Fiber End Held In Ferrule Patents (Class 385/72)
  • Publication number: 20140010500
    Abstract: An optical connector is structured so as to include a fiber connection structure therein. A multi-core fiber is included inside a ferrule, and affixed to the ferrule substrate. One end surface of the multi-core fiber is exposed to an end surface of the ferrule. The other end of the multi-core fiber passes through and is affixed to a capillary. A plurality of optical fiber pass through a capillary that faces the capillary, and are affixed thereto the capillary in the same manner. Seven optical fiber cores of the same diameter are joined in a close-packed arrangement in the fiber connection structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsunetoshi SAITO, Kengo WATANABE
  • Patent number: 8622626
    Abstract: Fiber optic connectors for use in connecting and aligning two optical fibers. In one example embodiment, a fiber optic connector includes a body, a cylindrical split sleeve at least partially positioned within the body, and a shell at least partially positioned within the body and surrounding the split sleeve. The body defines an internal port and an external port. The split sleeve defines a slot along the length of the split sleeve and has first and second open ends. The first end is configured to receive and grip a ferrule of an internal optical fiber and the second end is configured to receive and grip a ferrule of an external optical fiber. The portion of the shell surrounding the first end has a greater inside clearance than the portion of the shell surrounding the second end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Finisar Corporation
    Inventor: Stefan Martin Pfnuer
  • Patent number: 8622625
    Abstract: A method for closing the holes on the end face of a nano-engineered fiber having a core, a cladding with non-periodically disposed voids, and at least one of a coating and a buffer, comprises the steps of: (i) cleaving the fiber portion, thereby forming a cleaved end face; and (ii) applying a predetermined amount of energy via a laser beam to the cleaved end face, the amount of energy being sufficient to collapse and seal the voids exposed at the cleaved end face only to a depth of less than 11 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Seldon David Benjamin, Robert Stephen Wagner, Percil Watkins
  • Patent number: 8613560
    Abstract: An optical connector plug is comprised of a pair of divided front and rear housings formed generally in a quadrilateral tubular shape for receiving a ferrule to hold an optical fiber. A housing, one of the housings is provided with engagement openings on at least opposite wall portions thereof, and the other housing is provided with engagement projections on its opposite wall portions to be engaged in the engagement openings. Furthermore, fitting projections are formed in the longitudinal direction on the wall portions in which the engagement openings are formed, and fitting recesses to be fitted with the fitting projections are formed in the wall portions on which the engagement projections are formed. The pair of housings are firmly joined to each other by engaging the engagement projections with the engagement openings and by fitting and engaging the fitting projections in the fitting recesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Adamant Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuhiko Oda, Isao Yamauchi, Kohsuke Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 8579518
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an optical receptacle for receiving a corresponding optical connector may include a receptacle housing, a receptacle optical path and a positionable shutter assembly. The receptacle housing includes a connector port disposed at an end of the receptacle housing and a receptacle pathway. The connector port may receive the corresponding optical connector. The receptacle optical path may terminate within the receptacle housing and includes an optical waveguide. The positionable shutter assembly includes a cleaning member positioned on a support surface of the positionable shutter assembly. The positionable shutter assembly may be biased to the closed position such that the cleaning member contacts or is proximate to the optical waveguide and the positionable shutter assembly is disposed in the receptacle pathway. The positionable shutter assembly may be biased to the open position such that the cleaning member is not positioned over the receptacle optical path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Micah Colen Isenhour, Dennis Michael Knecht, James Phillip Luther
  • Patent number: 8554041
    Abstract: Disclosed is inexpensive optical waveguide for an optical connector which is accurately positioned across the width of cores when inserted in and fixed in an optical waveguide fixing through hole of a ferrule to provide low optical coupling loss when connected, an optical connector using the same, and a method of manufacturing the same. An optical waveguide for an optical connector includes cores, an under cladding layer, and an over cladding layer. The strip-shaped optical waveguide has a longitudinal end portion configured to be fixed in a predetermined through hole provided in a ferrule of an optical connector. The cores are formed on the under cladding layer by a photolithographic method. The over cladding layer is formed with respect to the positions of the cores or positioning alignment marks by a photolithographic method. The over cladding layer covers the cores, and the under cladding layer including crosswise end surfaces thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Nitto Denko Corporation
    Inventors: Kazunori Mune, Junichi Fujisawa, Yuichi Tsujita
  • Patent number: 8550721
    Abstract: A fiber optic splice housing and integral dry mate connector system. In a described embodiment, a fiber optic connection system includes optical fiber sections in respective conduit sections. Each of the conduit sections is received in the housing assembly. An optical connection between the optical fiber sections is positioned within the housing assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: WellDynamics, B.V.
