Patents by Inventor Darrell Childers

Darrell Childers 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).

  • Publication number: 20230393351
    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: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2023
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventors: Darrell Childers, Mitchell Cloud, Craig Conrad, Terry Lee Cooke, Jason Higley, Sherrh Clint Reinhardt
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20230003949
    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: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2022
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Inventors: Darrell Childers, Mitchell Cloud, Craig Conrad, Terry Lee Cooke, Jason Higley, Sherth Clint Reinhardt
  • Patent number: 11474307
    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: April 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignees: Corning Research & Development Corporation, US Conec LTD.
    Inventors: Darrell Childers, Mitchell Cloud, Craig Conrad, Terry Lee Cooke, Jason Higley, Sherrh Clint Reinhardt
  • Publication number: 20210325614
    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: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2021
    Publication date: October 21, 2021
    Inventors: Darrell Childers, Mitchell Cloud, Craig Conrad, Terry Lee Cooke, Jason Higley, Sherrh Clint Reinhardt
  • Patent number: 10073223
    Abstract: A clip connects two ferrules together, without a housing, to form a fiber optic connection. The clip has proximal and distal ends which define, and the clip has arms extending along the longitudinal axis to hold a cable-side ferrule in connection with fixed ferrule connected to a photonic module or die. The arms form an opening through which the cable-side ferrule is passed for connecting to the fixed ferrule. The arms have resilient bends forming a spring that can be resiliently extended along the longitudinal axis. The arms have a contact area at their ends which grasp the end of the cable-sided ferrule. The arms resiliently retract to compress the cable-sided ferrule towards the fixed ferrule with a predetermined force. The clip is positioned with respect to the circuit board using a pick and place system. The clip is not taller than either ferrule portion, enabling a limited vertical clearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Tymon Barwicz, Jerome Bougie, Darrell Childers, Paul Francis Fortier, Alexander Janta-Polczynski, Stephan L. Martel
  • Publication number: 20180052285
    Abstract: A clip connects two ferrules together, without a housing, to form a fiber optic connection. The clip has proximal and distal ends which define, and the clip has arms extending along the longitudinal axis to hold a cable-side ferrule in connection with fixed ferrule connected to a photonic module or die. The arms form an opening through which the cable-side ferrule is passed for connecting to the fixed ferrule. The arms have resilient bends forming a spring that can be resiliently extended along the longitudinal axis. The arms have a contact area at their ends which grasp the end of the cable-sided ferrule. The arms resiliently retract to compress the cable-sided ferrule towards the fixed ferrule with a predetermined force. The clip is positioned with respect to the circuit board using a pick and place system. The clip is not taller than either ferrule portion, enabling a limited vertical clearance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2017
    Publication date: February 22, 2018
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Tymon BARWICZ, Jerome BOUGIE, Darrell CHILDERS, Paul Francis FORTIER, Alexander JANTA-POLCZYNSKI, Stephan L. MARTEL
  • Patent number: 9835804
    Abstract: A clip connects two ferrules together, without a housing, to form a fiber optic connection. The clip has proximal and distal ends which define, and the clip has arms extending along the longitudinal axis to hold a cable-side ferrule in connection with fixed ferrule connected to a photonic module or die. The arms form an opening through which the cable-side ferrule is passed for connecting to the fixed ferrule. The arms have resilient bends forming a spring that can be resiliently extended along the longitudinal axis. The arms have a contact area at their ends which grasp the end of the cable-sided ferrule. The arms resiliently retract to compress the cable-sided ferrule towards the fixed ferrule with a predetermined force. The clip is positioned with respect to the circuit board using a pick and place system. The clip is not taller than either ferrule portion, enabling a limited vertical clearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Intenational Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Tymon Barwicz, Jerome Bougie, Darrell Childers, Paul Francis Fortier, Alexander Janta-Polczynski, Stephan L. Martel
  • Patent number: 9720188
