With Disengagable Mechanical Connector Patents (Class 385/53)
  • Patent number: 10120147
    Abstract: A method for fabricating an optical transmitting apparatus includes steps of: preparing a temporary assembly including a stub device having an optical fiber, a magnetic guide member with a hole, and a holder, an optical connector, and an magnetic alignment member extending in a direction of an axis; applying a magnetic force to the alignment member of the temporary assembly with a magnet device of an electromagnet or a permanent magnet; carrying out optical alignment of the stub device with an optical device by active alignment, the stub device being optically coupled to the optical connector, and; separating the optical connector and the alignment member apart from the stub device. The alignment member is disposed in the hole of the stub device and a guide hole of the optical connector in the temporary assembly such that the alignment member aligns the stub device with the optical connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: Akira Furuya
  • Patent number: 10101544
    Abstract: Fiber optic connector assemblies and subassembly are disclosed. In one embodiment, a fiber optic connector subassembly includes a body and a pivot arm. The body includes a first body shell and a second body shell having a joint portion. The first body shell is coupled to the second body shell. The pivot arm is rotatably coupled to the joint portion. In another embodiment, a fiber optic connector assembly includes a plurality of cable assemblies, a housing, a body, and a pivot arm. Each cable assembly includes a fiber optic cable having a plurality of optical fibers, and a ferrule. The plurality of optical fibers is coupled to the ferrule. The housing receives the ferrules of the plurality of cable assemblies. The body is coupled to the housing. The pivot arm is rotatably coupled to the body. The plurality of optical fibers is disposed within the pivot arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Corning Optical Communications LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Paul Lewallen, James Phillip Luther, Brian Keith Rhoney
  • Patent number: 10073224
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an optical fiber connector, comprising an integrated ferrule assembly and an integrated outer housing assembly, the ferrule assembly being adapted to be fitted into the housing assembly. The ferrule assembly at least comprises an inner housing, a spring, a multi-hole ferrule, a multi-fiber optical cable, a sleeve and a thermal shrinkable tube. The housing assembly at least comprises an outer housing, an outer tail tube and an outer protection cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: ADC TELECOMMUNICATIONS (SHANGHAI) DISTRIBUTION CO. LTD
    Inventors: Zhaoyang Tong, Xingjun Cheng, Lei Liu, Longzhou Qi
  • Patent number: 10069271
    Abstract: A modular and scalable high-power fiber laser system is configurable to generate 1 kW or more of laser output, and includes one or more separable pump modules separately disposed from each other, each pump module including a plurality of fiber-coupled component pump sources optically combined by one or more fiber-based pump module pump combiners, each pump module providing one or more pump module fiber outputs, and a gain module separately disposed from the one or more separable pump modules and including one or more gain module pump fiber inputs optically coupled to corresponding ones of the pump module fiber outputs, and including a gain fiber optically coupled to the one or more gain module pump fiber inputs, the gain fiber configured to generate a gain module fiber output power scalable in relation to the number and power of said pump module fiber outputs coupled to the gain fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: nLIGHT, Inc.
