Structure Surrounding Optical Fiber-to-fiber Connection Patents (Class 385/55)
  • Patent number: 8164044
    Abstract: A connector apparatus for use with combined electrical and fiber optic cables in wet or undersea conditions. The connector apparatus includes an outer threaded male connector portion connected to a first cable and a compatible female connector portion having a rotating internally threaded collar for engaging the outer male connector portion. The female connector portion includes conductor pins and a fiber-optic terminal pin and a fiber optic sensor ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Inventor: Guy E. Mossman
  • Patent number: 8152386
    Abstract: A fiber optic assembly comprising an adapter assembly defining an internal cavity, a first end for a receiving a first fiber optic connector, and a second end for receiving a second fiber optic connector, wherein the first and the second fiber optic connectors are dissimilar. A fiber optic connection comprising a first fiber optic connector comprising a connector housing, a first multi-fiber ferrule, and a clearance about an end face of the first multi-fiber ferrule for clearing a ferrule surround during connector mating, and a second connector that is a FOCIS 5 compliant MTP connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Corning Cable Systems LLC
    Inventors: James Phillip Luther, Martin Eugene Norris, Thomas Theuerkorn
  • Patent number: 8152385
    Abstract: Duplex fiber optic connectors and fiber optic cable assemblies suitable for polarity reversal along with methods of polarity reversal are disclosed. The duplex fiber optic connector assemblies and fiber optic cable assemblies allow rotation of individual fiber optic connectors within the housing assembly for polarity reversal. In one embodiment, the duplex fiber optic cable assembly may use a single boot and a single fiber optic cable, thereby reducing the backside footprint of the cable assembly for improved access and/or airflow. In another embodiment, the housing of the duplex assembly has integral detents to limit rotation, and may further include a removable trigger mechanism and/or a rotatable boot to facilitate polarity reversal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Corning Cable Systems LLC
    Inventors: Michael de Jong, Ashley W. Jones, Harley J. Staber
  • Patent number: 8152384
    Abstract: Push-pull fiber optic connectors and cable assemblies having a latch that is actuated by a cam surface are disclosed. The fiber optic connectors include a ferrule and a housing having the latch. A shroud fits over a portion of the housing and allows the craft to grab the shroud and push the shroud and hence the fiber optic connector into a suitable adapter or the like. Likewise, the craft can grab the shroud and pull on the same to remove the fiber optic connector out of the adapter or the like. The cam surface is disposed on a decoupling member, wherein the decoupling member is attached to the shroud so the components can move together. Methods of making the push-pull fiber optic connector are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Corning Cable Systems LLC
    Inventors: Michael de Jong, Paul X. Devereaux, Ashley W. Jones, Ronald L. Mudd
  • Patent number: 8147147
    Abstract: A junction box and hybrid fiber optic cable connector which permit repair of damaged fibers or copper conductors carried by a hybrid fiber/copper cable without requiring replacement of the entire cable assembly or retermination of the cable. A method of repairing a hybrid fiber/copper cable and connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventors: M'hamed Anis Khemakhem, Dean Michael Rosenthal, Duane Sand, Jeffery Louis Peters, Joy K. McKnight, Ross Heggestad, Patrick Jude Nault, Foad Abdulkadir Mohamed Ahmed
  • Patent number: 8137001
    Abstract: A repeatable optical waveguide interconnection may include first and second optical waveguides having respective first and second end faces. Each of the first and second optical waveguides may include a core having a core index of refraction, and a cladding surrounding the core and having a cladding index of refraction different than the core index of refraction. The repeatable optical waveguide interconnection may further include a first index matching elastomeric solid layer having a proximal face chemically bound to the first end face and a low-tack distal face opposite the proximal face to be repeatably optically coupled to the second end face. Further, the first index matching elastomeric solid layer may have an index of refraction matching at least the index of refraction of the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence Wayne Shacklette, Michael Raymond Weatherspoon
  • Patent number: 8132969
    Abstract: A fiber optic connector assembly and method for venting gas inside in a fiber optic connector sub-assembly. The fiber optic connector assembly includes a connector sub-assembly including a ferrule and a ferrule holder having a passage extending therethrough. A stiffener tube having a tube body disposed about a portion of at least one optical fiber supports insertion of the optical fiber into the ferrule holder passage. The stiffener tube contains at least one opening in its tube body configured to vent gas trapped inside the stiffener tube during assembly. In this manner, the trapped gas does not form a gas pocket in the bonding agent, which could compromise bonding among the optical fiber, stiffener tube, and connector sub-assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Corning Cable Systems LLC
