Lens Patents (Class 385/74)
  • Patent number: 11923902
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an active optical cable connector and an active optical cable assembly. The active optical cable connector includes a power supply interface, an optoelectronic conversion module and a short-range wireless communication module, wherein the power supply interface is electrically connected with the optoelectronic conversion module and the short-range wireless communication module, respectively, and the short-range wireless communication module is configured to transmit a control signal and a low-speed signal of the active optical cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Shenzhen 8k-link Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Lingfeng Tang, Jun Jiang, Xinghui Jin
  • Patent number: 11914137
    Abstract: In one aspect, a light module is disclosed, which includes a housing providing a hollow chamber extending from a proximal end to a distal end, and a lens positioned in the hollow chamber, where the lens has a lens body comprising an input surface for receiving light from a light source and an output surface through which light exits the lens body, said lens further comprising a collar at least partially encircling said lens body. The light module further includes at least one shoulder on which the lens collar can be seated for positioning the lens within the housing. A light source, e.g., an LED, is coupled to the hollow chamber, e.g., at its proximal end, for providing light to the lens. In some embodiments, an optical window is disposed in the hollow chamber and is optically coupled to the output surface of the lens such that the light exiting the lens passes through the optical window before exiting the light module. In some embodiments, the shoulder can be formed as part of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Acera, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas V. Root, Thomas Davis, Michael Cook, Carlton S. Jones, David Leo, Michael S. Epstein
  • Patent number: 11844726
    Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide a thermally robust laser probe assembly comprising a cannula, wherein one or more optical fibers extend at least partially through the cannula for transmitting laser light from a laser source to a target location. The probe assembly further comprises a lens housed in the cannula and a protective component press-fitted to the distal end of the cannula, wherein the lens is positioned between the one or more optical fibers and the protective component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Cook, Chenguang Diao, Mark Harrison Farley, Alireza Mirsepassi, Kambiz Parto, Ronald T. Smith
  • Patent number: 11789215
    Abstract: An embodiment optical connector includes a fiber having a core through which light is guided and a magnet attached to one end of the fiber, and the magnet has an opening that exposes at least the end face of the core. An embodiment optical connection structure includes a first optical connector and a second optical connector, each including a fiber having a core through which light is guided and a magnet attached to one end of the fiber, wherein the magnets are magnetized so as to exert attraction on each other, and when the first optical connector and the second optical connector are mechanically connected by magnetic forces, the core of the first optical connector and the core of the second optical connector are optically connected through the opening of the magnet of the first optical connector and the opening of the magnet of the second optical connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation
    Inventors: Norio Sato, Satoshi Shigematsu, Hiroshi Ishikawa, Kota Shikama, Atsushi Aratake
  • Patent number: 11467352
    Abstract: A ferrule includes: a main body configured to hold an end of a first optical fiber and an end of a second optical fiber parallel to the first optical fiber; and a lens plate including a first abutment surface configured to abut against an end face of the first optical fiber, a second abutment surface configured to abut against an end face of the second optical fiber, a first lens configured to face the end face of the first optical fiber, and a second lens configured to face the end face of the second optical fiber. The first abutment surface is inclined with respect to a plane perpendicular to a first optical axis of the first optical fiber. The second abutment surface is inclined with respect to a plane perpendicular to a second optical axis of the second optical fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Fujikura Ltd.