    Inventor: Dahv A. V. Kliner
  • Patent number: 10054579
    Abstract: A communication interface apparatus is provided for use with a handheld medical test device. The communication interface apparatus is comprised of an attachment member configured to detachably couple to a housing of the medical test device, where the attachment member substantially overlays a rear side of the medical test device. The communication interface apparatus houses an infrared receiver, a secondary transceiver and a controller. The infrared receiver is arranged such that its input port aligns with an output port of an infrared transmitter in the medical test device when the attachment member is coupled to the medical test device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Howard Sams, Andreas Staubert
  • Patent number: 10050718
    Abstract: An optical communication module includes a module board housed in a casing, a VCSEL and a driving IC mounted on a mounting surface of the module board, a lens holder mounted on the mounting surface of the module board, a lens block held by the lens holder, a plurality of thermal vias passing through the module board, and a first fixing screw and a second fixing screw passing through the module board to be screwed into the casing so as to press a back surface of the module board against a bottom surface of the casing, and the first fixing screw and the second fixing screw are each arranged in a region between the plug connector and the lens holder and on either outer side of the lens holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: APRESIA SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshinori Sunaga, Masataka Sato, Kinya Yamazaki, Akira Ogura, Shinji Komatsuzaki
  • Patent number: 10048449
    Abstract: A terminus for a fiber optic cable includes a ferrule. In one embodiment, an optical fiber of the cable passes through a central bore of the ferrule and is attached to a lens seated in a conical or cylindrical seat formed in an end surface of the ferrule by an epoxy. In a second embodiment, an optical fiber of the cable passes through the central bore of the ferrule. Next, a cap sleeve with a lens therein is slid over and attached to the ferrule such that the lens abuts or is attached to the optical fiber. In either embodiment, an inspection slot may optionally be formed in the ferrule and/or the cap sleeve to allow a technician to inspect the state of the attachment and/or abutment and/or spacing of the optical fiber and the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: CommScope, Inc. of North Carolina
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Nielson, Gary F. Gibbs, Matthew Cruz, Timothy W. Anderson
  • Patent number: 10042128
    Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure is directed at an optical fiber connector that occupies a small volume, and can therefore fit into small optical modules. In some embodiments, the optical fiber connector may comprise a removable faceplate. During installation, the faceplate may be removed to allow an optical fiber plug with a flange to be placed within the optical fiber connector. The flange may comprise one or more spring tabs. The faceplate may then be re-attached to the optical fiber connector, wherein at least a portion of the faceplate engages with the flange and secures the optical fiber plug with the optical fiber connector. The one or more spring tabs may also engage with the removable faceplate, thereby holding the optical fiber plug in place so as to ensure proper light transmission from the fiber to an opposing fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Acacia Communications, Inc.
    Inventor: David Mullert
  • Patent number: 10036860
    Abstract: A connector assembly for a fiber optic cable comprises a multi-part inner housing adapted to support an optical fiber splice connection structure. A cable clamp is located at a proximal end of the inner housing and is adapted to engage an outer sheath of a fiber optic cable. Preferably, the cable clamp is rotatable with respect to the inner housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: AFL Telecommunications LLC
    Inventors: Daigo Saito, Roger Vaughn
  • Patent number: 10007067
    Abstract: A wedge device for use with a fiber optic connector comprises an insert body comprising a light transmissive material. The insert body defines a wedge portion integrally extending into a light pass structure, the light pass structure terminating in a single upper face distal from the wedge portion. For example, wedge device may be a unitary member formed entirely of the light transmissive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: AFL Telecommunications LLC
    Inventors: Daigo Saito, Roger Vaughn
  • Patent number: 10004141
    Abstract: A kitchen appliance operable by electric motor includes a housing, which has an outer surface, and a data transmission interface designed to interact with a data memory element. The data transmission interface is formed in an outer surface of the housing by metal contact elements, which are arranged adjacent to each other and which each have a contact surface and form part of the outer surface. Further, a data memory element for transmitting data to a kitchen appliance operable by electric motor includes a plurality of contact elements that are separate from each other and optionally a contact surface. Further, a combination of a kitchen appliance operable by electric motor and a data memory element, which can be detachably connected to the kitchen appliance, can transmit data of the data memory element to the kitchen appliance while the data memory element is connected to the kitchen appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: Vorwerk & Co. Interholding GmbH
