Structure Surrounding Optical Fiber-to-fiber Connection Patents (Class 385/55)
  • Patent number: 6783281
    Abstract: An optical fiber converter is adapted to interconnect a first and a second optical connector together, each connector being of a different type. The optical fiber converter has a ferrule subassembly (3), a sleeve (5), a spring (4), a plug housing (2) and a receptacle housing (6). The ferrule subassembly has a first ferrule (32) having a first central hole, a second ferrule (33) having a second central hole, and a ferrule holder (34) holding the first and second ferrules together. An optical fiber (31) is retained in the first and second central holes, which are coaxially aligned. The sleeve coaxially retains the second ferrule and engages with the second optical connector. The plug housing retains the ferrule holder and is adapted to engage with the first optical connector. The receptacle housing engages with the plug housing, and is adapted to engage with the second optical connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yung Chang Cheng
  • Patent number: 6783280
    Abstract: A connector for a fiber optic cable includes: a sliding actuator; an inner housing having a first end and an inner channel, the sliding actuator is engaged with the inner housing; and a ferrule assembly having a first side and a second side, the first side is mounted to the first end of the inner housing, the ferrule assembly includes a fiber stub extending from the second side, the fiber stub extends within the inner channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: The Siemon Company
    Inventor: Mark Viklund
  • Patent number: 6773167
    Abstract: A linear sliding locking mechanism includes: a base having a passageway; a plurality of fingers having a first end and a second end, the plurality of fingers surrounding the passageway and extending from the base at the second end; a sliding activation piece surrounding the plurality of fingers; and wherein as the sliding activation piece is moved from the second end towards the first end, the plurality of fingers are biased together. In another exemplary embodiment, a mechanical splice connector for a fiber optical cable includes: a linear sliding locking mechanism; an inner housing having a first end and a second end, the first end adapted to receive the linear sliding locking mechanism; a capillary supported by the inner housing; and a ferrule having a first side and a second side, the first side of the ferrule mounted to the second end of the inner housing, the ferrule including a fiber stub extending from the second side, the fiber stub extends within the capillary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: The Siemon Company
    Inventor: Thomas Scanzillo
  • Patent number: 6769811
    Abstract: A multi-fiber optic device includes two optical fibers and a body. The body is formed around and adhered to the two optical fibers. The body includes two alignment bosses, a mating end and a tapered end. Each alignment boss includes an alignment aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Stratos International, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Hall, Richard C. E. Durrant, Mark Krowiak
  • Publication number: 20040146249
    Abstract: An optical fiber coupling reduces power loss by creating breaks in one or both of the optical fibers being joined so that destructive interference between modes of the signal escaping at the coupling and the breaks reduces total power loss. The breaks can be in the receiving and/or transmitting optical fiber, and each break generally correspond to a small region of changed refractive index in the cladding and/or core of an optical fiber. The breaks can be created using a laser or by removal and replacement of small regions of cladding material. An active alignment process can position the optical fibers for physical attachment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2003
    Publication date: July 29, 2004
    Inventor: Gregory C. Zimmer
  • Publication number: 20040141693
    Abstract: A fiber otic connector assembly includes a receptacle for receiving a fiber optic connector along an optic axis. A housing has an open end for receiving the fiber optic connector. A pair of shutter members are pivotally mounted on the housing at opposite sides of the open end for pivotal movement toward and away from each other to close and open the open end. One of the shutter members is shorter than the other shutter member so that the one shutter member closes before the other shutter member and, thereby, prevents binding therebetween. The receptacle has a bottom mating face, and the fiber optic connector has a plurality of alignment pins insertable into guide holes in the mating face. The fiber optic connector assembly include particular dimensional relationships to prevent the alignment pins from engaging the mating face rather than entering the guide holes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2003
    Publication date: July 22, 2004
    Inventors: B. Daniel Szilagyi, Scot A. Ernst, Igor Grois
  • Patent number: 6764222