    Inventors: Paul D. Ringgenberg, Neal G. Skinner, John L. Maida, Jr., David O. Johnson
  • Patent number: 8550722
    Abstract: A fiber optic splice housing and integral dry mate connector system. In a described embodiment, a fiber optic connection system includes optical fiber sections in respective conduit sections. Each of the conduit sections is received in the housing assembly. An optical connection between the optical fiber sections is positioned within the housing assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: WellDynamics, B.V.
    Inventors: Paul D. Ringgenberg, Neal G. Skinner, John L. Maida, Jr., David O. Johnson
  • Patent number: 8523454
    Abstract: A fiber optic splice housing and integral dry mate connector system. In a described embodiment, a fiber optic connection system includes optical fiber sections in respective conduit sections. Each of the conduit sections is received in the housing assembly. An optical connection between the optical fiber sections is positioned within the housing assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul D. Ringgenberg, Neal G. Skinner, John L. Maida, Jr., David O. Johnson
  • Patent number: 8511909
    Abstract: An optical connector comprising: (a) a lens; (b) a ferrule assembly comprising a ferrule with an endface and at least one fiber in the ferrule having a fiber end presented at the endface; (c) a housing for holding the ferrule assembly and the lens in a certain axial and radial relationship; and (d) a glass element having a first and second surface, the first surface affixed to the endface such that it is in physical contact with the fiber end, the second surface having an AR coating and defining a space between it and the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Aaron Kadar-Kallen, Soren Grinderslev, Randall Bobby Paul
  • Patent number: 8511907
    Abstract: A fiber optic splice housing and integral dry mate connector system. In a described embodiment, a fiber optic connection system includes optical fiber sections in respective conduit sections. Each of the conduit sections is received in the housing assembly. An optical connection between the optical fiber sections is positioned within the housing assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: WellDynamics, B.V.
    Inventors: Paul D. Ringgenberg, Neal G. Skinner, John L. Maida, Jr., David O. Johnson
  • Patent number: 8511912
    Abstract: An optical fiber module includes an optical transmission line and a fiber stub structure. The optical transmission line has an optical fiber core, a coating enclosing the optical fiber core and a buffer layer enclosing the coating. A part of the optical fiber core is exposed to outer side of a free end of the optical transmission line. The fiber stub structure includes a sleeve and a ferrule. The sleeve has an internal central hole for accommodating the optical transmission line and an oblique hole in communication with the central hole for accommodating the ferrule. The ferrule has an internal passageway for accommodating a part of the optical fiber core of the optical transmission line. When installed, under the restriction of the oblique hole, the ferrule is disposed in the sleeve in an inclined state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: EZCONN Corporation
    Inventor: Chin-Tsung Wu
  • Patent number: 8515228
    Abstract: A method and apparatus involve: yieldably urging movement of a first section relative to a second section in two directions transverse to each other and to a reference axis of the first section, where an optical fiber end portion can be supported on the first section; selectively operating positioning structures that respectively move the first section relative to the second section in the two directions against the yieldable urging. A different method and apparatus involve: selectively operating positioning structure that can move a first section with a reference axis relative to a second section in directions within a plane perpendicular to the axis, that can maintain the first section in a selected position, and that includes plural angularly-offset radial threaded openings in the second section that each have a screw therein with an end engaging the first section, an optical fiber end portion being supported on the first section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Raytheon Canada Limited
    Inventor: Peter A. Rozitis
  • Patent number: 8506173
    Abstract: There is provided a fiber optic receptacle and plug assembly adapted to provide electrical connectors for electrical conductors. The receptacle and plug define complimentary alignment and keying features for ensuring that the plug is mated with the receptacle in a predetermined orientation. An alignment sleeve is disposed within the plug for receiving a multi-fiber receptacle ferrule and a multi-fiber plug ferrule. The fiber optic receptacle and corresponding plug each include a biasing member assembly for urging the receptacle ferrule and the plug ferrule towards one another, wherein the biasing member assembly includes a spring, a spring centering cuff and a ferrule boot that operatively engage the rear of the receptacle ferrule and the plug ferrule, respectively, to substantially center a spring biasing force on the end face of the receptacle ferrule and the plug ferrule. The electrical connectors of the receptacle and plug are preferably provided separate from the biasing member assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Corning Cable Systems LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Paul Lewallen, James P. Luther, Thomas Theuerkorn
