With Disengagable Mechanical Connector Patents (Class 385/53)
  • Patent number: 8920043
    Abstract: The present invention provides a connector unit that can surely position and connect a plurality of optical fiber plugs in a short time and easily release a connected state of optical fiber connectors even if the number of optical fiber connectors increases. A connector unit includes a positioning member for positioning a plurality of optical fiber plugs, an adapter that has plug guide holes for inserting tip ends of the optical fiber plugs to connect with the optical fiber plugs, and guide portions for guiding the positioning member with respect to the adapter and inserting the tip ends of the optical fiber plugs into the plug guide holes of the adapter to connect with the optical fiber plugs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro Iwaya, Masayuki Iwase
  • Patent number: 8915652
    Abstract: Optical connectors can be easily attached to and detached from a housing. An optical connector device 11 adapted to be connected to a mating optical connector device 81 includes a first housing 31 for receiving and holding optical connectors 61, a second housing 41 for holding the first housing 31 in a floating manner, and a fixing member 51 for fixedly attaching the second housing 41 to an attachment object 201. To-be-locked portions 35, 37 of the first housing 31 and locking portions 43, 44 of the second housing 41 detachably engage with each other and cause the first housing 31 to engage with the second housing 41 in a floating manner. The to-be-locked portions 35, 37 and the locking portions 43, 44 engage with each other in a direction perpendicular to a direction A1 of connection to the mating optical connector device 81.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Japan Aviation Electronics Industry, Limited
    Inventors: Naoki Katagiyama, Yuichi Koreeda, Hisaya Takahashi, Mikio Oda, Hideyuki Ono
  • Patent number: 8914934
    Abstract: A USB connector cleaner for cleaning conductive pins received in a recess of a USB connector is provided. The USB connector cleaner includes a base, a cleaning head, and a driving member. The cleaning head is configured for inserting into the recess to clean the conductive pins. The cleaning head includes a supporting member fixed on the base and a cleaning brush rotatably connected to the supporting member. The driving member is slidably connected to the base for driving the cleaning brush to cleaning the conductive pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Bing-Heng Lee
  • Patent number: 8899842
    Abstract: An optical connector includes a first optical-electric coupling element and a second optical-electric coupling element. The first optical-electric coupling element includes a first side surface and a second side surface facing away from the first side surface. The first optical-electric coupling element includes two position posts substantially perpendicularly extending from the first side surface. Each position post includes a connection surface substantially parallel with the first side surface. Each connection surface defines a position slot. The second optical-electric coupling element includes a third side surface facing the first side surface. The third side surface defines two position holes. The second optical-electric coupling element includes two position flanges each extending from an inner sidewall of each position hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Po-Wei Huang
  • Patent number: 8899846
    Abstract: A pluggable bi-directional optical transceiver may include: a transmitting laser diode, for transmitting an optical signal according to a received electronic signal; an optical sensor, for receiving the optical signal and for generating the electronic signal according to the received optical signal; a fiber adapter, having a ceramic ferrule with two 8-degree end-face corners; a coupling portion, having three different openings for respectively receiving the transmitting laser diode, the optical sensor, and one end of the ceramic ferrule so an optical axis of a transmitting light of the transmitting laser diode is configured to deflect about 3.8 degrees with an optical axis of the ceramic ferrule; and an engaging portion, having a hollow shell for receiving another end of the ceramic ferrule and an engaging piece surrounding outside the shell for pluggably connecting an external fiber piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Applied Optoelectronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Jian Hong Luo, Yuan Yuan Zhang, Peng Nie
  • Patent number: 8899841
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for sealably joining cables to pressure-balanced submersible junction boxes. The apparatus maintains a balanced pressure within the termination chamber; it is field installable, testable, and repairable. The termination chamber is not oil-filled; instead, it is substantially filled with a solid particulate fill material. An apparatus and method for sealably containing the cable's bitter end within the termination chamber are further provided. The apparatus includes a cable termination assembly having a chamber with a first end including a load bearing cable-attachment to sealably join a cable to the chamber, and a second end including an underwater connector. Within the chamber one or more optical and/or electrical conductors from the cable are terminated to respective one or more attachment points of the connector. The apparatus prohibits cable pistoning into the termination chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Teledyne Instruments, Inc.