    Abstract: A clip connects two ferrules together, without a housing, to form a fiber optic connection. The clip has proximal and distal ends which define, and the clip has arms extending along the longitudinal axis to hold a cable-side ferrule in connection with fixed ferrule connected to a photonic module or die. The arms form an opening through which the cable-side ferrule is passed for connecting to the fixed ferrule. The arms have resilient bends forming a spring that can be resiliently extended along the longitudinal axis. The arms have a contact area at their ends which grasp the end of the cable-sided ferrule. The arms resiliently retract to compress the cable-sided ferrule towards the fixed ferrule with a predetermined force. The clip is positioned with respect to the circuit board using a pick and place system. The clip is not taller than either ferrule portion, enabling a limited vertical clearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Tymon Barwicz, Jerome Bougie, Darrell Childers, Paul Francis Fortier, Alexander Janta-Polczynski, Stephan L. Martel
  • Publication number: 20170199337
    Abstract: A clip connects two ferrules together, without a housing, to form a fiber optic connection. The clip has proximal and distal ends which define, and the clip has arms extending along the longitudinal axis to hold a cable-side ferrule in connection with fixed ferrule connected to a photonic module or die. The arms form an opening through which the cable-side ferrule is passed for connecting to the fixed ferrule. The arms have resilient bends forming a spring that can be resiliently extended along the longitudinal axis. The arms have a contact area at their ends which grasp the end of the cable-sided ferrule. The arms resiliently retract to compress the cable-sided ferrule towards the fixed ferrule with a predetermined force. The clip is positioned with respect to the circuit board using a pick and place system. The clip is not taller than either ferrule portion, enabling a limited vertical clearance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2017
    Publication date: July 13, 2017
    Inventors: Tymon BARWICZ, Jerome BOUGIE, Darrell CHILDERS, Paul Francis FORTIER, Alexander JANTA-POLCZYNSKI, Stephan L. MARTEL
  • Publication number: 20170192181
    Abstract: A clip connects two ferrules together, without a housing, to form a fiber optic connection. The clip has proximal and distal ends which define, and the clip has arms extending along the longitudinal axis to hold a cable-side ferrule in connection with fixed ferrule connected to a photonic module or die. The arms form an opening through which the cable-side ferrule is passed for connecting to the fixed ferrule. The arms have resilient bends forming a spring that can be resiliently extended along the longitudinal axis. The arms have a contact area at their ends which grasp the end of the cable-sided ferrule. The arms resiliently retract to compress the cable-sided ferrule towards the fixed ferrule with a predetermined force. The clip is positioned with respect to the circuit board using a pick and place system. The clip is not taller than either ferrule portion, enabling a limited vertical clearance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2015
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Inventors: Tymon Barwicz, Jerome Bougie, Darrell Childers, Paul Francis Fortier, Alexander Janta-Polczynski, Stephan L. Martel
  • Patent number: 7841777
    Abstract: An adapter with a dust shutter also provides eye protection and an even seal around the connector opening. The adapter includes a main body, a cover, and a resilient member to bias the cover in a closed position. The adapter also includes a flexible member to assist in sealing the adapter. The resilient member contacts the cover in a center portion and the cover floats relative to the main body to ensure a good seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: U.S. Conec, Ltd.
    Inventors: Joseph Howard, Myron Yount, Darrell Childers, Eric Childers, David Underwood
  • Publication number: 20090185778
    Abstract: An adapter with a dust shutter also provides eye protection and an even seal around the connector opening. The adapter includes a main body, a cover, and a resilient member to bias the cover in a closed position. The adapter also includes a flexible member to assist in sealing the adapter. The resilient member contacts the cover in a center portion and the cover floats relative to the main body to ensure a good seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2008
    Publication date: July 23, 2009
    Inventors: Joseph Howard, Myron Yount, Darrell Childers, Eric Childers, David Underwood
  • Publication number: 20070297726
    Abstract: A ferrule has at least one row of optical fiber openings to hold optical fibers. The ferrule also includes a lead-in portion for each of the optical fiber openings to assist in positioning the optical fibers into the optical fiber openings in the ferrule. The optical fiber openings in the ferrule are slightly smaller and have a similar spacing allowing for better fill between the optical fiber openings. A mold core that corresponds to the ferrule is disclosed. The mold core encapsulates at least a portion of the optical fiber opening forming pins, eliminating build up and breakage of the pins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2007
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Applicant: US CONEC LTD.