    Inventors: Akihiro Nakama, Hirotaka Asada
  • Patent number: 11446776
    Abstract: A method for assembling a beam combiner array including providing an array block having a back wall, a front surface and a plurality of aligned channels extending from the back wall to the front surface, where a bore extends through the back wall and into each channel, and providing a lens array including a plurality of lenses. The method further includes securing the lens array to the front surface of the block so that one of the lenses is aligned with each channel and threading a separate hollow core fiber through one of the bores in the back wall so that an end of the fiber is positioned within the channel. The method also includes aligning each fiber to the lens array so that a beam that propagates down the fiber is emitted into the channel, focused by the lens and emitted from the array as a collimated beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: James G Ho, Joseph M Harkenrider, Dustin Guenther, Gregory D Goodno
  • Patent number: 11435533
    Abstract: A fiber optic adapter for mating a multi-fiber optic ferrule connector and a multi-fiber optic connector. An engagement device may be integrated or molded as part of adapter receptacle at either end. The engagement device secures the multi-fiber connector. The adapter may be two-piece with a first portion detachable from a second portion, the first portion housing one or more integrated engagement devices and the second portion housing one or more replaceable engagement devices, or a receptacle configured to secure a latch configured on an outer housing of a connector. Receptacle may further contain a plural of engagement devices formed as a unitary engagement device. The receptacle has a gap configured to accept the integrated engagement device. A ferrule flange assembly configured to front load into a connector housing. A connector housing with a top and a bottom stabilizer for the fiber optic connector with an adapter port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Senko Advanced Components, Inc.
    Inventors: Kim Man Wong, Siu Kei Ma, Kazuyoshi Takano
  • Patent number: 11287574
    Abstract: An irradiation spot of the laser beam having a large power density can be formed by a condensing apparatus which combines a plurality of laser lights without using a power combiner. The condensing apparatus comprises an optical fiber bundle formed of a plurality of optical fibers. One end of the optical fiber bundle forms an incident side bundle end, while the other end forms an emission side bundle end. The optical fiber bundle includes, at the emission side bundle end, an optical deflection unit that deflects at least two light beams emitted from respective light emission ends of at least two optical fibers toward different directions, respectively, such that the at least two light beams overlap each other on at least one cross section at rear on an optical path of the emission side bundle end and are then scattered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: FURUKAWA ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masaki Iwama, Shunichi Matsushita
  • Patent number: 11125950
    Abstract: A return loss in an optical connector connection structure according to a lens scheme is reduced. An optical connector (10) according to this disclosure, includes: a plurality of optical fibers (18) arranged in an array; and a lens array plate (14) that includes a first principal surface (40) with a plurality of lenses (44) corresponding to the respective optical fibers being formed on this surface, and a second principal surface (41) joined to end faces (180) of the optical fibers so as to be opposed to the first principal surface and optically coupled to the optical fibers to which the respective lenses correspond, wherein at least one of the end faces of the optical fibers and the second principal surface is inclined from a plane (182) perpendicular to optical axes (181) of the optical fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kengo Watanabe, Katsuki Suematsu, Masato Shiino
  • Patent number: 11038594
    Abstract: A high-bandwidth underwater electrical connector is provided that includes first and second connectors each having free space optical transceivers. The electrical connector further includes self-passivating transition metal contacts that form a non-conductive outer layer when immersed in a fluid. The first and second free space optical transceivers transmit and receive data at high data speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kevin D. Claycomb, Andrew Charles Gray, Lauren Nicole Lagua, David Nelson Dittman, Vincent Michael Iorio, David Andrew Smallwood, James Richard Windgassen
  • Patent number: 10962725
    Abstract: A ferrule structure includes: a holding aperture that holds light guide members forming light guides; a recess that is recessed from a connection end surface with respect to a mating ferrule; a first lens array on a base surface that is a bottom surface of the recess; and a first groove that is recessed from the base surface and is on an outer side of the first lens array. The first lens array includes lenses that are aligned with the light guides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Fujikura Ltd.