    Abstract: A fiber optic connector assembly includes a receptacle for receiving a fiber optic connector along an optic axis. A housing has an open end for receiving the fiber optic connector. A pair of shutter members are pivotally mounted on the housing at opposite sides of the open end for pivotal movement toward and away from each other to close and open the open end. One of the shutter members is shorter than the other shutter member so that the one shutter member closes before the other shutter member and, thereby, prevents binding therebetween. The receptacle has a bottom mating face, and the fiber optic connector has a plurality of alignment pins insertable into guide holes in the mating face. The fiber optic connector assembly include particular dimensional relationships to prevent the alignment pins from engaging the mating face rather than entering the guide holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventors: B. Daniel Szilagyi, Scot A. Ernst, Igor Grois
  • Patent number: 6764221
    Abstract: A flexible multifiber fiber optic jumper is provided with a multifiber ferrule mounted to a first end of optical fibers and at least one ferrule mounted to the second end of the optical fibers. The flexible multifiber fiber optic jumper also has a protective covering over at least a portion of the plurality of optical fibers with the plurality of optical fibers being free to move relative to one another within the protective covering. The flexible multifiber fiber optic jumper may also have a transition boot to bend it through a predetermined angle and a furcation body to allow for multiple connectors at one end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Corning Calde Systems LLC
    Inventors: Michael de Jong, Stuart R. Melton
  • Publication number: 20040136656
    Abstract: A coupling device for glass fiber connectors has a front panel (2, 4) and at least one coupling (1, 1′1″, 201, 207), which can be inserted into the front panel from the front face, 40, 202) and can be locked by means of latching springs (14, 14′, 14″, 214). The latching springs engage behind the front panel (2, 4). The coupling (1, 1′, 1″,201,207). The latching from the front face and, in addition to plug openings (21, 41) for the couplings, the front pan (2, 4) for this purpose also has openings (22, 23, 23, 42, 47, 45, 46) for releasing the couplings from the front face.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventors: Eberhard Kahle, Adrian Benedetto, Jorg Adomeit, Joachim Brunzel
  • Patent number: 6761487
    Abstract: A modular and adjustable backplane assembly for providing a fiber-optics backplane interface to a plurality of router cards functioning as a data router is provided. The assembly includes a first portion having a first array of connectors for interfacing with a compatible array of second connectors engaging specific ones of the router cards, and a second portion having a second array of connectors for interfacing with a compatible array of second connectors engaging specific others of the router cards. The mechanics of the assembly enable a moveable attachment with respect to the first and second portions such that they may be positionally adjusted during mounting, and wherein external data paths are provided from individual ones of the connectors to individual others of the connectors by fiber-optic conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: Pluris, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter John Doyle
  • Publication number: 20040131315
    Abstract: An adapter for coupling first and second optical fiber connectors having ferrules, respectively, comprises first and second members and a sleeve. The first and the second members can be detachably coupled to each other. The second member holds the sleeve. To prevent one end of the sleeve from being brought into undesirable contact with end surface of the ferrule of the first optical fiber connector when the first member connected with the first optical fiber connector is coupled with the second member, the first member is formed with first and second positioning holes, while the second member is provided with first and second positioning sticks. The first and the second positioning sticks project beyond the end of the sleeve. The first and the second positioning sticks are inserted into the first and the second positioning holes, respectively, while the ferrule of the first optical fiber connector is suitably inserted into the sleeve when the first and the second members are coupled together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventors: Akihiro Onogawa, Yasutaka Hiroki, Yuichi Koreeda, Hirotada Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 6758601
    Abstract: A fiberoptic connector is constructed entirely of metal and includes structure to radiate heat. Preferably, the fiberoptic connector also includes an arrangement to indicate whether the fiberoptic connector is holding an energized optical fiber. Preferably, the heat radiating structure includes fin structure and a metal stamping projecting from the connector housing. The indicating arrangement preferably is a temperature sensitive strip secured to the housing, which changes color based upon the heat radiated by the optical fiber carried within. Methods of indicating an energized fiberoptic connector and of dissipating heat from a fiberoptic connector are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: ADC Telecommunications, In.