    Inventors: Xin Liu, Darrin M. Miller, Joel C. Rosson
  • Publication number: 20120045175
    Abstract: A plug assembly includes a circular plug shell having a cavity configured to receive a modular plug connector therein. The circular plug shell is configured to be threadably coupled to a corresponding circular jack shell. An insert is loaded into the cavity or the circular plug shell. The insert includes an adapter having a one or two piece body having a circular geometry. The body has a connector chamber configured to hold the modular plug connector therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2010
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: TYCO ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Attila Joseph ORDO, Lawrence Se-Jun OH, Richard Vincent LUCENTE, Brent David YOHN
  • Patent number: 8113723
    Abstract: One embodiment includes an integrated boot and release slide having a release slide and a boot. The release slide includes a main body, a plurality of arms, and a plurality of coupling structures. The arms extend from a first end of the main body. The coupling structures extend from a second end of the main body opposite the first end. The boot is overmolded over the coupling structures of the release slide and defines a cavity configured to slidably receive a communications cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Finisar Corporation
    Inventors: Chris K. Togami, Tat Ming Teo, Frank J. Flens
  • Patent number: 8104973
    Abstract: An adapter for holding two multi-fiber ferrules in positions to mate with one another includes a main body, a opening extending through the main body configured to receive and optically and mechanically mate the two multi-fiber ferrules. Engagement members, which preferably rotate about an axis transverse to the opening, is disposed adjacent the opening on each side of the adapter to engage and hold the multi-fiber ferrules in the adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: US Conec, Ltd.
    Inventors: Joseph P Howard, Darrell P Childers, Russell J. Granger, Myron W Yount
  • Patent number: 8101874
    Abstract: A watertight junction box includes a box body, a lower floating plate, an upper floating plate, a lock cap, a modular cable inserted into the box body and kept in contact with sharp copper contacts, a holding down plate for holding down an external power wire on the upper floating plate to cause electric contact between the external power wire and the sharp copper contacts, and a predetermined amount of silicon rubber filled in between the lower and upper floating plate that is deformed to wrap about the connection area between the sharp copper contacts and the external power wire when the lock cap is tightly fastened to the box body to force down the holding down plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Smart Electric Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jerry S. C. Yang
  • Patent number: 8100588
    Abstract: A small form factor pluggable (SFP) optical transceiver module and method for performing optical communications are provided. The SFP optical transceiver module has a housing to which a duplex receptacle is secured. The duplex receptacle has a C-shaped opening, the upper and lower portions of which are defined by upper and lower flexible retaining elements for receiving and retaining a duplex optical connector therein. An electrical assembly of the module is secured within the transceiver module housing. The electrical assembly comprises a PCB, the back end of which is configured as a plug end for removably plugging the PCB into a receptacle of an external communications management system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Avago Technologies Fiber IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Tom Sheau Tung Wong, Adrianus Van Haasteren, Tze Wei Lim
  • Publication number: 20110317962
    Abstract: A cable assembly (100) includes an insulative housing (2) defining a mounting cavity (221); an optical module (5) accommodated in the mounting cavity and capable of moving therein along a front-to-back direction; at least one fiber (6) coupled to the optical module; two resilient members (9) spaced apart from each other along a transversal direction; and a cap (7) integrated with the two resilient members, the cap mounted to the insulative housing to cover the at least one fiber, and the two resilient members pressing against the optical module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: RICHARD LEE MALEHORN, II, TOD M. HARLAN
  • Patent number: 8081852
    Abstract: A two-ring optical buffer comprising a first ring operatively connected to a waveguide and a second ring, the second ring being operatively connected to only the first ring, the second ring and the first ring having a circumferential ratio substantially equal to 2m, where m is an integer. A ratio of resonance splitting over resonance broadening may be approximately 0.6.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Nanyang Technological University
