Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide a thermally robust laser probe assembly comprising a cannula, wherein one or more optical fibers extend at least partially through the cannula for transmitting laser light from a laser source to a target location. The probe assembly further comprises a lens housed in the cannula and a protective component press-fitted to the distal end of the cannula, wherein the lens is positioned between the one or more optical fibers and the protective component.

Abstract: A fiber optic connection system includes a fiber optic connector and an adapter assembly. The fiber optic connector is coupled to the adapter assembly with a fast coupling mechanism. The fast coupling mechanism allows the fiber optic connector to be mounted into the adapter assembly with rotation of the fiber optic connector relative to the adapter assembly less than a full turn.

Abstract: A fully connectorized optic fiber tap assembly is described that includes a first upstream connector interface configured to receive a downstream connector of a first upstream optic fiber line, and a first downstream connector interface configured to receive an upstream connector of a first downstream optic fiber line. The tap assembly further includes a set of service drop line connector interfaces. Moreover, an optic fiber tap of the assembly is configured to: receive an optical signal from the upstream connector interface, extract a portion of the optical signal, direct the extracted portion of the optical signal to the set of service drop line connector interfaces, and pass a remaining portion of the optical signal to the downstream connector interface. The fully connectorized optic fiber tap assembly is configured to be connected to the first upstream optic fiber line and the first downstream optic fiber line without splicing.

Abstract: A hybrid ingress protection adapter and connector assembly, connecting the housing with a releasably replaceable connector and power assembly to an adapter that is mount on a panel. The connector has a pair of lead-ins that protect a ferrule of a plural of fiber optic connectors, and the lead-ins are of varying length allow blind mating of the connector assembly with the adapter assembly.

Abstract: A modular optical connector system is provided for connecting a plurality of different rack enclosures, separate racks, and/or sets of racks. A first plenum has a receptacle configured to connect with a plug in a second plenum. The receptacle comprises a plurality of receptacle sub-housings, each receptacle sub-housing comprising an array of optical ferrules configured to mate with corresponding optical ferrules in a plurality of plug sub-housings of the plug. Each plug sub-housing having a lever tab rotatably connected and configured to mate with mating components on the corresponding receptacle sub-housing. Each sub-housing pair remaining unconnected after the receptacle and plug are mated, each sub-housing pair being independently mated.

Abstract: A fully connectorized optic fiber tap assembly is described that includes a first upstream connector interface configured to receive a downstream connector of a first upstream optic fiber line, and a first downstream connector interface configured to receive an upstream connector of a first downstream optic fiber line. The tap assembly further includes a set of service drop line connector interfaces. Moreover, an optic fiber tap of the assembly is configured to: receive an optical signal from the upstream connector interface, extract a portion of the optical signal, direct the extracted portion of the optical signal to the set of service drop line connector interfaces, and pass a remaining portion of the optical signal to the downstream connector interface. The fully connectorized optic fiber tap assembly is configured to be connected to the first upstream optic fiber line and the first downstream optic fiber line without splicing.

Abstract: A self-cleaning optical fiber connector system for ensuring dust or contaminants are cleared from an optical connection interface is disclosed. In one aspect, the optical fiber connector system includes a connector joining first and second connectors. The adapter has a main body defining a central opening within which the connectors are received. The connectors each include a fiber optic cable secured by a ferrule. In one aspect, the ferrule defines an airflow passageway that narrows between a second opening and a first opening proximate an end face of the cable optical core and cladding. The connectors are constructed such that, as each connector is being inserted into the connector, an air flow is generated through the ferrule airflow passageway, and optionally through an exhaust airflow passageway in the connector. The generated airflow clears debris from the exposed end faces. Electrostatic precipitation may also be used to aid in clearing dust and debris, alone or in combination with air flow effects.

Abstract: A connector assembly has a male portion and a female portion. The male portion has a pair of electrical contacts and ends of a pair of plastic optical fibers attached. The female portion has a set of through-holes configured to accept the electrical contacts of the male portion and the ends of the plastic optical fibers attached to the male portion such that the plastic optical fibers of the male portion abut plastic optical fibers secured to the female portion within the through-holes of the female portion. In one embodiment, the male portion has a cylindrical shroud configured to accept a cylindrical protrusion on the female portion. The female portion also has a nut rotatably attached with internal threads configured to engage external threads located on the cylindrical shroud of the male portion.

