Abstract: Super miniature TFF and TFP active modular optoelectronic components are based on an optical interface that is three times less than the size of SFF/SFP components and about six times smaller than an SC based component and thus provides a density that is three times higher than LC interfaces. The invention provides substantially smaller photonic devices that can be used with substantially smaller optoelectronic components and combines the new optoelectronic components with the new smaller miniature interconnect systems such as the Push-Release type using the same interface. The new interface can be used with sub-millimeter or larger diameter ferrules. Photonic devices are mounted in a close proximity of the active end of a fiber stub thereby avoiding the need for lenses and active alignment and enabling use in active hermetic or non-hermetic subassemblies.

Abstract: A method for terminating a multifiber connector. A multifiber ribbon is stripped to the appropriate preliminary length A protruding from the ferrule. A cleave is performed for all fibers protruding from the ferrule leaving a residual fiber length A1. Cleaving and fiber end-face forming can be achieved by either laser processing, electrical arch impact, plasma forming, or any other method of similar nature. To achieve the working protrusion of the fibers beyond the ferrule A2, the ferrule is moved forward in a fixture until it stops against stopper B. The fibers are then pushed against the recess in the stopper for alignment until protrusion length A2 is achieved. During the finishing process, the epoxy moves into the fiber holes between the fibers and the walls of the fiber holes by capillary action, without the need to move the ribbon or fibers, or remove epoxy from the contact surface of the ferrule.

Abstract: An optical fiber interconnect system wherein the adapter employs a push-push interconnect mechanism wherein the adapter employs a spring loaded slider that moves in a single plane in response to a first pushing force to engage the connector with the adapter and a second pushing force to disengage the connector from the adapter so that the connector can be withdrawn from the adapter. The adapter includes an automatic shutter that is opened upon contact by the inserted connector housing with a cam on the lower portion of the shutter, but avoids contact with the ferrule polished end face. Angled latches are provided on the modular contact so as to enable disengagement and removal of the contact from the remainder of the connector assembly from the front thereof.

Abstract: An optical fiber interconnect system wherein the adapter is connected to and released from the holder and the connector is connected to and released from adapter through two push-release connection and release mechanisms. The connector is engaged with the adapter by applying an insertion force to the connector. The connector is released by applying a releasing force to the connection mechanism on the adapter. The system of the invention includes a holder for attachment of the adapter to a front panel. A release opening is provided on the holder for the release of the adapter from the holder from the front of the panel so as to provide access to the back connector.

Abstract: Super miniature TFF and TFP active modular optoelectronic components are based on an optical interface that is three times less than the size of SFF/SFP components and about six times smaller than an SC based component and thus provides a density that is three times higher than LC interfaces. The invention provides substantially smaller photonic devices that can be used with substantially smaller optoelectronic components and combines the new optoelectronic components with the new smaller miniature interconnect systems such as the Push-Release type using the same interface. The new interface can be used with sub-millimeter or larger diameter ferrules. Photonic devices are mounted in a close proximity of the active end of a fiber stub thereby avoiding the need for lenses and active alignment and enabling use in active hermetic or non-hermetic subassemblies.

Abstract: An optical fiber interconnect system wherein the adapter is connected to and released from the holder and the connector is connected to and released from adapter through two push-release connection and release mechanisms. The connector is engaged with the adapter by applying an insertion force to the connector. The connector is released by applying a releasing force to the connection mechanism on the adapter. The system of the invention includes a holder for attachment of the adapter to a front panel. A release opening is provided on the holder for the release of the adapter from the holder from the front of the panel so as to provide access to the back connector.

Abstract: An optical fiber interconnect system wherein the adapter employs a push-push interconnect mechanism wherein the adapter employs a spring loaded slider that moves in a single plane in response to a first pushing force to engage the connector with the adapter and a second pushing force to disengage the connector from the adapter so that the connector can be withdrawn from the adapter. The adapter includes an automatic shutter that is opened upon contact by the inserted connector housing with a cam on the lower portion of the shutter, but avoids contact with the ferrule polished end face. Angled latches are provided on the modular contact so as to enable disengagement and removal of the contact from the remainder of the connector assembly from the front thereof.

Abstract: Super miniature TFF and TFP active modular optoelectronic components are based on an optical interface that is substantially less than half the size of SFF/SFP components and more than five times smaller than an SC based component and provides a density that is three times higher than LC interfaces. The invention provides substantially smaller passive interconnect systems that can be used with substantially smaller photonic devices and combines the new photonic devices with the new smaller miniature interconnect systems such as the Push-Push Interconnect system. The new interface can be used with 0.8 mm or larger interfaces. Photonic devices are mounted directly on the active end of a ferrule thereby enabling use with coatings, avoiding the need for lenses, enabling use in active hermetic or non-hermetic subassemblies, and enabling use of optional posts to set the separation of the photonic device from the fiber.

Abstract: A miniature optical transceiver system where active transmitter and receiver components are mounted on the same circuit board in perpendicular relation to the mother board, including means for precise passive alignment of the optical fibers to the active components such as the VCSEL and PD.

