Patents by Inventor Philip W. Schofield
Philip W. Schofield 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).
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Patent number: 6550980Abstract: A ferrule includes a body, a first cover, and a second cover. The body includes a first row of optical fiber receiving V-grooves, a second row of optical fiber receiving V-grooves, and a third row of optical fiber receiving apertures. Each aperture of the third row of optical fiber receiving apertures accommodates a respective optical fiber. The first cover is mounted to the body adjacent the first row of optical fiber receiving V-grooves. Each V-groove of the first row of optical fiber receiving V-grooves accommodates a respective optical fiber which is aligned therein by the first cover. The second cover is mounted to the body adjacent the second row of optical fiber receiving V-grooves. Each V-groove of the second row of optical fiber receiving V-grooves accommodates a respective optical fiber which is aligned therein by the second cover.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2001Date of Patent: April 22, 2003Assignee: Stratos Lightwave, Inc.Inventors: Philip W. Schofield, Gene Shneyder
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Patent number: 6478475Abstract: A method of forming a multi-terminator optical interconnect system. The method including the steps of molding and mating. The step of molding includes molding two ferrule halves where each ferrule half has a mating end and a fiber-receiving end and an alignment tang. The mating end includes multiple fiber-alignment grooves. Each ferrule half also has hole for receiving a guide pin. The step of mating includes mating two of the ferrule halves to each other so as to form a ferrule structure.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2001Date of Patent: November 12, 2002Assignee: Stratos Lightwave, Inc.Inventors: Philip W. Schofield, Anastasia Bardouniotis
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Publication number: 20020146216Abstract: A ferrule includes a body, a first cover, and a second cover. The body includes a first row of optical fiber receiving V-grooves, a second row of optical fiber receiving V-grooves, and a third row of optical fiber receiving apertures. Each aperture of the third row of optical fiber receiving apertures accommodates a respective optical fiber. The first cover is mounted to the body adjacent the first row of optical fiber receiving V-grooves. Each V-groove of the first row of optical fiber receiving V-grooves accommodates a respective optical fiber which is aligned therein by the first cover. The second cover is mounted to the body adjacent the second row of optical fiber receiving V-grooves. Each V-groove of the second row of optical fiber receiving V-grooves accommodates a respective optical fiber which is aligned therein by the second cover.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 5, 2001Publication date: October 10, 2002Inventors: Philip W. Schofield, Gene Schneider
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Publication number: 20020003932Abstract: MT ferrule. A polymer fiber optic MT ferrule includes hermaphroditic L-shaped halves having multiple fibers mounted in V-grooves formed within surfaces of ferrule halves. Ferrule halves include holed walls perpendicular to the major surface of the V-grooves for providing alignment of the ferrule to guide pins of an MT receptacle having an alignment assembly and an alignment member mounted within the alignment assembly to provide for precision alignment.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2001Publication date: January 10, 2002Inventors: Philip W. Schofield, Anastasia Bardouniotis
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Patent number: 6328479Abstract: MT ferrule. A polymer fiber optic MT ferrule includes hermaphroditic L-shaped halves having multiple fibers mounted in V-grooves formed within surfaces of ferrule halves. Ferrule halves include holed walls perpendicular to the major surface of the V-grooves for providing alignment of the ferrule to guide pins of an MT receptacle having an alignment assembly and an alignment member mounted within the alignment assembly to provide for precision alignment.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 1999Date of Patent: December 11, 2001Assignee: Stratos Lightwave, Inc.Inventors: Philip W. Schofield, Anastasia Bardouniotis
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Patent number: 6284160Abstract: An apparatus for injection molding of a fiber optic ferrule including the use of adjustable core and receiver members to precisely locate a core pin and also a projecting wire member in a mold where the core pin defines an interior passage in the molded ferrule and the projecting wire forms a small diameter longitudinal hole in the ferrule communicating with an outer end of the interior passage so that the interior passage and small diameter hole are precisely located relative to the body of the molded ferrule.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 1995Date of Patent: September 4, 2001Assignee: Stratos Lightwave, Inc.Inventors: Leopold Kiernicki, James W. McGinley, Philip W. Schofield
