Abstract: The present invention provides an optical interconnection system capable of connecting a plurality of optical array connectors between assemblies. The optical array connectors are arranged to minimize the board real estate occupied by the assembly. Safety features are provided for preventing light from escaping in both the mated and unmated condition.

Abstract: An optical fiber management module assembly for mounting in a patch panel aperture and includes an adapter having a housing portion at its proximal end providing a cavity dimensioned and configured to seat the proximal end of a jack therein and having a channel portion at the other end providing a channel leading into the cavity. The housing portion has arms which engage the patch panel. Engaged with the distal end of the adapter is a projecting arm of a fiber management clip having an engagement portion at its proximal end with side walls defining a recess for the distal end of the jack. The clip also has a guidance portion at its other end thereon with channels extending longitudinally thereof in which optical fibers may be seated, and a latch extending over the channels and engaged with the guidance portion to retain the fibers in the channels.

Abstract: A fiber-optic endpiece includes a base member and a fixing member which can be inserted in the base member. The base member has a coupling end face and a depression with a bottom surface and lateral guide structures. The bottom surface has a groove for accepting an optical waveguide. The depression, the groove, and the optical waveguide extend to the coupling end face. The fixing member has a front face, a rear face and guide faces. The guide faces interact with the guide structures such that the fixing member is clamped in the depression. The optical waveguide is thus clamped between the base member and the fixing member when the fixing member is inserted. The coupling end face of the base member and the front face of the clamped fixing member lie in a common plane when the fixing member is in an inserted position. The depression and the fixing member have respective cross sections which diminish uniformly along a longitudinal direction of the depression.

Abstract: The fiber-optic cable is provided with a cable jacket from which at least one optical fiber and ends of a strength member emerge. To achieve reliable mechanical fixation of the strength member to a housing the strength member is bent back over an annular bend former onto the cable jacket. The ends are secured to the cable jacket rearwardly of the bend former by a retainer.

Abstract: Manufacturing couplers for optical fibers having thin precision dimensions for precision alignment and low-loss coupling of optical fiber segments. The couplers can be formed by depositing material on a precision mandrel, removing the mandrel, and then further machining the couplers if necessary. Design variations include simple sleeves and sleeves having ends that are flanged outward so that the ends taper to the correct diameter.

Abstract: A V-groove adapter for interconnecting optical conductors includes V-grooves that are precisely aligned with respect to one another to provide a desired alignment of the respective cores of the optical conductors received within the respective V-grooves. By controlling the widths of the respective V-grooves and the axial alignment of the V-grooves with respect to one another, the cores of the optical conductors received within the respective V-grooves can be coaxially aligned or offset by predetermined distance with repeatable precision on the order of 1 &mgr;m. The V-grooves are initially fabricated in a monocrystalline material. A metal layer is formed over the V-grooves in order to form an inverse replica of the V-grooves which is used as an insert in an injection mold so that the V-groove adapters can be mass produced using injection molding techniques.

Abstract: An interconnection system is shown that enables an optical circuit board 300, having a number of optical devices 400, 500, to be easily connected to and disconnected from a backplane 100. The optical devices are positioned along a side edge 311 of a printed wiring board 310 and are adapted to interconnect with a like number of optical connectors 200 that are arrayed on the backplane in a row or column. Each optical plug is held in a holder 120, which is retained in backplane 100 by a clip 110. Each of the optical connectors is a plug that includes a ferrule 24, which encloses an optical fiber and projects from one end of the plug. Each of the edge-mounted optical devices includes a jack receptacle 410, 510 at its front end and has a cavity 401, 501 that is shaped to receive the optical plug. All of the jack receptacles are similarly shaped. Each cavity further includes a boss 421, 521 for receiving the ferrule. The plugs and jack receptacles are arranged to engage, but not interlock with, each other.