    Inventors: Akihiro Nakama, Hirotaka Asada
  • Patent number: 10877224
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a fiber optic connector for use with a fiber optic adapter. The fiber optic connector includes a connector housing having an end defining a plug portion. A ferrule assembly is mounted at least partially within the connector housing. The ferrule assembly includes a ferrule located at the plug portion of the connector housing. A sealing member is mounted about an exterior of the connector housing for providing a seal between the connector housing and the adapter. The fiber optic connector further includes first and second separate retaining mechanism for retaining the fiber optic connector within the fiber optic adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: COMMSCOPE TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Yu Lu, Randy Reagan
  • Patent number: 10830958
    Abstract: An optical connector according to an embodiment includes: an optical fiber extending along a connecting direction; a front housing in a tubular shape including a first opening and a second opening; a ferrule configured to retain the optical fibers and having a light incidence-emission part optically connected to a corresponding connector; a pin keeper configured to retain a guide pin inserted into the ferrule; and a rear housing fixed with the second opening covered and configured to support the coil spring in the inside of the front housing. The rear housing has an insertion hole into which the optical fiber is insertable from a direction intersecting with the connecting direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Takako Hosokawa, Takuro Watanabe
  • Patent number: 10481335
    Abstract: Dense shuttered fiber optic connectors and assemblies suitable for establishing optical connections for optical backplanes in equipment racks are disclosed. In one embodiment, a fiber optic connector assembly is provided. The fiber optic connector assembly comprises a fiber optic connector. The fiber optic connector assembly also comprises a slideable shutter disposed in the fiber optic connector. The slideable shutter has an opening(s) configured to be aligned with a plurality of lenses disposed in the fiber optic connector in an open position, and configured to block access to the plurality of lenses disposed in the fiber optic connector in a closed position. The fiber optic connector assembly also comprises an actuation member coupled to the slideable shutter configured to move the slideable shutter from the closed position to the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Corning Optical Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Micah Colen Isenhour, Michael de Jong, Dennis Michael Knecht, James Phillip Luther
  • Patent number: 10241002
    Abstract: An optical fiber test apparatus includes an optical power meter operable to detect light at a predetermined wavelength, and a laser source operable to generate a visible laser beam. The optical fiber test apparatus further includes an optical fiber extending between a first end and a second end, and a diplexer which includes a first optical connector and is coupled to the optical power meter, the laser source, and the first end of the optical fiber. The optical fiber test apparatus further includes a second optical connector coupled to the second end of the optical fiber and including a test port. The diplexer is operable to transmit light at the predetermined wavelength from the second optical connector to the optical power meter and transmit the visible laser beam from the laser source to the second optical connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: AFL Telecommunications LLC
    Inventors: Sean Patrick Adam, Dale Channing Eddy, Scott Prescott
  • Patent number: 10048454
    Abstract: A fiber coupling device for coupling of at least one optical fiber is disclosed. The fiber coupling device comprises at least one opto-electronic and/or photonic chip comprising at least one opto-electronic and/or photonic integrated element capable of emitting and/or detecting electromagnetic radiation. The fiber coupling device is configured for coupling the at least one opto-electronic and/or photonic integrated element to at least one fiber end-piece of an optical fiber having a reflection surface and a convex exit and/or entrance surface. The fiber coupling device further comprises a fiber end-piece alignment substrate configured for locally contacting and thereby supporting at least one convex exit and/or entrance surface of at least one fiber end-piece in an aligned position relative to the at least one opto-electronic and/or photonic integrated element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Corning Optical Communications LLC
    Inventors: Christian Fiebig, Chenueh Abongwa Florian Lohse
  • Patent number: 9696502
    Abstract: An expanded beam (EB) optical connector. In some embodiments, the EB optical connector includes: a rigid, hollow, straight contact tube having a centerline axis; and a collimator assembly having an optical axis and comprising an optical fiber and a collimating lens, wherein the centerline axis of the contact tube is at least substantially aligned with the optical axis such that collimated light produced by the lens from light exiting the fiber travels though the contact tube and the loss of light caused by misalignment of the axes is not more than 2 dB.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Winchester Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Jerome C. Farnan
  • Patent number: 9645328
    Abstract: Systems and method for attaching optical elements to a multi-fiber ferrule. The method may include the steps of acquiring a ferrule having a plurality of holes and an output side; providing an optical element having a flat surface such that an orientation of the flat surface of the optical element is facing the output side of the ferrule within a predetermined tolerance; applying an adhesive to the flat surface of the optical element or the output side of the ferrule, the adhesive selected to match the refractive index of the optical element; moving at least one of the optical element and the ferrule with a controlled velocity and acceleration such that the flat surface of the optical element pushes against all of the protruding fibers; and curing the applied adhesive to attach the optical element to the ferrule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Compass Electro Optical Systems Ltd.
