Abstract: The specification describes a connector for joining optical elements, especially optical fibers. The connector is a sleeve made of a Simple Shaped Memory Polymer (SSMP) into which the optical fiber is inserted and the sleeve heated to collapse the sleeve around the optical fiber. The SSMP materials are not crosslinked and can be manufactured by a variety of techniques including extrusion. Various methods for forming the bore of the connector and expanding the size of the bore from the memory state to the metastable state are described.

Abstract: The specification describes a connector for joining optical elements, especially optical fibers. The connector is a sleeve made of a Simple Shaped Memory Polymer (SSMP) into which the optical fiber is inserted and the sleeve heated to collapse the sleeve around the optical fiber. The SSMP materials are not crosslinked and can be manufactured by a variety of techniques including extrusion. Various methods for forming the bore of the connector and expanding the size of the bore from the memory state to the metastable state are described.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical connector having a housing assembly comprised of polyphenylsulfone (PPSU). PPSU has several characteristics that make it suitable for use with optical connectors including good flexibility, low sensitivity to molding parameters, good environmental properties, and compatibility with anaerobic adhesives, which are often used to attach the optical fiber to the ferrule in private networks. The connector preferably comprises a one-piece housing, which enhances the side-loading characteristics of the connector. The connector preferably comprises a ferrule assembly and an insert that are housed within the one-piece housing. The insert has a keying mechanism formed thereon that is adapted to mate with a keying mechanism formed in the housing. When the insert is inserted into the first end of the housing, the keying mechanism of the insert interlocks with the keying mechanism of the housing to lock the insert into place within the housing.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment incorporates base and cap members that are matable to each other to form, in a mated configuration, a cavity therebetween, that is sized and shaped to receive an optical integrated circuit therein. The base member includes a first latch post, with a first latching surface arranged between its proximal end and its distal end. The cap member includes a second latch post, with a second latching surface and an area of failure arranged between its proximal end and its distal end. The latching surfaces are arranged so that, as the base and cap members are urged toward the mated configuration, the latching surfaces retain the members in the mated configuration. Additionally, the second latch post is configured so that, as the members are urged apart, the second latch post structurally fails at the area of failure, thereby allowing the cap member to be removed from the base member.

Abstract: A one-piece (unipartite) jack receptacle 40 is molded from thermoplastic material into a generally rectangular shape to provide a compact structure for high-density optical terminations. The receptacle includes a pair of cavities 460, each having an opening in its front end, and each having an opening 422 in its back end for receiving a cylindrical alignment sleeve 440. A U-shaped opening extends from a top-side surface 415 of the receptacle into each cavity to form a cantilever 410, which may be used to hold the receptacle within a panel 200. Molded into the sidewalls of each cavity are retaining surfaces 432 for holding an optical connector within the cavity. The retaining surfaces are located directly beneath the U-shaped opening 463 to facilitate molding. Heretofore, comparable jack receptacles have been assembled from multiple parts; and this has become more costly and complex as the size of jack receptacles has decreased.

Abstract: A closed alignment sleeve has three lands equally spaced on the inside surface of the sleeve. When a ferrule is inserted into the sleeve, the interference at the three lands causes the walls of the sleeve to bend to accommodate the ferrule. In this manner, the closed alignment sleeve with three lands has a stiffness attained by the mechanism normally associated with the open sleeve. The closed alignment sleeve is symmetrical and the three lands act to center the ferrule within the sleeve. The sleeve is formed from a thermoplastic which is much less expensive and much more compliant than conventional ceramic and which allows the sleeve to deform to the size of the ferrule. Further, the envelope required to contain the sleeve is small enough to fit within a variety of optical connectors, including the SC connector.

Abstract: A cylindrical ferrule type optical fiber connector (20) includes an attenuator arrangement which includes an element (70) that is capable of movement during the assembly of the connector. The connector includes a cylindrically shaped sleeve (60) which has a longitudinally extending slot (61) formed through the wall thereof and which is adapted to receive a cylindrical plug (40) in each end thereof, each plug being spring-biased outwardly from a cap (45) and terminating an optical fiber (21). The attenuator element has a disc-shaped portion (74) which is disposed within the sleeve. A neck portion (76) which extends through the slot of the sleeve connects the disc-like portion to a supporting head portion (72) which engages an outer surface of the sleeve. As a first one plug is inserted into the sleeve, it engages the attenuator element and causes it to be moved along the slot in the sleeve.

Abstract: A technique is shown for injection molding knockout sections in plastic parts. Through the introduction of a weld line in a controlled manner, removable sections of any geometry may be incorporated in a part. By varying the weld line geometry, knockout forces may be varied over a wide range. An example of a circular knockout in polycarbonate material is shown.