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: 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: An alignment system is provided between a pair of connectors mateable in a given mating direction. A first connector includes a housing having an alignment projection on one side thereof. A second connector includes a housing having an alignment flange projecting forwardly thereof generally in said mating direction. The alignment flange is flared outwardly for engaging the housing of the first connector during mating and allowing a degree of misalignment between the connectors in an “X” direction generally perpendicular to the mating direction. The alignment flange includes a slot for receiving the alignment projection of the first connector. The slot has a flared mouth allowing a degree of misaligned between the connectors in a “Y” direction generally perpendicular to the mating direction and generally perpendicular to the “X” direction.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for fabricating a connector ferrule for a fiber optic cable which includes at least one optical fiber. A pair of ferrule clamping members are provided and define a fiber passage therebetween for receiving the optical fiber and which define at least one pin passage therebetween of a given diameter. A ferrule body is formed about the clamping members. A spreader pin of a larger diameter than the given diameter is inserted into the pin passage to spread the clamping members and open the fiber passage. The optical fiber is inserted into the opened fiber passage, and the spreader pin is removed to allow the clamping members to close onto the optical fiber.

Abstract: An alignment system is disclosed in a connector ferrule for a fiber optic cable which includes at least one optical fiber. A ferrule body receives the cable and includes a fiber passage for receiving the optical fiber. A pin passage in the ferrule body is spaced from the fiber passage for receiving an alignment pin projecting from the ferrule body to align the body with an appropriate complementary connecting device. An alignment bushing is disposed in the pin passage for directly receiving the alignment pin. The outside dimensions of the bushing are smaller than the inside dimensions of the pin passage to define a space therebetween. A filler adhesive is applied in the space between the outside of the alignment bushing and the inside of the pin passage. Therefore, the bushing can be precisely aligned in the pin passage from exteriorly of the passage, and the filler adhesive can fix the bushing in that precise alignment interiorly of the passage.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for fabricating a connector ferrule for a fiber optic ribbon cable which includes a plurality of generally parallel optical fibers in a line. A ferrule body is provided with a fiber passage which is elongated in cross-section to receive the line of optical fibers. A jacket is removed from an end portion of the fiber optic ribbon cable to expose the line of optical fibers. The ferrule body is placed in a fixture. The cable is placed in the ferrule body with the exposed line of optical fibers located in the fiber passage, and with distal ends of the exposed fibers projecting outwardly of the ferrule body. The exposed distal ends of the fibers are located on the fixture to precisely align the fibers relative to each other in the fiber passage. A filler adhesive is applied in the fiber passage about the exposed fibers to fix the fibers in the fiber passage while the fibers are held by the fixture in their precise alignment.

Abstract: A connector ferrule is disclosed for a fiber optic ribbon cable which includes a plurality of generally parallel optical fibers in a line. A ferrule body receives the cable and includes a fiber passage which is elongated in cross-section to receive the line of optical fibers that are exposed by removing the jacket at an end portion of the fiber optic ribbon cable. A filler adhesive is disposed in the elongated fiber passage for fixing the fibers in the fiber passage in proper spaced relationship. Therefore, the line of fibers can be precisely aligned and relatively spaced from exteriorly of the fiber passage, and the filler adhesive can fix the fibers in that precise alignment and relative spacing interiorly of the fiber passage.

Abstract: A fixture is disclosed for use in fabricating a connector ferrule for a fiber optic cable which includes a plurality of generally parallel optical fibers. The fixture includes a base, with a receptacle on the base for receiving and properly positioning a ferrule body. A cable locator is provided on the base at one side of the receptacle for positioning the cable inserted in the ferrule body, with exposed end portions of the optical fibers projecting from the ferrule body at an opposite side of the receptacle. A fiber aligner is provided on the base at the opposite side of the receptacle for aligning the exposed end portions of the optical fibers relative to each other and relative to the properly positioned ferrule body.

Abstract: An adapter assembly is provided for interconnecting a pair of opposing optical fiber connectors generally along an optical axis. A unitary adapter housing has an axial cavity extending in a direction between opposite ends thereof. One end of the housing has a first interconnection operatively associated with a first one of the air of opposing optical fiber connectors. A unitary insert is mounted in the axial cavity of the adapter housing and includes a second interconnection operatively associated with the second of the pair of opposing optical fiber connectors at the opposite end of the housing.

Abstract: An adapter assembly is provided for holding two individual fiber optic connectors in generally parallel side-by-side alignment. The assembly includes a body having a pair of holding portions adapted for holding the fiber optic connectors in a substantially side-by-side relationship. A separate spring is mounted on the body and is adapted for cooperating with the body to bias the fiber optic connectors to a substantially parallel relationship.

Abstract: An adapter assembly is provided for holding two individual fiber optic connectors in generally parallel side-by-side alignment. The assembly includes a body having a pair of holding portions adapted for holding the fiber optic connectors in a substantially side-by-side relationship. A separate spring is mounted on the body and is adapted for cooperating with the body to bias the fiber optic connectors to a substantially parallel relationship.