    Inventors: Moti Cabessa, Idan Chayun
  • Patent number: 9557488
    Abstract: An optical connector for optically connecting at least one light source to at least one light receiver is disclosed. The optical connector includes first and second connector members respectively having first and second positive-power lens elements with respective first and second planar lens surfaces. The lens elements are arranged in their respective connector members such that when the two connector members are operably mated, the first and second lenses form an optical system where the first and second planar lens surfaces are spaced apart in opposition with a narrow gap in between, and are non-perpendicular to the optical system axis. The lenses may be conventional uniform-refractive-index lenses having a convex surface or may be gradient-index lenses having two planar surfaces. The optical connector is tolerant to contamination that can find its way into the narrow gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: CORNING INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Jeffery Alan DeMeritt, Davide Domenico Fortusini, James Scott Sutherland
  • Patent number: 9551841
    Abstract: Optical data center connector systems including a fiber optic plug assembly and a fiber optic receptacle assembly. In one embodiment, a fiber optic plug assembly includes a plug body having an insertion surface and a plug body opening at the insertion surface, wherein the plug body defines a ferrule enclosure coupled in free space to the plug body opening, and a ferrule element disposed within the ferrule enclosure of the plug body. The ferrule element includes a mechanical coupling face, an optical interface surface, and a plurality of lens elements at the optical interface surface. The ferrule element is disposed within the ferrule enclosure such that the optical interface surface is recessed with respect to the insertion surface of the plug body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: CORNING OPTICAL COMMUNICATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Mark Alan Bradley, Micah Colen Isenhour, Dennis Michael Knecht, James Phillip Luther
  • Patent number: 9507095
    Abstract: An expanded beam optical connector including a connector body, an optical element in the form of a waveguide or active device, a beam width altering optical lens, and a transmit/receive window. The optical element, the beam width altering optical lens, and the transmit/receive window are configured such that optical signals propagate between the optical element and the transmit/receive window via the beam width altering optical lens. The transmit/receive window includes an optical medium that forms an interior surface of the transmit/receive window, an optical transition layer between the interior surface formed by the optical medium, and a protective layer forming an exterior surface of the transmit/receive window. The connector body is configured to place the exterior surface of the transmit/receive window in close contact with a mating exterior surface of a mating transmit/receive window of a complementary optical device to define a close contact portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: CORNING OPTICAL COMMUNICATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Seldon David Benjamin, Robert Adam Modavis
  • Patent number: 9244228
    Abstract: A female optical connector includes a connector body, a hollow pusher, an optical fiber, lenses, and two elastic shielding plates. The connector body includes a coupling surface. The coupling surface defines a receiving hole with an opening. The connector body further includes an end surface, a first surface, and a second surface in the receiving hole. The end surface faces the opening and is interconnected between the first surface and the second surface. The hollow pusher extends from the end surface and is received in the receiving hole. The hollow pusher is spaced apart from the first and second surfaces. The lens is received in the receiving hole and optically coupled to the optical fiber. The elastic shielding plates have fixed ends fixed to the first surface and the second surface at opposite sides of the receiving hole, and opposite free ends overlappable to cover the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: I-Thun Lin
  • Patent number: 9195008
    Abstract: An expanded beam (EB) optical connector. In some embodiments, the EB optical connector includes: a rigid, hollow, straight contact tube having a centerline axis; and a collimator assembly having an optical axis and comprising an optical fiber and a collimating lens, wherein the centerline axis of the contact tube is at least substantially aligned with the optical axis such that collimated light produced by the lens from light exiting the fiber travels though the contact tube and the loss of light caused by misalignment of the axes is not more than 2 dB.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Winchester Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Jerome C Farnan
  • Patent number: 9170376