    Inventor: James Cairns
  • Patent number: 8894297
    Abstract: An active optical cable has a connector containing an electrical-to-optical and optical-to-electrical (EO/OE) conversion processing chip. The EO/OE conversion processing chip has a TXin+ pin and a TXin? pin to be coupled to a TX+ terminal and a TX? terminal of an USB connector of an apparatus. The pair of pins TXin+ and TXin?, for a differential transmission signal, are provided base on a common mode impedance structure, to charge capacitors carried by the TX+ and TX? terminals and, according to the charging status of the capacitors, it is determined whether the active optical cable is connected to the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Via Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Sheng-Yuan Lee
  • Patent number: 8894296
    Abstract: The invention provides a plug (100) which is adapted to be connected to a cable, such as an Ethernet cable, the plug (100) having a generally rectangular cross section and being dimensioned and arranged to be received by an aperture in a socket. On opposite lateral faces of the plug a region, or layer, of conductive material (24, 26) is provided for the transmission of electrical current to/from the cable. Use of the invention therefore permits cabling that has conventionally been used to supply data to also supply power, typically in excess of 200 Watts or so. Such amounts of power are sufficient for operating most equipment that also requires a data connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Inventor: Raymond John Peto
  • Patent number: 8894298
    Abstract: A fiber optic connector has a connector outer housing and a connector inner housing. The connector inner housing has a projection to interact with a latch on an adapter into which the connector is inserted. The force required to move the connector outer housing relative to the connector inner housing is less than the force to remove the connector inner housing from the latch. A groove or opening may also be formed in the connector outer housing to effectively shorten the connector outer housing and prevent interaction of the latch with the outer housing, reducing debris.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: US Conec, Ltd
    Inventors: Jillcha Fekadu Wakjira, Darrell R. Childers, Eric Childers, Michael E. Hughes
  • Patent number: 8882362
    Abstract: An optical device includes a connector configured to provide a hole, an optical waveguide provided with a core and a clad equipped on an outer periphery of the core and configured to have a refractive index smaller than a refractive index of the core, a first transparent member configured to make contact with a core end face of the optical waveguide, and a second transparent member configured to make contact with a hole bottom of the optical waveguide insertion hole, wherein a contact area of the second transparent member and the hole bottom of the optical waveguide insertion hole is larger than a contact area of the core and the first transparent member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Takashi Shiraishi
  • Patent number: 8876401
    Abstract: An optical device includes a connector configured to provide a hole, an optical waveguide provided with a core and a clad equipped on an outer periphery of the core and configured to have a refractive index smaller than a refractive index of the core, a first transparent member configured to make contact with a core end face of the optical waveguide, and a second transparent member configured to make contact with a hole bottom of the optical waveguide insertion hole, wherein a contact area of the second transparent member and the hole bottom of the optical waveguide insertion hole is larger than a contact area of the core and the first transparent member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Takashi Shiraishi
  • Patent number: 8870466
    Abstract: Fiberoptic connector and adapter assembly includes a fiberoptic connector received within an adapter. The connector has a cover on the connector housing. The cover pivots between open and closed positions to expose or cover, respectively, a optical fiber contained within the connector. Longitudinal guides of the connector are received cooperating with longitudinal guides of the adapter to direct the connector into the adapter in a prescribed alignment. A cam pin is carried on the adapter to engage a cam pin receiving slot on the cover to urge the cover to the open position as the connector is inserted into the adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventor: Liang-Ju Lu
  • Patent number: 8870470
    Abstract: An optical module includes a substrate, an optical device of a surface-emitting element or a surface-receiving element mounted on a surface of the substrate with a light-emitting portion or a light-receiving portion located to face the surface of the substrate, an optical fiber disposed parallel to the surface of the substrate and in a longitudinal direction of the substrate, a mirror provided to face the light-emitting portion or the light-receiving portion of the optical device and a tip of the optical fiber, and optically connect the optical device and the optical fiber, and an optical fiber receiving groove provided in the surface of the substrate to receive the optical fiber. A width of the mirror is greater than a width of the optical fiber receiving groove. Reflecting portions are provided on edges, respectively, of a mirror side end of the optical fiber receiving groove, and the reflecting portions reflect incident light from the mirror facing the edges, again back to the facing mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi Metals, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroki Yasuda, Hiroshi Ishikawa, Kouki Hirano, Juhyun Yu