Abstract: A connector-equipped plug which has a built-in connector to be inserted into and connected to an adaptor inside a receptacle and is to be connected to the receptacle includes an inner housing that is located on a rear end side in an insertion direction of the connector to hold the connector and has a plurality of protrusions formed on an outer peripheral surface, a spring that pushes the inner housing in the insertion direction, and a tubular outer shell member that has a plurality of recesses formed in an inner peripheral surface. The connector has a tapered shape on a distal end side in the insertion direction, and the recesses are each formed such that the recess decreases gradually in width in the insertion direction and such that a bottom surface gradually approaches a central axis of the outer shell member.

Abstract: A fully connectorized optic fiber tap assembly is described that includes a first upstream connector interface configured to receive a downstream connector of a first upstream optic fiber line, and a first downstream connector interface configured to receive an upstream connector of a first downstream optic fiber line. The tap assembly further includes a set of service drop line connector interfaces. Moreover, an optic fiber tap of the assembly is configured to: receive an optical signal from the upstream connector interface, extract a portion of the optical signal, direct the extracted portion of the optical signal to the set of service drop line connector interfaces, and pass a remaining portion of the optical signal to the downstream connector interface. The fully connectorized optic fiber tap assembly is configured to be connected to the first upstream optic fiber line and the first downstream optic fiber line without splicing.

Abstract: An optical adaptor for mounting to a receptacle to optically couple connectorized optical cables comprises an assembly of an optical extension comprising an optical lens to provide an optical bridging path between a first and a second one of the connectorized optical cables to optically couple the first and the second connectorized optical cable. The assembly of the optical extension has a first side to optically couple the first connectorized optical cable to the optical lens and a second side to optically couple the second connectorized optical cable to the optical lens. A mounting element is configured to receive the assembly of the optical extension and to mount the optical adaptor to the receptacle.

Abstract: One or more embodiments of the disclosure relates to an end cap holder for fixing an end cap to aid in alignment with an optical fiber prior to splicing by a splicing device. The use of the end cap holder may provide a method to fix an end cap holder having a different diameter from an optical fiber that the splicing device may be set up or adjusted for.

Abstract: An optical fiber holding component includes a ferrule; an optical fiber including a front end portion which is inserted into the ferrule and is fixed thereto, and includes a rear end side drawn to an outside from a rear end of the ferrule; a holder which surrounds part of the optical fiber drawn from the rear end of the ferrule and holds a rear end portion of the ferrule; and a case including a press-fitted region press-fitted to a front end side portion of the holder which is located at a position closer to a front end side than to a rear end surface position of the ferrule, the case including a covering portion situated closer to a rear end side than to the press-fitted region, the covering portion having an inner diameter larger than an outer diameter of the holder and surrounding the holder.

Abstract: A fully connectorized optic fiber tap assembly is described that includes a first upstream connector interface configured to receive a downstream connector of a first upstream optic fiber line, and a first downstream connector interface configured to receive an upstream connector of a first downstream optic fiber line. The tap assembly further includes a set of service drop line connector interfaces. Moreover, an optic fiber tap of the assembly is configured to: receive an optical signal from the upstream connector interface, extract a portion of the optical signal, direct the extracted portion of the optical signal to the set of service drop line connector interfaces, and pass a remaining portion of the optical signal to the downstream connector interface. The fully connectorized optic fiber tap assembly is configured to be connected to the first upstream optic fiber line and the first downstream optic fiber line without splicing.

Abstract: A two-part fiber optic collimator has a precision adjuster for controlling the position of a spring-biased lens carrier with respect to the collimator's body. An interchangeable fiber optic connector adaptor is attached to the collimator body for accurately positioning the end of a fiber optic cable in the collimator.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to simply position a lens and an optical fiber while suppressing an increase in cost. An optical coupling member includes an optical fiber (13), a holder (11) that holds the optical fiber (13) inserted from an insertion hole (11a) formed at one end, and a lens such as a collimator lens (12) accommodated in an accommodation section (11c) formed at the other end of the holder (11), in which positioning is performed by causing the lens and/or the end face of the optical fiber (13) to come into contact with a tapered surface provided at a position facing the lens (12) and the optical fiber (13) in a protruding portion (11e) formed on an inner surface in the vicinity of the accommodation section (11c) of the holder (11).