    Inventors: Georg Hackert, Carsten Jacobs, Torsten Lang
  • Patent number: 9995887
    Abstract: Methods and systems for a multi-fiber push-on/pull-off connector locking clip are disclosed and may include operatively coupling a multi-fiber push-on/push-off (MPO) connector to an MPO adaptor by inserting the MPO connector into the MPO adaptor, where the MPO connector comprises an MPO connector pull-to-release housing. The MPO connector may be secured to the MPO adaptor by placing an MPO locking clip adjacent to the MPO connector pull-to-release housing, thereby preventing the MPO connector pull-to-release housing from being actuated. An optical cable may be coupled to the MPO connector. The adaptor may be coupled to an optical device, which may include an optical transceiver. The MPO locking clip may be plastic or metal. The MPO connector and the MPO connector pull-to-release housing may be plastic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Luxtera, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Peterson
  • Patent number: 9952392
    Abstract: An optical module includes: at least one optical waveguide provided on a surface of a substrate; a plurality of grooves provided in the optical waveguide on the surface of the substrate and having both a surface orthogonal to the surface of the substrate and an inclined surface; multiple pairs of light-emitting and light-receiving elements aligned with the plurality of grooves in the optical waveguide and provided so as to correspond to light of different wavelengths on the optical waveguide; and a plurality of light-selecting filters each provided on an inclined surface of the plurality of grooves in the optical waveguide and reflecting light of the wavelength corresponding to the light-emitting element in the respective pair of light-emitting and light-receiving elements towards the optical waveguide, and selectively reflecting light of the corresponding wavelength from the light propagating through the optical waveguide towards the corresponding pair of light-emitting and light-receiving elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Shigeru Nakagawa, Yoichi Taira, Masao Tokunari
  • Patent number: 9941655
    Abstract: A system for generating high power broadband light includes multiple light-sustained plasma light sources. Each one of the light-sustained sources includes a pumping source, a gas containment structure for containing gas and configured to receive pumping illumination from the pumping source and a parabolic reflector element arranged to collect at least a portion of the broadband radiation emitted by the generated plasma and form a collimated broadband radiation output. The system also including a set of optical elements configured to combine the collimated broadband outputs from the parabolic reflector elements of the multiple light-sustained plasma light sources into an aggregated broadband beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: KLA-Tencor Corporation
    Inventors: Anant Chimmalgi, Rahul Yadav, Anatoly Shchemelinin, Ilya Bezel, Matthew Derstine
  • Patent number: 9904020
    Abstract: A connecting component configured to fix a first ferrule and a second ferrule includes a first spring, a second spring, and a partition. The first spring and the second spring are provided at opposite ends of the connecting component. The partition is provided between the first spring and the second spring to be positioned between the first ferrule and the second ferrule. The first spring is configured to press the first ferrule toward the partition. The second spring is configured to press the second ferrule toward the partition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: FUJITSU COMPONENT LIMITED
    Inventors: Shinichiro Akieda, Osamu Daikuhara, Hongfei Zhang
  • Patent number: 9869824
    Abstract: An optical adapter includes: a housing having a plurality of openings on each of opposite end surfaces thereof; a plurality of ports formed in parallel with each other inside the housing and each extending to form one of the openings on each of the opposite ends surfaces, an optical connector being inserted into each of the openings; and a shutter part installed at each of the ports such that when the optical connector is inserted into an opening of one end of the port, the shutter part leans back to a retreat position that passes light emitted from the optical connector inserted into an opening of another end of the port, when the optical connector is pulled out of the opening of the one end of the port, the shutter part is raised up from the retreat position to a blocking position that blocks the emitted light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventors: Yukiko Sakai, Toshihiro Ohtani
  • Patent number: 9857538
    Abstract: An adapter with novel alignment features engages alignment features on a plug, providing general alignment of the ferrule holders and ferrules in the plug. After the plug engages the adapter, the ferrule holders engage a second set of alignment features in the adapter to provide fine alignment for the ferrules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: US Conec, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiep Nguyen, Darrell R. Childers, Michael E. Hughes, Jillcha Fekadu Wakjira, Joseph P. Howard