Abstract: A multi-channel fiber optic connector is provided having a plug connector half and a receptacle connector half. The plug and the receptacle have respective inserts that include exterior peripheries of a particular shape for mating with an interior profile of a housing of the receptacle. The peripheries of the inserts are preferably defined by cylindrical bodies having respective tabs which protrude outward from the outer diameters of the inserts. The interior profile of the receptacle housing defines a recess for receiving the tabs to both angularly align the insert associated with the receptacle and to angularly align the insert associated with the plug. The recess in the receptacle housing is defined by a groove which extends parallel to the longitudinal length of the receptacle housing, with the same groove receiving the protuberant tabs of both inserts to angularly align the inserts. The inserts have fiber optic termini mounted therein.

Abstract: A multi-channel fiber optic cable connector (12) is provided for aligning the terminal ends (302) of optical fibers (214) of fiber optic cables for transmitting light signals therebetween. Termini (34) are provided which include end portions defined by ferrules (218) that extend around terminal ends (302) of the optical fibers (214). The termini (34) are independently gimbaled, with gimbal points (306) being disposed distally from respective mating planes (304) defined by opposing terminal ends (302) of the termini (34). Alignment sleeves (212) are provided to align the adjacent termini (34) of optical fibers (214) included within respective ones of the fiber optic cables. The alignment sleeves (212) have internal bores (284) that are slightly larger in size than the outside diameters of the peripheries (272) of the termini (34) defined by ferrules (218), providing a clearance fit between the ceramic alignment sleeves (212) and respective ones of the termini (34).

Abstract: The connector system includes a coupling bush in each of whose openings on both sides a multiway connector, each with a connector housing, can be inserted. A plurality of individual plug connectors having alignment elements are mounted in a floating manner in each connector housing. Alignment aids on the connector housings lead during the mating process and directly align the connector housings with respect to one another before the alignment elements of the individual plug connectors start to cooperate, with mutual fine alignment. The two housings have the same alignment aids which are disposed such that, when one of said multiway connectors is rotated through 180° about its longitudinal axis with respect to the other one, the alignment aids are aligned to cooperate with one another and to allow the two connectors to mate.

Abstract: A fiber optic connector having improved alignment and manufacturing characteristics over traditional connectors. A fiber optic connector of the present invention has a first connector ferrule and alignment means for aligning the first connector ferrule with a matching second connector ferrule. The fiber optic connector includes a first connector ferrule including a first mating surface. The mating surface defines at least one receiving cavity, and at least one protruding alignment rod is seated in the cavity and extends from the mating surface. The alignment rod has a diameter D1 and protruded from the mating surface a protrusion distance p1, wherein p1≦2D1. In an exemplary embodiment the rod has a spherical tip and 0.5D1≦p1≦2D1.

Abstract: A fiber optic connector module includes a ferrule terminated to at least one optical fiber. The ferrule is mounted within a manually manipulatable housing having a front portion encapsulating the ferrule and a rear portion extending rearwardly of the front portion for manual grasping by an operator. The front portion has an open front end through which a mating end of the ferrule projects and an open rear end through which the optical fiber extends.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable connector (12) is provided for connecting the terminal ends (302) of optical fibers (214) of fiber optic cables. The terminal ends (302) of the optical fibers (214) are mounted within termini (34) which are aligned for transmitting light signals therebetween. The connector (12) includes a housing (14) having bores (188) within which the termini (34) are mounted in a gimbaled arrangement, with gimbal points (306) being disposed distally from respective mating planes (304) between opposing terminal ends (302) of the termini (34) such that the termini (34) are pivotally moveable about the gimbal points (306). Floating seal assemblies (252) extend around respective ones of the termini (34) between the mating planes (304) and the gimbal points (306), and seal between the respective ones of the termini (34) and the bores (188) of the connector housing (14).

Abstract: An optical connector ferrule 1A is mounted on the distal end of a fiber optic ribbon cable 2 to form an optical connector Ca. A mating surface 11 of the optical connector Ca opposes an optical connector Cb to be mated. Fiber accommodating holes 13 are formed in the mating surface 11 so as to accommodate optical fibers, and a pair of guide projections 10 are formed on the mating surface 11 so as to be positioned with the optical connector Cb. The ferrule 1A is integrally molded with a resin. This provides an optical connector ferrule allowing the easy manufacturing of an optical connector with good transmission performance.