    Inventor: Marlon E. Holmquist
  • Patent number: 6758599
    Abstract: An optical coupler includes essentially tubular second connecting piece (40). Second fiber end (14) inserts completely through second connecting piece (40) and is held rigidly such second fiber end (14) is set back from second connecting piece end (78) by a preselected distance. First essentially tubular connecting piece (16) is divided axially into first portion (30) into which first fiber end (12) is inserted and held rigidly, and second portion (32) into which second connecting piece (40) is detachably attached. First and second portions (30, 32) are arranged such that first fiber end (12) is coaxial with and in close proximity to second fiber end (14). Preferably, attachment of second and first connecting pieces (40, 16) includes an axially symmetric groove (46) on an outer surface of second connecting piece (40), and an axially symmetric protrusion (24) on an inner surface of second portion (32) which essentially mates with axially symmetric groove (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Steris Inc.
    Inventors: Yury Keselman, David Jesurun
  • Patent number: 6755574
    Abstract: An optical connector that provides a housing body 21 and a fixed part 22 that are installed so as to hold a backplane 3, and connects an optical connector plug 4b inserted into said housing body 21 via an installation hole in said backplane 3 and another optical connector plug 4a inserted into said housing body 21 from the direction opposite to that of said optical connector plug 4b, wherein flexible claws 25 projecting from both sides of said fixed part 22 engage said housing body 21 via said installation hole 30 in said backplane 3, and thereby said backplane 3 is held between said housing body 21 and said fixed part 22. Simply by adjusting the floating range (amount of floating) of the flexible claws 25 within said installation hole 30 the floating range (amount of floating) of the housing body 21 can be reliably set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Fujikura Ltd. and Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation
    Inventors: Kunihiko Fujiwara, Yukio Hayashi, Yoshikazu Nomura, Hiroshi Yokosuka, Masaaki Takaya, Shinji Nagasawa
  • Publication number: 20040120652
    Abstract: A light guide for an interconnecting device. The light guide comprises a first section having a Fibre Channel connector disposed therein and a second section having a Fibre Channel receptacle disposed therein. The second section is coupled to the first section. A mirror section is disposed within either the second section or the first section to direct light out the Fibre Channel receptacle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Inventors: Fay Chong, William L. Grouell
  • Patent number: 6748156
    Abstract: A method for connecting optical waveguides to optical fibers, the optical waveguides being arranged side by side in an optical waveguide circuit device, the method including inserting optical fibers into arranging guide grooves formed side by side in a guide substrate of an optical fiber array device, warping the optical fiber array device by a contraction stress caused by hardening of an adhesive for attaching the guide substrate to a cap plate for attachment and fixing, and optically connecting the optical waveguides to the optical fibers, by facing a connection terminal surface of the optical waveguide circuit device to a connection terminal surface of the optical fiber array device in the curved shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: The Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsunetoshi Saito, Toshihiko Ota
  • Publication number: 20040105648
    Abstract: A ferrule-less optical backplane connector assembly includes a substrate having at least a pair of optical guide receiving structures formed therein, the pair of optical guide receiving structures further being formed at substantially a right angle with respect to one another so as to guide a corresponding first and second optical guide into optical alignment with one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2002
    Publication date: June 3, 2004
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Cameron J. Brooks, Philip G. Emma, Casimer M. DeCusatis, Lawrence Jacobowitz, John U. Knickerbocker
  • Publication number: 20040096162
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a connecting device for providing an optical connection between an apparatus comprising a apparatus port and provided for receiving and/or sending optical signals, and at least one optical fiber comprising a connector. The connecting device comprises a support plate supporting at least one adapter. The adapter comprises an adapter contact adapted for a plug connection with the apparatus port of the apparatus, and a connector contact adapted for a plug and/or screw connection with the connector of the fiber. The support plate provides a grip for manually plugging in/off all of its adapters simultaneously into/from the respective apparatus ports.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Applicant: AGILENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Mark Kocher, Oliver Roesch, Emmerich Mueller, Clemens Rueck