    Abstract: Disclosed are optical ports and devices having a cover with at least one molded-in lens and a mounting body having a recess for mounting the cover to the mounting body along with a mounting surface for securing an optical port. The molded-in optical lenses of the cover may be aligned with one or more active components for receiving or transmitting the optical signal. The active components may be mounted on a circuit board that may include an electrical tether. In one embodiment, the optical port includes a pocket having an alignment feature such as a piston that is translatable during mating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Corning Cable Systems LLC
    Inventors: Davide Domenico Fortusini, Micah Colen Isenhour, Dennis Michael Knecht, James Phillip Luther, Claudio Mazzali
  • Patent number: 9140865
    Abstract: A fiber connector system provides a pigtailed monolithic terminal block of a fiber connector configured to alter a space distribution of laser output radiation. The output facet of the pigtailed monolithic terminal block is configured to alter the divergence of an output beam allowing collimation, focusing, or any desired distribution without additional optical circuitry. The fiber connector system is operative to couple two fibers from respective different fiber devices and allows positioning additional optical components there between.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: IPG PHOTONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Valentin Gapontsev, Valentin Fomin, Dimitri Yagodkin, Alexander Makagon
  • Patent number: 9057847
    Abstract: A male optical connector includes a connector body, a hollow pusher, a number of lenses, and two elastic shielding plates. The connector body defines a receiving hole with an opening and includes a connection surface in the receiving hole. The connection surface faces the opening. The pusher extends from the connector body and surrounds the receiving hole. The lenses are received in the receiving hole. The two elastic shielding plates have two fixed ends fixed to opposite sides of the pusher, and opposite free ends overlappable to cover the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: I-Thun Lin
  • Patent number: 9046665
    Abstract: An optical coupling module includes a reflection member, first and second assembled members, first and second converging lenses. The reflection member includes a first surface, a second surface perpendicular connected to the first surface, and a reflection surface obliquely interconnected between the first and second surfaces. The first assembled member includes a first optical surface and is detachably mounted on the first surface. The second assembled member includes a second optical surface and is detachably mounted on the second surface. The first converging lenses are arranged on the first optical surface. The second converging lenses are arranged on the second optical surface and correspond to the second converging lenses. The reflection surface reflects parallel light beams from the first converging lenses toward the corresponding second converging lenses and reflects parallel light beams from the second converging lenses toward the corresponding first converging lenses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yi Hung
  • Patent number: 9046667
    Abstract: A photoelectric conversion device includes a circuit board, light-emitting modules, light-receiving modules, an optical coupling module, and a lens strip. The light-emitting modules and the light-receiving modules are mounted on the circuit board. The optical coupling module is mounted on the circuit board and includes first and second optical surfaces, a reflection surface, and first converging lenses formed on the second optical surface and corresponding to the light-emitting modules and the light-receiving modules. The lens strip is mounted on the circuit board and includes a body portion and second converging lenses. The body portion includes an upper surface and an opposing lower surface defining a receiving cavity. The second converging lenses are formed on the upper surface. The light-emitting modules and the light-receiving modules are received in the receiving cavity and are aligned with the second converging lenses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: I-Thun Lin
  • Patent number: 9039291
    Abstract: An optical fiber connection device mainly made up of two coupling elements shaped to be inserted in cavities of two connector housings. Each coupling element (11A, 11B) includes a fiber bar (14) having an optical fiber segment (16) passing axially therethrough, and each bar is situated at a predetermined distance from a lens (13) held stationary in the corresponding coupling element; the two coupling elements include conical engagement endpieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Amphenol Socapex
    Inventors: Stéphane Doit, Laurent Lagrange
  • Patent number: 9025917