  • Patent number: 9846291
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to modular cable management systems for a rack, the rack including frame members. The systems can include a first support plate and a second support plate. The first and second support plates can be mountable in a horizontal orientation relative to the frame members of the rack. The systems can include a media patching assembly mountable in a vertical orientation relative to the rack. Embodiments are also directed to methods of mounting cable management systems to a support structure or a rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Ortronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Rudolph A Montgelas, Ryan J. Grandidge, Michael J. Wood
  • Patent number: 9835803
    Abstract: A connector assembly includes a first connector that has an attachment feature. A second connector is removably attachable to the attachment feature of the first connector without establishing communication with the first connector. One of the first and second connectors is an optical connector, and another of the first and second connectors is an electrical connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP
    Inventors: Kevin B. Leigh, George D. Megason, Chong Sin Tan
  • Patent number: 9829652
    Abstract: In the present invention, a connector structure comprises a multi-core fiber and a ferrule. The multi-core fiber comprises a plurality of cores and a cladding that surrounds the cores. The ferrule holds the multi-core fiber. A tip of the multi-core fiber protrudes from an end face of the ferrule. A relation ??14.8/a is satisfied. In the formula, ? (?m) is a difference between a maximum protrusion height and a minimum protrusion height from an end face of the ferrule in a reference circle at the tip of the multi-core fiber. The reference circle is a minimum circle that includes all mode field diameters of the plurality of the cores having a center of cross section of the multi-core fiber as its center. And a (?m) is a radius of the reference circle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: FURUKAWA ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kengo Watanabe, Tsunetoshi Saito
  • Patent number: 9823425
    Abstract: A dust-proof apparatus for a fiber optic connector has a base; a ferrule receiving sleeve positioned on a mating end of the base; two primary cantilevered arms extending substantially in parallel from the mating end of the base, with the ferrule receiving sleeve being positioned therebetween; and a secondary cantilevered arm extending from the mating end of the base, and having a locking projection receiving hole disposed on a free end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: ADC Telecommunications (Shanghai) Distribution Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Teller Xiao, Yanhong Yang, Eric Wang, Paul Hubbard
  • Patent number: 9823426
    Abstract: There is provided an optical communication device including a lens substrate configured to have a first face on which a plurality of lenses corresponding to a plurality of channels of optical communication are two-dimensionally formed, and a ferrule configured to be disposed facing a second face that is the opposite face of the first face of the lens substrate and to be provided with through holes into which optical fibers are inserted in positions corresponding to each of the plurality of lenses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Kazunao Oniki, Hiizu Ootorii, Eiji Otani
  • Patent number: 9804340
    Abstract: An optical fiber connector according to the present disclosure includes an inner housing, a first outer housing and a second outer housing. The inner housing has a first wall, a second wall, a third wall and a fourth wall, wherein the first wall faces the third wall and connects with the second and fourth walls. The first outer housing is positioned to surround the inner housing. The second outer housing is positioned to surround the inner housing and engage the first outer housing. A key arm extends from the second outer housing and is configured to position on the first wall or the third wall of the inner housing. When the inner housing is inserted into an optical fiber adapter, the key arm is inserted into the key recess of the optical fiber adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Inventor: Yu-Ching Lin
  • Patent number: 9804343
    Abstract: A multiport optical fiber connection terminal with a compact footprint has a configuration that allows for easy accessibility and interconnection of cables, while providing several mounting options and including storage space within the terminal. The terminal may include cable connectors that are configured to allow for weather proof installation of pre-terminated fiber optic cables with the terminal ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Clearfield, Inc.
    Inventors: John P. Hill, Walter E. Power, II, Randy Van Horn
  • Patent number: 9791636
    Abstract: A fiber optic ferrule coupling system including a ferrule interface plate having a ferrule port extending therethrough and a pocket in a side of the ferrule interface plate adjacent to the ferrule port, wherein a spring element disposed in the pocket partially protrudes into the port and applies an adjustable spring force to a ferrule connector inserted in the ferrule port via a spring cover fittable within the pocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Excelitas Technologies Corp.