    Inventors: Landobasa Yosef Mario A. L. Tobing, Ting Mei, Mee Koy Chin, Ooi Kwen Ong, legal representative
  • Publication number: 20110306227
    Abstract: There is disclosed a connector, such as a wet-mateable connector, comprising first and second components having first and second contacts respectively and arranged to be coupled together such that the first and second contacts make a connection. The connector comprises a shuttle associated with the first component and moveable between at least a decoupled position in which the shuttle protects the first contact and a coupled position in which the first contact is exposed. During coupling of the first and second components the shuttle is moved to the coupled position so as to expose the first contact such that it can make an electrical connection with the second contact. The connector also comprises a latch arranged to latch the second component to the shuttle such that upon decoupling of the first and second components, the shuttle is returned to the decoupled position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Applicant: RMSpumptools Limited
    Inventors: Oliver PEARCE, Eric Chaize
  • Patent number: 8075200
    Abstract: A connecting part (1) for an optical connection of a first optical fiber (2) to a second optical fiber (3) comprises a sleeve-like cable mount (4) having a first cable receiving section (5), in which the first optical fiber (2) can be housed, and a second cable receiving fiber section (6), in which the second optical fiber (3) can be housed. The optical fiber ends (23, 24) of the two optical fibers (2, 3) can be welded together. Therefore, the second cable receiving section (6) is designed along the median longitudinal axis (L) in such a way, that it can be assembled and comprises a casing part (10, 10?) pivotable about a hinge (1). The weld joint is located within the pivoting range of the casing part. The cable mount comprises a screw-on coupling sleeve (8) for covering and fixation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Diamond SA
    Inventor: Harry Uboldi
  • Patent number: 8070367
    Abstract: An LC format optical connector for terminating an optical fiber includes a housing configured to mate with an LC receptacle, the housing including a shell, a first resilient latch disposed on a surface of the shell, and a backbone. The LC format connector also includes a collar body disposed in the housing and retained between the outer shell and the backbone, wherein the collar body includes a fiber stub disposed in a first portion of the collar body. The collar body further includes a mechanical splice disposed in a second portion of the collar body, the mechanical splice configured to splice the second end of the fiber stub to a second optical fiber. The LC format connector further includes a trigger coupled to an outer surface of the housing backbone, the trigger including a second latch that engages the first latch when acted upon by a pressing force. An optical connector with a single piece latch structure is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Paul N. Winberg, Donald K. Larson, Wesley A. Raider
  • Patent number: 8068714
    Abstract: An optical fiber feedthrough assembly includes a glass plug disposed in a recess of a feedthrough housing. The glass plug may define a large-diameter, cane-based, waveguide sealed within the recess in the housing and providing optical communication through the housing. Sealing occurs with respect to the housing at or around the glass plug of an optical waveguide element passing through the housing by braze sealing to the glass plug and/or embedding the glass plug in a polymer bonded with the plug to form a molded body that is sealed in the housing by, for example, compression mounting of the molded body or providing a sealing element around the molded body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Dunphy, John J. Grunbeck, Trevor MacDougall, Matthew J. Patterson
  • Patent number: 8061905
    Abstract: A multi-level cell (MLC) dual-personality extended fiber optic flash drive includes a MLC dual-personality extended fiber optic Universal Serial Bus (USB) plug connector connected to a dual-personality extended fiber optic flash drive and being removably connectable to a host. The connector is adaptable to receive electrical data and optical data. A transceiver, located on the flash drive, is operative to convert received electrical data to optical data or to convert received optical data to electrical data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: SuperTalent Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Abraham Ma, I-Kang Yu, David Nguyen, Charles C. Lee, Ming-Shiang Shen
  • Publication number: 20110268392
