Patents by Inventor Steven C. Zimmel

Steven C. Zimmel 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: 20200012054
    Abstract: A fiber optic cable and connector assembly including a fiber optic connector mounted at the end of a fiber optic cable. The fiber optic connector includes a ferrule assembly including a stub fiber supported within a ferrule. The stub fiber is fusion spliced to an optical fiber of the fiber optic cable at a location within the fiber optic connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2019
    Publication date: January 9, 2020
    Inventors: Michael James Ott, Thomas P. Huegerich, Steven C. Zimmel, Ponharith Nhep
  • Publication number: 20200012064
    Abstract: A telecommunications assembly including a housing and a plurality of modules mounted within the housing. The modules includes a rear face in which is mounted at least one fiber optic connector. Within an interior of the housing are positioned at least one fiber optic adapters. Inserting the module through a front opening of the housing at a mounting location positions the connector of the module for insertion into and mating with the adapter of the housing. The adapters within the interior of the housing are mounted to a removable holder. A method of mounting a telecommunications module within a chassis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2019
    Publication date: January 9, 2020
    Inventors: Steven C. Zimmel, Ponharith Nhep, Trevor D. Smith
  • Publication number: 20200003967
    Abstract: A housing including a plurality of openings for receiving fiber optic connectors and protecting the polished end face of the connectors from damage while the connectors are stored within a telecommunications connection cabinet. A module with a plurality of optical fiber cables connected to a first optical fiber cable and terminated by a fiber optic connector. Each of the connectors are inserted within openings in a connector holder for storage and protection until the cables need to be connected to a customer equipment cable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2019
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Inventors: Trevor D. Smith, Michael Kenneth Barth, Soutsada Vongseng, Steven C. Zimmel
  • Publication number: 20190384018
    Abstract: A multi-fiber cable assembly includes an optical connector and a cable. The optical connector includes a connector body; an optical ferrule body, and alignment elements. The optical ferrule body has an end face defining a plurality of alignment openings arranged in rows and has a plurality of buckling chambers. Each buckling chamber is aligned with one of the rows of the alignment openings. The optical fibers of the cable have bare portions secured at a first end of the optical ferrule body using rigid epoxy. Each of the optical fibers is routed through one of the buckling chambers to one of the alignment holes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2019
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Inventors: Yu Lu, Steven C. Zimmel, Gregory J. Schaible
  • Patent number: 10495837
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a telecommunications connection device. The device including a housing, a plurality of single-fiber connectorized pigtails that extend outwardly from the housing and a multi-fiber connectorized pigtail that extends outwardly from the housing. The multi-fiber connectorized pigtail can be optically coupled with the single fiber connectorized pigtails. The device can include optical fibers routed from the multi-fiber connectorized pigtail through the housing to the single-fiber connectorized pigtails. The single-fiber connectorized pigtails can be more flexible than the multi-fiber connectorized pigtail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: CommScope Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Scott C. Kowalczyk, Steven C. Zimmel, James J. Brandt, Oscar Fernando Bran De Leon, Erik J. Gronvall, Trevor D. Smith, Yu Lu, David J. Anderson
  • Publication number: 20190361178
    Abstract: A fiber optic ferrule includes a body extending from a first end to a second opposite end, with the body including an axial passage extending between the first and the second ends. The axial passage includes a first diameter portion having a diameter of at least 125 microns, a second diameter portion having a diameter of at least 250 microns and less than a diameter of a buffer, and a smooth and continuous transition between the first and the second diameter portions. The second diameter portion is positioned between the first diameter portion and the second end. The axial passage further defines a tapered shape at the second end extending inward from the second end toward the second diameter portion. In certain embodiments, another smooth and continuous transition can be provided between the taper shape and the second diameter portion. In certain embodiments, the axial passage is smooth and continuous between the first and the second ends of the body. A hub holds the ferrule.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2019
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Inventor: Steven C. Zimmel
  • Publication number: 20190346627
    Abstract: Aspects and techniques of the present disclosure relate to an alignment device that includes a groove-type alignment structure with a support region for receiving an optical fiber inserted along a fiber insertion axis. The optical fiber has a first side and a second, opposite side. The groove-type alignment structure engages the first side of the optical fiber. The alignment device includes a stabilization structure that engages the first side of the optical fiber and a first angled transition surface that engages the second, opposite side of the optical fiber. The present disclosure also relates to an alignment system that includes a first housing piece; a second housing piece adapted to mate with the first housing piece; and a flat structure positioned between the first and second housing pieces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2017