  • Patent number: 8867876
    Abstract: An optical fiber splitter has a higher density fiber optic array that allows for smaller packaging. The optical fibers that extend from the optical fiber splitter have one end connectorized and their spacing at the other end reduced, thereby eliminating components that were heretofore required. A method of making the fiber optic array includes interleaving the optical fibers to reduce the overall dimensions of the fiber optic array and the fiber optic splitter. A tool is used to reduce the spacing of the optical fibers in the fiber optic array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Corning Cable Sytems LLC
    Inventors: Costas Saravanos, Elli Makrides-Saravanos, Otto I. Szentesi, William J. Miller
  • Patent number: 8864388
    Abstract: A system includes an external faceplate including a blind-mate connector and a swing arm removably connected to the blind-mate connector. The swing arm secures the blind-mate connector to an electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Kevin B. Leigh, George D. Megason, Guodong Zhang
  • Patent number: 8858091
    Abstract: Provided is an optical connector whose miniaturization is easier than conventional. An optical connector (100) comprises a housing (103) holding an optical member (101), a slider (105) slidably held by the housing (103), a shutter (107) provided to the slider (105) in an openable and closable manner and adapted to be opened and closed to expose and isolate the optical member (101) to and from the outside, and slider-side coil springs (109) pushing the slider (105) in a direction away from the housing (103). The slider-side coil springs (109) are disposed in a width direction of the shutter (107). The optical connector (100) is configured such that the shutter (107) is closed when the slider (105) is moved by an elastic force of the slider-side coil springs (109) in the direction (direction A1) away from the housing (103) and that the shutter (107) is opened when the slider (105) is moved against the elastic force of the slider-side coil springs (109) in a direction approaching the housing (103).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Japan Aviation Electronics Industry, Limited
    Inventors: Yuichi Koreeda, Takayoshi Yamauchi, Osamu Hashiguchi, Naoki Katagiyama
  • Patent number: 8851765
    Abstract: An optical fiber connector for terminating an optical fiber is provided. The optical fiber connector includes a housing configured to mate with a receptacle. The connector also includes a collar body disposed in the housing and retained between the housing's outer shell and a backbone. The collar body includes a swivel head coupled to a front end portion of the collar body, where the swivel head is configured to receive a ferrule. The swivel head is configured to pivot with respect to the front end portion of the collar body by a controlled amount upon a side pull force being placed on the connector and/or optical fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Donald K. Larson, Wesley A. Raider, Joseph C. Sawicki, Daniel J. Treadwell
  • Patent number: 8853537
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a cable sealing and retaining device capable of sealingly guiding and retaining a cable through an opening of the cable sealing and retaining device. The present invention provides an improved cable sealing and retaining device which allows a simple releasable fixation of a cable to the cable sealing and retaining device while the cable is sealingly guided through an opening provided with the cable sealing and retaining device. The cable sealing and retaining device (40; 60) comprises a sealing part (11) providing a passageway with an inner seal (14) through which a cable (2) is sealingly guidable, and an outer seal (15) arranged on an outer circumference of the sealing part (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Raychem BVBA
    Inventors: Dirk Kempeneers, Bart Vos, Kristof Vastmans, Danny Willy August Verheyden
  • Patent number: 8845519
    Abstract: Devices and methods for passing optical radiation into and out of a body lumen may include a rotatable ferrule for use in an optical guidewire and methods for using a rotatable ferrule. The rotatable ferrule may be either rotatably captured by and free to rotate within a guidewire, or may rotate upon release from a releasable, mechanically stable friction-fit engagement with a guidewire. Sterile interfaces for readily connecting and disconnecting an optical guidewire with and from other optical instrumentation while maintaining the sterility of the guidewire, and methods for using a sterile interface device are disclosed. Interface devices can be used to provide either direct or indirect optical and mechanical connection between an optical guidewire and peripheral instrumentation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Abbott Cardiovascular Systems Inc.
