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).

  • External Laser Source Physical Contact Verification Of A Fiber Optic Ferrule
    Publication number: 20220342166
    Abstract: A fiber optic ferrule having an angled endface is used in a system where the system can detect back reflection if there is an air gap but not if the fiber optic ferrule is physically mated to another optical device such as a fiber optic ferrule or transceiver. The angle of the end face is preferably between 3 and 5° and most preferably about 4° for most systems. No special detection equipment is needed to infer and determine an acceptable physical contact between two mated fiber-optic ferrules having the angled end faces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2022
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Inventors: Michael E. Hughes, Darrell R. Childers
  • OPTICAL ASSEMBLY
    Publication number: 20220342162
    Abstract: An optical transceiver assembly includes an optical transmitter, an optical receiver, and a first multi-fiber ferrule exclusively connected to the optical transmitter via a first set of at least two optical fibers operable to transport respective optical signals away from the optical transmitter. The assembly includes a second multi-fiber ferrule exclusively connected to the optical receiver via a second set of at least two optical fibers operable to transport respective optical signals to the optical transmitter. The first set of at least two optical fibers is separate from the second set of at least two optical fibers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2022
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Inventors: Michael E. Hughes, Darrell R. Childers
  • Flexible push-pull boot with a transition member
    Patent number: 11474308
    Abstract: A flexible push-pull boot extends between a front end and a rear end, a rear portion has a spine and a plurality of ribs extending from the rear end toward the front end. There is also a middle portion from which a plurality of front extensions extend. At least one of the front extensions has an inwardly extending projection on an inside portion of the front extensions to retain a housing therebehind.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: US Conec Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitchell Cloud, Craig M. Conrad, Darrell R. Childers
  • RESTRAINING MECHANISMS AND METHOD FOR RESTRICTING COMPONENT MOVEMENT DURING CURING FOR A FIBER OPTIC CONNECTOR
    Publication number: 20220291457
    Abstract: A retaining mechanism engages springs in a fiber optic connector to prevent movement of the springs relative to the fiber optic ferrules and the housing during curing of an epoxy inserted into the fiber optic connector. The retaining mechanism may be removably attached to the housing of the fiber optic connector. It may be inserted from a rear end of the fiber optic connector or disposed around an outside portion of the housing. The retaining mechanism may also be integral with an inside surface of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2020
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Applicant: US Conec, Ltd
    Inventors: Jason Higley, Michael E. Hughes, Darrell R. Childers, Shubhrangshu Sengupta
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OPTICAL COMMUNICATIONS USING CWDM FERRULE MATED TO A NON-CWDM FERRULE
    Publication number: 20220291459
    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 causes the optical beam to make at least one 90 degree turn. The non-CWDM fiber optic ferrule has a lens pitch that matches the CWDM ferrule.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2020
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Inventors: Mitchell Cloud, DJ Hastings, Darrell R. Childers
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OPTICAL COMMUNICATIONS USING CWDM FERRULE MATED TO A NON-CWDM FERRULE
    Publication number: 20220276447
    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: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2020
    Publication date: September 1, 2022
    Applicant: US Conec, Ltd
    Inventors: Mitchell Cloud, Darrell R. Childers, DJ Hastings
  • Single port blindmate for fiber optic connectors
    Patent number: 11428875
    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: January 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: US Conec Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiep V. Nguyen, Jason Higley, Darrell R. Childers, Michael E. Hughes
  • Fiber Optic Ferrule and A Guide Pin Clamp with Field Changeable Guide Pins
    Publication number: 20220260790
    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: May 5, 2022
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Applicant: US Conec, Ltd
    Inventors: Darrell R. Childers, Craig M. Conrad, Jason Higley, Jillcha F. Wakjira, Myron W. Yount
  • Method and apparatus for assembling uniboot fiber optic connectors
    Patent number: 11409054
    Abstract: A method for assembling a uniboot fiber optic connector includes the disposing of portions of optical assemblies against a first stop surface and a portion of an optical fiber jacket against a second stop surface. The stop surfaces may be disposed on a fixture that can be used to assemble the fiber optic connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: US Conec Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitchell Cloud, Darrell R. Childers
  • Alignment adapter and alignment design for a connector therefor
    Patent number: 11385415
    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: January 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: US Conec, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiep V. Nguyen, Darrell R. Childers, Michael E. Hughes, Jillcha Fekadu Wakjira, Joseph P. Howard
  • Non-ferrule damaging field removable guide pin
    Patent number: 11378759
    Abstract: A guide pin for aligning fiber optic ferrules includes an elongated cylindrical element with a proximal end, a distal end, a longitudinal axis therethrough, and a diameter. The distal end has a configuration to be insertable into a first ferrule to align the fiber optic ferrules. The proximal end is configured to be inserted into and retained in a guide pin opening in a second ferrule, the guide pin opening in the second ferrule having a diameter, the proximal end of the elongated cylindrical element having a first portion having a profile that is related to an arc with radius equal to or smaller than the diameter of the guide pin opening and a second portion having a profile defined by a line associated with the arc, the second portion being proximal relative to the first portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: US Conec, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jason Higley, Jillcha F. Wakjira, Darrell R. Childers
  • Ferrule Push
    Publication number: 20220196922
    Abstract: A fiber optic ferrule push includes a main body extending between a front end and a rear end, the main body having a central opening extending between the front end and the rear end to receive a plurality of optical fibers therethrough, a front facing surface configured to engage a rear surface of a fiber optic ferrule, and at least one projection extending outward from the main body to engage a housing configured to receive the fiber optic ferrule, the fiber optic ferrule push may also include a key extending outward from a surface of the main body. The fiber optic ferrule push may be paired with a fiber optic ferrule in a fiber optic assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2022
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Inventors: Mitchell Cloud, Craig M. Conrad, Jason Higley, Darrell R. Childers
  • Unitary multi-fiber optical ferrule with integrated lenses
    Patent number: 11353663
    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: February 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: US Conec, Ltd.