    Inventor: Scott Carpenter
  • Patent number: 9784928
    Abstract: A fiber optic connector holder is sized to fit within an opening for mounting a fiber optic adapter. The fiber optic connector holder is configured to permit a fiber optic connector with a dust cap positioned about a ferrule and a polished end face of an optical fiber held by the ferrule to be inserted within and releasably held by the connector holder. A system for holding fiber optic connectors includes a fiber optic connector holder mounted within an opening in a bulkhead for mounting a fiber optic adapter. The fiber optic connector holder is configured to receive a fiber optic connector with a dust cap mounted about a ferrule and polished end face of an optical fiber held by the ferrule. An optical fiber connector may be held to a bulkhead when the fiber optic connector includes a dust cap mounted about a ferrule and a polished end face of an optical fiber held by the ferrule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: COMMSCOPE TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Trevor D. Smith, Thomas C. Tinucci, Cindy S. Walters, James W. Conroy, Joel B. Douglas, Kathleen M. Barnes, Marlon E. Holmquist
  • Patent number: 9720181
    Abstract: The present invention is to provide a hybrid connector essentially formed with an RJ45 configuration while further equipped with an MPO device wherein the receptacle connector includes an insulative housing defining an RJ45 receiving cavity and a holder assembly located behind the housing. The holder assembly includes a holder and a printed circuit board is assembled upon the holder with a plurality of transformers thereon. A plurality of contacts are retained by and connected to the printed circuit boar with corresponding resilient contacting sections extending forwardly into the receiving cavity. An MPO device is retained in the holder with corresponding optical fibers forwardly directed toward the receiving cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: FOXCONN INTERCONNECT TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
    Inventors: Terrance F. Little, Yuan Zhang
  • Patent number: 9703051
    Abstract: A connector housing apparatus for allowing field engineers or technicians to run cable point to point, and to protect the connection in an environmentally sealed, crush resistant housing is provided. The connector housing apparatus includes a connector housing body, two sealing boots, two sealing elements, a fiber optic adapter, a fiber optic adapter insert that holds the fiber optic adapter and two fiber optic pigtails connected to two fiber optic cables. Each boot has two seal points. The first seal is between the fiber optic cable, the sealing element, and the tapered portion of the sealing boot. The second seal is between the interference lip on the sealing boot and the interference lip on the connector housing body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: AFL Telecommunications LLC
    Inventors: Ted Lichoulas, Eddie Kimbrell
  • Patent number: 9696501
    Abstract: A fiber coupling module comprises an optical fiber connector detachable from an optical fiber cable, wherein an end surface of the optical fiber cable is treated with an anti-reflection coat to set the reflectance lower than a predetermined value relative to the light of a first wavelength band and to set the reflectance higher than a predetermined value relative to the light of a second wavelength band excluding the first wavelength band, and the fiber coupling module connects to the optical fiber cable through said optical fiber connector. A main light source outputs the light of the first wavelength band to the optical fiber cable. An aiming light source outputs the light of the second wavelength band to the optical fiber cable. A detection element that detects the connection status of the optical fiber cable to the optical fiber connector based on the light of the second wavelength band reflected from the end surface of the optical fiber cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: SHIMADZU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akiyuki Kadoya, Koji Tojo
  • Patent number: 9664862
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a fiber optic connector for use with a fiber optic adapter. The fiber optic connector includes a connector housing having an end defining a plug portion. A ferrule assembly is mounted at least partially within the connector housing. The ferrule assembly includes a ferrule located at the plug portion of the connector housing. A sealing member is mounted about an exterior of the connector housing for providing a seal between the connector housing and the adapter. The fiber optic connector further includes first and second separate retaining mechanism for retaining the fiber optic connector within the fiber optic adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: CommScope Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Yu Lu, Randy Reagan
  • Patent number: 9632271
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to modular cable management systems for a rack, the rack including frame members. The systems can include a first support plate and a second support plate. The first and second support plates can be mountable in a horizontal orientation relative to the frame members of the rack. The systems can include a media patching assembly mountable in a vertical orientation relative to the rack. Embodiments are also directed to methods of mounting cable management systems to a support structure or a rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Ortronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Rudolph A. Montgelas, Ryan J. Grandidge, Michael J. Wood
  • Patent number: 9629420
    Abstract: The present invention is related to monitoring movement, and in particular to systems and methods for securing a monitoring device to a monitor target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: BI Incorporated
    Inventors: Larry T. Cooper, Donald A. Melton
  • Patent number: 9625659
    Abstract: An optical connector includes: an optical fiber cable in which an optical fiber core wire and a tensile strength material are covered by a sheathing; a ferrule; a housing which holds the ferrule; a crimping sleeve which includes: a tubular portion; a tensile strength material holding projection which is formed on an outer circumference of the tubular portion; and a sheathing holding projection which is formed on the outer circumference so as to lie further rearwards than the tensile strength material holding projection; and a crimping ring which is crimped on to the tubular portion not only to thereby hold the tensile strength material between the tensile strength material holding projection and the crimping ring but also to thereby hold the tensile strength material and the sheathing between the sheathing holding projection and the crimping ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tomohiro Hikosaka
  • Patent number: 9618702
    Abstract: Reduced-profile connection components are described. The reduced-profile connection components are configured to connect various data transmission elements, including cables, network devices, and computing devices. A non-limiting example of a connection component includes a fiber optic connection component, including connectors, adapters, and assemblies formed therefrom. In some embodiments, the connection components may include mechanical transfer (MT) and multi-fiber push-on/pull-off (MPO) connection components, such as MT ferrules and MPO adapters. The reduced-profile connection components configured according to some embodiments have a smaller profile and/or require less parts to achieve a connection compared to conventional connection components. In some embodiments, the reduced-profile connection components may be used with conventional connection components. For example a reduced-profile connector may use a conventional MT ferrule to establish a connection within a conventional MPO adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Senko Advanced Components, Inc.