    Abstract: A device for optically coupling two photonic elements may comprise an interposer where each photonic element is axially aligned with an optical pathway in the interposer. Also included is an optics assembly configured to direct a photonic signal along the optical pathway; and a mechanical guide assembly configured to reduce the relative tilt and rotation of photonic elements. Another such device may comprise two connectors where each connector comprises an optical pathway element in which an optics assembly is situated and a photonic element aligned with the optical pathway element. A mechanical guide assembly secures the optical pathway elements in a position so as to reduce the relative tilt and rotation of the photonic elements. A connection for optically coupling two computing units can comprise a partition situated between the computing units and on which an interposer is mounted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Inventors: Paul Kessler Rosenberg, Michael Renne Ty Tan, Huei Pei Kuo, Robert G. Walmsley, Eric Peterson
  • Patent number: 8047725
    Abstract: In an optical connector adapter for use in connecting a first and a second optical connector plug to each other, a second adapter half is butted against a first adapter half in a predetermined direction. The first and second adapter halves have engaging means for maintaining the first and second adapter halves in a butted state in the predetermined direction. The engaging means is configured to be disposed inside the optical connector adapter and to be prevented from releasing engagement thereof by at least one of the first and second optical connector plugs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignees: Japan Aviation Electronics Industry, Limited, NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Naoki Katagiyama, Yuichi Koreeda, Hikaru Kouta, Hisaya Takahashi, Mikio Oda, Hideyuki Ono
  • Patent number: 8016491
    Abstract: An optical ferrule butt-connected in an optical adapter, includes: a ferrule main body; a connection end face in a front surface of the main body; a pair of grooves on the connection end face of the main body; guide pin insertion holes in bottom surfaces of the respective grooves; optical fiber insertion holes in the connection end face, the holes being arranged in a line; and foreign material collecting portions at least at a pair of corresponding sides of the connection end face. The groove has a width larger than a diameter of the guide pin insertion hole. The foreign material collecting portions respectively have a wall for connecting the connection end face with a side surface of the ferrule main body to form a space for collecting a foreign material with an opposite connection end face of a corresponding optical ferrule and an inner wall of the optical adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Fujikura Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Takaoka, Akito Nishimura, Yukio Hayashi
  • Publication number: 20110217006
    Abstract: Provided is a fiber packaging module that contains a plurality fiber optic connectors. The module includes an outer shell containing a plurality of fiber optic connectors connected to respective fiber optic cables. The module also includes a body comprised of a low density material disposed within the outer shell, the body having an outer side surface and an inner side surface. Also, a plurality of receiving portions are formed on the body to hold the fiber optic connectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Applicant: AFL Telecommunications LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Donaldson, Eddie Kimbrell, Ted Lichoulas, Kyle Marchek
  • Publication number: 20110206324
    Abstract: An inner sleeve has a main body with an opening therein and a front and back end. The back end has projections or extensions to engage corresponding cavities on another inner sleeve to allow for movement of the inner sleeves relative to a outer portion into which the inner sleeves have been inserted. The outer portion may accommodate any number of inner sleeve pairs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Inventors: Darrell R. Childers, Hiep Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20110194817
    Abstract: A spoolable signal conduction and connection line for a downhole environment including a length of signal conduction and connection line suitable for the downhole environment; and one or more connectors depending from the line along a length of the line, the connectors capable of making a signal bearing connection for the downhole environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2010
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Don A. Hopmann, Luis E. Mendez, Darin Duphorne, Darin Willauer
  • Patent number: 7985026
    Abstract: A guiding connector for optical fiber extension has a positioning section in the accommodating hole to receive a optical fiber and has a ventilative recess defined on one side to communicate with the positioning section of the accommodating hole. The positioning section adjacent to the ventilative recess achieves a ventilative portion to discharge gas inside the positioning section so that optical fibers are assembled and processed precisely and rapidly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Foci Fiber Optic Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Song Fure Lin, Cheng Lih Liu, Vivian Kung, Janpu Hou, Pinsung Wang, Wally Hua, Archer Shu
  • Patent number: 7980767