  • Patent number: 6736547
    Abstract: An optical connector provides the reliability of a butt-coupled connection with the mating simplicity of an expanded-beam coupling arrangement. In an example embodiment, an optical fiber connector arrangement includes a first ferrule having an expanded-beam arrangement disposed therein. The expanded-beam arrangement within the first ferrule includes a first lens that is coupled to a first optical fiber and a second lens that is coupled to a second optical fiber, wherein the second optical fiber protrudes from the first ferrule. The connector arrangement further includes a second ferrule arranged to receive the first ferrule. The second ferrule supports a third optical fiber and is shaped to receive the first ferrule. The second optical fiber is butt-coupled to the third optical fiber within the second ferrule when the second ferrule is engaged with the first ferrule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Rick C. Stevens, Kevin J. Thorson
  • Patent number: 6733185
    Abstract: An optical fiber connector assembly (2) includes am optical isolator (10), an optical connector (17) and a fiber saver (11). The optical isolator is received in an isolator tube (19). The fiber saver comprises a helical block (15), a helical block tube (12), two cone members (13, 14) and an extender (18). Optical fiber (102) is wrapped around the helical block, and the helical block is received in the helical block tube-. The two cone members are mounted at the two ends of the helical block tube to prevent movement of the helical block within the helical block tube. The extender receives the helical block tube therein and connects to the isolator tube and to an a adaptor (16). The adaptor couples to the optical connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jim X. Zhao, Frank Quach
  • Publication number: 20040081404
    Abstract: A device for providing variable length fiber optic cable and storing any excess not used. Means are provided to allow for extending and retracting fiber optic cable to prevent excess slack when in use. Optical coupling units provide optical coupling of fiber optic cable within the device. Multiple devices may be connected together to provide variable length fiber optic cable in different directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2002
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventor: Stephen J. Elliott
  • Publication number: 20040071407
    Abstract: A ferrule-less optical connector comprising: (a) a housing having a front end portion and a back end portion, the housing having at least one passageway extending from the back end portion to the front end portion to accommodate at least one fiber, the housing defining a cavity along a first portion of the passageway such that a fiber in the passageway is deflected into the cavity when the connector is in the mated state; (b) a barrier along a second portion of the passageway, the barrier preventing a fiber from being deflected into the second portion when the connector is in the mated state; (c) a fiber retainer at the back end portion, the fiber retainer adapted to restrict a fiber's backward movement with respect to the housing when in the mated state; and (d) the front end portion being configured to mate with an alignment member such that a fiber in the passageway is received within a passage of the alignment member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2003
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Inventor: Henricus Vergeest
  • Patent number: 6720582
    Abstract: A laser diode module in which a laser diode and an optical fiber are optically coupled with each other efficiently irrespective of an ambient temperature change within the laser diode module. The laser diode module includes a laser diode, an optical system, an optical system mounting member supporting at least a portion of the optical system, a laser diode mounting member, and a bottom plate supporting the laser diode, the optical system, the optical system mounting member, and the laser diode mounting member. The optical system receives and transmits a beam emitted from the laser diode through a lens portion to an optical fiber. The optical system mounting member is attached to the laser diode mounting member. The laser diode module preferably includes a thermo module having a first plate member attached to the laser diode mounting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: The Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun Miyokawa, Yuichiro Irie, Etsuji Katayama, Kaoru Sekiguchi, Kiyokazu Tateno
  • Publication number: 20040062486