Abstract: A terminus for a fiber optic cable includes a ferrule. In one embodiment, an optical fiber of the cable passes through a central bore of the ferrule and is attached to a lens seated in a conical or cylindrical seat formed in an end surface of the ferrule by an epoxy. In a second embodiment, an optical fiber of the cable passes through the central bore of the ferrule. Next, a cap sleeve with a lens therein is slid over and attached to the ferrule such that the lens abuts or is attached to the optical fiber. In either embodiment, an inspection slot may optionally be formed in the ferrule and/or the cap sleeve to allow a technician to inspect the state of the attachment and/or abutment and/or spacing of the optical fiber and the lens.

Abstract: An example medical device system includes a reusable connector cable having a female adaptor and a first fiber optic cable disposed within the reusable connector cable. A single use device is capable of connecting to the reusable connector cable and includes a male adaptor capable of mating with the female adaptor. A second fiber optic cable extends through the single use device such that the second fiber optic cable optically connects to the first fiber optic cable when the male adaptor of the single use device is disposed within the female adaptor of the reusable connector cable. A cleaning assembly is disposed within the single use device and is capable of cleaning an end of the first fiber optic cable when the male adaptor of the single use device is mated with the female adaptor of the reusable connector cable.

Abstract: An optical coupling member includes an optical fiber (13), a holder (11) that holds the optical fiber inserted from an insertion hole (11a) formed at one end, and a lens such as a collimator lens (12) accommodated in an accommodation section (11c) formed at the other end of the holder (11), the optical coupling member performing positioning by causing at least one of the lens and the end face of the optical fiber (13) to come into contact with an abutting surface (11e1, 11e2) formed in the vicinity of the accommodation section (11c) by providing a recess (11e) on an outer circumference near the accommodation section (11c) of the holder (11), in which a plurality of the recesses (11e) are provided on an identical plane orthogonal to an insertion direction of the optical fiber (13).

Abstract: An optical connector includes a lens assembly that has at least one lens and a surface. A cleaning element is provided to clean the surface or a surface of another optical connector.

Abstract: An optical lens connector includes a flat lens and substantially flat alignment surfaces. A lens body has a planar surface, and an optical lens is disposed in the lens body. The lens is a GRIN lens with a flat optical surface through which a light signal is propagated. The flat surface of the optical lens and the connector face enables the lens to be cleaned, and can reduce degradation due to contamination. The lens body can be housed in a sleeve as a rail guide to provide alignment of the lens with a mating connector lens.

Abstract: An optics system module for use in an optical communications module is provided that can be more easily aligned with the module during the mounting process, that reduces the possibility of the fiber ends being damaged when they are connected to the respective optical ports of the optics system, and that eliminates or reduces the occurrence of Fresnel losses at the interfaces between the fiber end faces and the optical ports. The optical ports have non-round shapes that are symmetrical to the shapes of the fibers in the transverse direction, i.e., in the direction that is transverse to the optical axes of the fibers. The non-round, symmetrical shape of the optical ports reduces the amount of force that the optical ports exert on the respective optical fibers.

Abstract: An optical fiber head includes an optical fiber, a lens, and a casing which accommodates and holds the optical fiber and the lens. The casing has a crimping portion which accommodates and holds the optical fiber when a part of the crimping portion in the axial direction of the casing is plastically deformed such that the crimping portion is virtually equally reduced in diameter in a circumferential direction. The part of the optical fiber which is held by the crimping portion has a coating to coat the core wire. The crimping portion is provided at a back end side of the casing at a distance from the place where a leading end face of the optical fiber is positioned along the axial direction of the casing.

Abstract: An optical fiber connector includes a main body, lens portions, and optical fibers. The main body includes a first side surface and a second side surface opposite to the first side surface. The main body defines a cavity between the first and second side surfaces, and a number of accommodating holes extending through the first side surface and communicating with the cavity. The cavity includes an inner surface. The lens portions are positioned on the second side surface, and each lens portion is coaxial with a corresponding accommodating hole. A focal plane of each lens portion overlaps the inner surface. The optical fibers are fixed in the accommodating holes. An end of each optical fiber is fixed at the focal plane of a corresponding lens portion. The main body includes a bottom surface and defines a through hole in the cavity. The through hole passes through the bottom surface.