Abstract: In a fiber-optics plug connector system two fiber-optics single plug connectors (23, 24) are connected by a connecting clamp (10) in parallel arrangement to a multi-plug connector, wherein the connecting clamp (10) is comprised of two clamp halves (10a, 10b) which can be connected to one another by a snap connection and have receiving chambers (11, 12) for receiving and securing the two single plug connectors (23, 24) and wherein the single plug connectors (23, 24) each comprise a housing (27, 28) and an anti-kink sleeve (25, 26) adjoining the housing (27, 28) in the rearward direction.

Abstract: A multi-channel fiber optic cable connector is provided for connecting the terminal ends of fiber optic cables utilizing continuous ceramic sleeves to align the adjacent termini of optical fibers included within respective ones of the cables. The continuous ceramic sleeves have internal bores which are slightly larger than the outside diameter of the periphery of the termini, providing a clearance fit between the continuous ceramic sleeves and respective ones of the termini. The termini are independently gimbaled, with gimbal points being disposed distally from respective mating planes between opposing terminal ends of the termini. Floating seal assemblies extend around respective ones of the termini between the mating planes and the gimbal points, and seal between the respective ones of the termini and a connector housing. The floating seal assemblies each include an annular-shaped, floating collar having an aperture through which a respective one of the termini extends.

Abstract: A kit of parts for forming an optical fiber organizer comprises at least two different modules selected from: (i) a storage module comprising a support plate supporting at least one optical fiber storage means; (ii) a breakout module comprising a support plate supporting at least one optical fiber breakout means; and (iii) a guide module comprising a support plate supporting a plurality of projections between which optical fibers may be guided. Each module is attachable either directly or indirectly to each other module such that their support plates are arranged side-by-side and thereby together form a larger support plate. The organizer may be housed in an optical fiber cable splice closure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hermaphrodite optical connector having two identical connector elements, each connector element comprising a housing (14) provided with a connection face (12) having optical conductor terminations (18) which occupy positions in the connection face that are symmetrical about a hermaphrodite axis contained in the connection face, and means for mechanical connection and positioning of the two connector elements, which means comprise n holes (24, 26, 28) formed in the connection face and n studs (20, 22, 30) projecting therefrom, a hole of one connector element being suitable for receiving the associated stud of the other connector element, and n being greater than one. Each connection hole (24, 26, 28) of a connector element is symmetrical with a connection stud (20, 22, 30) of the same connector element about the hermaphrodite axis (X-X′).

Abstract: First and second connector housings (20, 26) each hold a corresponding set (22, 30) of numerous fibers, that are coupled when their tips (40, 42) abut, in a low-cost and rugged arrangement. The housings are identical and each has numerous bores (50, 52) extending to a mating face (34, 36). Each fiber is fixed in position in one of the bores, by potting material (64). The diameters of the bores are only slightly greater than the diameters of the fibers, so the potting material helps center the fiber in the end of the bore that lies adjacent to the mating face.

Abstract: A system for maintaining a pair of fiber optic connectors in a side-by-side relation with float therebetween, along with a method of fabricating the connectors. A first connector housing is provided for receiving a first optical fiber plug, and including a first latch molded integrally with the first connector housing. A second connector housing is provided for receiving a second optical fiber plug. A latch member is mounted on the second connector housing in loose engagement therewith and includes a second latch for interengagement with the first latch on the first connector housing. Therefore, the connector housings are held in a side-by-side relationship with float therebetween provided by the loosely engaged latch member.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fiber-optic connector (1) comprising a socket (2) and a plug (4) which are intended to be mated in order to join two optical cables. The connector according to the invention includes at least two sealing members, one of them being an interfacial sealing member (12) put under compression when the plug (4) and the socket (2) are being mated.

