With Additional Optical Element Between Facing Fiber Ends Patents (Class 385/73)
  • Patent number: 7625129
    Abstract: A multi channel connector includes a first connector housing and a mating second connector housing. The first connector housing includes a plurality of first termini, each first terminus resting upon a respective bench or within a respective channel. The second connector housing loosely holds a plurality of second termini. In a first embodiment, a biasing member is disposed in the first connector housing and when the first and second housings are mated, the biasing member engages the plurality of second termini to press the second termini onto engagement with respective benches within the first housing to thereby ensure accurate end-to-end alignments between the plurality of first termini and the plurality of second termini. In a second embodiment, chamfers are formed at openings to the respective channels and beveled outer edges are formed at tip ends of the second termini to guide the second termini into respective channels, when the first and second connector housings are mated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Commscope, Inc. of North Carolina
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Nielson, Matthew Cruz
  • Patent number: 7604417
    Abstract: A terminus for a fiber optic cable includes a ferrule. An optic fiber of the cable passes through a central bore of the ferrule and is attached to a lens seated in a conical or cylindrical seat formed in an end surface of the ferrule by an epoxy. Preferably, the seat permits the lens to be recessed below the end surface of the ferrule. An inspection slot may be formed through the seat to allow a technician to inspect the state of the epoxy attachment. The ferrule may also include retaining features, such as an o-ring encircling a groove in the outer circumference of the ferrule or a metal sleeve crimped or otherwise attached to the ferrule to permit the ferrule to be easily attached to a cable retention sleeve, connector body or similar structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Commscope, Inc. of North Carolina
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Nielson, Timothy W. Anderson, Matthew Cruz
  • Patent number: 7600924
    Abstract: An optical component comprises: an optical fiber having the core and the clad; a light guide holding member attached to the exit end of the optical fiber; a wavelength conversion member that contains a fluorescent substance; and a reflection means provided between the exit end of the optical fiber and the wavelength conversion member, or between the light guide holding member and the wavelength conversion member. An increase in optical output is made possible not by reducing reflection as with conventional optical components, but on the contrary by actually producing reflection. Therefore, optical output can be increased by a means other than forming an optical film that reduces Fresnel reflection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Nichia Corporation
    Inventors: Atsutomo Hama, Yukihiro Hayashi, Takeshi Tsujio, Hiroaki Shozui, Tomonori Morizumi, Naoto Morizumi
  • Patent number: 7566176
    Abstract: A cleaning apparatus (1100) for cleaning an endface (1104) of an optical fiber (1106), wherein a portion of the optical fiber is contained within an interface device (1103) is provided. The cleaning apparatus includes a housing (1114) having an interface portion (1124) adapted to be received by the interface device. The cleaning apparatus further includes a fluid dispensing assembly (1116) at least partially disposed within the housing, wherein at least a portion (1112) of the fluid dispensing assembly engages the endface when the interface portion is received by the interface device. The fluid dispensing assembly is operable to deliver a fluid and a solvent upon the endface when the interface portion of the housing is received by the interface device to aid in the removal of contaminants on the endface. The cleaning apparatus may include a contact cleaning assembly (1304) and/or a microscope (1408).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: Westover Scientific, Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Lytle, Kevin G. Cassady, Gregory J. Gerhard
  • Patent number: 7508848
    Abstract: A fiber Chirped Pulse Amplification (CPA) laser system includes a photonics band gap (PBG) fiber to function as a compressor. The PBG fiber is spliced with a fiber end cap that has an core expander for increasing a mode area of the PBG fiber. With increased mode area, the laser system is enabled to sustain an increased damage threshold energy thus is capable of producing short pulse laser with higher pulse energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Polaronyx
    Inventors: Lih-Mei Yang, Jian Liu
  • Patent number: 7507032
    Abstract: In an optical connection component for use in connecting a connection object having a key formed on one side surface thereof, a housing for fitting over the connection object is formed around an optical axis. A shutter member is coupled to the housing and includes a light shielding portion which is elastically deformable and extends across the optical axis. The housing includes a key groove portion for receiving the key and an escape groove portion adapted to receive the light shielding potion in an elastically deformed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Japan Aviation Industry, Limited
    Inventors: Naoki Katagiyama, Yuichi Koreeda, Yasutaka Hiroki, Akihiro Onogawa
  • Patent number: 7440657
    Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing an optical connector, an apparatus for producing the same, and a process for forming a polymer coating film on an end face of a fibrous dielectric, which can dispose a refractive index adjuster only onto an end face of an optical transmitting medium with excellent reproducibility. Such a process includes bringing an end surface of the optical transmitting medium close to an end face of a liquid refractive index adjuster, while charging at least one of the optical transmitting medium and the liquid refractive index adjuster, thereby adhering the liquid refractive index adjuster to the end face of the optical transmitting medium, and thereafter solidifying the adhered liquid refractive index adjuster to obtain the refractive index adjuster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Tomoegawa Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoki Furue, Ken Sukegawa, Kyoichi Sasaki, Masayoshi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7422375
    Abstract: The present invention provides an optical connection structure and optical connection method for enabling a connection characterized by a simple structure, ability to retain optical fibers in an adhered state, easy installation and detachment/attachment, and excellent optical stability. The optical connection structure proposed by the present invention has a solid viscous connection member having refractive-index matching property disposed in a single layer state between the end faces of mutually opposing optical transmission media or between the end face of an optical transmission medium and an optical component that are mutually opposing. The solid viscous connection member should desirably be made of silicone resin or acrylic resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: Tomoegawa Paper Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masayoshi Suzuki, Kyoichi Sasaki, Tatsushi Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 7413352
    Abstract: The inventor found that the lightwave of a semiconductor laser includes, in addition to the laser oscillation lightwave, a weak, continuous noise component having a different wavelength (here, referred to as natural emission lightwave). The inventor also found that in the wavelength division multiplexing communication optical system in which signal lightwaves having a plurality of wavelengths are combined to transmit over a single optical fiber so as to be separated at the other end to receive with a plurality of light-receiving devices, the natural emission lightwave causes crosstalk. A natural emission lightwave-blocking filter that reflects a natural emission lightwave is placed on the optical path between the semiconductor laser and the optical fiber. The natural emission lightwave-blocking filter blocks the natural emission lightwave, preventing the crosstalk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Takeshi Okada
  • Patent number: 7393143
    Abstract: An optical connector having: a ferrule into which a first optical fiber is inserted; an optical fiber connector disposed at an back end of the ferrule; and a cross-linkable refractive index matching member attached onto an end face on a back end side of the first optical fiber. The end face on the back end side of the first optical fiber and an end face of a second optical fiber to be inserted into the optical fiber connector from a back end side thereof are to be connected by a butting connection. The cross-linkable refractive index matching member is formed such that a cross-linkable refractive index matching agent is coated on the end face on the back end side of the first optical fiber, and the coated agent is cross-linked and hardened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Hitachi Cable, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihisa Kato, Kanako Suzuki, Noribumi Shiina, Tomoyuki Nisio, Kazumasa Ohsono, Yoshikazu Namekawa, Yoshihiro Nakatani
  • Patent number: 7384202
    Abstract: An optical module includes: an optical plug that supports one end of an optical fiber; a receptacle unit having an optical element and a mounting surface to be abutted against the optical plug for optically coupling the optical plug and the optical element; and a holder having a leaf spring that forces the optical plug to the mounting surface of the receptacle unit, a window section for passing the optical fiber, and a fiber support section disposed at a position near the window section for affixing the optical fiber thereto, wherein the holder is engaged with the receptacle unit to connect the receptacle unit and the optical plug in one piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Kimio Nagasaka
  • Patent number: 7371015
    Abstract: Attachments are respectively attached to one ends of a pair of light guides, which are integrally formed via a connecting portion, such that the attachments surround the one ends of the light guides. The one ends protrude from a rear face of a receptacle body and are opposed to a light-emitting device and a light-receiving device, respectively. The attachments are inserted and positioned in guide holes formed respectively on the light-emitting device and the light-receiving device, and the optical axes of the pair of light guides and the optical axes of the light-emitting device and the light-receiving device are aligned with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Hosiden Corporation
    Inventors: Naoya Takehara, Hiroshi Nakagawa, Takeshi Isoda
  • Patent number: 7344315