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Patent number: 6276840Abstract: A massive parallel (MP) connector is provided which includes a fiber optic connector having a polymer female having multiple fibers mounted in V-grooves of the ferrule and beveled edges of the ferrule providing for alignment of the ferrule when the MP fiber optic connector is mated to a receptacle having an alignment assembly and an alignment member mounted within the alignment assembly to provide for precision alignment. A receptacle assembly is provided having a first receptacle half for receiving a fiber optic connector having a first form factor and a second receptacle half for receiving a fiber optic connector having a second form factor.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2000Date of Patent: August 21, 2001Assignee: Stratos Lightwave, Inc.Inventors: Roger E. Weiss, Daniel P. Vladic, Philip W. Schofield
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Patent number: 6277308Abstract: A method and apparatus for injection molding of a fiber optic ferrule including the use of adjustable core and receiver members adjustable from the exterior of the mold to precisely locate a projecting wire member in a mold where a score pin defines an interior passage in the molded ferrule and the projecting wire forms a small diameter longitudinal hole in the ferrule communicating with an outer end of the interior passage so that the interior passage and small diameter hole are precisely located relative to the body of the molded ferrule.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 1999Date of Patent: August 21, 2001Assignee: Stratos Lightwave, Inc.Inventors: Leopold Kiernicki, James W. McGinley, Philip W. Schofield
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Patent number: 6173099Abstract: A coupling is provided having a one-piece body, with a first segment having a first chamber for receiving an optical connector and ferrule, a second segment having a second chamber for receiving an alignment sleeve that retains and interconnects the ferrules, a third segment substantially similar to the first segment and having a third chamber for receiving a second optical connector and ferrule, wherein said first, second and third chambers are aligned longitudinally across the one-piece body, and a resilient arm extends from the one-piece body to allow the coupling of the invention to be received by a coupling aperture.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 1998Date of Patent: January 9, 2001Assignee: Stratos Lightwave, Inc.Inventors: Leopold Kiernicki, Philip W. Schofield
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Patent number: 6045270Abstract: A massive parallel (MP) connector is provided which includes a fiber optic connector having a polymer ferrule having multiple fibers mounted in V-grooves of the ferrule and beveled edges of the ferrule providing for alignment of the ferrule when the MP fiber optic connector is mated to a receptacle having an alignment assembly and an alignment member mounted within the alignment assembly to provide for precision alignment. A receptacle assembly is provided having a first receptacle half for receiving a fiber optic connector having a first form factor and a second receptacle half for receiving a fiber optic connector having a second form factor.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 1998Date of Patent: April 4, 2000Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.Inventors: Roger E. Weiss, Daniel P. Vladic, Philip W. Schofield
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Patent number: 5943462Abstract: A cable assembly fitting is provided to connect fiber optic to optoelectronic equipment. An elongated housing includes a front end, a back end and an axial bore extending between the front and back ends. The axial bore further defines a first portion, a second portion, and an intermediate stepped portion. A cap is fit into the back end of the housing. Fiber optic cable is contained within a cable jacket and has fibers protruding therefrom. The fibers have a mediate span and rigid sleeve thereon. A water impervious barrier is positioned adjacent the rigid sleeve. A shrink tubing is disposed around the fiber optic cable.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 1997Date of Patent: August 24, 1999Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.Inventors: Philip W. Schofield, David E. Wuestmann
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Patent number: 5863242Abstract: A polishing apparatus is provided for holding at least one fiber optic connector ferrule in an upright position while allowing the face portion the ferrules to be held firmly against a planar sheet of ferrule polishing paper. The apparatus can be manually maneuvered over said polishing paper thereby polishing the face portion of the ferrules inserted therein. The polishing apparatus includes a disc having a polishing surface and an upper surface opposite said polishing surface. A plurality of ferrule receiving apertures are formed in the disc for receiving various connector ferrules. Support skirts surround each aperture, extending upward from said upper surface. The ferrule support skirts define internal circular bores communicating with the polishing surface such that fiber optic connector ferrules may be inserted into the bores with the face portion of said ferrules extending beyond said polishing surface.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 1996Date of Patent: January 26, 1999Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.Inventors: Mark R. Waldron, Philip W. Schofield
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Patent number: 5748818Abstract: A massive parallel (MP) connector is provided which includes a fiber optic connector having a polymer ferrule having multiple fibers mounted in V-grooves of the ferrule and beveled edges of the ferrule providing for alignment of the ferrule when the MP fiber optic connector is mated to a receptacle having an alignment assembly and an alignment member mounted within the alignment assembly to provide for precision alignment. A receptacle assembly is provided having a first receptacle half for receiving a fiber optic connector having a first form factor and a second receptacle half for receiving a fiber optic connector having a second form factor.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 1996Date of Patent: May 5, 1998Inventors: Roger E. Weiss, Daniel P. Vladic, Philip W. Schofield