    Inventors: William E. Webler, Andrej M. Chudy, Marc M. Jalisi, Kevin M. Phillips, Michael D. Whitt, Susan Norton
  • Patent number: 8845206
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided and includes a housing, a block formed to define an array of holes corresponding to an array of plugs into which connectors with spring loaded sleeves are pluggable such that the block engages with a respective sleeve of each connector, the block being supportively disposed within the housing to be movable with respect to the housing between first and second block positions at which the sleeves are extended and retracted, respectively and a cam lever supported on the housing and coupled to the block, which selectively occupies first and second lever positions at which the cam lever causes the block to assume the first and second block positions, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth Y. Chan, Dennis Denizard, Michael J. Fisher, Gilles G. Labbe, James E. Tersigni
  • Patent number: 8840317
    Abstract: An optical fiber includes an interlocking microstructure formed on an outer periphery of the fiber that configures the fiber to be interlocked with another optical fiber including a complementary interlocking microstructure coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Kallay, Scott G. Fleischman
  • Patent number: 8842962
    Abstract: A strain relief device for a fiber optic cable is disclosed. The strain relief device has a cable fitting having a cable fitting body, a shoulder washer and a compression cap. The cable fitting is positioned on the fiber optic cable. The shoulder washer is installed on a central tube of the fiber optic cable, under strength members of the fiber optic cable and fitted in the cable fitting body. The compression cap is installed over the central tube with the strength members inserted through the compression cap. The strength members are compressed between the shoulder washer and the compression cap. The compression cap provides compressive force between the cable fitting body, the shoulder washer and the compression cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Corning Cable Systems LLC
    Inventors: Hubert Blair Beamon, Terry Dean Cox
  • Patent number: 8827567
    Abstract: An expanded beam connector kit, comprising a first lens assembly having a front and rear orientation and comprising at least a first base having a first interengagement mechanism for interengaging with a second interengagement mechanism of a first ferrule assembly, a first inner sleeve extending from the first base, a first lens disposed at least partially in the first inner sleeve such that the first lens is axially aligned in the first inner sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Soren Grinderslev
  • Patent number: 8827568
    Abstract: Fiber optic connector adapter module assemblies employing an engagement technique to install a fiber optic connector adapter module in an enclosure without tools are disclosed. In one embodiment, a fiber optic connector adapter module assembly includes a fiber optic connector adapter module having a plurality of first ports, and an adapter mount having an adapter opening. The adapter opening includes an insertion region and an installation region, wherein the insertion region and the installation region are shaped such that the insertion region is larger than the installation region. The fiber optic connector adapter module assembly may further include at least one retention mechanism coupled to the adapter mount. The installation region of the adapter mount and the retention mechanism cooperate to releasably lock the fiber optic connector adapter module in the insertion region upon rotation of the fiber optic connector adapter module into the installation region of the adapter opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Corning Cable Systems LLC
    Inventors: Micah Colen Isenhour, Dennis Michael Knecht, James Phillip Luther
  • Patent number: 8821041
    Abstract: A connector for connecting a fiber optic cable to a light source comprising a female adaptor having a receiving bore and a channel projecting into the receiving bore; a male ferrule, having a first portion insertable into at least part of the receiving bore, and a second portion defined at least partially by a tapered diameter region; and a compressible ring member disposed in the channel that engages the tapered portion when the male ferrule is inserted in the female adaptor in order to provide some resistance to removal of the male ferrule from the female adaptor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Tedan Surgical Innovations, LLC.