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a fiber assembly is provided. The fiber assembly has a first fiber having at least one core. The core has a length, a first end, and a second end, and light may be transmitted along the core. The second end has an obtusely angled end surface. The assembly also has a second fiber having at least one core having a first end. Light may be transmitted along the core. The second end of the first fiber is optically coupled to the first end of the second fiber such that light emitted from the first fiber may be transmitted to the second fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: David Martin Fenwick, Richard John Luebs, Terrel L. Morris, Duane A. Wegher, Jeffrey D. Yetter
  • Publication number: 20080050072
    Abstract: The expanded beam, single fiber, fiber optic connector includes a lens holder, a lens, and a ferrule. The lens holder retains the lens, and the lens holder accommodates the ferrule. The lens is in optical communication with an optical fiber retained in the ferrule. The lens holder has an outside diameter that is substantially the same as the outside diameter of a ferrule of a physical contact, single fiber, fiber optic connector, such as one of an LC, SC, FC, and ST style or standard fiber optic connectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2006
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Inventors: Richard S.E. Durrant, Mark Waldron
  • Patent number: 7334944
    Abstract: In one example embodiment, an optical connector arrangement includes a coupler with a first part and a second part each having a first end to receive an optical fiber core and a second end that releasably couples the first part and the second part. An insert block having a connector face and an assembly face is included in each of the first part and the second part. The connector face has a lens assembly to optically couple the optical fiber core of the first part and the second part, and the assembly face has an axial passageway that terminates in the assembly face and aligns with the first end to receive an end portion of the optical fiber core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Brian L. Uhlhorn, Gregory M. Drexler, Gregory J. Whaley, Ryan L. Nelson
  • Patent number: 7330546
    Abstract: A multimedia patching box including a generally rectangular housing. The housing includes a first wall positioned opposite from a second wall. The housing also includes opposing third and fourth walls that extend between the first and second walls. A panel is mounted adjacent the front of the housing. The panel is mounted to pivot about a pivot axis between an open position and a closed position. The pivot axis is located adjacent to the third wall of the housing and extends generally along the third wall of the housing. A plurality of multimedia connectors are mounted on the panel. The housing defines at least one cable access opening defined through at least one of the first and second walls at a location adjacent the third wall. A cable management structure is connected to the back side of the panel. The cable management structure defines a cable guiding channel that extends generally along the pivot axis of the panel and generally aligns with the at least one cable access opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley Scott Kessler, Jeffrey Scott Hartzler, Cory Lee Grabinger
  • Patent number: 7324724
    Abstract: The present invention provides an optical fiber device that takes advantage of the fiber structure to construct mechanically stable devices with components inserted in the optical path. An optical component is inserted in a cavity transversally machined across an optical fiber. The component is secured in the cavity and functionally interrelates with light propagated in the optical fiber. The invention also provides a method for manufacturing an optical fiber device with a component insertion into an optical fiber by machining a cavity in an optical fiber, providing a solid component to be inserted in the optical fiber, positioning the component inside the cavity, and securing the component in the cavity. The component is preferably provided as a glass ribbon and the component is preferably secured in the cavity using laser fusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Institut National D'Optique
    Inventors: Marc Lévesque, Daniel Cantin, René Beaulieu
  • Patent number: 7278790
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments include an improved connector for a fiber-optic cable including: a fiber-optic conductor disposed in a center portion of the fiber-optic connector; one or more flexible end portions disposed on an outer portion of the fiber-optic connector; a swab disposed on an inner surface of at least one flexible end portion; wherein the swab contacts and cleans the fiber-optic conductor when the improved connector is attached to a receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Eric L. Kobrin
  • Patent number: 7264404
    Abstract: Optical connector assemblies suitable for use in harsh environments such as down hole oil and gas well applications and methods for fabricating the same are provided. In one embodiment, an optical connector assembly suitable for down hole oil field applications comprises a first and second optical waveguide urged by a biasing member against a bracket. Each of the waveguides has at least one base surface formed on the exterior of the waveguide that is disposed against at least one of a plurality of reference surfaces of the bracket. In another embodiment, flats comprise two of the base surfaces on each optical waveguide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Lagace, John Grunbeck, Milton E. Ives, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7255487
