Patents by Inventor Darrell R. Childers

Darrell R. 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).

  • Alignment adapter and alignment design for a connector therefor
    Patent number: 9857538
    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: March 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: US Conec, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiep Nguyen, Darrell R. Childers, Michael E. Hughes, Jillcha Fekadu Wakjira, Joseph P. Howard
  • Fiber Optic Ferrule with Improved Ability to Achieve Ferrule Mating Plane Contact
    Publication number: 20170329089
    Abstract: A fiber optic ferrule includes on a rear surface thereof a pair of spring pads, each of the pair of spring pads having an engagement surface facing away from the fiber optic ferrule to engage a spring to eliminate off-axis moments. A fiber optic connector is also provided that uses the fiber optic ferrule. The engagement surface could be flat or rounded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Publication date: November 16, 2017
    Inventor: Darrell R. Childers
  • Fiber optic ferrule with rear holes to align a guide pin clamp with field changeable guide pins
    Patent number: 9817194
    Abstract: A fiber optic ferrule with rear holes and a guide pin clamp allows for changing guide pins in the field. The guide pin clamp has a forward clamp portion to engage the rear face of the fiber optic ferrule, a rearward clamp portion configured to engage the biasing spring, and a guide pin retaining plate. The guide pin retaining plate is movable from a first position to a second position to allow for the removal or insertion of guide pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: US Conec, Ltd
    Inventors: Darrell R. Childers, Michael E. Hughes, Myron W. Yount, Brent D. Henley, Joseph L. Graham
  • Fiber optic connector and pin keeper with field changeable guide pins
    Patent number: 9778425
    Abstract: A new pin keeper and a connector that uses the pin keeper allows for installation and removal of guide pins within the pin keeper and the fiber optic connector in the field. The pin keeper may have latches that are accessible to disengage from a guide pin to allow removal or a tool may be used to widen openings in the pin keeper to allow the guide pins to be inserted or removed. Alternatively, the guide pin may be rotated to engage or disengage the pin keeper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: US Conec, Ltd
    Inventors: Hiep V. Nguyen, Darrell R. Childers, Michael E. Hughes, Myron W. Yount, Brent D. Henley
  • Apparatus for and Method of Terminating a Multi-fiber Ferrule
    Publication number: 20170276880
    Abstract: An apparatus allows a plurality of optical fibers to be held together during the termination process. A handling device holds the optical fibers while a cleaving device allows for consistent cleaving of the optical fibers to ensure the ends are cleaved consistently. The handling device may also be used during the fixation of the optical fibers in the fiber optic ferrule. A method for terminating the plurality of optical fiber is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2017
    Publication date: September 28, 2017
    Inventors: Darrell R. Childers, Jillcha Fekadu Wakjira, Michael E. Hughes, Joseph P. Howard, Arnold Deal, III, Dirk Eric Schoellner
  • Fiber optic ferrule with improved ability to achieve ferrule mating plane contact
    Patent number: 9720182
    Abstract: A fiber optic ferrule includes on a rear surface thereof a pair of spring pads, each of the pair of spring pads having an engagement surface facing away from the fiber optic ferrule to engage a spring to eliminate off-axis moments. A fiber optic connector is also provided that uses the fiber optic ferrule. The engagement surface could be flat or rounded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: US Conec, Ltd
    Inventor: Darrell R. Childers
  • Fiber Optic Connector and Pin Keeper with Field Changeable Guide Pins
    Publication number: 20170205589
    Abstract: A new pin keeper and a connector that uses the pin keeper allows for installation and removal of guide pins within the pin keeper and the fiber optic connector in the field. The pin keeper may have latches that are accessible to disengage from a guide pin to allow removal or a tool may be used to widen openings in the pin keeper to allow the guide pins to be inserted or removed. Alternatively, the guide pin may be rotated to engage or disengage the pin keeper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2015
    Publication date: July 20, 2017
    Inventors: Hiep V. Nguyen, Darrell R. Childers, Michael E. Hughes, Myron W. Yount, Brent D. Henley