    Abstract: This optical connector with a shutter is for blocking emitted light from the connected optical connector, such as an optical connector adaptor, provided in a connector hole of a connector housing by using a shutter. In this optical connector with a shutter, the shutter unit is assembled in the center part of the connector housing, and the emitted light in the connector hole from the connected optical connector is blocked by shutter pieces of the shutter unit. Furthermore, an electromagnetic shielding capacity can be obtained without enlarging the optical connector by making the shutter unit from electrically conducting members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Applicant: Fujikura Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuwa Tanaka, Kunihiko Fujiwara, Takaaki Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 6714698
    Abstract: A fiber optic circuit provides signal access and monitoring using a set of various switches. The various switches can be remotely controlled using a programmable controller. This controller implements a method for programming and controlling a fiber optic circuit. The fiber optic circuit includes a plurality of signal connection modules, a signal switching network, and a master controller module. The method receiving a circuit configuration command from a remote computing system, retrieving a connection table containing data entries used to specify how the signal connection modules and the signal switching network are to be configured, constructing a module configuration command for each data entry retrieved from the connection table and transmitting the module configuration command to the corresponding module to configure the fiber optic circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory C. Pfeiffer, Keith A. Hamberg, Mohammad S. Farooqi
  • Patent number: 6712523
    Abstract: The present invention relates to bulkhead adapters for optically connecting two strands of optical fibers and including a length of optical fiber within the adapter for attenuating signals passing from one fiber to the other. The attenuation optical fiber is held within an attenuation hub inside the housing of the adapter. Attenuation of optical fiber signals transmitted through the adapter may be provided by the optical fiber, by an offset fusion of two optical fibers, by an airgap between two optical fiber segments, by the inclusion of a filter between two optical fiber segments, or by other structures. When an optical fiber with a connector is inserted into the adapter, the optical fiber is placed in optical contact with the attenuation optical fiber of the attenuation hub. The adapter can be inserted through an opening in a bulkhead so that optical fiber from one side of the bulkhead can be attached to optical fiber on the second side of the bulkhead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven C. Zimmel
  • Patent number: 6709165
    Abstract: An optical plug connection (1) consists of a sleeve portion (2) and a plug portion (3). The sleeve portion (2) comprises a sleeve housing (4), the insert openings (5) of which are closed by protecting flaps (6) with spring action. These are formed as a bent component made of metal and are flexibly latched at the sleeve housing. For a better handling of the locking element (21) a separate gripper part (22) can be snapped onto the plug portion (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Diamond SA
    Inventor: Silverio De Marchi
  • Patent number: 6702478
    Abstract: In the connection of the optical fiber wires, it is required to align each axis of two optical passages to be connected, to minimize the connection space, and to include a retaining mechanism capable of preventing any invasion of foreign materials, such as dust, vapor and water. A pair of ferrule holders 2 for retaining a pair of optical fiber wires 21 positioned opposed to each other through an adapter B are rotated simultaneously by rotating an outer ring 4 to correct the displacement of the axes of the optical fiber wires. Further, a rotating stopper portion 33 on the shaft of the ferrule holder 2 is moved in conjunction with an elastic rotating stopper plate 13 disposed at the adapter B to retain the corrected position. A silicone low crosslinking-density gel 41 having the refractive index substantially equal to that of the optical fiber wires 21 is filled in a connection space 32, to minimize the connection space 32.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Inventors: Takeo Inagaki, Kunihiko Takeda, Akira Watanabe, Shigeru Endo, Yoshio Tokai
  • Patent number: 6702476
    Abstract: A fiber optic device and a method of assembling the fiber optic device to provide at least four degrees of adjustment for an optical beam transported between an optical fiber and bulk optics in an optical device package. At an opening in the wall of the optical processor package, a washer-like structure allows initially adjustable contact at a flat surface thereof and at a spherically curved surface thereof. One of the surfaces bears against the wall about the opening and the other surface bears against a contact feature of a connecting assembly, typically a pre-assembled collimator assembly, that holds a termination portion of the optical fiber. Translational adjustment is made at the flat surface and tilting adjustment is made at the curved surface before final attachment at both surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignees: Agere Systems Inc., Triquint Technology Holding Co.