    Abstract: A novel Fabry-Perot resonance cavity has been recognized with ruggedized packaging. This cavity is formed by simple planar and concave (or two concave) mirrors—attached at the fiber ends. The concave mirror is precisely aligned to the core of the fiber. The concave lens is fabricated on the end of the fiber by making an indentation of correct geometry and smoothness. The concave mirror has multiple dielectric layers applied on the concave lens to achieve the final, desired optical characteristics. This structure is packaged using novel techniques from which it derives great utility. The resulting packaged assembly is environmentally robust and capable of operating at very high frequencies with low input voltages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Inventor: Youngmin A. Choi
  • Patent number: 7233717
    Abstract: A reflective optical switch comprises an input/output port portion; a polarization separator/combiner for separating lights in the same optical path and combining lights in different optical paths; a Faraday rotation angle changer; a polarization rotator for changing the relationship in polarizing direction between lights in different optical paths; a birefringence element for optical path control for controlling optical path shift in response to polarizing direction; and a polarization rotating reflector for rotating polarizing direction 90 degrees on forward and return paths. The input/output port portion, the polarization separator/combiner, the Faraday rotation angle changer, the polarization rotator, the birefringence element for optical path control, and the polarization rotating reflector are arranged along the optical path, and the Faraday rotation angle changer includes a Faraday element and an electromagnet for controlling 90-degree change in polarizing direction of transmitted light thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: FDK Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroaki Ono, Shohei Abe, Hideo Takeshita, Hiroki Tatara, Kazuhide Kubo
  • Patent number: 7217958
    Abstract: Includes a stem with a hole, a dielectric sealed into the hole of the stem and including a pair of pin insertion holes, and a pair of high frequency signal pins that penetrate and fit into the pair of pin insertion holes of the dielectric, and constituting differential lines connected to an optical semiconductor element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Aruga, Shinichi Takagi, Kiyohide Sakai
  • Patent number: 7213974
    Abstract: An optical connector system joining waveguides in two printed circuit boards. A flexible optical conductor is connected at one end to one of the boards. The flexible conductor includes at its free end an alignment structure that provides a separable, low loss interface to an alignment structure coupled to the waveguide on the other board. The ends of the waveguides are enclosed in housings that protect the waveguides from abrasion and contaminates, but expose the waveguides when the connectors mate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Amphenol Corporation
    Inventors: Sepehr Kiani, John A. Lehman
  • Patent number: 7186035
    Abstract: An optical fibre connector includes a connector having a receptacle or socket with a recessed optical fibre ferrule assembly for aligning an optical fibre within the connector. An optical socket has recessed therein a sleeve for receiving and bringing into optical alignment an optical fibre ferrule assembly at an internal end of the socket with a similar optical fibre ferrule assembly of an optical plug connected to the optical socket. The optical connector has a housing with at least two portions that are removably secured to one another. A method of cleaning such a recessed assembley includes removing at least one of said portions from the remainder of the housing. Contamination is then cleaned from the optical fibre ferrule assembly. Then, the the removed portion(s) are reassembled with the remainder of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Avago Technologies Fiber IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Mark Jeffrey Dunn, Nicholas Turner
  • Patent number: 7172344
    Abstract: Precise V-grooves allowing an optical fiber to project are formed in respective main surfaces of an upper plane substrate and a lower plane substrate. The optical fiber is mounted on one plane substrate, and a multi-layer film filter 2 is inserted into a filter insertion groove 1 crossing the precise V-groove in the main surface of the other plane substrate. Then, using the projecting optical fiber and the other precise V-groove as a guide rail, two plane substrates grapple the multi-layer film filter to fix and mount the filter. In an optical filter module obtained in this manner, a process of adjusting an optical axis between input/output optical fibers is eliminated, and displacement of the inserted optical filter is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazunari Nishihara, Kazuo Fujiwara, Kanji Kato, Mikio Degawa, Tetsuro Shimamura
  • Patent number: 7150566
    Abstract: An optical device having: an optical fiber body; a ferrule which surrounds the above described optical fiber body and to which a recess that crosses a coreless fiber within the above described optical fiber has been provided; and an optical element which is provided within the recess in said ferrule, is provided with a protective member for protecting the above described recess, and the protective member has a restriction means for physically restricting the rotation of the optical device around the optical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