  • Field Changeable Fiber Optic Connector Polarity Keying with Color Coding
    Publication number: 20170176691
    Abstract: A fiber optic connector along with a tool allows for the changing of the polarity of the fiber optic connector. Keys are 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 change be changed. The keys may be colored differently to identify the polarity of the fiber optic connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventors: Darrell R. Childers, Craig M. Conrad, Jason Higley, Jillcha F. Wakjira, Myron W. Yount
  • Fiber Optic Ferrule and A Guide Pin Clamp with Field Changeable Guide Pins
    Publication number: 20170176694
    Abstract: A fiber optic ferrule and a guide pin clamp allows for changing guide pins in the field. The guide pin clamp has a forward clamp portion, a rearward clamp portion configured to engage the biasing spring and a guide pin retaining plate. The forward clamp portion and the rearward clamp portion move relative to one another to also move guide pin retaining plate from a first position to a second position to allow for the removal or insertion of guide pins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventors: Darrell R. Childers, Craig M. Conrad, Jason Higley, Jillcha F. Wakjira, Myron W. Yount
  • Apparatus for and method of terminating a multi-fiber ferrule
    Patent number: 9678281
    Abstract: An apparatus allows a plurality of optical fibers to be held together during the termination process. A handling device holds the optical fibers while a cleaving device allows for consistent cleaving of the optical fibers to ensure the ends are cleaved consistently. The handling device may also be used during the fixation of the optical fibers in the fiber optic ferrule. A method for terminating the plurality of optical fiber is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: US Conec, Ltd
    Inventors: Darrell R. Childers, Jillcha Fekadu Wakjira, Michael E. Hughes, Joseph P. Howard, Arnold Deal, III, Dirk Eric Schoellner
  • Unitary Multi-Fiber Optical Ferrule with Integrated Lenses
    Publication number: 20170146748
    Abstract: A unitary multi-fiber ferrule has micro-holes for optical fibers, an optical stop plane for the optical fibers, and a plurality of lenses disposed adjacent the front end, each of the plurality of lenses optically aligned with one of the micro-holes and exposed to air. Multiple rows of optical fibers and lenses may also be used in the unitary multi-fiber ferrule. The unitary multi-fiber ferrule requires less processing and equipment than other current optical ferrules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2017
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Inventors: Darrell R. Childers, Eric Childers
  • Fiber Optic Connector and Pin Keeper with Field Changeable Guide Pins
    Publication number: 20170102505
    Abstract: A new pin keeper and a connector that uses the pin keeper allows for installation and removal of guide pins within the pin keeper and the fiber optic connector in the field. The pin keeper may have latches that are accessible to disengage from a guide pin to allow removal or a tool may be used to widen openings in the pin keeper to allow the guide pins to be inserted or removed. Alternatively, the guide pin may be rotated to engage or disengage the pin keeper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2015
    Publication date: April 13, 2017
    Inventors: Hiep V. Nguyen, Darrell R. Childers, Michael E. Hughes, Myron W. Yount, Brent D. Henley
  • Apparatus for forming a transceiver interface, ferrule, and optical transceiver component
    Patent number: 9618711
    Abstract: An apparatus for forming a transceiver interface includes an fiber optic ferrule and an optical transceiver component. The fiber optic ferrule engages a mating plane of a lens array in the optical transceiver component. The engagement of the two components may be removable rather than fixed. The fiber optic ferrule also engages a mechanical interface to account for three degrees of freedom, while the engagement of the mating surfaces account for another three degrees of freedom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: US Conec, Ltd
    Inventors: Daniel D. Kurtz, Darrell R. Childers, Michael E. Hughes
  • Grouping device for high density connector arrangements
    Patent number: 9606303
    Abstract: A tool-less grouping apparatus has a main body with a top portion and a bottom portion. Dividing members extending between the top and bottom portions make openings for fiber optic connectors. Forward facing surfaces may be on both the top and bottom portions to engage the fiber optic connectors. The portions also have cut-outs that can engage the fiber optic connectors to assist in removing the fiber optic connectors from adapters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignees: US Conec, Ltd., International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jillcha F. Wakjira, Alan Benner, Russell Granger, Darrell R. Childers