  • Publication number: 20130195406
    Abstract: Overmolded ferrule assemblies and methods for making the same are disclosed. Some embodiments include positioning a first plurality of fibers in an alignment fixture in a predetermined arrangement such that a predetermined length of the first plurality of fibers extends beyond an end of the alignment fixture. Similarly, some embodiments include positioning a cover portion of the alignment fixture onto the first plurality of fibers, such that corresponding cover recesses on the cover portion align with the corresponding base recesses on the base portion. One method includes the steps of injecting a flowable material into a port on the alignment fixture, waiting a predetermined time for the flowable material to cure, and after the predetermined time, separating the base portion and the cover portion from the first plurality of fibers and the flowable material to create the overmolded ferrule boot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Inventors: Terry L. Cooke, Tory A. Klavuhn, Matthew W. Smith
  • Publication number: 20130183002
    Abstract: A sleeve for an optical connector into which a ferrule arranged to hold an optical fiber is to be inserted, and by which an optical connector in which the sleeve is to be housed can be reduced in size in a direction that the optical connector is fitted into a counterpart optical connector. A sleeve for an optical connector includes a portion having a tube shape, into which a ferrule is to be inserted, and a hook portion at one end of the sleeve, the hook portion protruding in a diameter direction of the tube-shaped portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2011
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicants: AUTONETWORKS TECHNOLOGIES, LTD., SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD., SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroyoshi Maesoba, Tetsuji Tanaka, Hidetoshi Ishida
  • Publication number: 20130183001
    Abstract: A fiber optic alignment device includes two alignment blocks and two gel blocks. A fiber passage is adapted to receive a first optical fiber through the first end and a second optical fiber through the second end. An intermediate portion is adapted to align the first and the second optical fibers between the first and the second alignment blocks. A first portion of the fiber passage extends between the first alignment block and the first gel block. A second portion of the fiber passage extends between the second alignment block and the second gel block. End portions of the first and the second optical fibers may be cleaned when slid between the alignment blocks and the gel blocks. The fiber passage may include an undulating portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: ADC TELECOMMUNICATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Michael James Ott
  • Publication number: 20130177278
    Abstract: An on-site hot-melt quick connector for optical fibers comprises a plug housing, a ferrule, an optical fiber telescopic protective tube, a tail end cover, a pressure welding protective tail handle and a compression ring. A front baffle ring is mounted in the plug housing and a rear baffle ring is mounted in the tail end cover. The ferrule and the optical fiber telescopic protective tube are positioned between the front baffle ring and the rear baffle ring and can move in the axial direction. As the quick connector for optical fibers of the invention has a definite space for movement in the axial direction, the optical fibers themselves can move along with the plugging action during butting, avoiding the bending of the optical fibers caused as they are unable to move, thus guaranteeing the transmission quality of the optical signals. The service life of the quick connector is also guaranteed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Inventors: Jianmin Guo, Jie Wei
  • Patent number: 8480310
    Abstract: Devices to enhance the reliability of optical networks and to reduce the cost of repair are disclosed in this invention. In particular, compact and inexpensive fiber optic union adapters with built-in protective isolation prevent the transfer of damage from one connectorized fiber optic cable to another. The fiber optic union includes a split sleeve with an interior channel and a fiber stub centrally located within the interior channel. The fiber stub makes direct optical contact with the cable endfaces to enable efficient optical transmission between interconnected cables while providing a low loss, low back reflection adiabatic transition between the waveguide cores of the two cables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Telescent Inc.