    Inventors: Toshihiro Takimoto, Yasushi Sato, Hiroshi Hashimoto, Sadaaki Minamimoto, Hideto Sonoda, Mikio Kyomasu, Akira Kashiwazaki
  • Patent number: 7118289
    Abstract: An optical fiber composite ferrule 1 is disclosed as having a leading terminal member 1A made of hard material such as zirconia ceramic, and a trailing terminal member 2A made of synthetic resin having a linear expansion coefficient equal to or less than that of the leading terminal member 1A. By so forming, a stress to be imparted to an optical fiber due to surrounding temperature variation can be lessened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Kyoueisenzai Kabushikigaisha
    Inventors: Kousei Ishibashi, Masahiro Shibata, Minoru Nakamura
  • Patent number: 7104700
    Abstract: A gain flattening filter is provided to reduce volume and manufacturing cost of a gain flattened optical fiber amplifier, even when a required peak loss exceeds the limit of each dielectric thin film filter. The inventive gain flattening filter includes: a housing having a first opening and a second opening; a first ferrule disposed at one end of the housing, the first ferrule having an opening through which an input of an optical fiber is packaged; a second ferrule disposed at the other end of the housing, the second ferrule having an opening through which an output of the optical fiber is packaged; and, a plurality of thin film filters disposed in sequence between the first and second ferrules for flattening gain of optical signals passing therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics, Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seong-Taek Hwan G, Byung-Chang Kang, Yun-Je Oh
  • Patent number: 7092162
    Abstract: An optical cavity is combined with a MUX or a de-MUX device having substantially the same free-spectral range in order to enhance the bandwidth of the device. The optical cavity can be tuned to shift the frequencies of maximum insertion loss to match the center frequency of each channel. The reflectivities of the reflective surfaces of the cavity are judiciously selected to produce the insertion-loss spectrum needed to optimize the desired result. Multiple cavities can be used in series to refine the shape of the pass-band spectrum. A frequency window is used to fine tune the free-spectral range of the cavity and to shift the peaks of its insertion-loss spectrum to the desired frequencies. Inner and outer cavity surfaces are oriented to eliminate interference from secondary reflections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Inventors: Yung-Chieh Hsieh, Chiayu Ai
  • Patent number: 7044649
    Abstract: An optical filter module having a multilayered filter inserted in the paths of optical waveguides thereof. In the optical filter module, precise V-shaped grooves are formed on the principle plane of a plane substrate so that optical fibers protrude therefrom. The optical fibers are mounted on the plane substrate. After the multilayered filter is inserted in a filter insertion groove that is formed so as to intersect the V-shaped grooves on the plane substrate, the filter is sandwiched and clamped by two sheets of covers provided on the plane substrate. Provided is a method of precisely mounting the filter that improves the optical axis adjustment between input and output optical fibers and reduces misregistration of the filter to be inserted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takaaki Furumochi, Kazunari Nishihara, Tetsuro Shimamura, Mikio Degawa
  • Patent number: 7039280
    Abstract: Optical isolator comprises a ferrule having a through-hole in which an optical fiber is inserted and a groove formed in the ferrule with the optical fiber inserted in the through-hole; and a composite assembly consisting of an optical isolator element composed of a Faraday rotator and a pair of polarizers fixed on opposite surfaces of the Faraday rotator in such manner that the angle between the directions of polarization of the polarizers is at about 45° and a structure reinforcing member having a thickness of filling the groove and surrounding the optical element, said composite assembly being inserted in the groove as a unit. The reinforcing member may be made of the same material as the outer support or formed by a magnet for applying a magnetic field to the Faraday rotator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: TDK Corporation
    Inventors: Kenjiro Hata, Yoshinori Sato
  • Patent number: 7036997
    Abstract: An optical module comprises an first filter, an optical fiber for guiding light wave to a first end face of the filter, a second optical fiber for guiding a light wave transmitted through the filter from a second end face of the filter, a third optical fiber for guiding light wave to said second end face of the filter, a fourth optical fiber for guiding the light wave reflected by the filter and the light wave transmitted through the filter from said first end face of the filter, a plug connector for positioning said first and fourth optical fibers, and a socket connector for positioning said second and third optical fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: J.S.T. Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yutaka Katsuyama, Makoto Shiraishi, Kentaro Hayashi
  • Patent number: 7033084