    Inventors: Ernest E. Bergmann, Salvatore S. Cimorelli, Russell A. Crook, Stephen Kenneth Fairchild, Jeffrey W. Scott
  • Patent number: 6702477
    Abstract: An adapter for connecting opposing fiber optic connectors includes a housing having a through aperture about which a post is formed. An alignment sleeve is disposed in and retained by the post. A plastic cap is disposed over an end of the post. The plastic cap may include a lip for retaining the alignment sleeve, a conical or other oblique surface for self-aligning on a like surface of the post, and a latch that clips the cap into recesses in the housing. The post may include a recess for receiving the latch members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: FCI Americas Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Hung Viet Ngo
  • Publication number: 20040037509
    Abstract: The present invention generally is directed to an optical interconnection sub-assembly, which includes a housing, a longitudinal bore formed through the housing, a tapered ring press-fitted into a first end of the longitudinal bore, a split sleeve ring press-fitted into the tapered ring, a fiber stop press-fitted into the split sleeve ring, and one or more bushings threaded into a second end of the longitudinal bore. The interconnection generally operates to secure a fiber in one end and communicate a signal received from the fiber to a device attached thereto. Further, the interconnection generally does not require any epoxy or other chemical affixation methods, as press fitting and shrink fitting methods are employed, which substantially reduces the assembly time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2002
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Applicant: Finisar Corporation
    Inventor: Martin Wisecarver
  • Publication number: 20040033028
    Abstract: An optical fiber converter is adapted to interconnect a first and a second optical connector together, each connector being of a different type. The optical fiber converter has a ferrule subassembly (3), a sleeve (5), a spring (4), a plug housing (2) and a receptacle housing (6). The ferrule subassembly has a first ferrule (32) having a first central hole, a second ferrule (33) having a second central hole, and a ferrule holder (34) holding the first and second ferrules together. An optical fiber (31) is retained in the first and second central holes, which are coaxially aligned. The sleeve coaxially retains the second ferrule and engages with the second optical connector. The plug housing retains the ferrule holder and is adapted to engage with the first optical connector. The receptacle housing engages with the plug housing, and is adapted to engage with the second optical connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Inventor: Yung Chang Cheng
  • Publication number: 20040028341
    Abstract: An optical fiber connector assembly (2) includes an optical isolator (10), an optical connector (17) and a fiber saver (11). The optical isolator is received in an isolator tube (19). The fiber saver comprises a helical block (15), a helical block tube (12), two cone members (13,14) and an extender (18). Optical fiber (102) is wrapped around the helical block, and the helical block is received in the helical block tube . The two cone members are mounted at the two ends of the helical block tube to prevent movement of the helical block within the helical block tube. The extender receives the helical block tube therein and connects to the isolator tube and to an adaptor (16), The adaptor couples to the optical connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2002
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventors: Jim X. Zhao, Frank Quach
  • Patent number: 6682228
    Abstract: A connector housing for a connector to an optical device includes: a body with a bottom wall, a first side wall with a first lip, a second side wall with a second lip, where optical fibers may reside within the bottom, first side, and second side walls, where the first and second lips engage the optical fibers when residing within the bottom, first, and second side walls, where the first and second lips assist in preventing the optical fibers from being removed from the body; a spring coupled to the body and the optical fibers; and a sleeve coupled to the body, including a locking feature for locking the body to the optical device. The connector housing is compact in size, allowing larger numbers of fiber-optic modules to reside on a printed circuit board, increasing its density for optical devices. A connector with the connector housing is also more cost effective to manufacture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: EMCORE Corporation
    Inventors: Lakshman Rathnam, Albert T. Yuen
  • Patent number: 6672898
    Abstract: The invention relates to a duplex plug-in connector for optical fiber connectors, comprising two fastening devices for receiving two simplex plug-in connectors (14) for forming a duplex plug-in connector (22), the fastening devices being designed in such a way that they at least partially enclose the connector housing (18) and/or a kink preventer (17) of a plug-in connector (14) to be received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Krone GmbH
    Inventors: Eberhard Kahle, Detlev Thalemann
  • Patent number: 6669377
    Abstract: A fiber optic connector including a ferrule that is compatible with a mini-MT ferrule and an E-ferrule and, if sized properly, an MT ferrule is provided. Additionally, a guide pin retention mechanism is provided that permits guide pins to be inserted in the field following assembly of the connector and polishing of the front face of the ferrule. The connector includes a ferrule having a shank and a first shoulder portion proximate one end of the shank. The first shoulder portion has a cross-sectional profile that is larger than the shank. The ferrule may also include a second shoulder portion proximate the first shoulder portion that is smaller in lateral cross-section than the first shoulder portion. The connector can also include a pin retainer for engaging guide pins that extend along the second shoulder portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Corning Cable Systems LLC