    Abstract: An optical connector includes: a holding member that holds an optical transmission line; a lens member that has a lens; a concavo-convex structure provided between the holding member and the lens member; and a moving member that moves the concavo-convex structure between a first state where a protrusion and a recess of the concavo-convex structure are engaged with each other and a second state where a gap is formed between the protrusion and the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Aoki, Shigenori Aoki, Hidenobu Muranaka
  • Patent number: 9004777
    Abstract: An optical fiber coupling assembly includes a first optical fiber connector and a second optical fiber connector. The first optical fiber connector includes a first body having a first light incident surface, first optical lenses, first plugs, and second plugs. The first optical lenses, the first plugs, and the second plugs are formed on the first light incident surface. The first optical lenses are positioned between the first plugs, and the first plugs are positioned between the second plugs. The second plugs are longer than the first plugs. The second optical fiber connector includes a second body having a second light incident surface and second optical lenses formed on the second light incident surface. First engaging holes and second engaging holes are defined in the second light incident surface. The first plugs are inserted into the first engaging holes, and the second plugs are inserted into the second engaging holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kai-Wen Wu
  • Patent number: 9008475
    Abstract: A photoelectric coupling module includes a fiber module, a lens module, and at least one positioning pole. The fiber module defines a plurality of receiving holes and at least one first positioning hole. The lens module includes a central portion and an edge portion surrounding the central portion. The central portion includes a plurality of lenses, and the lenses are respectively aligned with the receiving holes. The edge portion defines at least one second positioning hole. The at least one positioning pole is made of metal, and penetrates the at least one second positioning hole and the at least one first positioning hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: I-Thun Lin
  • Patent number: 8983248
    Abstract: A computing system includes an optical transmission media to propagate a single-mode signal and a multimode signal, and support mode matching with the single-mode signal and multimode signal. A lowest-order mode of the optical transmission media is to couple the single-mode signal, and at least one higher-order mode of the optical transmission media is to couple the multimode signal. The optical transmission media is to enable extraction of the single-mode signal from the optical transmission media independently of the multimode signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Wayne Victor Sorin, Michael Renne Ty Tan
  • Patent number: 8967880
    Abstract: In order to fix an optical fiber to a desired position in a holding member easily and tightly, provided is an optical collimator (10) having a plastic optical fiber (13) and a cylindrical holder (11). The holder (11) is configured to hold a collimator lens (12) at an end and has an insertion hole (11a) at an opposite end for inserting the plastic optical fiber (13). The plastic optical fiber (13) is sandwiched by an inner surface of a recess (11e) which is formed at a part of the holder (11) in proper alignment with the collimator lens (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignees: Mitsubishi Pencil Company, Limited, Japan Aviation Electronics Industry, Limited, Yasuhiro Koike
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Koike, Hitoshi Suzuki, Hiroyuki Muto, Akihito Mitsui, Naohiko Moriya, Toshitaka Torikai, Takayoshi Yamauchi
  • Patent number: 8939655
    Abstract: Dust caps, fiber optic connectors, fiber optic splitter modules and fiber optic connector systems including interlocking aligning features for fiber optic connector parking in fiber distribution hub networks are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a dust cap for mounting upon a ferrule of a fiber optic connector includes a sleeve extending lengthwise between opposed first and second ends. The sleeve defines a lengthwise extending bore that opens through the first end for receiving at least a portion of the ferrule. The dust cap further includes an aligning feature at the second end of the sleeve. The aligning feature includes a neck portion and an interlocking portion such that the interlocking portion has a width that is greater than a width of the neck portion. The aligning feature is configured to slidably engage with a slot of a parking clip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Corning Cable Systems LLC
    Inventors: Alan Duncan Burkett, William Julius McPhil Giraud, Michael de Jong, Diana Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 8911156