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Patent number: 5737463Abstract: A massive parallel (MP) connector is provided which includes a fiber optic connector having a polymer ferrule having multiple fibers mounted in V-grooves of the ferrule and beveled edges of the ferrule providing for alignment of the ferrule when the MP fiber optic connector is mated to a receptacle having an alignment assembly and an alignment member mounted within the alignment assembly to provide for precision alignment.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 1995Date of Patent: April 7, 1998Inventors: Roger E. Weiss, Daniel P. Vladic, Philip W. Schofield
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Patent number: 5621836Abstract: An injection molded plastic fiber alignment ferrule is provided with a polishing pedestal. The ferrule has an opening therethrough for receiving the end of a fiber which is bonded therein by an anaerobic adhesive and extends beyond the pedestal. The fiber is cleaved and the end is severed. The ferrule is polished to remove the pedestal, resulting in a smoothly polished end surface.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 1994Date of Patent: April 15, 1997Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.Inventors: Philip W. Schofield, Michael A. Reed, Kenneth Marchman
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Patent number: 5473715Abstract: A fiber optic and electrical hybrid connector is disclosed for providing remote system connectivity management and verification, comprising a first fiber optic connector including a housing. A first electrical connector mounted to the housing of the first fiber optic connector is provided for data identification transmission. The first fiber optic connector is mated to a second fiber optic connector and the first electrical connector simultaneously mating to a second electrical connector. The first electrical connector includes a transistor having a 64 bit ROM, a 48 bit Serial Number, an 8 bit CRC and an 8 bit family code. The second electrical connector includes data lines connected to a PCB having visual signal illumination connectivity means and remote connectivity management means. The first elecrtrical connector derives power from the data signal lines of the second electrical connector.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 1994Date of Patent: December 5, 1995Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.Inventors: Philip W. Schofield, Charles A. Kozel, Daniel P. Vladic
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Patent number: 5390269Abstract: An optical connector for assembly with a fiber optic cable includes a spring biased holder for an optical fiber having a rear body to prevent leaking of adhesive from the holder. A collar is provided having a multi-faceted periphery to allow insertion into a cavity of a connector body. The collar has a complementary faceted geometry in a multiplicity of orientations with respect to a mating axis to provide for high resolution tuning of the holder.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 1992Date of Patent: February 14, 1995Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.Inventors: Vincent J. Palecek, deceased, Philip W. Schofield
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Patent number: 5367159Abstract: An FDDI loopback connector or optical network is suitable for testing in fiber-to-fiber applications and designed to be interchangeable with a complimentary connector. The loopback tester is afforded a desired level of attenuation by providing a fiber loop having a controlled air gap. Adjustment of the air gap will afford a desired attenuation level.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 1992Date of Patent: November 22, 1994Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.Inventors: Philip W. Schofield, Paul R. Stonikas, James W. McGinley
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Patent number: 5343547Abstract: An overconnector assembly having a pair of half sections which can be interlocked to form a generally rectangular collar for mounting a pair of simplex connector housing portions one above the other within the collar, at least one of the half sections having a perpendicularly extending post intermediate the ends thereof and projecting toward the other half section to separate a pair of connector housings mounted within said collar, the post being dimensioned to permit a controlled amount of pivotal movement between the connector housing portions.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 1993Date of Patent: August 30, 1994Inventors: Vincent J. Palecek, James W. McGinley, Philip W. Schofield
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Patent number: 5333223Abstract: An injection molded plastic fiber alignment ferrule is provided with a polishing pedestal. The ferrule has an opening therethrough for receiving the end of a fiber, which extends beyond the pedestal. The fiber is cleaved and the end is severed. The ferrule is polished to remove the pedestal, resulting is a smoothly polished end surface.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 1993Date of Patent: July 26, 1994Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.Inventors: Philip W. Schofield, James W. McGinley