    Abstract: An optical fiber connection system detects when proper connection is made between a fiber-optic cable and a bulkhead. A conductive strip on the fiber-optic cable contacts a first and second conductor on the bulkhead upon proper positioning of the bulkhead relative to the fiber-optic cable. The system includes indicators for displaying which of a plurality of termination points is properly terminated. In addition, the system includes alternative embodiments for turning off an energy source feeding the fiber-optic cable, in the event the fiber-optic cable becomes disconnected from the bulkhead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventor: William Riha
  • Publication number: 20110170827
    Abstract: A connector configured to communicatively couple different components. The connector includes a base frame that extends along a longitudinal axis between a pair of frame ends and first and second moveable mating arrays having mating surfaces with terminals arranged thereon. The connector also includes a coupling mechanism that is supported by the base frame. The coupling mechanism holds the first and second mating arrays so that the mating surfaces of the first and second mating arrays extend along the longitudinal axis. The coupling mechanism moves the first and second mating arrays along different mating directions with respect to select components. The coupling mechanism moves the first and second mating arrays, between retracted and engaged positions, wherein the corresponding mating array is spaced apart from the select component in the retracted position and engaged to the select component in the engaged position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2010
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: TYCO ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: RICHARD ELOF HAMNER, ROBERT NEIL MULFINGER, JASON M'CHEYNE REISINGER, ATTALEE S. TAYLOR
  • Patent number: 7972066
    Abstract: An optical fiber adapter according to the present invention includes a main body, an inner housing and a cover plate. The main body has an axial cavity 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. The axial cavity has two opposing axial openings and is configured to receive the inner housing. An access opening is arranged on the first wall for the inner housing to place within the axial cavity. A plurality of protruding portions is positioned on the second and fourth walls, respectively, wherein each the protruding portion has an indentation formed thereon and facing the access opening. The cover plate is configured to cover the access opening on the first wall of the main body, wherein the cover plate has a plurality of protrusions formed thereon and positioning corresponding to the indentations on the protruding portions of the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Cross Multimedia Incorporation
    Inventors: I En Lin, Jyh Cherng Yang
  • Publication number: 20110158586
    Abstract: Provided is an optical connector adapter of the type in which a shell-side hollow cylindrical portion is integrally formed in a shell, a sleeve holder inserted in the shell has a holder-side hollow cylindrical portion, and a sleeve is held by the shell-side cylindrical portion and the holder-side cylindrical portion. The shell has an inward engaging projection on the inner periphery thereof at its portions facing the holder-side cylindrical portion while the sleeve holder has a holder locking portion. By engaging the holder locking portion with the engaging projection, the sleeve holder is prevented from being removed from the shell. The optical connector adapter is attached to a housing so as to pass through its wall such that the shell-side cylindrical portion is located outside the housing while the holder-side cylindrical portion is located inside the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: Japan Aviation Electronics Industry, Limited
    Inventors: Naoki Katagiyama, Yuichi Koreeda
  • Publication number: 20110158588
    Abstract: A cable assembly (100) includes an insulative housing (2) having a mounting cavity (221); an optical module (5) accommodated in the mounting cavity and capable of moving therein along a front-to-back direction; at least one fiber (6) coupled to the optical module; and two coil springs (9) spaced away from each other along a transversal direction and located behind the optical module to bias the optical module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 25, 2009
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: TERRANCE F. LITTLE, STEPHEN SEDIO
  • Publication number: 20110116743
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an optical device comprising a first optical fibre portion having a first region and further regions between which the first region is positioned. The optical device also comprises a second optical fibre portion having a second region and further regions between which the second region is positioned. Further, the optical fibre comprises at least one member to which the first and second optical fibre portions are attached at the first and second regions. The first and second regions are positioned at opposite sides of an area defined between the first and second regions and spaced apart from each other by a first distance and wherein adjacent further regions are spaced apart by a second distance that is smaller than the first distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2009