    Inventors: Marguerite McHenry, Daniel Bass, Terry Johnston
  • Patent number: 8811792
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed for interconnecting two optical fibers using a protective insert, wherein the protective insert includes a connective segment that provides optical communication connection between the two optical fibers. Furthermore the protective insert includes two attachment mechanisms adjacent to the connective segment with each of the two attachment mechanisms adapted to removably attach one of the two optical fibers to the connective segment. Such a protective insert may be implemented inside a network interface device (NID) or with a wall-plate to be installed inside customer premises in a manner that allows a customer to easily interconnect a home network cable to an optical network terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Qwest Communications International Inc.
    Inventor: Charles I. Cook
  • Patent number: 8794848
    Abstract: An optical module includes a rotating bail disposed on a front part of a case that is inserted into and removed from a cage; a slide plate that slides along a longitudinal direction of the case in conjunction with rotation of the bail; and an engagement member is disposed on the slide plate, freely engages with an engagement member of the cage, and is released from an engaged state by a sliding of the slide plate in conjunction with the rotation of the bail. The bail and the slide plate are formed by an integrated metal plate in a folded state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Fujitsu Optical Components Limited
    Inventors: Kazuya Sasaki, Yasuo Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20140206227
    Abstract: Provided is a cable assembly backshell capable of three angular configurations: straight, 45°, and 90°. The backshell is designed to rotate at two joints that allow it to assume these three angular configurations. A locking mechanism is associated with the backshell which prevents unintended reconfigurations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Inventors: Richard J. Kern, Nolan C. Budd, Matthew Guthrie Camarillo
  • Patent number: 8770859
    Abstract: The optical adapter includes a first housing 3, a second housing 5, and a sleeve 7. The first housing 3 includes a connector holding part 31, a first holder portion 33, an alignment part 35, and coupling portions 36. The first holder portion 33 is integrally formed with the connector holding part 31. The alignment part 35 includes an alignment part main body 351, a second holder portion 352 integrally formed with the alignment part main body 351, and a plurality of guide portions 352, 354, and 355, integrally formed with the alignment part main body 351. Protrusion-shaped coupling portions 36 for coupling the connector holding part 31 and the alignment part 35 are integrally formed with one of the connector holding part 31 and the alignment part main body 35.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Japan Aviation Electronics Industry, Limited
    Inventors: Yuichi Koreeda, Yasutaka Hiroki, Naoki Katagiyama
  • Patent number: 8770855
    Abstract: The invention provides an optical connector assembly for arrangement on a first optical printed circuit board and for connecting the first optical printed circuit board to a second optical device on a second electro optical printed circuit board, the connector assembly comprising: an electrical connector; and an optical connector; the optical connector being arranged in a housing that is fixed relative to the electrical connector, the optical connector being movably mounted in the housing so that the optical connector can move relative to the electrical connection, such that when electrical connection is made, the optical connector can still move with at least three degrees of freedom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Xyratex Technology Limited
    Inventor: Alistair A. Miller
  • Patent number: 8770857
    Abstract: Circuits, apparatus, and methods that provide a connector system that can supply both power and data to a mobile computing or other type of device using a single connection. Further examples also provide a power and data adapter that can provide power and data to a mobile computing device using a single cable. Further examples provide an easy disengagement when a cable connected to the connector is pulled. One such example provides a magnetic connector that uncouples without binding when its cord is pulled. Another example prevents power from being provided at a connector insert until the connector insert is placed in a connector receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: John C. DiFonzo, Chris Ligtenberg, Michael Culbert
  • Patent number: 8770856
    Abstract: An optical fiber adapter according to the present disclosure includes a main body and an elastic shutter member. The main body has an accommodation room defined by 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. An indentation is formed outside the accommodation room and on the third wall. The shutter member includes a fixing portion positioned within the accommodation room and on the third wall, a shutter plate, a connecting portion connecting the fixing portion with the shutter plate, and a hooking portion extending from the connecting portion to hook on to the indentation on the third wall. The shutter plate extends from the connecting portion and into the accommodation room.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignees: Protai Photonic Co., Ltd., Senko Advanced Components, Inc.