  • Optical Fiber Rearrangement Device with Containment Channels
    Publication number: 20170045700
    Abstract: A device for rearranging optical fibers has a proximal and distal ends. The ends have openings therein to allow optical fibers to pass therethrough. The openings in the distal end have a width that is less than twice the optical fiber's diameter. Dividers separate the distal end openings and have a projection that narrows the distal openings to prevent the optical fibers from accidentally moving out of the openings. A lid is also provided to assist with organization and compression of the optical fibers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2016
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Inventors: Craig M. Conrad, Darrell R. Childers, Brian J. Gimbel, Brian Pruett, Myron W. Yount
  • Unitary multi-fiber optical ferrule with integrated lenses
    Patent number: 9563027
    Abstract: A unitary multi-fiber ferrule has micro-holes for optical fibers, an optical stop plane for the optical fibers, and a plurality of lenses disposed adjacent the front end, each of the plurality of lenses optically aligned with one of the micro-holes and exposed to air. Multiple rows of optical fibers and lenses may also be used in the unitary multi-fiber ferrule. The unitary multi-fiber ferrule requires less processing and equipment than other current optical ferrules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: US Conec, Ltd.
    Inventors: Darrell R. Childers, Eric Childers
  • Fiber Optic Ferrule with Rear Holes to Align A Guide Pin Clamp with Field Changeable Guide Pins
    Publication number: 20170010422
    Abstract: A fiber optic ferrule with rear holes and a guide pin clamp allows for changing guide pins in the field. The guide pin clamp has a forward clamp portion to engage the rear face of the fiber optic ferrule, a rearward clamp portion configured to engage the biasing spring, and a guide pin retaining plate. The guide pin retaining plate is movable from a first position to a second position to allow for the removal or insertion of guide pins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: Darrell R. Childers, Michael E. Hughes, Myron W. Yount, Brent D. Henley, Joseph L. Graham
  • Unitary Fiber Optic Ferrule and Adapter Therefor
    Publication number: 20170003456
    Abstract: A unitary fiber optic ferrule reflects light off an interior lens and through the fiber optic ferrule. Optical fibers can be easily secured in the unitary fiber optic ferrule. An adapter to secure the unitary fiber optic ferrule to a optical component assembly is also presented. The adapter provides a sealing function for the lenses and to provide routing for optical fibers from other assemblies of unitary fiber optic ferrules and adapters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2016
    Publication date: January 5, 2017
    Inventors: Joseph P. Howard, Darrell R. Childers, Russell J. Granger
  • Multi-Fiber Ferrule with Improved Eye Safety
    Publication number: 20160341909
    Abstract: A multi-fiber ferrule has lenses that have different prescriptions to disperse the light emitted from the multi-fiber ferrule. Alternatively, the lens for each individual optical fiber can be moved relative to the optical fiber or the optical fiber opening in the multi-fiber ferrule to cause the laser beam exiting the multi-fiber ferrule to be redirected into a structure that absorbs or blocks the laser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventors: Darrell R. Childers, Michael E. Hughes, Daniel D. Kurtz
  • Enhanced EMI protection for a connector system
    Patent number: 9500824
    Abstract: To increase the protection of a fiber optic connector system from EMI, apertures in the system must be as small as possible. To reduce the size of apertures in the system, the openings are minimized by using electrically conductive fiber optic connector parts, including a connector housing, a fiber optic ferrule disposed within the electrically conductive connector housing, and an electrically conductive heat-shrink attachment securable to the connector housing. An electrically conductive heat shrink may be attached to the heat-shrink attachment to provide more protection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: US Conec, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiep Nguyen, Darrell R. Childers, Michael E. Hughes