    Inventor: Anthony Stephen Kewitsch
  • Patent number: 8480311
    Abstract: An optical connector in which works of attaching an incorporated optical fiber to a ferrule, removing a coating of the tip end side of a coated optical fiber, and attaching an optical connector to the coated optical fiber can be made more efficient, and the transmission characteristics can be prevented from being lowered in the optical connector, and a method of attaching the optical connector to a coated optical fiber are provided. An optical connector 101 includes: a ferrule 140 into which a glass fiber 121 that is obtained by peeling a coating 124 of a coated optical fiber 120 is to be inserted; a fixing portion 130 which fixes the coated optical fiber 120 inserted into the ferrule 140; and a coating-removing portion 110 which removes the coating 124 from an end portion of the coated optical fiber 120, by means of a force of inserting the coated optical fiber 120 into the optical connector 101.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichiro Ohtsuka, Masahiro Hamada, Masaki Ohmura, Mitsuaki Tamura, Mitsuru Kihara, Ryo Koyama, Hitoshi Son
  • Patent number: 8469605
    Abstract: An optical connector having a front and back orientation and suitable for operating with a temperature range, the connector comprising: (a) a ferrule comprising a first material having a first coefficient of thermal expansion (COE), and having no greater than a first diameter below a transition temperature with the temperature range, and no less than a second diameter above the transition temperature; (b) a spring disposed behind the ferrule and in contact with the ferrule to apply a forward urging force to the ferrule; and (c) a housing comprising a second material having a second COE, the housing defining a bore hole having a diameter greater than the second diameter, and an interface portion having a restricted bore hole having no greater than a third diameter below the transition temperature, and no less than a fourth diameter above the transition temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel E. Wertman, Soren Grinderslev, Michael Aaron Kadar-Kallen
  • Patent number: 8469603
    Abstract: A method for mating optical fibers, a fiber optic connector, and a fiber optic subassembly are provided in which mating fibers have angled end faces joined by index matching fluid, but in which the angled end faces of the fibers are positioned relative to one another in rotationally misaligned relationship. Applicants discovered unexpectedly that optical fibers can be spliced, to provide satisfactory optical connections, without the need for matched cleaves, and without the need for precise rotational alignment of the cleaves, provided that angled end faces are provided on both the launch and receive fibers and that index matching gel is provided between the angled end faces. Thus, the fibers are mated in positions other than in the precise rotationally aligned position previously believed essential to adequate optical performance. Angled end faces may be positioned less than 165 degrees out of phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Michael L. Gurreri
  • Patent number: 8469602
    Abstract: An optical fiber connecting part has a ferrule, and a guide bore penetrating through the ferrule and configured to guide an optical fiber to be inserted. The guide bore has a first bore provided at one end of the ferrule, through which the optical fiber is inserted into the ferrule, a second bore provided at another end of the ferrule, the second bore having an inner diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the first bore, and an intermediate bore provided between the first bore and the second bore to directly connect between the first bore and the second bore. A center axis of the second bore is shifted from a center axis of the first bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi Cable, Ltd.
    Inventors: Seiji Kojima, Kanako Suzuki, Mikio Ohkoshi, Yoshikazu Namekawa
  • Patent number: 8459878
    Abstract: An optical connector is selectively attachable to one of optical fiber cables including a first type optical fiber cable and a second type optical fiber cable. Each of the optical fiber cables includes a common optical fiber and a common ferrule fixed to the common optical fiber. The first type optical fiber cable further includes a tension member. The second type optical fiber cable further including a tensile member. The optical connector has a swage portion through which the common ferrule is inserted forward when one of the optical fiber cables is attached to the optical connector. The swage portion has an outer surface on which the tensile member is swaged when the second type optical fiber cable is attached to the optical connector. The optical connector also has a fixing portion having at least one receiver hole formed therein for receiving and fixing an end of the tension member of the first type optical fiber cable. The fixing portion is located forward of the swage portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Japan Aviation Electronics Industry, Limited
    Inventors: Naoki Katagiyama, Hideto Shimazu, Yuichi Koreeda, Takeo Toda, Hideo Sugimoto, Yasutaka Hiroki
  • Patent number: 8444326
    Abstract: An optical fiber coupling device, comprises a coupling assembly that includes a first ferrule and a second ferrule and an optical fiber having a first end mounted in the first ferrule and a second end mounted in the second ferrule. The first ferrule is disposed in an axial bore of a first barrel and the second ferrule is disposed in an axial bore of a second barrel. The coupling assembly is disposable in a coupling housing configured to receive at least two optical fiber connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: James R. Bylander
  • Patent number: 8439577
