Patents by Inventor Brian K. Bushnell

Brian K. Bushnell has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10775566
    Abstract: A fiber optic lane changer includes a first and a second connector. A plurality of lane changer transmission paths include first ends received within the first connector and second ends received within the second connector. The first ends are arranged in respective ones of a first subset of a plurality of optical interface positions in a standardized connector configuration, and the second ends are arranged in respective ones of a second subset of the plurality of positions. In certain embodiments, the plurality of lane changer transmission paths have first ends that are aligned to optically couple with respective ones of the eight outermost optical transmission paths of the first connector. At least one of the lane changer transmission paths may have a second end that is aligned to optically couple with one of the four innermost optical transmission paths of the second connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: CommScope, Inc. of North Carolina
    Inventors: Earl R. Parsons, Brian K. Bushnell
  • Patent number: 10620387
    Abstract: An expanded beam fiber optic array connector includes a ferrule holding ends of optical fibers in a first ordered array. A plurality of lenses packaged into a unitary structure, formed of an optical grade material, different than a material used to form the ferrule, is attached to the ferrule. The lenses are arranged into a second ordered array matching the first ordered array of the ends of the optical fibers. The lenses of the expanded beam connector associated with transmit channels can be constructed with a prescription geared specifically for transmitting light, whereas the lenses of the expanded beam connector associated with receive channels can be constructed with a prescription geared specifically for receiving light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: CommScope, Inc. of North Carolina
    Inventors: Brian K. Bushnell, Jeffrey D. Nielson, Scott L. Lowe
  • Publication number: 20190107680
    Abstract: An expanded beam fiber optic array connector includes a ferrule holding ends of optical fibers in a first ordered array. A plurality of lenses packaged into a unitary structure, formed of an optical grade material, different than a material used to form the ferrule, is attached to the ferrule. The lenses are arranged into a second ordered array matching the first ordered array of the ends of the optical fibers. The lenses of the expanded beam connector associated with transmit channels can be constructed with a prescription geared specifically for transmitting light, whereas the lenses of the expanded beam connector associated with receive channels can be constructed with a prescription geared specifically for receiving light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2018
    Publication date: April 11, 2019
    Inventors: Brian K. BUSHNELL, Jeffrey D. NIELSON, Scott L. LOWE
  • Publication number: 20190064448
    Abstract: A fiber optic lane changer includes a first and a second connector. A plurality of lane changer transmission paths include first ends received within the first connector and second ends received within the second connector. The first ends are arranged in respective ones of a first subset of a plurality of optical interface positions in a standardized connector configuration, and the second ends are arranged in respective ones of a second subset of the plurality of positions. In certain embodiments, the plurality of lane changer transmission paths have first ends that are aligned to optically couple with respective ones of the eight outermost optical transmission paths of the first connector. At least one of the lane changer transmission paths may have a second end that is aligned to optically couple with one of the four innermost optical transmission paths of the second connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2016
    Publication date: February 28, 2019
    Inventors: Earl R. PARSONS, Brian K. BUSHNELL
  • Patent number: 10162127
    Abstract: An expanded beam fiber optic array connector includes a ferrule holding ends of optical fibers in a first ordered array. A plurality of lenses packaged into a unitary structure, formed of an optical grade material, different than a material used to form the ferrule, is attached to the ferrule. The lenses are arranged into a second ordered array matching the first ordered array of the ends of the optical fibers. The lenses of the expanded beam connector associated with transmit channels can be constructed with a prescription geared specifically for transmitting light, whereas the lenses of the expanded beam connector associated with receive channels can be constructed with a prescription geared specifically for receiving light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: CommScope, Inc. of North Carolina
    Inventors: Brian K. Bushnell, Jeffrey D. Nielson, Scott L. Lowe
  • Patent number: 9784925
    Abstract: An MPO connector includes a pin configuration with an elongated shaft extending along an axis A. A first portion proximate a first end of the shaft includes a tool surface feature for engagement by a tool to impart a rotation to the shaft. A second portion proximate a second end of the shaft is cylindrical and centered on an axis B, offset relative to the axis A. A method of minimizing insertion loss between mating channels of mated MPO connectors includes inserting light into a channel of a first MPO connector, then measuring an intensity of light output from a channel of a second MPO, mated to the first MPO connector. A pin associated with one of the mated MPO connectors is rotated to a point where the measured light output from the channel of the second MPO connector is approximately maximized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: CommScope, Inc. of North Carolina
    Inventors: Brian K. Bushnell, Earl R. Parsons
