as in claim 1 , wherein the photonic device is at least a transmitter or a receiver. 10. The hermetic optical subassembly as in claim 1 , further comprising a thermoelectric cooler supported on the carrier, and wherein the photonic device comprises an edge emitting laser supported on the thermoelectric cooler. 11. The hermetic optical subassembly as in claim 10 , wherein the carrier includes a vertically extending wall made of a hermetic material, wherein electrical traces pass through the vertically extending wall to provide electrical access from exterior of the hermetic package to the photonic device disposed within the hermetic package, and wherein the electrical traces are substantially coplanar with the edge emitting laser. 12. The hermetic optical subassembly as in claim 11 , wherein the carrier is made of a high temperature cofired ceramic material. 13. A method of forming a hermetic optical subassembly, comprising: providing a first optical bench supporting an optical fiber

  4. D

    stamping at least one first mirror on the first optical bench from a first malleable metal stock material

  5. E

    providing a second optical bench comprising at least one second mirror

  6. F

    stamping at least one second mirror on the second optical bench from a second malleable metal stock material, wherein the second mirror has an aspherical concave reflective profile

  7. G

    providing a carrier supporting at least one photonic device

  8. H

    optically aligning the optical fiber, the first mirror, the second mirror and the photonic device, wherein the first mirror and the second mirror direct an optical signal between the photonic device and the optical fiber, and wherein the optical signal is transmitted between the first mirror and the second mirror without relying on any refractive optical element supported between the first optical bench and the second optical bench

  9. I

    and hermetically attaching the first optical bench, the second optical bench and the carrier to form a hermetic package. 14. The method as in claim 13 , wherein the first optical bench is attached to a top of the second optical bench, and the carrier is attached to a bottom of the second optical bench, and wherein the first optical bench has a body made of a metallic material, the second optical bench has a body made of a metallic material, and the carrier is made of a non-electrically conductive material. 15. The method as in claim 13 , further comprising an optical element supported on the first optical bench, in optical alignment between the first mirror and the optical fiber, wherein the optical element directs optical signals between the optical fiber and the first mirror. 16. The method as in claim 15 , wherein the optical element comprises a filter block supported on the first optical bench, wherein the filter block splits an input optical signal from the optical fiber into a plurality of output optical signals each having a different wavelength, and wherein the output optical signals are each directed at a corresponding one of the plurality of mirrors, or wherein the filter block combines a plurality of input optical signals of different wavelength directed from the plurality of mirrors into an output optical signals to the optical fiber. 17. The method as in claim 16 , wherein the filter block is a multiplexer that combines a plurality of input optical signals each having a different wavelength into a single output optical signal to be directed to the optical fiber, wherein the photonic device comprises a plurality of transmitters each providing an optical signal of a different wavelength, wherein the first optical bench comprises a plurality of first mirrors and the second optical bench comprises a plurality of second mirrors corresponding to the plurality of first mirrors and corresponding to the plurality of transmitters, and wherein corresponding transmitter, first mirror and second mirror are in optical alignment, and corresponding first mirror and corresponding second mirror direct corresponding optical signal provided by corresponding transmitter to the multiplexer. 18. The method as in claim 17 , wherein the photonic device comprises a plurality of receivers each receiving an optical signal of a different wavelength, wherein the multiplexer operates in reverse to separate a single input optical signal directed from the optical fiber into a plurality of output optical signals each having a different wavelength to be directed to the respective receivers, wherein corresponding first mirror and corresponding second mirror direct corresponding output optical signal to corresponding receiver. 19. The method as in claim 16 , wherein the filter block is a demultiplexer that splits a single input optical signal from the optical fiber into a plurality of output optical signals each having a different wavelength, wherein the photonic device comprises a plurality of receivers each receiving an optical signal of a different wavelength, wherein the first optical bench comprises a plurality of first mirrors and the second optical bench comprises a plurality of second mirrors corresponding to the plurality of first mirrors and corresponding to the plurality of receivers, and wherein corresponding receiver, first mirror and second mirror are in optical alignment, and corresponding first mirror and corresponding second mirror direct corresponding optical signal from the demultiplexer to the corresponding receiver. 20. The method as in claim 19 , wherein the photonic device further comprises a plurality of transmitters each providing an optical signal of a different wavelength, wherein the demultiplexer operates in reverse to combine a plurality of the optical signals each of a different wavelength from the respective transmitters into a single output optical signal to be directed to the optical fiber, wherein corresponding first mirror and corresponding second mirror direct corresponding optical signal from corresponding transmitter.

Claims are the legal boundaries of the patent. An independent claim stands alone. A dependent claim adds limitations to its parent, narrowing — but not broadening — the scope.

The original legal language

Original claims

22 claims as filed with the patent office.

Concepts involved

ClaimPrior artNon-obviousnessNoveltySpecificationAssigneePatent term

Citations

Patent lineage

Cites earlier patents

59

earlier patents this invention cites as foundations

View prior art →

Cited by later patents

1

later patents that build on this invention

View patents →

Cite this patent

Vallance, R. R., Burke, J., & Dannenberg, R. (2020). A Sealed, Stamped Metal Assembly for Guiding Light in Fiber Optics (U.S. Patent No. 10,761,280). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10761280/hermetic-optical-subassembly

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Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What does A Sealed, Stamped Metal Assembly for Guiding Light in Fiber Optics cover?

This patent describes a tiny, sealed optical assembly that uses precisely shaped metal parts and mirrors to guide light signals between a fiber optic cable and an electronic light-emitting or light-sensing device without needing lenses between the main mirrors.

Who owns patent US 10761280?

Cudoquanta Florida owns this patent, granted in 2020.

When does this patent expire?

This patent is expected to expire on April 8, 2039, when the invention enters the public domain.

What is patent US 10761280 cited by?

This patent has been cited by 1 later patents that build on its ideas.

What problem does this patent solve?

This technology is important for creating reliable and compact optical communication components. By precisely aligning and sealing these tiny light-guiding parts, it helps ensure that high-speed data signals can travel long distances without degradation. This is crucial for data centers, telecommunications networks, and other applications where optical signals are used to transmit vast amounts of information quickly and dependably. The robust, sealed design protects sensitive components from environmental damage.

What does this patent NOT cover?

Does not cover optical assemblies that use lenses or prisms directly between the two main mirrors to guide the light signal.

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Last reviewed: August 1, 2026 · PatentBrief is not a law firm and this is not legal advice.