Patents Assigned to US Conec Ltd.
  • Patent number: 11953739
    Abstract: A new fiber optic ferrule has an alignment structure on a surface through which light passes. The alignment structure is preferably in the shape of a dog bone, allowing the alignment structure to align the fiber optic ferrule in a receptacle while reducing the influence of temperature on the alignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: US Conec Ltd.
    Inventors: Daniel D. Kurtz, Darrell R. Childers, Brent D. Henley
  • Patent number: 11940657
    Abstract: A fiber optic connector assembly is mated with a bracket on a printed circuit board at one end and inserted into a backplane adapter that is adjacent a backplane. In particular a spring push in slidingly attached to the bracket and also to the housing of the fiber optic connector assembly. The housing of the fiber optic connector assembly insertable into the backplane adapter using passive alignment features. A fiber optic ferrule in the fiber optic connector assembly is biased in a forward direction by a spring in the spring push. At the same time the spring allows for movement of the spring push within the housing to allow for movement of the printed circuit board relative to the backplane adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: US Conec Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiep V. Nguyen, Jason Higley, Darrell R. Childers, Michael E. Hughes
  • Patent number: 11940654
    Abstract: A two-piece fiber optic connector and a corresponding two-piece adapter allow for the tripling of the optical fibers that can be used with a standard fiber-optic cassette. The two-piece fiber optic connector has a fold-over latch to engage the adapter. The two-piece adapter has at least one latch to engage the standard fiber-optic cassette to retain the two-piece adapter and the fiber optic connectors in the adapter within the cassette. This allows for the retrofitting and/or continued use of the standard fiber-optic cassette.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: US Conec, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jason Higley, Darrell R. Childers
  • Patent number: 11914195
    Abstract: A fiber optic ferrule receiver includes a main body that has an opening extending between the front end and the rear end and being defined at least by a portion of internal surfaces of the four sides. A first side in the opening has first tapered surface and a second tapered surface, the first tapered surface reducing the opening between the rear end and a first position and the second tapered surface increasing the opening between the first position and the front end. There is also a second side in the opening and across the opening from the first side, the second side has a third tapered surface and a fourth tapered surface, the third tapered surface reducing the opening between the rear end and a second position and the second tapered surface increasing the opening between the second position and the front end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: US Conec Ltd.
    Inventors: Jason Higley, Darrell R. Childers, Craig M. Conrad
  • Patent number: 11906794
    Abstract: A new boot for a fiber optic connector has a ribbed back portion, a center portion, and a forward extending portion that can be used to insert and remove the fiber optic connector to receptacle. The ribbed back portion has grasping elements and is connected to the center portion. The center portion is removably connected to a crimp body that is in turn connected to the connector housing. The front extension is connected to the fiber optic connector and also provides a keying feature depending on the side of the fiber optic connector on which it is installed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: US Conec Ltd.
    Inventors: Jason Higley, Mitchell Cloud
  • Patent number: 11886016
    Abstract: A fiber optic connector has at least two optical fibers therein have end faces that are positioned such that they are directed in different directions. The end faces can be oriented relative to a key that is provided on a fiber optic connector housing that has a central opening in the main body of the fiber optic connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: US Conec, Ltd.
    Inventor: Jeff Hendrick
  • Patent number: 11880077
    Abstract: An optical connector assembly (OCA) includes a connector housing to maintain alignment between optical components housed within the OCA and photoelectric converters on an optoelectronic substrate (OES) assembly. The optical components include a ferrule and an optical cable. The ferrule is optically coupled to the optical cable. The OCA includes a ferrule holder to hold the ferrule within the OCA, and a spring located between the connector housing and the ferrule holder. The spring is to apply a separating force between the ferrule holder and the connector housing. The OCA includes a gasket coupled to the connector housing. The coupling of the connector housing to a socket compresses the gasket to provide a seal between the connector housing and the socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignees: US Conec Ltd., Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP
    Inventors: Paul Kessler Rosenberg, George Panotopoulos, Kent Devenport, Darrell R. Childers, Daniel D. Kurtz, Cecil D. Hastings, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11880075
    Abstract: An adapter with novel alignment features engages alignment features on a plug, providing general alignment of the ferrule holders and ferrules in the plug. After the plug engages the adapter, the ferrule holders engage a second set of alignment features in the adapter to provide fine alignment for the ferrules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: US Conec Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiep V. Nguyen, Darrell R. Childers, Michael E. Hughes, Jillcha Fekadu Wakjira, Joseph P. Howard
  • Patent number: 11867951
    Abstract: An assembly of two fiber optic ferrules allows for the mating of a CWDM fiber optic ferrule with a non-CWDM fiber optic ferrule. The CWDM fiber optic ferrule has optical fibers that carry optical beams with at least two different wavelengths, which the non-CWDM ferrule has optical fibers that carry only one wavelength. The CWDM fiber optic ferrule and the non-CWDM fiber optic ferrule have optical fibers that are inserted along parallel axes. The non-CWDM fiber optic ferrule has a lens pitch that matches the CWDM ferrule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: US Conec Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitchell Cloud, Darrell R. Childers, DJ Hastings
  • Patent number: 11860426
    Abstract: A dust plug for use in a pre-populated adapters has a main body having a top wall, a bottom wall, and two opposing side walls extending between the top wall and bottom wall. The dust plug also includes at least one pair of latches in a front portion of the main body and each of the at least one pair of latches may have an increased thickness at a forward end thereof. The area of increased thickness is sized to engage a receptacle in an inner surface of the housing when the dust plug is attached to the housing. Other versions contemplate not having the increased thickness. The dust plug preferably includes a grip at the back end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: US Conec Ltd.