    Abstract: A plug-in connector for connecting and transmitting signals from a circuit board to a back plane wherein the plug-in connector comprises an optical conductor for transmitting optical signals into the plug-in connector and at least one mirror coupled to the optical conductor for deflecting light at an approximately 90° angle in the plug-in connector. There is also a lens system disposed adjacent to the mirror and coupled to the optical conductor for coupling the light into the plug-in connector. This optical conductor can comprise a plurality of glass fiber lines for coupling in the optical signal. Alternatively, this optical conductor could be lines formed from plastic polymers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: ERNI Elektroapparate GmbH
    Inventor: Jürgen Lappöhn
  • Patent number: 6986607
    Abstract: An optical interconnection system, particularly useful in a backplane arrangement in an electronic assembly. The interconnection system includes “dual-use” protective covers for protection from damage and/or cleaning within backplane and daughter card style connectors. The protective covers are modular for easy use. Some versions contain adhesive members that can remove contaminates from various portions of the connector assembly. The protective covers can be inserted into a backplane connector of an electronic assembly using a tool or as part of a “dummy board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Inventors: Richard F. Roth, Joseph J. George, Sepehr Kiani, John A. Lehman, Mark G. Vitello
  • Patent number: 6984075
    Abstract: An optical connector which includes an insertion opening for inserting therein a plug section of an optical fiber cable. There is an optical element which is to be optically connected to the optical fiber cable as inserted in the insertion opening, and a shutter for opening and closing the insertion opening. The shutter is to be mounted to an apparatus and serves as a connector to the apparatus. The shutter is arranged so as to be distinguishable from an optical connector of other type by the color of the shutter which is exposed to the outside when mounting the optical connector to an apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Isao Satoh
  • Patent number: 6964524
    Abstract: A light guide for an interconnecting device. The light guide comprises a first section having a Fiber Channel connector disposed therein and a second section having a Fiber Channel receptacle disposed therein. The second section is coupled to the first section. A mirror section is disposed within either the second section or the first section to direct light out the Fiber Channel receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Fay Chong, Jr., William L. Grouell
  • Patent number: 6954565
    Abstract: A coupling configuration for connecting an optical conductor to an opto-receiver has a parabolic mirror or a spherical mirror that reflects light emerging from the optical conductor onto a launching mirror through which the light is launched into the opto-receiver. Such a configuration is largely adjustment-free and therefore particularly suitable for the connection of single-mode fibers (SMF).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Paul Lindt
  • Patent number: 6939059
    Abstract: Method and system for an optical package are disclosed. In one embodiment of the present invention, an optical package comprises: a lead frame; a substrate mounted inside the lead frame; one or more leads attached to the substrate; an optical device or component such as a LOA chip mounted on top of the substrate; a window cap hermetically sealing the optical device or component; one or more lens attached to either side of the window cap; two fibers attached on either side of the window cap; two holes or vias that may serve as inputs into the window cap or outputs from the window cap; an electrical out extending from the window cap; and an electrically isolated enclosure enveloping all contents inside the lead frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Finisar Corporation
    Inventors: Jan Mink, Remigius Subertus Maria van Roemburg, Marcel Franz Christian Schemmann
  • Patent number: 6922505
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a support section which supports a further section, an optically transmissive substrate, and a dispersive section, the further section transporting plural signal components at respective frequencies along a path of travel. A plurality of optical fibers have ends fixedly coupled to a surface on the substrate. The dispersive section has a dispersive characteristic which deviates a direction of travel of each signal component by a respective different amount to optically map each signal component between the end portion of a respective fiber and the path of travel in the further section. During assembly, the fiber ends are moved relative to the surface while radiation passing through them is monitored, and then they are fixedly coupled to the surface in a selected position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventor: Brent L. Sisney
  • Patent number: 6893169
    Abstract: A process is provided for fabricating an optical semiconductor package. According to the process, a first semiconductor component is fixed to a rear face of an electrical connection support plate, and this first component is electrically connected to the support plate. An encapsulation block for the first component is molded on the rear face of the support plate. A second semiconductor component, a front face of which has an optical sensor, is fixed to one face of the first component, and this second component is electrically connected to the support plate. The second component is encapsulated on the front face of the support plate. Also provided is an optical semiconductor package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.A.