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Inventors: John William Arkwright, Ian Underhill, Neil Blenman
  • Publication number: 20110114006
    Abstract: Unmanned underwater vehicles (1) which can be controlled from a carrier platform (2) by an optical waveguide cable (3) can be used for widely differing missions. For mine countermeasures, the loss of the underwater vehicle (1) is often accepted, with the optical waveguide cable (3) also being destroyed by the explosion. To reduce the costs of a mission of the underwater vehicle, the invention provides for the optical waveguide cable (3) to be connected to the underwater vehicle (1) via a connecting device (4). The connecting device (4) comprises a connecting cable (8) and connecting elements (11, 12) at the ends (9, 10) of the connecting cable (8) for an optical waveguide cable (3) at one end and for an unmanned underwater vehicle (1) at the other end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: Atlas Elektronik GmbH
    Inventor: Torsten JUNG
  • Patent number: 7942587
    Abstract: A strain-relief assembly for a field-installable fiber optic connector is disclosed, wherein the assembly includes a ferrule holder, an intermediate sleeve, and a crimp sleeve. The ferrule holder back section holds a buffered section of a fiber optic cable, while the ferrule holder front end holds a ferrule and a splice assembly. A stub fiber is held within the ferrule and the splice assembly so as to interface with a section of field optical fiber protruding from the buffered section. The intermediate sleeve engages and generally surrounds a portion of the ferrule holder back section and thus surrounds a portion of the buffered layer. An intermediate sleeve handler may be used to handle the intermediate sleeve and attached the intermediate sleeve to the ferrule holder back section. Stress-relief strands from the fiber optic cable are flared around the outer surface of the intermediate sleeve. A crimp sleeve is placed over the intermediate sleeve to hold the ends of the stress-relief strands in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Corning Cable Systems LLC
    Inventors: Ray S. Barnes, Kristine A. McEvoy, David W. Meek, Scott E. Semmler
  • Publication number: 20110103745
    Abstract: A repeatable optical waveguide interconnection may include first and second optical waveguides having respective first and second end faces. Each of the first and second optical waveguides may include a core having a core index of refraction, and a cladding surrounding the core and having a cladding index of refraction different than the core index of refraction. The repeatable optical waveguide interconnection may further include a first index matching elastomeric solid layer having a proximal face chemically bound to the first end face and a low-tack distal face opposite the proximal face to be repeatably optically coupled to the second end face. Further, the first index matching elastomeric solid layer may have an index of refraction matching at least the index of refraction of the core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2009
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: Harris Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence Wayne Shacklette, Michael Raymond Weatherspoon
  • Publication number: 20110091161
    Abstract: An optical connector comprises an insulative housing defining a mounting cavity; an optical module accommodated in the mounting cavity and capable of moving therein along a front-to-rear direction, the optical module defining a horizontal central line along a middle portion thereof in the front-to-rear direction; at least one fiber coupled to the optical module; and a resilient member located behind the optical module, and having a first abuting portion engaged with the insulative housing, and two second abuting portions extending forwardly from the first abutting portion and pressing onto the optical module. The two second abuting portions are spaced away from each other in a transverse direction perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: JIA-YONG HE, QI-SHENG ZHENG
  • Publication number: 20110085762
    Abstract: An optical fiber connector includes a mating portion defining a coupled direction and including pairs of lenses and a pair of guiding portions. The pair of guiding portions each defines a guiding hole through a front face thereof in the coupled direction. Each guiding hole has a cross section of a polygon shape in the coupled direction and is configured with an imaginary circle perpendicular to the coupled direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2010
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: HSU-CHIH LIU, WEN-YI HSIEH, YEN-CHIH CHANG
  • Publication number: 20110075971