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi Takano, Kenji Iizumi
  • Patent number: 9599779
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a stackable optical fiber adapter including shell members, a base with mating parts formed at front and rear sides thereof, and an accommodating cavity being transversely formed therein and communicated with the two opposite mating parts. One positioning part and wedged-jointing part are at two adjacent bases, and one clasping block and position-limiting groove are on the positioning part and the wedged-jointing part. By such a way, each two adjacent bases can be stacked, arranged or formed by a modularized manner, so that more shell members can be installed on a panel. The adapter can be easy to design the corresponding mold, the mating parts of each shell member is constant, and necessary to develop different molds, so the manufacturing process and the mold can be simplified, and the optical fiber adapter of the present disclosure can have stable structure and low cost, and further facilitate mass production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Alliance Fiber Optic Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Jhih-Ping Lee, Wei-Cheng Lee
  • Patent number: 9557497
    Abstract: A fiber connector is provided. In exemplary embodiments, a fiber connector may comprise an outer housing for securing a fiber cable within the housing, the housing comprising a top wall; a bottom wall disposed opposite the top side wall; a right side wall and a left side wall, each side wall having a through opening formed to receive a latch, the side walls comprising a straight portion for maintaining the latch within the through opening; and a pair of release members slidably coupled with the side walls, each release member comprising a release mechanism for releasing the fiber connector from the latch by sliding along the side walls and forcing the latch out of the through openings with the release mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: ARCHTECH ELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventor: Paul Foung
  • Patent number: 9557501
    Abstract: An optical transceiver of the CFP type having a gasket set within the slot is disclosed. The optical transceiver provides the slots in respective sides of the housing to pass the screws therein for fastening the optical transceiver to an electrical plug prepared in the host system. A support is also set within the slot so as to extend along the outer wall of the slot and not to interfere with the screw. The support pushes the gasket against the outer wall so as to cover a gap inherently formed between the top housing and the bottom housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazushige Oki
  • Patent number: 9551849
    Abstract: Disclosed are interposer structures having an optical fiber connection and a related fiber optic ferrule that can form a portion of an optical assembly. The interposer structure is useful for transmitting optical signals to/from an integrated circuit that may be attached to the interposer. Specifically, the interposer structure and the related ferrule of the optical connector provide a passively aligned structure having a matched thermal response to maintain a suitable optical connection between the devices over a range of temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: CORNING OPTICAL COMMUNICATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Douglas Llewellyn Butler, Micah Colen Isenhour, Dennis Michael Knecht, James Phillip Luther, James Scott Sutherland
  • Patent number: 9537255
    Abstract: A connector fitting structure includes a female connector without a rotating member and an elastic sealing part arranged on the female member. The female connector is configured so as to be engageable with a male connector having a guide groove formed for the rotating member. The male connector is provided with a fitting recess. The guide groove is formed on an outer circumferential face of the fitting recess. The male connector is configured so as to be engageable with another female connector with the rotating member for moving at least one of the male and female connectors in a fitting direction. The female connector includes a fitting protrusion for engagement with the fitting recess. The elastic sealing part is arranged on an outer circumferential face of the fitting protrusion to continuously adhere to an inner circumferential face of a fitting-side end portion of the fitting recess along the circumferential direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshimasa Yoshigi, Hironaga Iwamoto
  • Patent number: 9509433
    Abstract: A multi-channel receiver optical subassembly (ROSA) such as an arrayed waveguide grating (AWG), with outputs directly optically coupled to respective photodetectors such as photodiodes. In one embodiment, an AWG may be configured such that optical components of the AWG do not interfere with direct optical coupling, and the wire bonding points on the photodiodes may also be configured such that wire bonding does not interfere with direct optical coupling. The photodetectors may also be mounted on a photodetector mounting bar with a pitch sufficiently spaced to allow connection to floating grounds. A passive alignment technique may be used to determine the mounting locations on the photodetector mounting bar such that the photodetectors are aligned with the optical outputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Applied Optoelectronics, Inc.
