Metal core fiberoptic connector plug for single fiber and multiple fiber coupling

- Fibotech, Inc.

The present invention relates to devices for the transmission of light through the adjoining ends of two fiberoptic cables, and more particularly to connectors adapted to connect an end of a fiberoptic cable to another fiberoptic cable or to a LED or to a laser.

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Claims

1. A fiberoptic connector plug that is attachable to the end of a fiberoptic cable for the optical connection of at least one optical fiber within the fiberoptic cable to another light source such as another optical fiber, a light emitting diode and a laser, comprising:

a connector body being substantially cylindrical in shape;
a thermally conductive core member being substantially cylindrical in shape and being fixedly engaged within said connector body;
said core body having a cylindrical bore axially formed therewithin, said bore having an open rearward end and a forward end that terminates in a cone shaped cavity;
a forwardly disposed portion of said core member being exposed through said connector body to form an exposed connection plateau;
an optical fiber bore being formed through said connection plateau and terminating in said apex of said cone shaped cavity.

2. A fiberoptic connector plug as described in claim 1 wherein said core member is electrically conductive.

3. A fiberoptic connector plug as described in claim 1 wherein said core member is formed with an engagement means for fixedly engaging said core member with said connector body.

4. A fiberoptic connector plug as described in claim 3 wherein said engagement means includes at least one ridge element projecting from said core member into said connector body.

5. A fiberoptic connector plug as described in claim 4 wherein said core member is composed of an electrically conductive metal.

6. A fiberoptic connector plug as described in claim 5 wherein at least one groove is formed in said connector body, the depth of said groove being sufficient to expose the surface of said core member.

7. A fiberoptic connector plug that is attachable to the end of a fiberoptic cable for the optical connection of at least one optical fiber within the fiberoptic cable to another light source such as another optical fiber, a light emitting diode and a laser, comprising:

a connector body being substantially cylindrical in shape;
a thermally conductive core member being substantially cylindrical in shape and being fixedly engaged within said connector body;
said core body having a cylindrical bore axially formed therewithin, for holding at least one optical fiber within said bore, an enlarged portion of said bore being formed with a diameter that is substantially larger than the diameter of said at least one optical fiber, such that a substantial air gap surrounds said at least one optical fiber disposed within said enlarged portion of said bore.

8. A fiberoptic connector plug as described in claim 7 wherein said at least one optical fiber that is disposed within said bore is held within a tubular member, and a substantial air gap surrounds said tubular member within said enlarged portion of said bore.

9. A fiberoptic connector plug as described in claim 8 wherein a connection means is disposed within said bore to hold said at least one optical fiber in a centrally disposed position within said enlarged portion of said bore.

10. A fiberoptic connector plug as described in claim 9 wherein said connection means includes a sleeve member being circumferentially engaged to the outer surface of said tubular member and disposed within said enlarged portion of said bore, whereby said tubular member and said at least one optical fiber are held in a centrally positioned orientation within said enlarged portion of said bore.

11. A fiberoptic connector plug as described in claim 10 wherein said cylindrical core member is formed with a first end and a second end, said first end being positioned to receive said at least one optical fiber into said bore formed therein, and said second end being disposed proximate an output end of said at least one optical fiber; and

wherein said enlarged portion of said bore is positioned proximate said second end of said core member.

12. A fiberoptic connector plug as described in claim 7 wherein a connection means is disposed within said enlarged portion of said bore to hold said at least one optical fiber in a centrally disposed position within said enlarged portion of said bore.

13. A fiberoptic connector plug as described in claim 12 wherein said cylindrical core member is formed with a first end and a second end, said first end being positioned to receive said at least one optical fiber into said bore formed therein, and said second end being disposed proximate an output end of said at least one optical fiber; and

wherein said enlarged portion of said bore is positioned proximate said second end of said core member.

14. A fiberoptic connector plug as described in claim 7 wherein said cylindrical core member is formed with a first end and a second end, said first end being positioned to receive said at least one optical fiber into said bore formed therein, and said second end being disposed proximate an output end of said at least one optical fiber; and

wherein said enlarged portion of said bore is positioned proximate said second end of said core member..Iadd.

15. A fiberoptic connector that is adapted to be attached during use to the end of a fiberoptic cable, comprising:

a connector body being substantially cylindrical in shape;
a thermally conductive core member being substantially cylindrical in shape and being fixedly engaged within said connector body;
said core member having a cylindrical bore axially formed therewithin, said bore having an open rearward end and a forward end that terminates in a cone shaped cavity;
a forwardly disposed portion of said core member being exposed through the connector body to form an exposed connection plateau; and
an optical fiber bore being formed through said connection plateau and terminating in an apex of said cone shaped cavity..Iaddend..Iadd.16. The fiberoptic connector of claim 15, further comprising an optical fiber disposed within the optical fiber bore..Iaddend..Iadd.17. The fiberoptic connector of claim 16 wherein at least a portion of the optical fiber bore is collapsed about the optical fiber..Iaddend..Iadd.18. The fiberoptic connector of claim 16 wherein the optical fiber is substantially centrally disposed within the optical fiber bore..Iaddend..Iadd.19. The fiberoptic connector of claim 18, wherein the optical fiber is disposed within the bore of the core member, and further comprising an optical fiber cable substantially surrounding at least a portion of the optical fiber disposed in the bore of the core member..Iaddend..Iadd.20. The fiberoptic connector of claim 16 wherein at least a portion of the connection plateau has been mechanically crimped about the optical fiber..Iaddend..Iadd.21. The fiberoptic connector of claim 16 wherein the optical fiber is held within the connector without application of an adhesive..Iaddend..Iadd.22. The fiberoptic connector of claim 16 wherein the optical fiber is held in a substantially centrally disposed position within the bore of the connection surface without application of an adhesive..Iaddend..Iadd.23. The fiberoptic connector of claim 15 wherein at least a portion of the connection plateau is mechanically deformed radially inward in a concentric fashion..Iaddend..Iadd.24. The fiberoptic connector of claim 15 wherein the connector body comprises a non-conducting material and the core member comprises an electrically conductive metal..Iaddend..Iadd.25. The fiberoptic connector of claim 15, further comprising at least one ridge projecting from the core member and

