Patents by Inventor Michael E. Hughes

Michael E. Hughes 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).

  • Publication number: 20240111105
    Abstract: A new fiber optic connector provides a smaller form factor by including two ferrule assemblies in a housing. The housing accepts a push-pull mechanism that allows for insertion and removal from a carrier as well as an adapter. The push-pull mechanism may also include a flexure member to return the push-pull mechanism. Polarity of the fiber optic connector may also be selected by use of the push-pull mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Inventors: Jason Higley, Jillcha F. Wakjira, Mitchell Cloud, Darrell R. Childers, Michael E. Hughes
  • Publication number: 20240103232
    Abstract: An interface provides protection and support for transitioning a jacketed fiber optic cable. The interface has a crimp body, a transition portion and a front end to receive an adapter. The interface preferably has a main body with two pieces that are identical. The two pieces have tabs and recesses corresponding to the tabs for alignment and structure. The main body also may have an opening for an adapter latch. A crimp band fits over the crimp body to secure the jacketed fiber optic cable to the interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Inventors: Jason Higley, Michael E. Hughes
  • Patent number: 11940657
    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: August 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: US Conec Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiep V. Nguyen, Jason Higley, Darrell R. Childers, Michael E. Hughes
  • Publication number: 20240085642
    Abstract: Fiber optic assemblies are used to link transceivers carrying a signal from the transmitter portion of one transceiver to the receiver portion of another transceiver. The fiber optic assemblies have multi-fiber fiber optic connectors with a multi-fiber ferrule with two rows of optical fibers and with a gender of either male or female. When the fiber optic connectors have fiber optic connectors with the same gender, the plurality of optical fibers are inverted and when the fiber optic assemblies have fiber optic connectors with an opposite gender, the plurality of optical fibers are not inverted but switch rows. The inversion may also occur when the fiber optic connectors have the opposite gender in an alternative embodiment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Inventors: Jennifer Cline, Thomas Mitcheltree, Michael E. Hughes
  • Publication number: 20240036271
    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: October 10, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: Hiep V. Nguyen, Darrell R. Childers, Michael E. Hughes, Jillcha Fekadu Wakjira, Joseph P. Howard
  • Patent number: 11880075
    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: October 10, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: US Conec Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiep V. Nguyen, Darrell R. Childers, Michael E. Hughes, Jillcha Fekadu Wakjira, Joseph P. Howard
  • Patent number: 11852873
    Abstract: An interface provides protection and support for transitioning a jacketed fiber optic cable. The interface has a crimp body, a transition portion and a front end to receive an adapter. The interface preferably has a main body with two pieces that are identical. The two pieces have tabs and recesses corresponding to the tabs for alignment and structure. The main body also may have an opening for an adapter latch. A crimp band fits over the crimp body to secure the jacketed fiber optic cable to the interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: US Conec Ltd.
    Inventors: Jason Higley, Michael E. Hughes
  • Patent number: 11846813
    Abstract: A new fiber optic connector provides a smaller form factor by including two ferrule assemblies in a housing. The housing accepts a push-pull mechanism that allows for insertion and removal from a carrier as well as an adapter. The push-pull mechanism may also include a flexure member to return the push-pull mechanism. Polarity of the fiber optic connector may also be selected by use of the push-pull mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: US Conec Ltd.
    Inventors: Darrell R. Childers, Jillcha F. Wakjira, Jason Higley, Michael E. Hughes, Mitchell Cloud
  • Publication number: 20230358974
    Abstract: A new fiber optic connector provides a smaller form factor by including two ferrule assemblies in a housing. The housing accepts a push-pull mechanism that allows for insertion and removal from a carrier as well as an adapter. The push-pull mechanism may also include a flexure member to return the push-pull mechanism. Polarity of the fiber optic connector may also be selected by use of the push-pull mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2023
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Inventors: Jason Higley, Jillcha F. Wakjira, Mitchell Cloud, Darrell R. Childers, Michael E. Hughes
  • Patent number: 11808994
    Abstract: A new fiber optic connector provides a smaller form factor by including two ferrule assemblies in a housing. The housing accepts a push-pull mechanism that allows for insertion and removal from a carrier as well as an adapter. The push-pull mechanism may also include a flexure member to return the push-pull mechanism. Polarity of the fiber optic connector may also be selected by use of the push-pull mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: US Conec Ltd.