Abstract: An optical connector includes a resin core pin guide member, a molded resin, and at least one optical fiber hole. The core pin guide member guides a distal end portion of an optical fiber. The molded resin molds the core pin guide member while exposing one end face thereof, thus constituting a ferrule main body attached to the distal end portion of the optical fiber. The one end face of the core pin guide member is flush with a distal end face of the ferrule main body. The optical fiber guide hole has an inner wall constituted by the core pin guide member and the molded resin. The distal end portion of the optical fiber is inserted in the optical fiber guide hole. A method of manufacturing an optical connector is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for maintaining a pair of fiber optic connectors in a side-by-side relation with float therebetween, along with a method of fabricating the connectors. A first connector housing receives a first optical fiber plug, and includes a first latch molded integrally therewith. A second connector housing receives a second optical fiber plug and includes a second latch molded integrally therewith. The first and second latches are permanently and non-releasably molded in loose engagement to hold the connector housings in a side-by-side relationship with float therebetween.

Abstract: An optical star assembly having a ribbon fiber optic mixing element with the first and second ends. A first and second bundle of fiber optic cables are provided each with an engagement end for connection with a respective end of the ribbon fiber optic mixing element. The ribbon fiber optic mixing element and a portion of the fiber optic cables are carried in the housing so that the housing biases each end of the ribbon fiber optic mixing element towards an engagement end of the first and second bundles of fiber optic cables respectively. The fiber optic cables may be connected to a plurality of optical receivers so that the ribbon fiber optic mixing element distributes optical information from each of the fibers to all of the optical receivers in the assembly.

Abstract: A shielded optical fiber adaptor for mounting in an opening of a conductive faceplate of electronic equipment. The adaptor has an insulative body with a conductive plate imbedded therein. The plate has an aperture within the body which allows passage of light from the optical fiber and extends outwardly of the body to contact the faceplate when the body is retained in the faceplate opening. The largest dimension of the plate aperture is no more than ten percent of the wavelength at the highest operating frequency of the electronic equipment.

Abstract: An optical transmitting member-holding structure for holding an optical transmitting member at a given location, said holding structure comprising a holding substrate, an optical transmitting member placed on the holding substrate, a fixing substrate covering the optical transmitting member on the holding substrate, and a joining layer joining the holding substrate and the fixing substrate and fixing the optical transmitting member at said given location, said joining layer comprising an eutectic solder layer.

Abstract: A multifiber connector is provided according to one embodiment which includes a multifiber ferrule, splice components and a crimp tube that defines a lengthwise extending passageway having a lateral cross-sectional shape that is generally oval for receiving and maintaining a plurality of optical fibers in a lateral side-by-side relationship. The crimp tube therefore provides the optical fibers to the splice components in an aligned and properly spaced manner for alignment and optical interconnection with respective optical fiber stubs. According to another embodiment, a fiber optic connector is provided that includes a ferrule, mechanical splice components, an associated cam member for actuating the mechanical splice components and means for controlling the position of the cam member relative to the mechanical splice components such that the cam member can be precisely moved from a first unactuated position to a second actuated position.

Abstract: An alignment adapter for use with a multi-fiber, optical connector that is in the form of a substantially planar slab having a central opening for receiving a connector therethrough. The slab includes a pair of alignment apertures on opposing sides of the central opening that are positioned in a defined spatial relationship with the fibers held in the multi-fiber connector. According to an aspect of the invention, the alignment adapter includes a pair of alignment rods held in the alignment apertures that are used to convert an optical connector into a male type connector. According to another aspect of the present invention, a connector is disclosed having a plurality of channels for holding optical fibers and a pair of alignment apertures positioned adjacent to the fiber holding channels in a defined spatial relationship.

Abstract: The optical fiber connector has a connector body formed with receptacles for the ends of optical fibers. The fibers terminate at a coupling end face of the connector body. A plurality of aligning openings, which are accessible at the coupling end face, cooperate with aligning pins on a cooperating plug. The aligning openings are formed with an insertion region that terminates at an edge formed by the intersection of the opening and the coupling end face. The aligning openings widen in such a way that there is no contact between the edge at the coupling end face and the respective aligning pin inserted into the aligning opening.