    Inventors: Darrell Childers, Eric Childers
  • Patent number: 7209375
    Abstract: Eccentricity of a optical fiber installed in a passageway of a ferrule is minimized by imposing a force on the end of the optical fiber projecting from the passageway at the ferrule end face to push the optical fiber to a desired position in the passageway, prior to curing an adhesive used for fixing the optical fiber in the passageway, so as to compensate for eccentricity of the passageway. In one embodiment, the force is imposed on the optical fiber by hanging a weight on the optical fiber. In another embodiment, the force is imposed on the optical fiber by using a pressurized jet of fluid. The point of application of the force, the magnitude of the force, and the viscosity of the adhesive are selected such that minimal optical fiber bending occurs, thereby assuring that the optical fiber is positioned at the desired position in the passageway for an appreciable distance from the ferrule end face along the passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Corning Cable Systems LLC
    Inventors: Brian J. Gimbel, James P. Luther, Thomas Theuerkorn, Hieu V. Tran, Darrell Childers, Dennis M. Knecht
  • Publication number: 20060285814
    Abstract: A dust cap for an optical ferrule is provided that has a sleeve with a first end and second end, the second end having at least one depression configured to engage a portion of the end face of an optical ferrule. The dust cap prevents dirt and debris from contaminating the front face of the optical ferrule if the optical ferrule has open guide pin holes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2005
    Publication date: December 21, 2006
    Inventors: Matthew Brown, Darrell Childers
  • Publication number: 20060115217
    Abstract: A ferrule has at least one row of optical fiber openings to hold optical fibers. The ferrule also includes a lead-in portion for each of the optical fiber openings to assist in positioning the optical fibers into the optical fiber openings in the ferrule. The optical fiber openings in the ferrule are slightly smaller and have a similar spacing allowing for better fill between the optical fiber openings. A mold core that corresponds to the ferrule is disclosed. The mold core encapsulates at least a portion of the optical fiber opening forming pins, eliminating build up and breakage of the pins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2004
    Publication date: June 1, 2006
    Inventors: Darrell Childers, Eric Childers
  • Publication number: 20060115218
    Abstract: A boot for a ferrule is provided that has a body member having a first end and a second end with an opening therethrough. The opening also has a web member extending from the first end to the second end to define at least two channels. The boot may also have indicia on the outside surface to indicate a direction of insertion of the boot into the ferrule. The boot may also have a limiting member to prevent the boot from being inserted too far into the ferrule.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2004
    Publication date: June 1, 2006
    Inventors: Joseph Howard, Darrell Childers
  • Patent number: 6821028
    Abstract: An interface system includes separate optical and mechanical interfaces between opto-electronic devices and fibers. This allows each of these components to be optimized for their particular function. The mechanical interface includes an aperture through which light is transmitted between the fibers and optical element on the optical interface. Protruding features on the optical interface mate with the aperture in the mechanical interface to align the optics block with the mechanical interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Digital Optics Corp.
    Inventors: James E. Morris, William Hudson Welch, Patricia Lee, Darrell Childers, Russell Granger, Eric Childers
  • Publication number: 20040057678
    Abstract: An interface system includes separate optical and mechanical interfaces between opto-electronic devices and fibers. This allows each of these components to be optimized for their particular function. The mechanical interface includes an aperture through which light is transmitted between the fibers and optical element on the optical interface. Protruding features on the optical interface mate with the aperture in the mechanical interface to align the optics block with the mechanical interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Inventors: James E. Morris, William Hudson Welch, Patricia Lee, Darrell Childers, Russell Granger, Eric Childers