    Inventors: I En Lin, Tomoyuki Mamiya
  • Patent number: 8764309
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed that include a fiber optic connection with an alignment chamber. In the alignment chamber is a first fiber optic terminal and a second fiber optic terminal coupled to the first fiber optic terminal. In addition, a securing mechanism is placed within the alignment chamber and forces the first fiber optic terminal and second fiber optic terminal together. Also in this embodiment an ejection mechanism is disclosed that ejects the first fiber optic terminal upon the removal of the securing mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Applied Optical Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Vincent A. Wouters
  • Patent number: 8764310
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for aligning optical transports in a ferrule. The transports are aliened in the ferrule by mounting the ferrule on a jig having grooves into which the ends of the optical transports are inserted for transversely aligning the fibers in the ferrule. A row of transports is placed in the ferrule cavity with the front ends of the transports extending past the ferrule and into the grooves of the jig, thereby laterally aligning the transports with the grooves. The fibers are affixed to the ferrule. The ferrule can then be removed from the jig and the front ends of the transports that extended into the grooves of the jig cleaved flush with the front face of the ferrule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Nederland B.V.
    Inventors: Jeroen Antonius Maria Duis, Jan Willem Rietveld, Joseph Gerardus Maria Vos
  • Patent number: 8757891
    Abstract: A fiber optic splice housing and integral dry mate connector system. In a described embodiment, a fiber optic connection system includes optical fiber sections in respective conduit sections. Each of the conduit sections is received in the housing assembly. An optical connection between the optical fiber sections is positioned within the housing assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: WellDynamics, B.V.
    Inventors: Paul D. Ringgenberg, Neal G. Skinner, John L. Maida, Jr., David O. Johnson
  • Patent number: 8757896
    Abstract: An adapter for an optical fiber connector includes a fixing base and two terminals. The fixing base has a main portion and two assembly portions formed on the main portion. The terminal has a positioning portion, a connecting portion, and an inserting portion. The connecting portion and the inserting portion extend from opposite ends of the positioning portion, and the positioning portion is positioned in the assembly portion of the fixing base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Leland Wang, Jun-Jin Pan, Min Dong
  • Patent number: 8753020
    Abstract: A cable assembly comprises: a housing having a receiving groove through an front surface and a rear surface thereof; a plurality of conductive terminals received in the housing, a cable electrically connected to the conductive terminals and a spacer having a basic portion located behind the housing and a tongue portion extending forwardly from the basic portion and received in the receiving groove. A plurality of lenses are located on a front end of the tongue portion of the spacer, and a plurality of optical fibers are corresponded and coupled to the lenses, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jerry Wu
  • Patent number: 8750669
    Abstract: A rack cabling system including a rack having mounted thereon a first hardware component and a patch panel housing mounted on the rack adjacent the first hardware component. The patch panel housing populates no more than a three rack unit (RU space), the patch panel housing including a first end having cable pathway openings and a second end having connector elements mounted therein. The patch panel may have a first cable pathway opening located adjacent the first side of the housing and defining a primary position and a first connector element mounted on the second end and the first connector element having a first position corresponding to the primary position of the first cable pathway opening. Cable harnesses are routed with less than three bends of the cables between the first hardware component and the patch panel housing, so that the first cable harness is terminated at the first connector element in the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Methode Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Carter, David E. Hildreth, Robert C. Neumann, Tyler M. Miller
  • Patent number: 8740477