Abstract: A method of tuning a fiber optic connector includes: assembling the fiber optic connector to a partially assembled state; tuning the fiber optic connector in the partially assembled state; assembling the fiber optic connector to an assembled state; and tuning the fiber optic connector in the assembled state.

Abstract: An optical signal coupling assembly includes a first connector and a second connector. The first connector includes a first main body and a number of first optical coupling lenses. The second connector includes a second main body and a plurality of second optical coupling lenses to be optically coupled with the first optical coupling lenses. The first main body further includes two first connecting members, and the second main body further includes two second connecting members. The second connecting member matches with the first connecting member, the first connecting member and the second connecting member are configured for both fixing and aligning the first connector with the second connector.

Abstract: In order to fix an optical fiber to a desired position in a holding member easily and tightly, provided is an optical collimator (10) having a plastic optical fiber (13) and a cylindrical holder (11). The holder (11) is configured to hold a collimator lens (12) at an end and has an insertion hole (11a) at an opposite end for inserting the plastic optical fiber (13). The plastic optical fiber (13) is sandwiched by an inner surface of a recess (11e) which is formed at a part of the holder (11) in proper alignment with the collimator lens (12).

Abstract: An optical fiber connector includes a main body, a number of lens portions, a number of restricting members, and a number of optical fibers. The main body includes a first side surface and a second side surface opposite to the first side surface. The main body defines a cavity between the first and second side surfaces, and a number of accommodating holes extending through the first side surface and communicating with the cavity. The lens portions are positioned on the second side surface, and each lens portion is coaxial with a corresponding accommodating hole. The restricting members are arranged in the cavity. The optical fibers are fixed in the accommodating holes. Each optical fiber is restricted by a corresponding restricting member and an end of each optical fiber is fixed at the focal plane of a corresponding lens portion.

Abstract: An expanded beam optical connector including a connector body, an optical element in the form of a waveguide or active device, a beam width altering optical lens, and a transmit/receive window. The optical element, the beam width altering optical lens, and the transmit/receive window are configured such that optical signals propagate between the optical element and the transmit/receive window via the beam width altering optical lens. The transmit/receive window includes an optical medium that forms an interior surface of the transmit/receive window, an optical transition layer between the interior surface formed by the optical medium, and a protective layer forming an exterior surface of the transmit/receive window. The connector body is configured to place the exterior surface of the transmit/receive window in close contact with a mating exterior surface of a mating transmit/receive window of a complementary optical device to define a close contact portion.

Abstract: The expanded beam, fiber optic connector includes an optical fiber, and a ferrule. The optical fiber includes a modified mode field diameter segment. The ferrule includes a recess. The optical fiber is retained by the ferrule. The modified mode field diameter segment is positioned in the recess of the ferrule.

Abstract: A method of tuning a mold for an optical component, the method comprising: (a) molding an optical component comprising at least: (i) a body portion defining a first face; (ii) at least one optical element on the first face, the optical element having a certain geometry; (iii) at least one alignment element on the first face selected from one of an alignment hole or an alignment pin; and (iv) at least one inspection element in a position fixed relative to the at least one alignment element on the first face; (b) measuring the location of the inspection element on the front face relative to the optical element; (c) comparing the location to a standard to determine a difference; and (d) if the difference is significant, adjusting a component of the mold to change the location of the alignment element relative to the optical element and reiterating steps (a)-(c).

Abstract: An apparatus is provided and includes a housing, a block formed to define an array of holes corresponding to an array of plugs into which connectors with spring loaded sleeves are pluggable such that the block engages with a respective sleeve of each connector, the block being supportively disposed within the housing to be movable with respect to the housing between first and second block positions at which the sleeves are extended and retracted, respectively and a cam lever supported on the housing and coupled to the block, which selectively occupies first and second lever positions at which the cam lever causes the block to assume the first and second block positions, respectively.