  • Patent number: 9696495
    Abstract: An optical tap includes a support with a first port facing a first ferrule supporting a first fiber along a first axis. A beamsplitter is connected to the support and intersected by the first axis. A second port is fastened to the support and facing a second ferrule supporting a second fiber along a second axis that intersects the beamsplitter. A third port is fastened to the support and facing a third ferrule supporting a third fiber along a third axis that intersects the beamsplitter, wherein the beamsplitter splits a first light signal from the first port to sends first and second portions of the first signal to the second and third ports, respectively. When the beamsplitter may optionally be configured as a polarizing element and include elements configured to rotate relative to each other to change a ratio of the first and second portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: CommScope, Inc. of North Carolina
    Inventors: Richard Y. Mei, Brian K. Bushnell, Joseph C. Livingston, Zuzhou Yue, Chin Choi-Feng
  • Publication number: 20170052321
    Abstract: A fiber optic connector includes a ferrule for holding a plurality of optical fibers. The ferrule has a first end and a second end. A plurality of optical fibers enter at the first end of the ferrule and extend to the second end of the ferrule, wherein ends of the plurality of optical fibers are approximately flush or slightly protruding along a mating face defining the second end of the ferrule. A lens frame has a front surface and a back surface, wherein the back surface abuts the second end of the ferrule. Lenses are formed in the lens frame, wherein each lens of the plurality of lenses overlies a flush or protruding end of one of the plurality of optical fibers. Optionally, a film, mounted to a frame, is disposed between the ends of the plurality of optical fibers and the plurality of lenses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2016
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Inventors: Brian K. BUSHNELL, Earl R. Parsons, Joseph C. Livingston
  • Publication number: 20170038537
    Abstract: An MPO connector includes a ferrule. A plurality of fiber ends are situated in at least one row located on a mating face of the ferrule. In a first embodiment, first and second terminals are formed by first and second conductive pins extending out of the ferrule at the mating face. In a second embodiment, the first and second terminals are formed by first and second conductive sleeves extending into the ferrule at the mating face. In a third embodiment, the first and second terminals are formed by the first conductive sleeve extending into the ferrule at the mating face, and the second conductive pin extending out of the ferrule at the mating face. In each embodiment, at least one conductor is attached to at least one of the first and second terminals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2016
    Publication date: February 9, 2017
    Inventors: Brian K. BUSHNELL, Earl R. PARSONS
  • Publication number: 20160274313
    Abstract: An MPO connector includes a pin configuration with an elongated shaft extending along an axis A. A first portion proximate a first end of the shaft includes a tool surface feature for engagement by a tool to impart a rotation to the shaft. A second portion proximate a second end of the shaft is cylindrical and centered on an axis B, offset relative to the axis A. A method of minimizing insertion loss between mating channels of mated MPO connectors includes inserting light into a channel of a first MPO connector, then measuring an intensity of light output from a channel of a second MPO, mated to the first MPO connector. A pin associated with one of the mated MPO connectors is rotated to a point where the measured light output from the channel of the second MPO connector is approximately maximized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2016
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Inventors: Brian K. BUSHNELL, Earl R. PARSONS
  • Publication number: 20160025929
    Abstract: An optical tap includes a support with a first port facing a first ferrule supporting a first fiber along a first axis. A beamsplitter is connected to the support and intersected by the first axis. A second port is fastened to the support and facing a second ferrule supporting a second fiber along a second axis that intersects the beamsplitter. A third port is fastened to the support and facing a third ferrule supporting a third fiber along a third axis that intersects the beamsplitter, wherein the beamsplitter splits a first light signal from the first port to sends first and second portions of the first signal to the second and third ports, respectively. When the beamsplitter may optionally be configured as a polarizing element and include elements configured to rotate relative to each other to change a ratio of the first and second portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventors: Richard Y. MEI, Brian K. BUSHNELL, Joseph C. LIVINGSTON, Zuzhou YUE, Chin CHOI-FENG
  • Publication number: 20150104135
    Abstract: An expanded beam fiber optic array connector includes a ferrule holding ends of optical fibers in a first ordered array. A plurality of lenses packaged into a unitary structure, formed of an optical grade material, different than a material used to form the ferrule, is attached to the ferrule. The lenses are arranged into a second ordered array matching the first ordered array of the ends of the optical fibers. The lenses of the expanded beam connector associated with transmit channels can be constructed with a prescription geared specifically for transmitting light, whereas the lenses of the expanded beam connector associated with receive channels can be constructed with a prescription geared specifically for receiving light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventors: Brian K. Bushnell, Jeffrey D. NIELSON, Scott L. LOWE