    Inventors: Juan Exposito, Remi Brechignac
  • Patent number: 6883978
    Abstract: A fiber-coupled optical component package comprises a high thermal conductivity base, a housing including a ceramic substrate, an optical component mount aperture formed on the substrate and a substantially planar fiber mount region on the substrate adjacent to the optical component mount aperture. An optical component may be secured within an area defined by the optical component mount aperture and an optical fiber may be secured to the substantially planar fiber mount region to optically couple the fiber and the optical component. A package lid may be placed over one or more of the housing, the optical component, and a portion of the fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Michael Powers
  • Patent number: 6874949
    Abstract: A fiber connector that facilitates alignment of and electrical communication with electrooptical devices on an optical fiber or interposed between optical fibers. An embodiment of in-line optoelectronic device packaging constructed according to principles of the invention includes a ferrule configured to receive an optical fiber with an optoelectronic device mounted on one end of the ferrule, for alignment with the fiber. Electrically-conductive deposits along the side of the ferrule supply electrical energy to or conduct electrical signals from the optoelectronic device. The optoelectronic device-carrying ferrule is inserted in a ceramic sleeve. Another ferrule, maintaining another optical fiber, also is inserted in the ceramic sleeve. Another embodiment constructed according to principles of the invention includes a second optoelectronic device mounted on the second ferrule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Inventors: Masud Azimi, Parviz Tayebati, Daryoosh Vakhshoori
  • Patent number: 6866425
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an in-line fiber optic device including a housing and an opening extending through the housing defining an optical pathway, the pathway including an optically significant element for altering a signal transmitted through the pathway, and the device including a housing with a removable portion to permit access to the optical path. The present invention also relates to a fiber optic device with a housing defining an optical path with a first and second ferrule, the optical path including an optically significant element and a first end of the housing about an outer end of the first ferrule removable to permit access to the first end of the first ferrule. The present invention further relates to a system for altering the signal being transmitted through an optical fiber telecommunications connection. The present invention also relates to a method of providing an optically significant element in an optical fiber telecommunications assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven C. Zimmel, Ronald J. Drechnik
  • Patent number: 6865333
    Abstract: A multiple-reflector collimator and beam spreader is aligned with a source point by visual means, in addition to or instead of an electrical detector, in order to avoid the need to send a signal through the system to a detector in order to align the components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: SCI Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Porter, David E. Lloyd
  • Patent number: 6862398
    Abstract: Disclosed is apparatus and method for controlled surface plasmon resonance analysis having a surface plasmon resonance sensor (200) with a derivatized surface plasmon layer (116) in optical communication with the sensor, derivatizing the surface plasmon layer and placing an analyte detection chamber (102) in fluid communication with the derivatized surface plasmon layer. The chamber is adapted (118, 120) for the generation of a molecular interaction bias across the chamber. A conjugate is provided between an analyte and a bias responsive element, wherein the analyte is reactive with the derivatized surface plasmon layer and the bias responsive element changes the response of the analyte to the molecular interaction bias. A conjugated analyte may be introduced into the chamber, generating a molecular interaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Jerome L. Elkind, Anita A. Strong, Andreas Hühmer
  • Patent number: 6854900
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a WDM unit consists of attaching a first and a second GRIN lenses to opposite faces of a WDM filter. A dual fiber pigtail and a single fiber pigtail are mounted in corresponding glass tubes. The glass tube with the dual fiber pigtail and the glass tube with the single fiber pigtail are mounted on the second GRIN lens and the first GRIN lens respectively. The position of the dual fiber pigtail and the single fiber pigtail are adjusted with respect to the second GRIN lens and the first GRIN lens respectively to obtain the best optical property. The invention prevents the WDM filter from tilting during temperature variation by sandwiching the WDM filter in between the two GRIN lenses, and further prevents the WDM unit from increasing the reflection loss and insertion loss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: Asia Optical Co., Inc.