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sealing enclosure and a sealing assembly comprising the sealing enclosure and a mating enclosure as well as a method to connect both. The sealing enclosure loosely receives a connector within a connector volume so that the connector, which may be of a standard type used in electronic or optic data transmission, may be displaced within a plug face at the forward end of the connector volume. Thus, the connector may compensate variations in the position of a mating connector with respect to the mating enclosure. Moreover, the sealing enclosure allows to seal off the connector volume and engage the sealing enclosure with a mating enclosure in a single motion. This is affected by having a cable seal interposed between an inner body and an outer body. If the outer body is moved forward to engage the mating connector, the cable seal is squeezed between the cable and the inner body sealing off the connector volume at the rearward end of the inner body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Inventors: Jacob Arie Elenbaas, Jarno Verhoeven
  • Patent number: 7887241
    Abstract: An adapter for receiving an optical fiber connector, such as an SC connector, and methods of manufacturing and using the adapter. In one embodiment, the adapter includes: (1) a fiber socket having cantilevered retaining arms, (2) a shell radially surrounding the fiber socket and (3) a release mechanism extending from without the shell to within the shell, coupled to the cantilevered retaining arms and configured to translate to change a separation of the cantilevered retaining arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Alcatel Lucent
    Inventor: Bruce D. Powell
  • Patent number: 7883275
    Abstract: A three rod bundle confined inside a sleeve is constructed as a light guiding fiber mechanical splicing device which is stiff, strong and precise, with no moving parts. The design also applies to splicing fibers to pre-polished optical connectors through a built-in model of this innovative mechanical splicer. Applying the Soddy circles formula and using a bin approach assists in deriving the exact rod sizes needed and sleeve bore size to accommodate the three-rod bundle, so that this apparatus can be properly designed to guide any size of light guide fibers and studs with minimum clearance. Rods of varying diameters are sorted into bins and chosen based upon the aperture desired, thus eliminating the need for tight tolerance of the diameters of the three rods. This unique design allows for construction of a precision virtual hole of very long depth, which enables two optical fiber studs to butt against each other with a core to core misalignment of less than 1 um for single mode fiber optics cables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Inventor: Wei-Min Wang
  • Patent number: 7883276
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to systems and methods that couple together optical devices in a manner that prevents damaging light from escaping the coupling except through the devices. In order to prevent damaging light from coming into contact with the user, the present invention obscures the source optical device by using at least one moveable gate to prevent damaging light from being transmitted outside of the coupling until such time as the target optical device is fully inserted into the coupling, thereby preventing light that could potentially damage a person from escaping the system except through the optical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: SonoSite, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Davidson, Joseph E. Skidmore, Richard A. Fine
  • Patent number: 7881578
    Abstract: Techniques for ultra-high density connection are disclosed. In one embodiment, an ultra-high density connector includes a bundle of substantially parallel elongate cylindrical elements, where each cylindrical element is substantially in contact with at least one adjacent cylindrical element. Ends of the elongate cylindrical elements are disposed differentially with respect to each other to define a three-dimensional interdigitating mating surface. At least one of the elongate cylindrical elements has an electrically conductive contact positioned to tangentially engage a corresponding electrical contact of a mating connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Raytheon Sarcos, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen C. Jacobsen, David P. Marceau, Shayne M. Zurn, David T. Markus
  • Patent number: 7871203
    Abstract: An optical connector unit includes optical fiber plugs to be attached to and detached from the optical connector unit; a member for location, with each of the optical fiber plugs being inserted into respective opening holes of the member for location; an adaptor, a front part of each of the optical fiber plugs being individually inserted into and connected to the adaptor; a connection jig for pushing the member for location toward a side of the adaptor and then for inserting the front part of each of the optical fiber plugs into the adaptor; and a detachment jig for detaching each of the optical fiber plugs from the adaptor by being engaged with the member for location and then by pulling the member for location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: The Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mitsuhiro Iwaya
  • Patent number: 7857525