Abstract: An optical coupling structure of the present invention is configured with a lens body and a clamp. The lens body includes a lens section having the lens and a fixing section. The clamp includes a positioning section, a pressing spring, and a retaining section. The positioning section determines a position of the clamp except a position in a direction of the optical axis of the optical fiber. The pressing spring makes contact with a surface of the lens body having a normal direction matching with the end face of the optical fiber, and generates a returning force when the clamp moves in a direction opposite to the normal direction of the surface. The retaining section is formed in a portion of the clamp to press the optical fiber and retains the optical fiber not to move in a direction apart from the lens.

Abstract: An optical connector assembly includes two optical connectors, each of which includes a transparent shell forming a blind hole and a lensed fiber integrally forming a lens at a front end thereof. The lensed fibers are inserted into the respective blind holes using the front ends and held in the respective blind holes. A distance between the lensed fibers is two times of a working distance of the lensed fibers.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for connecting optical fiber. The apparatus for connecting optical fiber includes an input terminal in which an input optical fiber receiving light is inserted through an input ferrule, an output terminal emitting the light incident through the input optical fiber into an outer optical fiber through an output ferrule, and a module coupling unit connecting the input terminal to the output terminal.

Abstract: Dense fiber optic connector assemblies and related connectors and cables suitable for establishing optical connections for optical backplanes in equipment racks are disclosed. In one embodiment, a fiber optic connector is provided. The fiber optic connector is configured to be directly optically connected in an optical backplane. The fiber optic connector is comprised of at least one fiber optic connector body, at least one fiber optic ferrule in the at least one fiber optic connector body. The fiber optic ferrule is configured to support a fiber count and to optically align fiber openings with lenses disposed on the fiber optic connector body. The dense fiber optic connectors may be optical backplane fiber optic connectors or blade fiber optic connectors.

Abstract: A ferrule structure including a ferrule having an end face shape configured to incorporate at least a portion of a lens attached to an end of an optical fiber. The end face includes a cavity in which a circumference of the cavity is equal to or less than the outer diameter of the ferrule and larger than in inner diameter of an opening in the ferrule housing an optical fiber.

Abstract: Device for the coaxial connection of fiber-optic cables, comprising a single-piece coupling housing (10) and a single-piece sleeve mount (20), the sleeve mount (20) being designed with at least one latching nose (21) and the coupling housing (10) being designed with at least one latching mount which complements the at least one latching nose (21), wherein the latching mount is designed with at least one latching hook (14) and at least one stop (15).

Abstract: An expanded beam optical connector includes a housing and an expanded beam lens being mounted in the housing. The connector is operable to axially align the expanded beam lens and a terminated optical fiber so that the expanded beam lens is configured to be in optical communication with the optical fiber.

Abstract: Dense fiber optic connector assemblies and related connectors and cables suitable for establishing optical connections for optical backplanes in equipment racks are disclosed. In one embodiment, a fiber optic connector is provided. The fiber optic connector is configured to be directly optically connected in an optical backplane. The fiber optic connector is comprised of at least one fiber optic connector body, at least one fiber optic ferrule in the at least one fiber optic connector body. The fiber optic ferrule is configured to support a fiber count and to optically align fiber openings with lenses disposed on the fiber optic connector body. The dense fiber optic connectors may be optical backplane fiber optic connectors or blade fiber optic connectors.

Abstract: There is provided an optical connector module in which an adhesive is interposed between a lens and a distal surface of an optical fiber, wherein the module includes a transparent positioning device and an optical fiber fixed in the positioning device. The positioning device has a lens provided to an end surface, a concave insertion portion into which the optical fiber is inserted and which is disposed so that the bottom surface in contact with the distal surface of the optical fiber is positioned opposite the lens, and a debris receiving portion that extends from the bottom surface in a radial direction of the optical fiber and has a surface continuous with the bottom surface.

Abstract: An optical connector of the present invention includes a ferrule to which an internal optical fiber is embedded and an end face grinding is performed; and a connection mechanism which extends to an opposite side of a connection end face of the ferrule, wherein the optical connector butt connects the internal optical fiber and an insert optical fiber which is inserted from outside within a positioning groove provided at the connection mechanism; and a back end side of an end face of the internal optical fiber which butts to the insert optical fiber is made a beveled end face by cutting process.