    Publication date: November 14, 2019
    Applicant: COMMSCOPE TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Steven C. ZIMMEL, Michael James OTT, Danny Willy August VERHEYDEN, Michael Aaron KADAR-KALLEN, Gary William ADAMS, Robert Charles FLAIG, Gregory J. SCHAIBLE
  • Patent number: 10473876
    Abstract: A telecommunications assembly includes a chassis and a plurality of fiber optic splitter modules mounted within the chassis. Each splitter module includes at least one fiber optic connector. Within an interior of the chassis are positioned at least one fiber optic adapter. Inserting the splitter module through a front opening of the chassis at a mounting location positions the connector of the splitter module for insertion into and mating with the adapter of the chassis. The adapters mounted within the interior of the chassis are integrally formed as part of a removable adapter assembly. A method of mounting a fiber optic splitter module within a telecommunications chassis is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: CommScope Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Steven C. Zimmel, Trevor D. Smith, Ponharith Nhep
  • Patent number: 10469194
    Abstract: A system for delivering multiple passive optical network services is disclosed. The system includes a first optical transmission service comprising a common wavelength pair routed from a source to each of a plurality of subscribers. The system further includes a second optical transmission service comprising a plurality of unique wavelength pairs, where each of the unique wavelength pairs is routed from the source to a subscriber among the plurality of subscribers. The system delivers the first optical transmission service and the second optical transmission service to the subscriber on a single optical fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: CommScope Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Steven C. Zimmel, Timothy G. Badar, Trevor D. Smith
  • Patent number: 10436996
    Abstract: A telecommunications module includes a main housing portion and a cover, the main housing portion defining a first sidewall, a front wall, a rear wall, a top wall, and a bottom wall, the cover defining a second sidewall when mounted on the main housing portion. An optical component located within the module receives an input signal from a signal input location of the housing and outputs an output signal toward a signal output location on the front wall. The telecommunications module is configured such that the signal input location can be selected to be either on the front wall or the rear wall of the main housing. The cover defines a protrusion extending from the second sidewall toward the main housing portion, the protrusion being selectively breakable to expose a recess on the front wall of the main housing portion that defines a signal input location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: CommScope Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Steven C. Zimmel
  • Publication number: 20190285809
    Abstract: A fiber optic connector and cable assembly includes a cable and a fiber optic connector. The connector has a main connector body, a ferrule, a spring for biasing the ferrule, and a spring push for retaining the spring within the main connector body. A crimp band is provided for securing the fiber optic cable to the fiber optic connector. The crimp band includes a first portion securing a cable strength member. The crimp band also includes a second portion crimped down on a jacket of the cable. The crimp band further includes an inner surface having gripping structures for gripping the strength member and/or the jacket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2019
    Publication date: September 19, 2019
    Inventors: Steven C. Zimmel, Yu Lu, Patrick J. Nault, Scott C. Kowalczyk, Scott Droege, Brent Campbell, Christopher Stroth
  • Publication number: 20190227242
    Abstract: A fiber optic ferrule includes a body extending from a first end to a second opposite end, with the body including an axial passage extending between the first and second ends. The axial passage includes a first diameter portion having a diameter of at least 125 microns, and a second diameter portion having a diameter of at least 250 microns and less than a diameter of the buffer, the second diameter portion positioned between the first diameter and the second end. The axial passage further defines a tapered shape at the second end extending inward from the second end to the second diameter portion. A hub holds the ferrule. A method of assembling a terminated fiber optic cable is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2018
    Publication date: July 25, 2019
    Inventors: Scott Droege, Steven C. Zimmel
  • Patent number: 10359591
    Abstract: A telecommunications assembly including a housing and a plurality of modules mounted within the housing. The modules includes a rear face in which is mounted at least one fiber optic connector. Within an interior of the housing are positioned at least one fiber optic adapters. Inserting the module through a front opening of the housing at a mounting location positions the connector of the module for insertion into and mating with the adapter of the housing. The adapters within the interior of the housing are mounted to a removable holder. A method of mounting a telecommunications module within a chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: CommScope Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Steven C. Zimmel, Ponharith Nhep, Trevor D. Smith