Abstract: The plug connector can be plugged into a coupling element. The connector has a holder in which at least one optical wave guide plug is mounted so as to be axially displaceable counter to a spring force. The holder is inserted into a carrier element. Elements are provided which allow the holder to be fixed in at least two different discrete axial positions relative to the carrier element. The elements are positively engaging contours formed on the holder and the carrier element. The different discrete positions enable easy and simple adaptation of the configuration to different plug-in depths.

Abstract: The device comprises a central spicing body serving to connect in situ two cable end plugs which fit into the splicing body. The central body has lower rails hollowed out therein and bears lateral shoulders for guiding and locking the end plugs constituted by a lower part and by an upper part fixed to one another by a press fit. The device has application in the in situ splicing of optical fibers.

Abstract: There are provided a connector body having an accommodating recess in which a pair of ferrules and a pair of springs, respectively fitted over a pair of optical fibers, are accommodated, as well as a connector cover. The connector cover is provided with fixing pins, and the connector body is provided with fixing holes into which the fixing pins are press fitted. A spring pressing portion is provided on the connector cover for pressing the spring with a natural length in the direction toward its distal end at two positions when the fixing pins are press fitted into the fixing holes, and for holding the spring in a compressed state when the fixing pins have been press fitted. A guide taper is formed at a tip of the spring pressing portion. A pressing-portion fitting groove for inserting and guiding the spring pressing portion is provided in the connector body.

Abstract: For a connector, preferably a connector for optical waveguides, which is arranged jointly with electrical connectors on a printed board which can be plugged into a rack, it is proposed to equalize the tolerances in the direction of insertion defined by the electrical connectors in that the connector half for optical waveguides arranged in the rack has a plug-in part latched and held in a carrier body and that when the connector halves are assembled this latching is released and a latching with the connector half of the printed board takes place, wherein by means of the released latching with the carrier body the plug-in part is held therein in a displaceable manner.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for connecting a fiber optic cable to the fiber optic connection of an endoscope. An end section of the optical fiber is mounted as a bundle of fibers in a housing part and a coupling part is provided for the fastening with a positive fit of this housing part to the fiber optic connection on the endoscope side. To ensure that the optical fiber ends always come into contact with one another free of play and to improve the cleaning access, the coupling part is arranged on the housing part axially displaceable against a spring force in the direction of the fiber optic connection on the endoscope side.

Abstract: A method for connectorizing fiber optic cables includes arranging a plurality of connectorized optical fiber jumpers having first and second opposed ends, such that the first end of each jumper is in parallel alignment with respect to the first end of each other jumper. Each of the second ends of the jumpers have a fiber optic connector disposed thereon. The first ends of the jumpers are then spliced onto a corresponding plurality of first ends of optical fibers of a fiber optic cable. Each of the first ends of the optical fibers of the fiber optic cable are also arranged in parallel alignment with respect to each other optical fiber so that the first ends of the optical fiber jumpers are axially aligned in an end-to-end relationship with the corresponding first ends of the optical fibers of the fiber optic cable. A jumper insert which has a tapered channel and a jumper seat which has a plurality of lengthwise extending bores which are provided to assist in arranging the jumpers in parallel alignment.

Abstract: Peripheral surfaces of end portions of individual optical fibers constituting a first optical fiber array are in close contact with an optical fiber fitting surface of a base, while the peripheral surfaces of the end portions of the individual optical fibers are in close contact with one another. Peripheral surfaces of end portions of optical fibers on both sides out of the individual optical fibers constituting the first optical fiber array are in close contact with a pair of stopper members, respectively, disposed on both sides of an end portion of the first optical fiber array. A second optical fiber or optical fiber array is opposed to an end face of the end portion of the first optical fiber array.