    Inventors: Brandon A. Barnes, Michael deJong, Sean M. Kerr, Daniel Leyva, Jr., Susan E. Rinehart, Scott E. Semmler
  • Publication number: 20030231836
    Abstract: An optical fibre connector system, including an optical connector disposed therein, and a recess allowing a through connector to be connected to the optical connector. The optical fibre connector system includes an engagement mechanism that acts on the optical connector to prevent release of the through connector when connected to the optical connector, and which is operable to enable release of the through connector. The engagement mechanism is a movable element that normally engages the connector to the support and which can be moved to disengage the connector from the support, thereby releasing the through connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2003
    Publication date: December 18, 2003
    Inventors: Bruce Elphinston Robertson, Ross Stuart Williams
  • Publication number: 20030206700
    Abstract: A fiber optic device and a method of assembling the fiber optic device to provide at least four degrees of adjustment for an optical beam transported between an optical fiber and bulk optics in an optical device package. At an opening in the wall of the optical processor package, a washer-like structure allows initially adjustable contact at a flat surface thereof and at a spherically curved surface thereof. One of the surfaces bears against the wall about the opening and the other surface bears against a contact feature of a connecting assembly, typically a pre-assembled collimator assembly, that holds a termination portion of the optical fiber. Translational adjustment is made at the flat surface and tilting adjustment is made at the curved surface before final attachment at both surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2002
    Publication date: November 6, 2003
    Inventors: Ernest E. Bergmann, Salvatore S. Cimorelli, Russell A. Crook, Stephen Kenneth Fairchild, Jeffrey W. Scott
  • Patent number: 6637949
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed that permit multi-directional fiber optic connections to a device. The multi-directional aspect of the fiber optic connections permit the connections to be aligned closely with the direction of travel of the fiber optic cables that interface with the device. Closely aligning the fiber optic connections on the device with the fiber optic cables' direction of travel maximizes the bend radius of the fiber optic cable near the point of connection or eliminates the bend altogether and reduces the likelihood of a broken fiber or signal attenuation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventors: Vern Loch, Craig Bentz, Joseph Coffey
  • Publication number: 20030190122
    Abstract: The invention relates to an optical feedthrough including an optical fiber (11) and a protective tube (10) surrounding said fiber. In the invention, a seal (6) extends inside the annular space between the protective tube and the optical fiber, the length of said seal being greater than 50 mm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2003
    Publication date: October 9, 2003
    Inventor: Karel Maria Van Den Bergh
  • Patent number: 6622356
    Abstract: An attachment assembly and method for attaching closed loops of lanyards to dust covers. The attachment assembly and method eliminate the need for tools and enable plastic and other materials to be used in the construction of the lanyard. In one embodiment, the attachment assembly includes a groove and a flange with a slot in it. A closed loop can be attached to the dust cover using this attachment assembly by placing a section of the closed loop in the slot and then rotating the dust cover relative to the closed loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Monish J. Doshi, James T. Hartley, Israel V. Castaneda
  • Patent number: 6619994
    Abstract: A jack plug of digital connector includes a jack plug with an optical fiber cable. The device is characterized in that the jack plug is composed of a front plug and a tail plug. A plug hole is disposed at the back part of the front plug. The tail plug has an insertion hole and on the front part of the tail plug possesses two clips at upper and bottom side respectively. The optical fiber cable picks through the insertion hole of the tail plug and then insert the tail plug into the plug hole of the front plug so as to make the two clips of the tail plug hold the optical fiber cable and fixed them at the back end of the front plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Jess-Link Products Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Zen-Chyuan Chen, Kuo-Chiang Wu
  • Patent number: 6616343
    Abstract: The optical fiber positioning member in accordance with the present invention comprises a resin composition containing a PPS resin mainly composed of a linear type PPS resin at a content in the range of 24% to 30% by weight, silica particles at a content in the range of 61% to 67% by weight, and tetrapod-shaped whiskers at a content in the range of 6% to 12% by weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Katsura, Wataru Sakurai, Toshiaki Kakii
  • Publication number: 20030165298
    Abstract: An optical connector adapter mount for mounting optical connectors to a panel. The mount comprises a frame with a mounting section for attaching the mount to the panel. The frame has a housing section with an aperture adapted for connecting at least one multi-fiber optical connector with at least a row of multiple optical fibers to the housing section. The aperture in the housing has an axis of symmetry which is slanted relative to the mounting section. The axis of symmetry of the aperture is angled relative to a normal axis of panel when the mounting section is mounted to the panel. The connector connected to the housing section is oriented with the row of multiple optical fibers aligned generally vertically.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2002