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical fiber connector, and in particular to a Subscriber Connector (SC)-type push/pull optical fiber connector and to a method of forming and using such a connector. The SC-type optical fiber connector (101) is made up of an optical fiber (8), a cylindrical ferrule (14), a ferrule holder (16), a spring biasing means (17), a ferrule holder carrier (50), an inner housing (120), and an outer housing (40). The optical fiber (8) is held within the ferrule (14) and the ferrule (14) is held by the ferrule holder (16). The ferrule holder (16) is engaged within a receiving portion (54) of the ferrule holder carrier (50), said holder and carrier being relatively moveable with respect to each other along the ferrule axis (5) between limits defined by an interaction between the ferrule carrier (50) and the ferrule holder (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Miniflex Limited
    Inventor: Peter David Jenkins
  • Patent number: 8425129
    Abstract: An optical couple connector includes a first main body and a second main body. A through hole is defined in the first main body. A blind hole and a lens are defined in the second main body. The diameter of the blind hole is less than that of the through hole. The through hole is coaxial with the blind hole and is used to hold an optical fiber. The lens couples to the optical fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: I-Thun Lin
  • Patent number: 8419292
    Abstract: Provided is a multi-fiber connector and a method of providing a secure fiber network, where the multi-fiber connector includes a housing; a multi-position ferrule disposed within the housing, the multi-position ferrule including a plurality of fiber holes arranged in a predetermined pattern; and at least one fiber. Each of the plurality of fiber holes is configured to receive one of the at least one fiber and each fiber is selectively inserted within one of the plurality of fiber holes at a selected position among the plurality of fiber holes. Additionally, only a portion of the plurality of fiber holes are populated with the at least one fiber and a remaining portion of the plurality of fiber holes are not populated with fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: AFL Telecommunications LLC
    Inventor: Kheng Hwa Seng
  • Patent number: 8419294
    Abstract: An optical connector is provided to reliably hold a ferrule assembly in a housing to enable it stable optical connection. The optical connector is able to accomplish stable connection without any concern of displacement of an optical connecting end portion of the ferrule, even if the optical connector is subjected to repeated connecting and disconnecting operations. In the optical connector, a ferrule assemble having a polygonal prism-shaped flange is accommodated and held so as to elastically reciprocate in a housing of a cavity which has a polygonal engaging portion to receive and engage the flange of the ferrule assemble. A protrusion is formed at an end part of each engaging wall in the direction of inserting the ferrule assemble to rise toward an insertion opening for the ferrule assemble, and each protruding portion of the protrusion is provided to have each different rising height thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Adamant Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Hyakutake
  • Patent number: 8414196
    Abstract: A fiber optic connector is disclosed for use with both a hardened fiber optic adapter and a non-hardened fiber optic adapter. The connector includes a connector housing having an end defining a plug portion. The plug portion includes first and second sets of retaining features for retaining the connector. The first and second retaining feature sets retain the connector within the hardened and unhardened adapters respectively. A threaded member can be included on the connector to threadingly engage and connect the connector to the hardened adapter. A sliding lock can be included on the connector to lock the connector to the non-hardened adapter when slid into a locking position. The sliding lock can be mounted to the threaded member. The sliding lock can include protrusions that engage and lock the non-hardened adapter when in the locking position thereby locking the non-hardened adapter to the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventors: Yu Lu, Randy Reagan, Craig M. Standish
  • Patent number: 8403567
    Abstract: An optical fiber connector includes a female connector and a male connector. The female connector includes a first main body and a first lens portion. The first main includes at least one positioning slit and at least one recess defined in an inner surface of the first main body in the at least one positioning slit. The male connector is used for engagement with the female connector, and includes a second main body and a second lens portion for optically coupling with the first lens portion. The second main body includes at least one positioning post configured for insertion into the corresponding at least one positioning slit and at least one protrusion protruding from the at least one positioning post configured for insertion into the corresponding at least one recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tai-Cherng Yu, Kun-Chan Wu, I-Thun Lin
  • Publication number: 20130064509
    Abstract: An optical fiber connector apparatus may include a ferrule having a hollow through its center. The hollow is sized and shaped to receive an optical fiber such that an end of each of the optical fiber is located at an endface of the ferrule. The endface of the ferrule is partitioned into a first section and a second section. The first section is perpendicular to an axis of the ferrule and the second section is angled with respect to the first section. When the connector is assembled, the ferrule can butt couple to a similarly configured second ferrule such that the perpendicular second portions of the endfaces of the ferrules are physically touching. The angle of the angled portions sets a distance between portions of the endfaces corresponding to endfaces of optical fibers received in the ferrules thereby setting a gap between the fiber endfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: Mobius Photonics, Inc.