    Inventors: Darrell R. Childers, Eric Childers
  • OPTICAL CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY CONNECTORIZED FOR NON-PERMANENT ATTACHMENT TO AN OPTOELECTRONIC SUBSTRATE ASSEMBLY
    Publication number: 20220171144
    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: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2022
    Publication date: June 2, 2022
    Inventors: Paul Kessler Rosenberg, George Panotopoulos, Kent Devenport, Darrell R. Childers, Daniel D. Kurtz, Cecil D. Hastings, JR.
  • Secure MT Ferrule Latching with MPO Adapter
    Publication number: 20220146757
    Abstract: An adapter holds a multi-fiber ferrule in position to mate with a multi-fiber ferrule in a fiber optic connector. The adapter includes an adapter body that has a first opening in a first side of the adapter body that receives the multi-fiber ferrule and a second opening in the second side of the adapter body to removably receive the fiber optic connector. The adapter also includes a pair of latches connected to the adapter and disposed adjacent the first opening to engage and hold the multi-fiber ferrule in the adapter. The pair of latches are connected to the adapter body along longer edges of the first opening and extend in a direction away from the first and the second openings, the pair of latches having a terminal end and a non-uniform thickness between the adapter body and terminal ends.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2022
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Inventors: Hiep V. Nguyen, Darrell R. Childers, Shelly Ann Buchter
  • APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ARRAYING OPTICAL FIBERS SIDE BY SIDE ON A PITCH GREATER THAN THE DIAMETER OF THE FIBER
    Publication number: 20220146758
    Abstract: An optical fiber arranging tool has a base, a top surface, and a recessed channel extending along the base and has a plurality of ribs disposed within the recessed channel. The plurality of ribs have a pitch of 250 microns creating a plurality of grooves for receiving the optical fibers. The tool may also have a latch extending from the top surface of the base on one side of the recessed channel and across the recessed channel to a second side of the recessed channel, there being a slot between the top surface of the base and an underside of the latch and in communication with the recessed channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2022
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Inventors: Darrell R. Childers, Jillcha F. Wakjira, Craig M. Conrad, Arnold Deal, III, Charles L. Bass, III
  • Fiber optic ferrule and a guide pin clamp with field changeable guide pins
    Patent number: 11327249
    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: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: US Conec, Ltd.
    Inventors: Darrell R. Childers, Craig M. Conrad, Jason Higley, Jillcha F. Wakjira, Myron W. Yount
  • Removable sliding shutter for an adapter
    Patent number: 11314022
    Abstract: An adapter that receives fiber optic connectors has a shutter to keep dust and dirt from the fiber optic connectors is capable of rotation as well as translation. The shutter may also be removed from the adapter when not needed. The shutter does not interfere with adjacent adapters or fiber optic connectors and does not need a spring to keep the shutter in a closed position when the adapter does not have a fiber optic connector installed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: US Conec, Ltd.
    Inventors: Craig M. Conrad, Darrell R. Childers
  • SMALL FORM FACTOR CONNECTOR AND ADAPTER
    Publication number: 20220107467
    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: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2020
    Publication date: April 7, 2022
    Inventors: Jason Higley, Darrell R. Childers
  • Ferrule push
    Patent number: 11280966
    Abstract: A fiber optic ferrule push includes a main body extending between a front end and a rear end, the main body having a central opening extending between the front end and the rear end to receive a plurality of optical fibers therethrough, a front facing surface configured to engage a rear surface of a fiber optic ferrule, and at least one projection extending outward from the main body to engage a housing configured to receive the fiber optic ferrule, the fiber optic ferrule push may also include a key extending outward from a surface of the main body. The fiber optic ferrule push may be paired with a fiber optic ferrule in a fiber optic assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: US Conec, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitchell Cloud, Craig M. Conrad, Jason Higley, Darrell R. Childers