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).

  • Patent number: 9348095
    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: March 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: COMMSCOPE TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventor: Steven C. Zimmel
  • Patent number: 9341798
    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: April 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: CommScope Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Trevor D. Smith, Michael Kenneth Barth, Soutsada Vongseng, Steven C. Zimmel
  • Publication number: 20160131853
    Abstract: A method of tuning a fiber optic connector includes: assembling the fiber optic connector to a partially assembled state; tuning the fiber optic connector in the partially assembled state; assembling the fiber optic connector to an assembled state; and tuning the fiber optic connector in the assembled state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2015
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Inventors: Steven C. Zimmel, Michael James Ott, Peter Viviane Leopold Bos, Christopher Stroth
  • Publication number: 20160124173
    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: June 9, 2014
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    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: 9325447
    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 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: CommScope Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Steven C. Zimmel, Timothy G. Badar, Trevor D. Smith
  • Publication number: 20160109673
    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: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2015
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Inventor: Steven C. Zimmel
  • Publication number: 20160004018
    Abstract: A fiber optic cable assembly includes a fiber optic cable and a fiber optic connector. The cable includes a jacket, optical fibers, and strength components. The fiber optic connector holds at least two multi-fiber ferrules. Certain types of connectors include a connector body defining a side opening that extends along a length of the connector body; and a cover that mounts over the side opening. The fiber optic connector is hardened so that the fiber optic connector can ruggedizedly connect to a hardened fiber optic adapter arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2015
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Inventors: Yu Lu, Steven C. Zimmel, Gregory J. Schaible
  • Publication number: 20160004016
    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: July 2, 2015
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Inventors: Steven C. Zimmel, Yu Lu, Gregory J. Schaible
  • Patent number: 9223096
    Abstract: A fiber optic connector includes a front housing having sidewalls each defining a slot and a rear insert with a pair of locking flanges extending radially away, the locking flanges configured to snap-fit into the slots, each locking flange defining a front face and a rear face, the radially outermost portion of the rear face defining an edge, the edge being the rearmost extending portion of the locking flange. Another fiber optic connector includes a front housing defining a front opening at a front end, a circular rear opening at a rear end, and an internal cavity extending therebetween. A rear insert including a generally cylindrical front portion is inserted into the front housing through the circular rear opening, the front portion defining at least one longitudinal flat configured to reduce the overall diameter of the generally cylindrical front portion configured to be inserted into the front housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: CommScope Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth Allen Skluzacek, Michael D. Schroeder, Michael James Ott, Randall Wendland, Ponharith Nhep, Steven C. Zimmel
  • Patent number: 9213159
    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: March 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: CommScope Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Steven C. Zimmel, Ponharith Nhep, Trevor D. Smith
  • Patent number: 9201206
    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: December 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: CommScope EMEA Limited
    Inventors: Trevor D. Smith, Michael Kenneth Barth, Soutsada Vongseng, Steven C. Zimmel
  • Publication number: 20150293313
    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: April 13, 2015
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Inventors: Michael James Ott, Thomas P. Huegerich, Steven C. Zimmel, Ponharith Nhep
  • Patent number: 9146371
    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: January 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven C. Zimmel
  • Publication number: 20150253515
    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: March 9, 2015
    Publication date: September 10, 2015
    Inventor: Steven C. Zimmel
  • Patent number: 9081154
    Abstract: A method of tuning a fiber optic connector includes: assembling the fiber optic connector to a partially assembled state; tuning the fiber optic connector in the partially assembled state; assembling the fiber optic connector to an assembled state; and tuning the fiber optic connector in the assembled state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignees: Tyco Electronics Raychem BVBA, ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven C. Zimmel, Michael James Ott, Peter Bos, Christopher Stroth
  • Patent number: 9016953
    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: February 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael James Ott, Thomas P. Huegerich, Steven C. Zimmel, Ponharith Nhep
  • Publication number: 20150110442
    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: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventors: Steven C. Zimmel, Trevor D. Smith, Ponharith Nhep
  • Publication number: 20150093092
    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: December 10, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventors: Trevor D. Smith, Michael Kenneth Barth, Soutsada Vongseng, Steven C. Zimmel
  • Patent number: 8989541
    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 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven C. Zimmel
  • Publication number: 20150071592
    Abstract: Connectorizing an optical fiber cable includes mounting at least part of a connector housing about a ferrule assembly; positioning a crimp sleeve so that a distal section of the crimp sleeve is disposed about a proximal end of the connector housing and a proximal section of the crimp sleeve is disposed about a jacketed portion of the optical fiber cable; applying a first force to the distal section of the crimp sleeve to tighten the distal section of the crimp sleeve against the proximal end of the connector housing; and applying a second force to the proximal section of the crimp sleeve to tighten the proximal section of the crimp sleeve against the jacketed portion of the optical fiber cable. Adhesive may be added to the proximal section of the crimp sleeve through an aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventor: Steven C. Zimmel