    Inventors: Jason Higley, Mitchell Cloud, Darrell R. Childers
  • Patent number: 11852873
    Abstract: An interface provides protection and support for transitioning a jacketed fiber optic cable. The interface has a crimp body, a transition portion and a front end to receive an adapter. The interface preferably has a main body with two pieces that are identical. The two pieces have tabs and recesses corresponding to the tabs for alignment and structure. The main body also may have an opening for an adapter latch. A crimp band fits over the crimp body to secure the jacketed fiber optic cable to the interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: US Conec Ltd.
    Inventors: Jason Higley, Michael E. Hughes
  • Publication number: 20230408775
    Abstract: A fiber optic ferrule and a fiber optic connector housing make contact only along two sides of the fiber optic ferrule when in an unmated condition. One of the fiber optic ferrule and the fiber optic connector housing have been modified such that only two of the surfaces engage one another. The shoulders can be shortened, lengthened, or have a projection added to the current surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2023
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Applicant: US Conec Ltd.
    Inventors: Jillcha F. Wakjira, Darrell R. Childers
  • Patent number: 11846813
    Abstract: A new fiber optic connector provides a smaller form factor by including two ferrule assemblies in a housing. The housing accepts a push-pull mechanism that allows for insertion and removal from a carrier as well as an adapter. The push-pull mechanism may also include a flexure member to return the push-pull mechanism. Polarity of the fiber optic connector may also be selected by use of the push-pull mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: US Conec Ltd.
    Inventors: Darrell R. Childers, Jillcha F. Wakjira, Jason Higley, Michael E. Hughes, Mitchell Cloud
  • Patent number: 11822130
    Abstract: A fiber optic connector has a fiber optic connector shutter that rotates about a first axis and an adapter for the fiber optic connector also has an adapter shutter that rotates about a second axis in the adapter. When the fiber optic connector and the adapter are mated to one another, the axes for the fiber optic connector shutter and the adapter shutter are aligned and the fiber optic connector shutter and the adapter shutter rotate about a single axis. The fiber optic connector shutter and the adapter shutter include structure to maintain engagement during the mating and un-mating of the fiber optic connector and the adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: US Conec Ltd.
    Inventor: Jason Higley
  • Patent number: 11815724
    Abstract: A new boot for a fiber optic connector has a ribbed back portion, a center portion, and a forward extending portion that can be used to insert and remove the fiber optic connector to receptacle. The ribbed back portion has grasping elements and is connected to the center portion. The center portion is removably connected to a crimp body that is in turn connected to the connector housing. The front extension is connected to the fiber optic connector and also provides a keying feature depending on the side of the fiber optic connector on which it is installed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: US CONEC, LTD.
    Inventors: Jason Higley, Mitchell Cloud
  • Publication number: 20230358969
    Abstract: A fiber optic connector housing has a first portion to receive fiber optic ferrule holders and fiber optic ferrules. The fiber optic connector housing also includes a second portion for use during polishing and before one of the fiber optic ferrule holders is rotated 180°. The second portion is, removed to allow for rotation and a third portion is attached to the first portion for connection with another fiber optic connector or assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2023
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Applicant: US Conec. Ltd
    Inventors: Jason Higley, Michell Cloud, Darnell R. Childers
  • Publication number: 20230358972
    Abstract: A new boot for a fiber optic connector has a ribbed back portion, a center portion, and a forward extending portion that can be used to insert and remove the fiber optic connector to receptacle. The ribbed back portion has grasping elements and is connected to the center portion. The center portion is removably connected to a crimp body that is in turn connected to the connector housing. The front extension is connected to the fiber optic connector and also provides a keying feature depending on the side of the fiber optic connector on which it is installed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2023
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Applicant: US Conec, Ltd
    Inventors: Jason Higley, Mitchell Cloud
  • Patent number: 11808994
    Abstract: A new fiber optic connector provides a smaller form factor by including two ferrule assemblies in a housing. The housing accepts a push-pull mechanism that allows for insertion and removal from a carrier as well as an adapter. The push-pull mechanism may also include a flexure member to return the push-pull mechanism. Polarity of the fiber optic connector may also be selected by use of the push-pull mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: US Conec Ltd.
    Inventors: Jason Higley, Jillcha F. Wakjira, Mitchell Cloud, Darrell R. Childers, Michael E. Hughes
  • Patent number: 11789212
    Abstract: A fiber optic connector along with a tool allows for the changing of the polarity of the fiber optic connector. Keys may be installed in both the top and the bottom of the fiber optic connector, one in a first position and the other in a second position. Using the tool in one back-and-forth motion, the polarity of the fiber optic connector can be changed. The keys have a configuration that resist an incorrect insertion and provide better retention of the keys in the correct configuration due to a better retention force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: US Conec Ltd.
    Inventors: Darrell R. Childers, Craig M. Conrad, Jason Higley, Jillcha F. Wakjira
  • Patent number: 11774684
    Abstract: An interconnect system is provided that involves pre-installing a connector housing an optical connector in an adapter and a ferrule of the same optical connector on a cable. The ferrule terminates one or more groups of optical fibers, and a ferrule push component is also pre-installed on the same group(s) of optical fibers. The connector housing is configured to receive and retain the ferrule and ferrule push component without being removed from the adapter to simultaneously form the optical connector and install the optical connector in the adapter. Embodiments such an interconnect system involving high fiber-count cables and related installation methods involving many optical connections are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignees: CORNING RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, US CONEC LTD.
    Inventors: Darrell Childers, Mitchell Cloud, Craig Conrad, Terry Lee Cooke, Jason Higley, Sherrh Clint Reinhardt