    Abstract: A hybrid connector is disclosed. The hybrid connector comprises a cable, a plug and a connector housing. The cable has an optical waveguide and conductive wires disposed therein. The plug is connected to the cable. The connector housing is configured to mount on the plug. The connector housing is provided with a connector-side locking portion, an optical connection portion and an electrical connection portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventors: Naoyoshi Tamura, Akihiro Shimotsu
  • Patent number: 8740473
    Abstract: An optical connector includes: an engaging member having a pair of elastic pieces that can be engaged with locking portions on both sides of a receiving-side optical connector; and a movable tubular housing externally fitted to the engaging member, wherein the pair of elastic pieces approaches each other by an engagement with the locking portions on both sides of the receiving-side optical connector, and thereby, the housing becomes movable forward with respect to the portion of the engaging member that engages with the locking portions, and wherein an engagement state between the elastic pieces and the locking portions on both sides of the receiving-side optical connector is maintained as the pair of elastic pieces abuts an inside of the housing thereby regulating a movement in a direction of being separated from each other when the housing has moved forward with respect to the engaging member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Fujikura Ltd.
    Inventor: Seiji Katoh
  • Patent number: 8734028
    Abstract: A clamping mechanism having a top and bottom orientation, comprising: (a) an inner component having a platform defining a fiber channel and a clamping member disposed over the fiber channel, the clamping component being connected to the inner component such that it moves radially independently from the rest of the inner component, the inner component defining a cavity above the clamping member to receive an actuator; (b) an outer casing containing the inner component, the outer casing defining a slot; and (c) an actuator comprising a rotating member disposed in the cavity and restrained therein from moving radially, the rotating member being configured to rotate along an axis parallel to the fiber channel, the rotating member configured to interact with the clamping member such that rotating the rotating member causes the clamping member to move toward the fiber channel such that any fiber disposed therein is clamped between the clamping component and the platform, the actuator also comprising a lever connect
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Soren Grinderslev
  • Patent number: 8727641
    Abstract: An optical connector includes a substrate, a photoelectric element and a positioning element on the substrate, a lens element, and an optical fiber. The positioning element defines a through hole, in which the photoelectric element is received to allow visual inspection for determining if the photoelectric element is positioned to a designated position in relation to the positioning element, and includes a positioning structure. The lens element includes an incident surface, an emitting surface, a reflecting surface, a locating structure and a first lens formed in the incident surface, and a second lens formed on the emitting surface and optically aligned with the first lens via the reflecting surface. The lens element is precisely positioned on the positioning element by matching the locating structure with the positioning structure, to align the first lens with the photo electric element. The optical fiber is aligned with the second lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yi Hung
  • Patent number: 8727639
    Abstract: An optical transceiver having an optical subassembly electrically connected to a circuit board with an RF connector is disclosed. The optical transceiver further provides a holder for support the RF connector. The circuit board is held by a leg and an arm each being provided in the holder, and putting the circuit board therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Matsui, Hiromi Kurashima
  • Patent number: 8721195
    Abstract: The optoelectronic mechanical assembly can have an integrated light source and couple a non-rotary light outlet thereof directly into a tip of a freely rotatable optical fiber. The assembly includes a fixable structure which can house a light source, and a rotary structure which receives the optical fiber and which is mounted to the fixable structure by way of at least one bearing, in a manner to maintain the optical alignment of the optical fiber with the non-rotary outlet. If more than one light source is used, they can be combined into the common outlet by a beam combiner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Doric Lense Inc.