    Inventors: MARK W. BYER, Manuel J. Leonardo, David Tracy
  • Patent number: 8388236
    Abstract: An optical fiber connector assembly includes a female connector, a male connector, and a thin film filter. The female connector includes a first main body and a first lens portion. The first main body and the first lens portion are made of a same polymer material having a lower melting point and higher fluidity than polyether-imide. The male connector is used for insertion into the female connector and includes a second main body and a second lens portion for optically coupling with the first lens portion. The second main body and the second lens portion are made of a same polymer material having a lower melting point and higher fluidity than polyether-imide. The thin film filter is formed on each of the first and second lens portions. A related optical fiber connector is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kun-Chan Wu
  • Patent number: 8391708
    Abstract: Provided herein is a novel approach to simultaneous fiber presence detection and improved laser eye safety of an optical transceiver. The subject optical transceiver is fitted with at least one switch in its receptacle that controls the laser diode and indicates the presence of a fiber (or fibers) within such a receptacle. If a fiber is present within the subject module receptacle, the laser switch is permitted to be “on”, whereas the absence of a fiber will prevent the laser switch from turning on, thereby permitting effective control of the laser at a single point of failure within the entire optical transceiver system. The typical optical transceivers of today exhibit limited optical power output due to eye safety limit criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Finisar Corporation
    Inventors: Sunil Priyadarshi, Joshua John Edward Moore
  • Publication number: 20130051731
    Abstract: A method for terminating a first optical fiber within a proximal portion of a guidewire tubing. The guidewire tubing has an outside diameter defined as having a tolerance of ±0.001? or less. The method comprises the step of centering the first optical fiber within the guidewire tubing. A female optical receiving device used to receive an optical guidewire and connect guidewire internal optical fiber to an external relaying optical cable is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: Opsens inc.
    Inventors: Claude Belleville, Sébastien Lalancette, Alain Proulx
  • Patent number: 8382383
    Abstract: A ferrule structure for an optical connector includes a central member disposed in the ferrule. The central member is configured so that an exterior dimension of the central member can change between a smaller size and a larger size. A plurality of optical fibers are disposed in the ferrule externally to the central member. A method for assembling an optical connector ferrule includes providing a central member, wherein the central member is configured so that an exterior dimension of the central member can change between a smaller size and a larger size. The method further includes placing an axial load on the central member to cause the exterior dimension to assume the smaller size. The central member is disposed in the ferrule. A plurality of optical fibers are disposed in the ferrule, external to the central member. The axial load is removed from the central member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: PGS Geophysical AS
    Inventors: Nicholas Claude George, Greyson Orval Knapp
  • Publication number: 20130044981
    Abstract: A method for mating optical fibers, a fiber optic connector, and a fiber optic subassembly are provided in which mating fibers have angled end faces joined by index matching fluid, but in which the angled end faces of the fibers are positioned relative to one another in rotationally misaligned relationship. Applicants discovered unexpectedly that optical fibers can be spliced, to provide satisfactory optical connections, without the need for matched cleaves, and without the need for precise rotational alignment of the cleaves, provided that angled end faces are provided on both the launch and receive fibers and that index matching gel is provided between the angled end faces. Thus, the fibers are mated in positions other than in the precise rotationally aligned position previously believed essential to adequate optical performance. Angled end faces may be positioned less than 165 degrees out of phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Applicant: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Tyco Electronics Corporation
  • Patent number: 8376628
    Abstract: A stopper 50 is fixed to an optical connector 10, and the optical connector 10 is accommodated in an opening section 21 of a housing 20. The housing 20 is engaged with the stopper 50 so as to be displaceable with respect to the stopper 50 by a predetermined amount in a direction of inserting the optical connector 10 to a receptacle, and the stopper 50 is biased rearward by a coil spring 40 with respect to the housing 20. The free end of a clip piece 15 is placed on the free end of a latch piece 14 of the optical connector 10, and the free end of the clip piece 15 is placed on an inclination surface 23a at the front end of a concave section 23 formed on an inner wall surface of the opening section 21. At the time of detachment from the receptacle, the housing 20 is displaced in a direction to be pulled out against the biasing force of the coil spring 40. Accordingly, the clip piece 15 and the latch piece 14 are pushed down by the inclination surface 23a to release the lock of the latch piece 14.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Japan Aviation Electronics Industry, Limited