Abstract: An expanded beam connector kit, comprising a first lens assembly having a front and rear orientation and comprising at least a first base having a first interengagement mechanism for interengaging with a second interengagement mechanism of a first ferrule assembly, a first inner sleeve extending from the first base, a first lens disposed at least partially in the first inner sleeve such that the first lens is axially aligned in the first inner sleeve.

Abstract: An expanded beam optical connector includes a housing and an expanded beam lens being mounted in the housing. The connector is operable to axially align the expanded beam lens and a terminated optical fiber so that the expanded beam lens is configured to be in optical communication with the optical fiber.

Abstract: A strain-relief assembly for a field-installable fiber optic connector is disclosed, wherein the assembly includes a ferrule holder, an intermediate sleeve, and a crimp sleeve. The ferrule holder back section holds a buffered section of a fiber optic cable, while the ferrule holder front end holds a ferrule and a splice assembly. A stub fiber is held within the ferrule and the splice assembly so as to interface with a section of field optical fiber protruding from the buffered section. The intermediate sleeve engages and generally surrounds a portion of the ferrule holder back section and thus surrounds a portion of the buffered layer. An intermediate sleeve handler may be used to handle the intermediate sleeve and attached the intermediate sleeve to the ferrule holder back section. Stress-relief strands from the fiber optic cable are flared around the outer surface of the intermediate sleeve. A crimp sleeve is placed over the intermediate sleeve to hold the ends of the stress-relief strands in place.

Abstract: The invention relates to a data transmission cable (10; 20), in particular for motor vehicles, at at least one of whose ends a plastics housing (14; 24) is arranged, said housing having mechanical dimensions in its interface region (30; 32) which conform to the FAKRA standardisation scheme. The data transmission cable (10; 20) has an optical waveguide, wherein a holding member (40) is provided in the plastics housing (14; 24), said holding member being configured for holding an optical imaging element (42) and for connecting the optical imaging element (42) to the optical waveguide.

Abstract: The invention relates to a data transmission cable (10; 20), in particular for motor vehicles, at at least one of whose ends a plastics housing (14; 24) is arranged, said housing having mechanical dimensions in its interface region (30; 32) which conform to the FAKRA standardisation scheme. The data transmission cable (10; 20) has an optical waveguide, wherein a holding member (40) is provided in the plastics housing (14; 24), said holding member being configured for holding an optical imaging element (42) and for connecting the optical imaging element (42) to the optical waveguide.

Abstract: A terminus for a fiber optic cable includes a ferrule. An optic fiber of the cable passes through a central bore of the ferrule and is attached to a lens seated in a conical or cylindrical seat formed in an end surface of the ferrule by an epoxy. Preferably, the seat permits the lens to be recessed below the end surface of the ferrule. An inspection slot may be formed through the seat to allow a technician to inspect the state of the epoxy attachment. The ferrule may also include retaining features, such as an o-ring encircling a groove in the outer circumference of the ferrule or a metal sleeve crimped or otherwise attached to the ferrule to permit the ferrule to be easily attached to a cable retention sleeve, connector body or similar structure.

Abstract: Various embodiments of arrangements for optically coupling an optical waveguide to an optical unit of an optical module are provided. One embodiment is an optical module for optically coupling an optical waveguide to an optical unit. One such optical module comprises: a reference structure having a reference geometry that defines a first axis of symmetry; an optical unit having an optical axis along which light is transmitted or received, the optical unit positioned relative to the reference structure with an offset between the first axis of symmetry and the optical axis; and a coupling element that couples the optical unit to an optical waveguide, the coupling element having an eccentric hole which functions as a fiber guide and a structural geometry adapted to compensate for the offset between the first axis of symmetry and the optical axis.

Abstract: The device includes a housing, an insert, a first ferrule, a second ferrule, a first ball lens, a second ball lens, a first contact pin, a second contact pin, a first contact socket, a second contact socket, an alignment pin, and an alignment socket. The housing has a first key and a second key. The insert is mounted in the housing. The first ferrule is mounted in the insert. The second ferrule is mounted in the insert. The first ball lens is mounted in the insert, and the first ball lens is in optical communication with the first ferrule. The second ball lens is mounted in the insert, and the first ball lens is in optical communication with the second ferrule. The first and second contact pins, and the first and second contact sockets are mounted in the insert.