  • Patent number: 10353154
    Abstract: A fiber optic cable and connector assembly including a fiber optic connector mounted at the end of a fiber optic cable. The fiber optic connector includes a ferrule assembly including a stub fiber supported within a ferrule. The stub fiber is fusion spliced to an optical fiber of the fiber optic cable at a location within the fiber optic connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: CommScope Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Michael James Ott, Thomas P. Huegerich, Steven C. Zimmel, Ponharith Nhep
  • Patent number: 10345539
    Abstract: A housing including a plurality of openings for receiving fiber optic connectors and protecting the polished end face of the connectors from damage while the connectors are stored within a telecommunications connection cabinet. A module with a plurality of optical fiber cables connected to a first optical fiber cable and terminated by a fiber optic connector. Each of the connectors are inserted within openings in a connector holder for storage and protection until the cables need to be connected to a customer equipment cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: CommScope Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Trevor D. Smith, Michael Kenneth Barth, Soutsada Vongseng, Steven C. Zimmel
  • Patent number: 10330870
    Abstract: A multi-fiber cable assembly includes an optical connector and a cable. The optical connector includes a connector body; an optical ferrule body, and alignment elements. The optical ferrule body has an end face defining a plurality of alignment openings arranged in rows and has a plurality of buckling chambers. Each buckling chamber is aligned with one of the rows of the alignment openings. The optical fibers of the cable have bare portions secured at a first end of the optical ferrule body using rigid epoxy. Each of the optical fibers is routed through one of the buckling chambers to one of the alignment holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: COMMSCOPE TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Yu Lu, Steven C. Zimmel, Gregory J. Schaible
  • Publication number: 20190187396
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to fiber optic components and structures for use in building fiber optic networks using an indexing architecture. In certain examples, fan-out structures are used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2017
    Publication date: June 20, 2019
    Inventors: Samuel Taylor FINNEGAN, Steven C. ZIMMEL
  • Publication number: 20190179088
    Abstract: Optical connector arrangements terminate at least seventy-two optical fibers. The optical connector arrangements include multiple optical ferrules that each terminates multiple optical fibers. Some example optical connectors can terminate about 144 optical fibers. Each optical connector includes a fiber take-up arrangement and a flange extending outwardly from a connector housing arrangement. The fiber take-up arrangement manages excess length of the optical fibers. A threadable coupling nut can be disposed on the connector housing arrangement to engage the outwardly extending flange. Certain types of optical connector arrangements include furcation cables spacing the connector housing arrangement form the fiber take-up arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2018
    Publication date: June 13, 2019
    Inventors: Steven C. Zimmel, Yu Lu, Gregory J. Schaible
  • Publication number: 20190154940
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a telecommunications connection device. The device including a housing, a plurality of single-fiber connectorized pigtails that extend outwardly from the housing and a multi-fiber connectorized pigtail that extends outwardly from the housing. The multi-fiber connectorized pigtail can be optically coupled with the single fiber connectorized pigtails. The device can include optical fibers routed from the multi-fiber connectorized pigtail through the housing to the single-fiber connectorized pigtails. The single-fiber connectorized pigtails can be more flexible than the multi-fiber connectorized pigtail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2018
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Applicant: CommScope Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Scott C. KOWALCZYK, Steven C. ZIMMEL, James J. BRANDT, Oscar Fernando BRAN DE LEON, Erik J. GRONVALL, Trevor D. SMITH, Yu LU, David J. ANDERSON
  • Patent number: 10295757
    Abstract: A fiber optic ferrule includes a body extending from a first end to a second opposite end, with the body including an axial passage extending between the first and the second ends. The axial passage includes a first diameter portion having a diameter of at least 125 microns, a second diameter portion having a diameter of at least 250 microns and less than a diameter of a buffer, and a smooth and continuous transition between the first and the second diameter portions. The second diameter portion is positioned between the first diameter portion and the second end. The axial passage further defines a tapered shape at the second end extending inward from the second end toward the second diameter portion. In certain embodiments, another smooth and continuous transition can be provided between the taper shape and the second diameter portion. In certain embodiments, the axial passage is smooth and continuous between the first and the second ends of the body. A hub holds the ferrule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: CommScope Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Steven C. Zimmel