    Inventors: I-Lung Ho, Luohan Peng, Joyce Li
  • Patent number: 9500815
    Abstract: A fiber optic connector is provided for a multi fiber cable includes a housing, a strain relief, a ferrule, two guide arrangements configured to accept guide pins from an opposing connector, and a conductor coupled to each of the guide pin arrangement, configured to conduct electricity to the guide pin arrangements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: NEXANS
    Inventors: Paul Michael Good, Paul Vanderlaan
  • Patent number: 9470851
    Abstract: A fiber optic connector holder is sized to fit within an opening for mounting a fiber optic adapter. The fiber optic connector holder is configured to permit a fiber optic connector with a dust cap positioned about a ferrule and a polished end face of an optical fiber held by the ferrule to be inserted within and releasably held by the connector holder. A system for holding fiber optic connectors includes a fiber optic connector holder mounted within an opening in a bulkhead for mounting a fiber optic adapter. The fiber optic connector holder is configured to receive a fiber optic connector with a dust cap mounted about a ferrule and polished end face of an optical fiber held by the ferrule. An optical fiber connector may be held to a bulkhead when the fiber optic connector includes a dust cap mounted about a ferrule and a polished end face of an optical fiber held by the ferrule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: CommScope Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Trevor D. Smith, Thomas C. Tinucci, Cindy S. Walters, James W. Conroy, Joel B. Douglas, Kathleen M. Barnes, Marlon E. Holmquist
  • Patent number: 9471112
    Abstract: A communication module including a latching protrusion and an operating unit for operating the latching protrusion and easily accessing the operating unit even in the case of high-density mounting is achieved. The communication module includes a case including a plug connector which is inserted into/pulled out from a receptacle connector provided on a motherboard, a latching protrusion which has a variable protrusion length from the case and which can be latched with and unlatched from a latching hole provided on the motherboard, and an operating unit which moves the latching protrusion toward inside of the case to unlatch the latching protrusion from the latching hole. An operating direction of the operating unit is a direction (X direction) orthogonal to both of an arranging direction of the communication module and other communication module adjacent thereto and an inserting/pulling-out direction of the plug connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Hitachi Metals, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshinori Sunaga
  • Patent number: 9465174
    Abstract: A fiber optic connector assembly jig may comprise a base configured to carry a set of fiber optic connectors. A set of alignment elements may be carried by the base, where each alignment element of the set of alignment elements may define an opening, where each opening may be configured to center a corresponding fiber optic connector of the set of fiber optic connectors with a longitudinal axis of the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Fishman Corporation
    Inventor: W. Scott Beebe
  • Patent number: 9465177
    Abstract: Optical bench structure provides a platform for integrating optical transmitters, particularly Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Lasers (VCSELs), with monitor photodetectors. A substrate with photodetectors on the front side is aligned with flip-chip bonding bumps so the emission of the transmitters is aligned with the monitor photodetectors and passes through the monitor photodetectors with a portion of the transmitted light absorbed by the monitor photodetectors. The photodetectors have a thin absorption region so the percentage of light absorbed may be relatively small, providing sufficient photocurrent to monitor the transmitted power having a minimal effect on the transmitted power. Microlenses are integrated on the backside of the substrate focus, steer and/or collimate the emitted optical beams from the transmitters. The structure enables photodetectors to be integrated on the optical bench allowing the received optical power to be monitored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: ZEPHYR PHOTONICS INC.