    Abstract: An optical plug includes a connector body. The connector body defines a receiving hole with a opening, a hollow pusher extends from the connector body and surrounding the receiving hole; and a number of lenses are arranged in the receiving hole. The connector body includes a first side surface and a second side surface, the first side surface defines a reflecting groove and the reflecting groove includes a reflecting surface, an included angle between the reflecting groove surface and the first side surface is 135 degrees. A number of lenses arrange on the second side surface to receive signal reflecting by the reflecting surface; and two elastic shielding plates have fixed ends fixed to opposite sides of the pusher, and opposite free ends overlappable to cover the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tai-Cherng Yu, I-Thun Lin
  • Patent number: 8905648
    Abstract: The expanded beam, fiber optic connector includes an optical fiber, and a ferrule. The optical fiber includes a modified mode field diameter segment. The ferrule includes a recess. The optical fiber is retained by the ferrule. The modified mode field diameter segment is positioned in the recess of the ferrule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Cinch Connectivity Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Wade F. M. Zhang
  • Patent number: 8899843
    Abstract: An optical fiber coupler includes a main body and a cover detachably coupled with the main body. The main body includes a coupling member, at least two lenses, at least two optical fibers and a connecting post. The lenses and the optical fibers are mounted on the coupling member. The optical fibers couples with corresponding lenses. The lenses protrudes from the coupling member. The connecting post protrudes from the main body adjacent to the lenses. The cover defines a fixing hole and a covering groove corresponding to the lenses. The fixing hole engages with the connecting post, for positioning the coupling member to the cover. The cover covering the lenses via allowing the at least two lenses to be received in the covering groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: I-Thun Lin
  • Patent number: 8845206
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided and includes a housing, a block formed to define an array of holes corresponding to an array of plugs into which connectors with spring loaded sleeves are pluggable such that the block engages with a respective sleeve of each connector, the block being supportively disposed within the housing to be movable with respect to the housing between first and second block positions at which the sleeves are extended and retracted, respectively and a cam lever supported on the housing and coupled to the block, which selectively occupies first and second lever positions at which the cam lever causes the block to assume the first and second block positions, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth Y. Chan, Dennis Denizard, Michael J. Fisher, Gilles G. Labbe, James E. Tersigni
  • Patent number: 8840322
    Abstract: An connector assembly (100) includes an insulative housing (1) having a main portion (11) and a tongue portion (12) extending forwardly from the main portion, a cavity (121) defined in the tongue portion; a plurality of terminals (2) retained in the insulative housing; an optical module (3) accommodated in the cavity, said optical module having a base portion and a plurality of lenses combined with the base portion; and a biasing member (4) having a holder (40), an elastic element (43) accommodated in the holder and at least one post assembled to the holder and urged by the elastic element so as to push the optical module forwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsien-Chu Lin, Hsiang-Chi Wen
  • Publication number: 20140270647
    Abstract: An optical fiber connector has, in one embodiment, a body and a light management device. The light management device is operable to manage a plurality of light beams for exchange between a plurality of sets of optical fibers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: John Mezzalingua Associates, LLC
    Inventor: Werner Wild
  • Publication number: 20140270648
    Abstract: An optical coupling member includes an optical fiber (13), a holder (11) that holds the optical fiber inserted from an insertion hole (11a) formed at one end, and a lens such as a collimator lens (12) accommodated in an accommodation section (11c) formed at the other end of the holder (11), the optical coupling member performing positioning by causing at least one of the lens and the end face of the optical fiber (13) to come into contact with an abutting surface (11e1, 11e2) formed in the vicinity of the accommodation section (11c) by providing a recess (11e) on an outer circumference near the accommodation section (11c) of the holder (11), in which a plurality of the recesses (11e) are provided on an identical plane orthogonal to an insertion direction of the optical fiber (13).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI PENCIL COMPANY, LIMITED
    Inventors: Hitoshi Suzuki, Naohiko Moriya, Kiyoshi Iwamoto
  • Patent number: 8834036
