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).

  • 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
  • Fiber Optic Ferrule with Improved Ability to Achieve Ferrule Mating Plane Contact
    Publication number: 20160313511
    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: April 25, 2016
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Inventor: Darrell R. Childers
  • Unitary multi-fiber optical ferrule with integrated lenses
    Patent number: 9465170
    Abstract: A unitary multi-fiber ferrule has micro-holes for 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 lenses have a divergence half angle of between about 2 and 20 degrees and may also have protrusions on them acting as an antireflective coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: US Conec, Ltd
    Inventors: Darrell R. Childers, Michael E. Hughes
  • Unitary Multi-Fiber Optical Ferrule with Integrated Lenses
    Publication number: 20160282565
    Abstract: A unitary multi-fiber ferrule has micro-holes for 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 lenses have a divergence half angle of between about 2 and 20 degrees and may also have protrusions on them acting as an antireflective coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: Darrell R. Childers, Michael E. Hughes
  • Unitary fiber optic ferrule and adapter therefor
    Patent number: 9417409
    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: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: US Conec, Ltd
    Inventors: Joseph P. Howard, Darrell R. Childers, Russell J. Granger
  • Fiber Optic Connector Assembly, Apparatus For Forming A Transceiver Interface, And Ferrule
    Publication number: 20160209610
    Abstract: An fiber-optic connector assembly includes a fiber optic ferrule and a connector, which engage an optical transceiver component. The fiber optic ferrule engages a mating plane of a lens array in the optical transceiver component and floats within the connector. The engagement of the assembly and the optical transceiver component 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: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2016
    Publication date: July 21, 2016
    Inventors: Daniel D. Kurtz, Darrell R. Childers, Michael E. Hughes
  • Alignment Adapter and Alignment Design for a Connector Therefor
    Publication number: 20160161680
    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: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2014
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    Inventors: Hiep Nguyen, Darrell R. Childers, Michael E. Hughes, Jillcha Fekadu Wakjira, Joseph P. Howard
  • Apparatus For Forming A Transceiver Interface, Ferrule, and Optical Transceiver Component
    Publication number: 20160147026
    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: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Publication date: May 26, 2016
    Inventors: Daniel D. Kurtz, Darrell R. Childers, Michael E. Hughes
  • Enhanced EMI Protection for a Connector System
    Publication number: 20160103284
    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: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2015
    Publication date: April 14, 2016
    Inventors: Hiep Nguyen, Darrell R. Childers, Michael E. Hughes
  • Insert-molded transceiver body with heat sink and method therefor
    Patent number: 9276679
    Abstract: An insert-molded fiber optic transmission component has at least one insert and a main body portion. The main body portion has at least one adjoining surface, a portion of the at least one adjoining surface lying in a first plane. The insert has an engaging face disposed against the outer edge surface and a reference surface adjacent the engaging face, where the reference surface lies in a second plane, and the adjoining surface is adjacent the engaging face of the at least one insert and the first and second planes being parallel to and offset from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: U.S. Conec, Ltd.
    Inventors: Darrell R. Childers, Russell Granger, Myron Yount
  • Apparatus for and Method of Terminating a Multi-fiber Ferrule
    Publication number: 20150309266
    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: April 27, 2015
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Inventors: Darrell R. Childers, Jillcha Fekadu Wakjira, Michael E. Hughes, Joseph P. Howard, Arnold Deal, III, Dirk Eric Schoellner
  • Ribbon fiber holder for large diameter cables and loose fibers and associated methods
    Patent number: 9151896
    Abstract: A cable holding tool for holding optical fiber ribbons relative one another for preparation has a cable holding portion and an optical fiber holding portion, each having a cover and an opening therein to receive an optical cable and a fiber optic ribbon respectively. The cable holding tool also has at least one channel disposed between the cable holding portion and the optical fiber holding portion to receive and divert at least one optical fiber ribbon from the optical cable disposed in the cable holding portion from the optical fiber holding portion. A spacer is also provided that is movable parallel to the optical fiber groove from a first position to at least one second position to assist in staggering the fiber ribbons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: US Conec, Ltd
    Inventors: Hiep Nguyen, Darrell R. Childers, Michael E. Hughes
  • Debris reducing multi-fiber connector and adapter and associated methods
    Patent number: 9122022
    Abstract: A fiber optic connector has a connector outer housing and a connector inner housing. The connector inner housing has a projection to interact with a latch on an adapter into which the connector is inserted. The force required to move the connector outer housing relative to the connector inner housing is less than the force to remove the connector inner housing from the latch. A groove or opening may also be formed in the connector outer housing to effectively shorten the connector outer housing and prevent interaction of the latch with the outer housing, reducing debris.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: US Conec, Ltd
    Inventors: Jillcha Fekadu Wakjira, Darrell R. Childers, Eric Childers, Michael E. Hughes
  • Modified MT Ferrule with Removed Cantilevered Fibers & Internal Lenses & Mold Pin
    Publication number: 20150226922
    Abstract: A modified MT fiber optic ferrule has optical fiber receiving holes by the front end to receive the ends of optical fibers inserted into and through the ferrule. The optical fiber receiving holes are aligned with optical fiber openings in the center of the ferrule and have lenses formed in the optical fiber receiving holes to collimate from or focus light into the optical fibers in the fiber optic ferrules. The front end of the fiber optic ferrule may also have integral mating surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Publication date: August 13, 2015
    Inventor: Darrell R. Childers
  • Unitary Fiber Optic Ferrule and Adapter Therefor
    Publication number: 20150131946
    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: January 19, 2015
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Joseph P. Howard, Darrell R. Childers, Russell J. Granger
  • Debris Reducing Multi-Fiber Connector and Adapter and Associated Methods
    Publication number: 20150110446
    Abstract: A fiber optic connector has a connector outer housing and a connector inner housing. The connector inner housing has a projection to interact with a latch on an adapter into which the connector is inserted. The force required to move the connector outer housing relative to the connector inner housing is less than the force to remove the connector inner housing from the latch. A groove or opening may also be formed in the connector outer housing to effectively shorten the connector outer housing and prevent interaction of the latch with the outer housing, reducing debris.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventors: Jillcha Fekadu Wakjira, Darrell R. Childers, Eric Childers, Michael E. Hughes
  • Unitary fiber optic ferrule and adapter therefor
    Patent number: 8985865
    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: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: US Conec, Ltd.
    Inventors: Joseph P. Howard, Darrell R. Childers, Russell J. Granger
  • Unitary fiber optic ferrule and adapter therefor
    Patent number: 8936403
    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: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: US Conec, Ltd
    Inventors: Joseph P. Howard, Darrell R. Childers, Russell J. Granger