    Inventor: Duane Louderback
  • Patent number: 9461374
    Abstract: An electrical connector assembly and a connecting member thereof, the connecting member comprises: a base portion having an upper surface and a lower surface which are opposite. A first connecting portion comprising two first protruding ribs spaced apart from each other and protruding upwardly from the upper surface of the base portion and two first latching grooves respectively provided at opposite inner sides of the two first protruding ribs, and the two first latching grooves extends along a front-rear direction. A second connecting portion comprising four upright extending walls spaced apart from each other and extending downwardly out from the lower surface of the base portion and four first latching flanges respectively extending horizontally out from the four upright extending walls. A resilient latching arm extending out from one end of the base portion, having a first positioning portion provided to an upper surface thereof and a second positioning portion provided to a lower surface thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Molex, LLC
    Inventors: Yue-You Li, Xiao-An Wang
  • Patent number: 9448366
    Abstract: A connector housing apparatus for allowing field engineers or technicians to run cable point to point, and to protect the connection in an environmentally sealed, crush resistant housing is provided. The connector housing apparatus includes a connector housing body, two sealing boots, two sealing elements, two seal nuts, a fiber optic adapter, a fiber optic adapter insert that holds the fiber optic adapter and two fiber optic pigtails connected to two fiber optic cables. Each boot has two seal points. The first seal is between the fiber optic cable, the sealing element, the seal nut and the tapered portion of the sealing boot. The second seal is between the snap finger on the sealing boot and the receiving catch on the connector housing body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: AFL Telecommunications LLC
    Inventors: Ted Lichoulas, Eddie Kimbrell, Chuck Turner, Steve Polidan
  • Patent number: 9423579
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a latch mechanism and an optoelectronic module that includes the latch mechanism. The latch mechanism may include a driver, a follower, a pivot member, and a cam member. The driver may be configured to rotate relative to a housing of the optoelectronic module about an axis of rotation. The follower may be configured to be slidably positioned relative the housing. The follower may include a resilient member configured to interface with the housing and may define an opening including a protuberance. The pivot member may be coupled to the driver or to the housing and may define the axis of rotation. The cam member may be coupled to the driver and may be configured to engage the follower from within the opening so as to urge the follower to slide relative to the housing as the driver is rotated between a latched position and an unlatched position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: FINISAR CORPORATION
    Inventor: Demetrios Koutrokois
  • Patent number: 9423575
    Abstract: A small form-factor pluggable connector is disclosed. A locking and unlocking mechanism of the SFP connector includes a rotating member rotatable mounted on a cover, a fastening shaft pivoting the rotating member on the cover, a spring member providing an elastic force for locking and unlocking, an actuator slideably mounted on the cover, and an U-shaped connecting member connecting the rotating member and the actuator. The spring member is located under a latching arm of the rotating member. When the latching arm is forced to rotate downward under an external force, the spring member is compressed. When the external force is removed, the spring member can be restored to its original state and push the latching arm upward. The SFP connector of the present invention is easy to be operated and can efficiently realize the locking and unlocking functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Teralux Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsin Chih Yang, Wei Chen, Jin Hua Meng
  • Patent number: 9423573
    Abstract: An optical fiber socket includes a socket body and a fastening member. The socket body has a plugging slot. The edge of the plugging slot forms a stop wall and an accommodating slot is formed in the plugging slot near the stop wall. The fastening member is slidably disposed in the plugging slot. The fastening member extends and forms a stopper pin. The stopper pin is for sliding along the accommodating slot and for being stopped between the stop wall and the accommodating slot. The stopper pin stops between the stop wall and the accommodating slot so the optical fiber plug is able to be plugged in and be fixed stably.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: EMIT TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Fan-Chen Tseng