    Inventors: Jason Higley, Jillcha F. Wakjira, Mitchell Cloud, Darrell R. Childers, Michael E. Hughes
  • Publication number: 20230288650
    Abstract: A new fiber optic connector provides a smaller form factor by including two ferrule assemblies in a housing. The housing accepts a push-pull mechanism that allows for insertion and removal from a carrier as well as an adapter. The push-pull mechanism may also include a flexure member to return the push-pull mechanism. Polarity of the fiber optic connector may also be selected by use of the push-pull mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2023
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Inventors: Darrell R. Childers, Jillcha F. Wakjira, Jason Higley, Michael E. Hughes, Mitchell Cloud
  • Patent number: 11733466
    Abstract: A new fiber optic connector provides a smaller form factor by including two ferrule assemblies in a housing. The housing accepts a push-pull mechanism that allows for insertion and removal from a carrier as well as an adapter. The push-pull mechanism may also include a flexure member to return the push-pull mechanism. Polarity of the fiber optic connector may also be selected by use of the push-pull mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: US Conec Ltd.
    Inventors: Jason Higley, Jillcha F. Wakjira, Mitchell Cloud, Darrell R. Childers, Michael E. Hughes
  • Publication number: 20230213708
    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: March 14, 2023
    Publication date: July 6, 2023
    Applicant: US Conec Ltd.
    Inventors: Darrell R. Childers, Michael E. Hughes, Daniel D. Kurtz
  • Publication number: 20230096618
    Abstract: A new fiber optic connector provides a smaller form factor by including two ferrule assemblies in a housing. The housing accepts a push-pull mechanism that allows for insertion and removal from a carrier as well as an adapter. The push-pull mechanism may also include a flexure member to return the push-pull mechanism. Polarity of the fiber optic connector may also be selected by use of the push-pull mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2022
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Inventors: Darrell R. Childers, Jillcha F. Wakjira, Jason Higley, Michael E. Hughes, Mitchell Cloud
  • Patent number: 11614588
    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: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: US Conec Ltd.
    Inventors: Darrell R. Childers, Michael E. Hughes, Daniel D. Kurtz
  • Publication number: 20230080980
    Abstract: A new fiber optic connector provides a smaller form factor by including two ferrule assemblies in a housing. The housing accepts a push-pull mechanism that allows for insertion and removal from a carrier as well as an adapter. The push-pull mechanism may also include a flexure member to return the push-pull mechanism. Polarity of the fiber optic connector may also be selected by use of the push-pull mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2022
    Publication date: March 16, 2023
    Inventors: Jason Higley, Jillcha F. Wakjira, Mitchell Cloud, Darrell R. Childers, Michael E. Hughes
  • Patent number: 11573386
    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: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: US Conec Ltd.
    Inventors: Daniel D. Kurtz, Darrell R. Childers, Michael E. Hughes
  • Publication number: 20220413231
    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: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2022
    Publication date: December 29, 2022
    Inventors: Hiep V. Nguyen, Jason Higley, Darrell R. Childers, Michael E. Hughes
  • Patent number: 11525965
    Abstract: A new fiber optic connector provides a smaller form factor by including two ferrule assemblies in a housing. The housing accepts a push-pull mechanism that allows for insertion and removal from a carrier as well as an adapter. The push-pull mechanism may also include a flexure member to return the push-pull mechanism. Polarity of the fiber optic connector may also be selected by use of the push-pull mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: US Conec Ltd.
    Inventors: Darrell R. Childers, Jillcha F. Wakjira, Jason Higley, Michael E. Hughes, Mitchell Cloud
  • Patent number: 11506848
    Abstract: A new fiber optic connector provides a smaller form factor by including two ferrule assemblies in a housing. The housing accepts a push-pull mechanism that allows for insertion and removal from a carrier as well as an adapter. The push-pull mechanism may also include a flexure member to return the push-pull mechanism. Polarity of the fiber optic connector may also be selected by use of the push-pull mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: US Conec Ltd.
    Inventors: Jason Higley, Jillcha F. Wakjira, Mitchell Cloud, Darrell R. Childers, Michael E. Hughes