    Publication date: September 4, 2003
    Inventor: Hung Viet Ngo
  • Patent number: 6612750
    Abstract: An adapter for receiving optical fiber connectors, of the type having an inner part suitable for receiving an internal connector carrying an internal optical fiber having an end ferrule, and having an outer part suitable for receiving an external connector having an external optical fiber with an end ferrule, is made suitable for use with different external connectors by having the outer part readily separable from the inner part. The parts have complementary engaging surfaces and cooperating engaging means which lock the two parts together upon relative rotation of one of the parts relative to the other through about a right angle. The usual alignment sleeve is carried by the outer part, and when this part has been separated from the inner part the internal fiber ferrule is accessible for cleaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: EXFO Electro-Optical Engineering Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Vincent Bull, Steeve Potvin
  • Patent number: 6609836
    Abstract: A method for coupling fiber optic elements includes providing a hollow wax housing. A first fiber optic element is inserted in a first direction into the housing to position a free end thereof in the housing. A second fiber optic element is inserted into the housing from an opposite direction to position a free end of the second fiber optic element in the housing confronting the first fiber optic element free end. The housing is filled with optical grade epoxy resin which is permitted to cure, thereby to effect physical and optical connection between the first and second fiber optic elements. The free ends are in close proximity, or in the case of coupling from one strand to many, in enough of a spaced relation to cause needed light diffusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Lynn T. Antonelli, Patrick J. Monahan
  • Patent number: 6609837
    Abstract: An optical fiber adapter for coupling first and second dissimilar optical fiber connectors together without signal or coupling degradation has a body portion having a transverse wall. First and second latch gates form chambers for containing an alignment sleeve and one of the chambers has a spring member seated in a recess in the wall at one end of the chamber. The spring member exerts a spring force on the sleeve in opposition to the spring force of one of the connectors, so that the sum of the spring forces on the ferrules of the connectors is substantially zero, thereby insuring proper alignment and positioning of the ferrules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: Fitel USA Corp.
    Inventor: Norman R. Lampert
  • Publication number: 20030156796
    Abstract: A connector housing for a connector to an optical device includes: a body with a bottom wall, a first side wall with a first lip, a second side wall with a second lip, where optical fibers may reside within the bottom, first side, and second side walls, where the first and second lips engage the optical fibers when residing within the bottom, first, and second side walls, where the first and second lips assist in preventing the optical fibers from being removed from the body; a spring coupled to the body and the optical fibers; and a sleeve coupled to the body, including a locking feature for locking the body to the optical device. The connector housing is compact in size, allowing larger numbers of fiber-optic modules to reside on a printed circuit board, increasing its density for optical devices. A connector with the connector housing is also more cost effective to manufacture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2002
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Inventors: Lakshman Rathnam, Albert T. Yuen
  • Patent number: 6607303
    Abstract: An optical connector adapter mount for mounting optical connectors to a panel. The mount comprises a frame with a frame with a mounting section and a tubular housing section. The mounting section attaches the mount to the panel. The tubular housing section has an aperture adapted for connecting at least one pair of optical connectors to one end of the housing section. The mounting section is slanted relative to the housing section. At least one section of the aperture is aligned with a hole in the panel, and the one pair of optical connectors are angled relative to a normal axis of the panel when the mounting section is mounted to the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: FCI USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Hung Viet Ngo, Ryan T. Benner
  • Publication number: 20030147596
    Abstract: The invention concerns a connection device (1) for optical fibres, for use in a polluted environment and comprising a first connector (2) designed to be associated with at least a first optical fibre (16) and a second connector (3) designed to be associated with at least a second optical fibre (25) to be connected to the first fibre, wherein one of the connectors (2, 3) carries a fluid reserve (36) having a refractive index equal to that of the optical fibres, and at least pumping means (37) connected to said fluid reserve and which, in operation, can be actuated in response to connecting and disconnecting movements of the two connectors (2, 3) to inject, at each connecting/disconnecting movement, the fluid into a space (58) encompassing the front ends of the two fibres bringing them closer together or spacing them apart.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2002
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventor: Jean-Marc Lancelle