    Inventors: Yuichi Koreeda, Naoki Katagiyama, Yasutaka Hiroki
  • Patent number: 8360660
    Abstract: An optical module 10 include a substrate 11, a holding member 12 of resin that is secured to the substrate 11, has a pair of through holes 21 drilled through the substrate 11 in a direction orthogonal to the upper surface 11a, and the entire length L in the direction orthogonal to the upper surface 11a is at least 1.9 mm and less than 2.8 mm, and a pair of guide pins 13 that are inserted into the through holes 21 and secured to the holding member 12 by locking pieces 14, in which one end section of each of the guide pins 13 is held by the holding member 12 across the entire length L and the other end section to be inserted into one of guide pin insertion holes 32 of the MT connector 30 projects 2.8 mm or more from the holding member 12. This structure downsizes the optical module connected to an MT connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Japan Aviation Electronics Industry, Limited
    Inventors: Yuichi Koreeda, Masashi Hiraki
  • Patent number: 8348520
    Abstract: An optical connector structure (C) includes: an optical fiber (100) having a laser beam entrance end to which a quartz chip (120) is integrally connected; a ferrule (200) into which a portion of the optical fiber (100) including the quartz chip (120) is inserted and which holds the portion of the optical fiber; and a receptacle (21) surrounding the ferrule (200), and including a large-diameter hole (21b) formed toward an opening and a small-diameter hole formed toward a back of the receptacle so as to be connected to the large-diameter hole. A front end portion (210) of the ferrule (200) is inserted into the small-diameter hole (21a) of the receptacle (21), and a back body portion (211) of the ferrule (200) is inserted into the large-diameter hole (21b) of the receptacle (21).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Cable Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Motohiko Yamasaki, Tadahiko Nakai, Takeshi Satake, Takafumi Hyodo, Haruo Ooizumi, Masahiro Hoshino, Kenji Sato
  • Patent number: 8337093
    Abstract: Fiber optic connectors and components for fiber optic connectors with improved side-loading performance are disclosed along with methods for making the same. The fiber optic connector includes a ferrule and a ferrule holder where the ferrule holder may be disposed within a housing. The ferrule holder has a forward portion with a spherical feature for cooperating with the housing, thereby allowing relative movement therebetween. Specifically, the spherical feature of the ferrule holder permits rotational translation of the ferrule holder in two degrees of freedom relative to the housing and inhibits the longitudinal translation of the ferrule holder in same two degrees of freedom relative to the housing, thereby providing improved side-loading performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Corning Cable Systems LLC
    Inventor: Louis E. Parkman, III
  • Patent number: 8328432
    Abstract: A fiber optic cable assembly includes a fiber optic connector and a fiber optic cable having at least one strength element, the connector and cable held together by a crimp band. The crimp band may include at least one lateral aperture on at least one end for inspecting the disposition of the strength element prior to crimping to ensure a uniform distribution of the strength element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Corning Cable Systems LLC
    Inventors: Terry L. Cooke, David L. Dean, Jr., Christopher S. Houser, James M. Wilson
  • Publication number: 20120301082
    Abstract: An optical connector is provided having a housing with a cavity formed therein through which an optical fiber passes. Within the cavity, a slightly bent, unjacketed portion of the core of the optical fiber is disposed. If conditions are such that pistoning of the core begins to occur, the slightly bent, unjacketed portion of the core straightens, thereby causing the end of the core to remain substantially flush with the end of the ferrule of the connector housing. In this way, the pistoning effect at the end of the fiber is prevented and optical losses associated with the occurrence of the pistoning effect are avoided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: AVAGO TECHNOLOGIES FIBER IP (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: Tobias Bitter, Frank Weberpals, Josef Wittl
  • Patent number: 8317406
    Abstract: An optical connector, which is capable of enhancing fittability into a cabinet, or the like on account of compactification and also avoiding problems of an increase of bead loss, a breakage, etc. of an optical fiber, can be provided. In an optical connector 1 that houses a fusion-spliced portion 13, in which a short optical fiber 5 that is fitted previously to an optical connector ferrule 85 and a coated optical fiber 3 are fusion spliced together and holds the fusion-spliced portion 13 therein, one end of a protection sleeve 87 made of the thermal shrinkage material that externally fixes the fusion-spliced portion 13 is coupled to the optical connector ferrule 85. An air escape hole 7ffor escaping an air, which is confined in the protection sleeve 87 when the protection sleeve 87 is thermally shrunk and adhered closely to the optical connector ferrule 85, to the outside is formed in the optical connector ferrule 85.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignees: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd., SEI Optifrontier Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshikyo Tamekuni, Masahiro Shibata, Yukihiro Yokomachi, Toshihiko Honma, Tsutomu Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8308374