    Abstract: An optical connector according to the present invention comprises a ferrule and a V-groove board connected to the ferrule, wherein a first optical fiber and a second optical fiber being butt jointed in a V-groove formed in the V-groove board so as to be interconnected; the second optical fiber is connected to the first optical fiber through a refractive index matching material of cross-link curing type applied to an end surface on the V-groove board side of the first optical fiber; and spaces are provided in the V-groove so as to relax stress loaded on the refractive index matching material of cross-link curing type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi Cable, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kanako Suzuki, Yoshihisa Kato, Noribumi Shiina, Kazumasa Ohsono, Tomoyuki Nisio
  • Patent number: 7860363
    Abstract: To provide an optical connector kit in which all connector parts contained in a containing case, wherein said connector parts includes a ferrule equipped with an optical fiber employed, in which a short length optical fiber is fixed to the ferrule and the ferrule is subjected to polishing at the terminal end thereof in advance. The optical connector kit, wherein said kit comprises a ferrule with an optical fiber comprising a short length optical fiber which has been fixed to the ferrule in advance, in which the ferrule is subjected to polishing treatment at the terminal surface thereof; a plurality of connector parts which are passed through said optical fiber before the rear end of said short length optical fiber and the front end of another optical fiber are subjected to fusion splice each other; and a containing case for receiving all connector parts constructing an optical connector including said ferrule with the optical fiber and said passing parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Seikoh Giken Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasunari Kawasaki
  • Publication number: 20100322561
    Abstract: An optical fiber connector and adapter according to the present invention are provided. At least one indentation is formed on the connector and a protrusion mating with the indentation is formed within the adapter thereby physically limiting the insertion of a connector into a particular adapter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Applicants: PROTAI PHOTONIC CO. LTD., SENKO ADVANCED COMPONENTS, INC.
    Inventors: I En LIN, Tomoyuki Mamiya, Jyh Cherng Yang, Jeffery Gniadek
  • Publication number: 20100303416
    Abstract: Disclosed are optical assemblies such as field-installable connectors having a laser-shaped optical fiber along with methods for laser-shaping the optical fiber. The field-installable connector includes a ferrule having front and rear opposed faces and at least one fiber bore defined longitudinally therethrough, a stub optical fiber having a distal end with a laser-shaped end face is disposed within the at least one fiber bore of the ferrule and extends a predetermined distance beyond the rear face of the ferrule, and an alignment feature operable for aligning the stub optical fiber with the field optical fiber. One method of laser-shaping the optical fiber includes rotating the optical fiber and sweeping a beam of a laser across the optical fiber and then essentially stopping the rotation of the optical fiber and sweeping the beam through the optical fiber to cut the same with a tapered and angled end face.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Danley, Joel C. Rosson
  • Patent number: 7841778
    Abstract: An optical connector 10 includes a ferrule 20 to secure the set of multiple optical fibers 100, a plug member 21 to hold the ferrule 20, and a spacer 22 having a pin 23 for guiding, the spacer being integrally fixed to the ferrule 20 by means of inserting the pin 23 into the ferrule 20 to be secured together with the ferrule within the plug member 21, wherein the ferrule 20 has at least one first positioning portion for example a recessed portion 51, 52, and the spacer 22 has at least one second positioning portion for example a projection 61, 62 which is fitted to a corresponding first positioning portion to position the ferrule to the spacer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: The Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoya Nishimura, Hideki Miyazaki
  • Patent number: 7841776
    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 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: John C. DiFonzo, Chris Ligtenberg, Michael Culbert
  • Patent number: RE42522
    Abstract: A fiber optic cable connection system comprising a first fiber optic connector including a ferrule within which an optical fiber is mounted and a fiber optic adapter for receiving the first fiber optic connector including a sleeve for receiving the ferrule. The first fiber optic connector is mounted within a first threaded body with the fiber optic cable extending through an opening in a distal end of the first threaded body and the ferrule accessible through a proximal end of the first threaded body. The fiber optic adapter is mounted within a second threaded body and the second threaded body adapted for mounting to a bulkhead. The second threaded body adapted to engage the proximal end of the first threaded body with the first connector engaging the adapter and the ferrule extending into the sleeve. An outer housing is threadably mounted about both the first and second threaded bodies when the second threaded body is engaging the proximal end of the first threaded body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven C. Zimmel, Trevor D. Smith, Michael J. Shorter