Abstract: A process is provided for aligning and connecting at least one optical fiber to at least one optoelectronic device so as to couple light between at least one optical fiber and at least one optoelectronic device. One embodiment of this process comprises the following steps: (1) holding at least one optical element close to at least one optoelectronic device, at least one optical element having at least a first end; (2) aligning at least one optical element with at least one optoelectronic device; (3) depositing a first non-opaque material on a first end of at least one optoelectronic device; and (4) bringing the first end of at least one optical element proximate to the first end of at least one optoelectronic device in such a manner that the first non-opaque material contacts the first end of at least one optoelectronic device and the first end of at least one optical element. The optical element may be an optical fiber, and the optoelectronic device may be a vertical cavity surface emitting laser.

Abstract: A process is provided for aligning and connecting at least one optical fiber to at least one optoelectronic device so as to couple light between at least one optical fiber and at least one optoelectronic device. One embodiment of this process comprises the following steps: (1) holding at least one optical element close to at least one optoelectronic device, at least one optical element having at least a first end; (2) aligning at least one optical element with at least one optoelectronic device; (3) depositing a first non-opaque material on a first end of at least one optoelectronic device; and (4) bringing the first end of at least one optical element proximate to the first end of at least one optoelectronic device in such a manner that the first non-opaque material contacts the first end of at least one optoelectronic device and the first end of at least one optical element. The optical element may be an optical fiber, and the optoelectronic device may be a vertical cavity surface emitting laser.

Abstract: This invention relates to an optical transmitter, receiver or transceiver module, and more particularly, to an optoelectronic connector. The optoelectronic connector comprises: (1) a mounting structure; (2) an array of optoelectronic devices adapted to the mounting structure, the optoelectronic devices having at least a first end; (3) an array of optical elements, the array of optical elements having at least a first end; (4) the first end of the array of optical elements proximate to the first end of the array of optoelectronic devices in such a manner that one or more optical elements is positioned relative to one or more optoelectronic devices; and (5) a heat spreader passing along a surface of a head region of the mounting structure. The mounting structure may be a flexible printed circuit board. Thermal vias or heat pipes in the head region may transmit heat from the mounting structure to the heat spreader. The heat spreader may provide mechanical rigidity or stiffness to the heat region.

Abstract: A service apparatus for servicing an ink jet pen having a housing defining an ink reservoir and including a print head connected to the housing in communication with the reservoir. The apparatus includes an elongated probe having first and second passages, a fluid supply conduit in communication with the first passage, a drain conduit in communication with the second passage, a fluid receptacle separate from the probe, and a vacuum source in communication with the receptacle. The apparatus may be operated by connecting a pen to the fluid conduit to provide fluid communication between the conduit and the reservoir, draining ink from the reservoir through the fluid conduit, generating a flow of rinse fluid into the reservoir, draining the rinse fluid from the reservoir; and expelling ink through the print head.

Abstract: A service apparatus for servicing an ink jet pen having a housing defining an ink reservoir and including a print head connected to the housing in communication with the reservoir. The apparatus includes an elongated probe having first and second passages, a fluid supply conduit in communication with the first passage, a drain conduit in communication with the second passage, a fluid receptacle separate from the probe, and a vacuum source in communication with the receptacle. The apparatus may be operated by connecting a pen to the fluid conduit to provide fluid communication between the conduit and the reservoir, draining ink from the reservoir through the fluid conduit, generating a flow of rinse fluid into the reservoir, draining the rinse fluid from the reservoir; and expelling ink through the print head.