    Abstract: A method for mating optical fibers, a fiber optic connector, and a fiber optic subassembly are provided in which mating fibers have angled end faces joined by index matching fluid, but in which the angled end faces of the fibers are positioned relative to one another in rotationally misaligned relationship. Applicants discovered unexpectedly that optical fibers can be spliced, to provide satisfactory optical connections, without the need for matched cleaves, and without the need for precise rotational alignment of the cleaves, provided that angled end faces are provided on both the launch and receive fibers and that index matching gel is provided between the angled end faces. Thus, the fibers are mated in positions other than in the precise rotationally aligned position previously believed essential to adequate optical performance. Angled end faces may be positioned less than 165 degrees out of phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Michael L. Gurreri
  • Publication number: 20120275748
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical connector including, a ferrule within which an integrated optical fiber is fixed, a clamp portion disposed at a rear of the ferrule, the clamp portion comprising: a base component and a lid component facing the based component, where the base component and the lid component together are configured to clamp an end portion of the integrated optical fiber and an end portion of a naked optical fiber abutting the end portion of the integrated optical fiber, and a naked optical fiber guide portion disposed at a rear of the clamp portion, where the naked optical fiber guide portion comprises a through hole through which the naked optical fiber can be inserted, and that guides the naked optical fiber to the clamp portion by the through hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: FUJIKURA LTD.
    Inventors: Takashi YAMAGUCHI, Kazuhiro TAKIZAWA
  • Patent number: 8297854
    Abstract: Fiber optic assemblies including at least one multimode optical fiber that have improved performance are disclosed. In one embodiment, at least one connector is mounted upon and end of at least one multimode optical fiber and the assembly has an insertion loss of about 0.04 dB or less at a reference wavelength of 850 nanometers. Another embodiment is directed to a fiber optic assembly having a plurality of multimode optical fibers attached to a multifiber ferrule. The multifiber ferrule has a pair of guide pin bores having a nominal diameter, wherein the guide pin bores have a tolerance of ±0.0005 millimeters from a nominal diameter for improving performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Corning Cable Systems LLC
    Inventors: Scott Robertson Bickham, Radawan Hall, James Phillip Luther, Daiping Ma
  • Patent number: 8297853
    Abstract: An optical connector device has a first connector including a ferrule for holding an optical fiber and a guide portion projecting longer than the ferrule. The optical connector device also has a second connector for receiving an end of the ferrule along an optical axis of the optical fiber. The second connector includes a receiver for receiving the guide portion and a shutter having a cover part. The shutter is movable between a cover position at which the optical axis intersects the cover part and an open position at which the optical axis does not intersect the cover part. The guide portion is operable to move the shutter from the cover position to the open position when the guide portion is received into the receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Japan Aviation Electronics Industry, Limited
    Inventors: Naoki Katagiyama, Hideto Shimazu, Takeo Toda, Yasutaka Hiroki
  • Patent number: 8265434
    Abstract: In a lens system, such as for use in optical rotary joints, obliquely tilted cavities are inserted in a light path between light-waveguides and lenses to be coupled thereto in order to compensate lateral displacements between the light waveguides and the lenses. The cavities are filled with an optical medium having a predetermined refractive index in order to achieve a parallel displacement of a light-ray path, so that the ray path passes centrally through the lenses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Schleifring und Apparatebau GmbH
    Inventors: Gregor Popp, Matthias Rank
  • Patent number: 8221006
    Abstract: A fiber optic cable assembly includes a fiber optic cable with one or more optical fibers attached to a housing. The housing includes a connector housing for a connector, a furcation housing for a furcation, and a splice housing for a mid-span cable splice. The furcation housing and the splice housing include a crimp body. The crimp body has a compression area and at least one hoop about the compression area defining a crimp zone. A crimp band is arranged for engaging the crimp zone and including an indentation defining a compression surface and a rib defining a rib interior. The crimp band and the crimp body cooperate to grip the strength element and resist cable pull off forces. A method of making the fiber optic cable assembly is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Corning Cable Systems LLC
    Inventor: Thomas Theuerkorn