    Inventor: Sead Doric
  • Publication number: 20140112627
    Abstract: Disclosed are lens blocks and methods for making the same. In one embodiment, the lens block includes at least one optical channel having an optical interface portion on a first side, and one or more magnetic materials attached to the lens block. In one embodiment, the lens block may include one or more opening for receiving the one or more magnetic materials. The one or more openings may be located on any suitable side of the lens block as desired. The magnetic materials provide attachment with a complimentary device having an optical interface. Consequently, the lens block allows for quick and easy assembly along with a robust structure for a large number of mating/unmating cycles. In other embodiments, the lens blocks disclosed may further include one or more electrical contacts for making a hybrid connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: Corning Cable Systems LLC
    Inventors: Micah Colen Isenhour, Dennis Michael Knecht, James Phillip Luther
  • Patent number: 8702316
    Abstract: Circuits, apparatus, and methods that provide a connector system that can supply both power and data to a mobile computing or other type of device using a single connection. Further examples also provide a power and data adapter that can provide power and data to a mobile computing device using a single cable. Further examples provide an easy disengagement when a cable connected to the connector is pulled. One such example provides a magnetic connector that uncouples without binding when its cord is pulled. Another example prevents power from being provided at a connector insert until the connector insert is placed in a connector receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: John C. DiFonzo, Chris Ligtenberg, Michael Culbert
  • Patent number: 8702317
    Abstract: An optical connector having an optical fiber inserted into a connector main body includes a buckling regulating section whose length in an optical fiber insertion direction is formed variable and which regulates a buckling of the optical fiber while becoming short in an optical fiber insertion direction when the optical fiber is inserted into the connector main body. Even if an insertion area is made long, since no buckling of the optical fiber is generated, the buckling regulating section can sufficiently increase an insertion force of the optical fiber. Thus, even when foreign substances such as dusts enter and an insertion resistance increases, the optical fiber can be securely inserted. Further, the buckling regulating section is very advantageous to realize an end surface preparation of the optical fiber making use of the insertion force of the optical fiber such as a coating removing of the optical fiber, and an end surface grinding preparation of the optical fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation
    Inventors: Ryo Koyama, Kazuhide Nakajima, Masaaki Takaya, Toshio Kurashima, Masatoshi Shimizu, Kyoichi Nakamizo
  • Patent number: 8700821
    Abstract: A device, method, and system are disclosed. In one embodiment the device includes a router to transmit data packets between multiple host controllers and one or more peripheral devices. The router can receive a data packet from a host controller and transmit the data packet to a peripheral device across a data transmission path. The peripheral device is coupled to the first data transmission path through a first universal multi-transport medium (UMTM) connector. The connector includes an optical coupling capable of transporting the first data packet within an optical signal and an electrical coupling capable of transporting the first data packet within an electrical signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Prashant R. Chandra, Ajay V. Bhatt, Kevin Kahn, Steve McGowan
  • Patent number: 8690453
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a plug/socket arrangement, in particular an electrical and/or optical plug/socket arrangement of an aircraft or spacecraft, which comprises a housing and at least one insert which can be received in the housing. It further comprises a releasable connection means which is adjustable between a locked position, in which the insert and the housing are locked to one another, and an unlocked position, in which the insert and the housing are not locked to one another; and an adjustment member which is adjustable between an inoperative position, in which the adjustment member is not operatively connected to the connection means, and a release position, in which the adjustment member is operatively connected to the connection means for releasing the locked position into the unlocked position of the connection means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventor: Guenter Schmitz
  • Patent number: 8657504
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an optical fiber connection device, comprising: a base plate; at least one adapter for receiving optical fiber connectors; a rotating and fixing mechanism being provided on the base plate and being connected with the adapters, the rotating and fixing mechanism comprising: a fixing portion for fixedly connecting with the adapter; and a rotating portion being rotatably connected to the base plate, through which the mechanism can rotate between an operation position and a receiving/releasing position; and a positioning member for stably holding the rotating and fixing mechanism in the operation position or the receiving/releasing position, and limiting the rotation angle of the mechanism and that of the adapter within a predetermined angle range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics (Shanghai) Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Buck Wang, Liming Wang