    Inventors: I-Jen Lai, Pie-Yau Chien, Chin-Hsiang Wang, Yu-Ting Lee, Tsung-Yueh Tsai, Chih-Hsien Lin
  • Patent number: 6854897
    Abstract: The ferrule part 16 comprises ferrule 60, first and second optical fibers 62 and 64, and optical filter 68. Ferrule 60 has first and second end surface 60a and 60b, ferrule insertion hole 60c, and groove 68. Ferrule insertion hole 60c extends along a first axis, and accommodates first and second optical fibers 62 and 64. Groove 66 extends along a second axis crossing the first axis, and extends so as to extend across ferrule 60. Groove 66 is provided along a plane defined by the second axis and a third axis perpendicular to the first and second axes. Optical filter 68 can reflect a part of light incident on one surface 68b of the pair of surfaces of optical filter 68, and can transmit a part of the light incident on other surface 68a.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaki Furumai, Shuzo Suzuki, Hitoshi Terauchi, Manabu Yoshimura, Kazuhito Saito, Manabu Shiozaki, Kazunori Yoshida
  • Publication number: 20040258363
    Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a highly reliable optical fixed attenuator and the manufacturing process thereof being free of the conventional cumbersome processes including the process for inserting the optical fiber into the ferrule and fixing thereto. In the present invention, the surface of an optical fiber is metalized to serve as an electrode of the electroforming process so that a metal layer to serve as the ferrule 11 is directly formed over the outside surface of the optical fiber 10, and, as a result, a long ferrule, wherein the optical fiber 10 and the metal layer are fully integrated, is made available, whereby an optical device to constitute the desired optical fixed attenuator can be obtained by simply cutting such a long ferrule to any desired length.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2004
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Applicant: SMK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masayoshi Shigihara, Mitsuhiro Yoshida, Etsuji Sugita, Shuichiro Inagaki
  • Patent number: 6832857
    Abstract: An insert pipe is fitted on an outer circumferential surface of a front end of a ferrule provided with a core wire receiving bore in an axial center thereof, and a small-diameter tubular portion is insert molded coaxially with the insert pipe 4 around the core receiving bore adjacent to the front end, a thin-walled plastic portion being formed inside the small-diameter tubular portion. A plastic reservoir may be provided in a part of the plastic ferrule remote from the front end of the core wire receiving bore. The provision of the thin-walled plastic portion and/or the plastic reservoir prevents the tapering of the core wire receiving bore due to thermal shrinkage following the injection molding process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Act One
    Inventors: Masafumi Okuma, Kenichi Mitani, Junji Ichikawa
  • Publication number: 20040252948
    Abstract: An optical fibre connector comprising a main body in the form of a manipulator 11 having a throughbore which removably receives a sleeve-like carrier 13 again having a throughbore. The carrier 13 receives removably an optical fibre assembly which is to be coupled to another optical component by means of the connector. The manipulator 11 also includes two pairs of adjustment screws 18a, and 19a which can be used to displace the carrier and optical fibre assembly relative to the longitudinal axis of the manipulator. A polarising element 41 is arranged in the manipulator 11 such that light passing through the connector system will pass through the polarising element 41.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2003
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Inventors: Ian Peter Alcock, Christopher John Wackett, David James Pointer