Abstract: A thin film layer formed of a material having good wetting properties with respect to solder is laid on a joining surface of a second substrate, and at the same time, a thin film layer formed of Au is laid on a joining surface excluding concave grooves of a first substrate, and optical fibers are placed in the concave grooves of said first substrate, and then urged by the second substrate from the upper side thereof to cause the thin film layer on the first substrate to be plastically deformed and joined by a solder. The solder allows the optical fibers to be urged against the concave grooves of the first substrate, and at the same time, the thin film layer which is formed of Au and protruded to the concave groove side allows a change in the volume of the solder and a dislocation of the optical fibers to be prevented, and the optical fibers to be positioned fixedly at a high accuracy in the concave grooves.

Abstract: A connector assembly for connecting two optical-fiber ribbons, each of which involves at least one optical fiber, is disclosed. The connector assembly includes a pair of connectors each of which is provided with a contact portion protruding from a leading end thereof and a plurality of through-holes into each of which the optical fiber is fitted, an alignment member provided with a central hole and a case having two pair of clamping members. The connectors are connected through the alignment member in such a way that the contact portions are, from both outsides to inside, fitted into the central hole to come in a face-to-face contact with each other. The connectors and the alignment member are inserted in the case and the opposite clamping members urge the connectors toward each other, thereby securely holding the connectors connected in position.

Abstract: A multifibre connector plug (1) comprises a connector plug part (6) for receiving a plurality of optical fibres (2), a coupling body (10) and a coupling sleeve (19). The connector plug part is provided with a contact face (7) at one end, and is slidable in the coupling body. The connector plug part projects out of said coupling body with its end having the contact face. A corresponding spring means loads the connector plug part in an outward direction. The coupling sleeve (19) encloses the coupling body and is slidable on the coupling body from a coupling position into a decoupling position against the action of a spring means. Both spring means comprise a single common spring (22).

Abstract: An optical connector ferrule of this invention includes a holding portion arranged at a position along an inserting direction of optical fibers to constitute a front surface of the ferrule and having a plurality of first through holes for inserting the optical fibers therethrough and two second through holes for inserting guide pins, the holding portion holding portions of the optical fibers near distal ends thereof, the second through holes and the first through holes having central axes that are substantially parallel to each other, and the first through holes being arrayed in two rows in a direction connecting centers of the second through holes; and an optical fiber tape accommodating portion having an insertion opening for inserting therethrough optical fiber tapes having the optical fibers held by the holding portion, an internal space for partially accommodating the optical fiber tapes, and an injection opening for injecting therethrough an adhesive for adhering and fixing the inserted optical fiber ta

Abstract: A high-density optical fiber connector in which a plurality of ferrules containing the terminal ends of optical fibers are individually sprung and axially and transversely free to provide improved interconnection reliability. The present invention is a three component fiber optic connector for high density interconnection environments. The first component, a first male connector member, will typically be mounted on an edge of a generally planar substrate such as, for example, a circuit board, and includes a plurality of independently sprung, axially and transversely free optical fiber ferrules. The second component, a second male connector member, also includes a plurality of independently sprung, axially transversely free optical fiber ferrules. The third component, a coupling member, receives and couples together the first and second male members.

Abstract: An automatic inspection method contactlessly measures the offset of a feature of an object from a theoretical ideal center of the object, and is particularly suited for measuring at an endface of an optical fiber termination the eccentricity of an optical fiber core relative to a theoretical ideal center of the termination. The core is extremely smaller (typically between about 50 and 500 times) in size than the termination boundary. An inspection system for implementing the novel inspection method has a feature imager, one or more boundary segment imagers but preferably four in number, and a machine vision system connected to the foregoing imagers. The feature imager is positioned to capture an image of the feature (e.g., fiber core endface), and the one or more boundary segment imagers are positioned to capture an image of a corresponding boundary segment of the object (e.g., termination endface).

