Abstract: The connector system provides two identical hermaphroditic housings, which accomplish a reliable connection of standard optical fiber connectors without the use of an adaptor. The connector system includes a first housing mounted to a first printed wiring board and a second housing mounted to a second printed wiring board. Each housing supports an optical fiber connector therein. Each housing includes an inner member and an outer member. Springs are provided between the inner and outer members to provide biasing of the housings in the mating direction of the optical connectors.

Abstract: The connector system provides two identical hermaphroditic housings, which accomplish a reliable connection of standard optical fiber connectors without the use of an adaptor. The connector system includes a first housing mounted to a first printed wiring board and a second housing mounted to a second printed wiring board. Each housing supports an optical fiber connector therein. Each housing includes an inner member and an outer member Springs are provided between the inner and outer members to provide biasing of the housings in the mating direction of the optical connectors.

Abstract: An optical liquid measuring system for measuring the amount of flammable liquid in a storage tank consisting of a pair of encoder disks that are operatively connected to a pair of floats through a pair of pulley systems. The floats are designed so that the first float will float on top of flammable liquid such as gasoline, and the second float will float on top of water. Optical encoder reader heads or optical connectors are located proximate to the respective encoder disks to receive light that is reflected by or transmitted through the encoder disks. The optical connectors include a plurality of optical fibers that receive the light from the encoder disks and transmits signals to a CPU. The CPU then takes the information derived from the received signals and uses an algorithm to accurately calculate the amount of gasoline and water in the storage tank.

Abstract: A fiber optic ferrule, preferably an MT-type ferrule, and connector design is provided that includes a unitary v-groove lens array (v-lens). The v-lens comprises a plurality of lenses and corresponding plurality of open v-grooves to align optical fibers with the plurality of lenses. Because the v-groove lens array is a unitary structure, high precision manufacturing is required for only the v-groove lens array, and not for other components forming the ferrule. A housing holds the v-groove lens array and preferably comprises a cantilever configured to retain the optical fibers substantially within their corresponding v-grooves. An opening in the housing allows an adhesive to be placed in contact with the housing, optical fibers and v-groove lens array thereby retaining the various components in a fixed relationship. A fiber optic connector may include the fiber optic ferrule in accordance with the present invention disposed within a suitable connector housing.

Abstract: An optical liquid measuring system for measuring the amount of flammable liquid in a storage tank consisting of a pair of encoder disks that are operatively connected to a pair of floats through a pair of pulley systems. The floats are designed so that the first float will float on top of flammable liquid such as gasoline, and the second float will float on top of water. Optical encoder reader heads or optical connectors are located proximate to the respective encoder disks to receive light that is reflected by or transmitted through the encoder disks. The optical connectors include a plurality of optical fibers that receive the light from the encoder disks and transmits signals to a CPU. The CPU then takes the information derived from the received signals and uses an algorithm to accurately calculate the amount of gasoline and water in the storage tank.

Abstract: A ferrule for connecting a optical fiber to a mating optical fiber or an item of network gear includes a guide hole having a consistent first dimension in a first region and a larger dimension in a second region. A guide or alignment pin inserted through the guide hole forms a locational or sliding fit with the guide hole in the first region and a loose fit in the second region, allowing the ferrule to rock through the angle formed by the dimension of the second region. Rocking the ferrule through this angle closes the lossy air gap formed by end-face tilt resulting from imperfect polishing of the face of the ferrule and decreases insertion loss.