extending into the connector body..Iaddend..Iadd.26. A fiberoptic connector, comprising:

a conductor body;
a thermally conductive core member being fixedly engaged within the connector body, the core member having a bore formed therewithin, the bore having a rearward end and a forward end; and
a forwardly disposed portion of the core member being exposed through the connector body to form an inwardly deformable connection surface..Iaddend..Iadd.27. The fiberoptic connector of claim 26, further comprising an optical fiber bore being formed through the connection surface..Iaddend..Iadd.28. The fiberoptic connector of claim 26, further comprising an optical fiber disposed within the bore..Iaddend..Iadd.29. The fiberoptic connector of claim 26 wherein at least a portion of the connection surface is mechanically deformed radially inward in a concentric fashion..Iaddend..Iadd.30. The fiberoptic connector of claim 28, further comprising an optical fiber bore being formed through the connection surface, and wherein at least a portion of the connection surface is mechanically deformed radially inward in a concentric fashion about the optical fiber..Iaddend..Iadd.31. The fiberoptic connector of claim 28 wherein at least a portion of the connection surface is crimped about the optical fiber..Iaddend..Iadd.32. The fiberoptic connector of claim 28 wherein at least a portion of the bore is collapsed about the optical fiber..Iaddend..Iadd.33. The fiberoptic connector of claim 28 wherein the optical fiber is substantially centrally disposed within an

optical fiber bore in the connection surface..Iaddend..Iadd.34. The fiberoptic connector of claim 28, further comprising an optical fiber cable substantially surrounding at least a portion of the optical fiber disposed in the bore of the core member..Iaddend..Iadd.35. The fiberoptic connector of claim 28 wherein the optical fiber is held within the connector body without application of an adhesive..Iaddend..Iadd.36. The fiberoptic connector of claim 28 wherein the optical fiber is held in a substantially centrally disposed position within a bore of the connection surface without application of an adhesive..Iaddend..Iadd.37. The fiberoptic connector of claim 26 wherein the connector is adapted to be attached during use to the end of a fiberoptic cable..Iaddend..Iadd.38. The fiberoptic connector of claim 26 wherein the connector body and the core member are substantially cylindrically shaped..Iaddend..Iadd.39. The fiberoptic connector of claim 26 wherein the connector body comprises a non-conducting material and the core member comprises an electrically conductive metal..Iaddend..Iadd.40. The fiberoptic connector of claim 26, further comprising at least one ridge projecting from the core member and extending into the connector body..Iaddend..Iadd.41. The fiberoptic connector of claim 26 wherein the forward end of the core member bore terminates in a substantially cone shaped cavity..Iaddend..Iadd.42. A fiberoptic connector adapted to be attached during use to the end of a fiberoptic cable, comprising:

a connector body;
a thermally conductive core member being fixedly engaged within the connector body;
the core member having a bore formed therewithin which is adapted to hold at least one optical fiber within the bore during use; and
an enlarged portion of the bore being formed with a cross sectional area that is larger than a cross sectional area of at least one optical fiber, such that an air gap substantially surrounds at least a portion of at least one optical fiber disposed within the enlarged portion of the bore..Iaddend..Iadd.43. The fiberoptic connector of claim 42 wherein at least one optical fiber that is disposed within the bore is held within an elongated member, and an air gap substantially surrounds the elongated member within the enlarged portion of the bore..Iaddend..Iadd.44. The fiberoptic connector of claim 43, further comprising a sleeve member substantially surrounding at least a portion of the elongated member..Iaddend..Iadd.45. The fiberoptic connector of claim 42 wherein at least a portion of the bore is collapsed about at least one optical fiber..Iaddend..Iadd.46. The fiberoptic connector of claim 42 wherein at least one optical fiber is substantially centrally disposed within the bore..Iaddend..Iadd.47. The fiberoptic connector of claim 42 wherein at least one optical fiber is held within the bore without application of an adhesive..Iaddend..Iadd.48. The fiberoptic connector of claim 42 wherein the connector body and the core member are substantially cylindrically shaped..Iaddend..Iadd.49. The fiberoptic connector of claim 42 wherein the connector body comprises a non-conducting material and the core member comprises an electrically conductive metal..Iaddend..Iadd.50. The fiberoptic connector of claim 42, further comprising at least one ridge projecting from the core member and extending into the connector body..Iaddend..Iadd.51. The fiberoptic connector of claim 42 wherein a portion of the core member is exposed through the connector body to form a connection surface..Iaddend.
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Patent History
Patent number: RE35734
Type: Grant
Filed: Aug 29, 1994
Date of Patent: Feb 17, 1998
Assignee: Fibotech, Inc. (San Jose, CA)
Inventor: Michel Y. Rondeau (San Jose, CA)
Primary Examiner: Brian Healy
Law Firm: Conley, Rose & Tayon, P.C.
Application Number: 8/296,609
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: Fiber End Held In Ferrule (385/78)
International Classification: G02B 636;