Abstract: An optical fiber array according to the present invention comprises an optical coupling end face to be optically coupled to another optical line, and one ends of a plurality of optical fibers are arrayed in the optical coupling end face. The optical fiber array comprises a lower plate (3a) comprising a plurality of V-shaped grooves (4) for positioning the optical fibers exposing from one end of a ribbon part of the optical fibers, and an upper plate (3b) for pressing each optical fiber provided in each V-shaped groove (4) of the lower plate into the positioning groove. A boundary portion between the ribbon part (7) and the optical fibers (1) is fixed between the first and second plates (3a, 3b) by heat resistant adhesive (10), and the optical fibers from the boundary portion to a front end are fixed by solder (6) in an airtightness state. Accordingly, the hermetic sealing with sufficiently high airtightness can be achieved.

Abstract: The invention relates to multiple fiber connectors for thermoplastic optical couplers and fibers. The multiple-fiber connectors facilitate the connection of optical fibers to a star coupler and provide low levels of light loss between input/output ports of a coupler. The invention further relates to a terminator hot plate apparatus for the semiautomatic termination of optical fiber ends, and a new cladding material for thermoplastic optical couplers and fibers.

Abstract: The present invention is a fiber optic cable connector for providing a low cost connector that provides strain relief to optical fibers without compromising an optical coupling. The cable connector has a connector body that has front and back ends. The front end of the cable body has a pair of latching members extending therefrom and a mounting post that also extends therefrom. The back end of the connector body is tapered to form a cable transition member. A connector body cover is provided to protect optical fibers residing between the connector body and the body cover. A fiber alignment block, or ferrule, is provided that has a fiber receiving surface for receiving at least one optical fiber and a connector body engagement surface and an optical interface surface. A plurality of alignment grooves are formed in the receiving surface for aligning the at least one optical fiber.

Abstract: A multifiber optical connector for optical ribbon cable which must be essentially used in the optical line that requires a repeated connection and separation to transfer or to interrupt simultaneously optical signals with low loss by attaching to an end of the optical ribbon cable arranged in a line. In order to overcome a difficulty of production technique and to constitute a suitable net, the optical cable consists of a short circuit which must be connected for the maintenance of the optical path, in which the optical cable must be very precisely connected so as to minimize a loss.

Abstract: A connection structure of the present invention allows an optical waveguide device having a base plate connected to a connecting member to be removably connected not only to an optical connector but also to another optical waveguide device having an identical configuration without resorting to optical axis adjustment. The connection is therefore easy and highly reproducible.

Abstract: An optical fiber connector comprises a main body, two ferrules, an adapter, a keying element and a shroud. The main body has a first side wall, a second side wall, a third side wall opposite the first side wall, a fourth side wall opposite the second side wall, two latching arms respectively extending out from the first and third side walls, and two receiving bases attached to the second side wall. Each of the latching arms has at least one latching lug. The two ferrules are received in the receiving bases. The adapter is connected to the fourth side wall of the main body, wherein an optical fiber cable extends out from the adapter and is divided into two parts in an interior of the main body, and the two parts of the optical fiber cable are connected to the ferrules. The shroud movably envelops the receiving bases and has two through holes corresponding to the ferrules and at least one latching hole corresponding to the latching lug.

Abstract: The present invention provides a connecting member for facilitating connecting of optical fibers, and a connecting method in which the loss due to connecting is small. An optical fiber connecting member is composed of: a retaining portion having through-holes each of which has an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of optical fibers to be connected; and introduction portions which are integrally formed with and on the opposite end sides of the retaining portion and each of which has introduction grooves communicated with the through-holes to thereby make it easy to insert ends of the optical fibers into the through-holes. Further, the inner diameter of each of the through-holes is reduced by heating the connecting member to thereby make axis alignment of the optical fibers automatically to obtain connecting in which the connecting loss is reduced.

Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus for identifying and splicing at least one multicore optical fiber and including both a system for displaying each multicore fiber and a fiber splicing system. According to the invention at least one ring for surrounding each multicore fiber to be spliced has an outside envelope that is homothetic (geometrically similar) in shape to the outer envelope of each multicore optical fiber, with the outer outside envelope of each ring being designed to be marked as a function of analysis of the image of each multicore fiber as obtained by means of the display system.