    Abstract: An optical coupling structure of the present invention is configured with a lens body and a clamp. The lens body includes a lens section having the lens and a fixing section. The clamp includes a positioning section, a pressing spring, and a retaining section. The positioning section determines a position of the clamp except a position in a direction of the optical axis of the optical fiber. The pressing spring makes contact with a surface of the lens body having a normal direction matching with the end face of the optical fiber, and generates a returning force when the clamp moves in a direction opposite to the normal direction of the surface. The retaining section is formed in a portion of the clamp to press the optical fiber and retains the optical fiber not to move in a direction apart from the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Japan Aviation Electronics Industry Limited
    Inventor: Shuichi Aihara
  • Patent number: 8837881
    Abstract: An optical connector includes a jumper, optical fibers and an optical-electric coupling element. The jumper includes a lower surface and an upper surface. The jumper defines a first receiving hole and a second receiving hole. A flange perpendicularly extends upward from a periphery of the upper surface. The flange defines a locating opening. The optical-electric coupling element includes a bottom surface and a top surface. The bottom surface forms at least two first coupling lenses. The bottom surface defines a cutout spatially corresponds with the flange of the jumper. The cutout includes a bottom portion. A locating projector extends upward from the bottom portion. The locating projector is inserted into the locating opening to attach the jumper into the optical-electric coupling element, with each of the first coupling lens being received in the first receiving hole or the second receiving hole. The flange being received in the cutout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yi Hung
  • Patent number: 8837883
    Abstract: Certain embodiments may include a laser system configured to emit collimated laser light, a beam diverging element configured to diverge the laser light to yield a range of propagation angles with a maximum angle greater than zero, and fiber coupling optics configured to direct the diverged laser light towards a spot of a cross-section of a fiber core of an optical fiber. As another example, certain embodiments may include a laser system configured to emit collimated laser light, a beam shaping element configured to shape the laser light into a beam with an elliptical cross-section, and fiber coupling optics configured to direct the diverged laser light towards a spot of a cross-section of a fiber core of an optical fiber, where the spot's center point is located at a distance from the cross-section's center point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Alcon Research, Ltd.
    Inventors: Bruno Lassalas, Michael J. Papac, Michael J. Yadlowsky
  • Patent number: 8824840
    Abstract: An optical connector assembly includes two optical connectors, each of which includes a transparent shell forming a blind hole and a lensed fiber integrally forming a lens at a front end thereof. The lensed fibers are inserted into the respective blind holes using the front ends and held in the respective blind holes. A distance between the lensed fibers is two times of a working distance of the lensed fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chia-Ling Hsu
  • Patent number: 8824841
    Abstract: An expanded beam optical insert is provided for use in optical data connectors, such as fiber optic connectors or the like. The expanded beam optical insert may be readily assembled, substantially without the use of costly fixturing tools or adhesives, while still allowing the precise positioning of alignment of optical lenses for placement of ferrule assemblies, optical stubs, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Inventor: David T. Mullen
  • Publication number: 20140233886
    Abstract: The invention relates to methods and devices for shaping plastic optical fibres (POFs), more specifically for optically modifying and yet more specifically for rapidly joining two portions of the plastic optical fibres to create a new optical connection. The plastic optical fibres may be heated under controlled conditions, to soften them and lens, sensor or patterns may be imprinted on portions of the fibre. Methods are provide to optical joints, and combined physical and optical joints.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2012
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: BAE SYSTEMS PLC
    Inventors: Henry Jameson White, Geoffrey Martland Proudley, Ying Lia Li
  • Patent number: 8770857
    Abstract: Circuits, apparatus, and methods that provide a connector system that can supply both power and data to a mobile computing or other type of device using a single connection. Further examples also provide a power and data adapter that can provide power and data to a mobile computing device using a single cable. Further examples provide an easy disengagement when a cable connected to the connector is pulled. One such example provides a magnetic connector that uncouples without binding when its cord is pulled. Another example prevents power from being provided at a connector insert until the connector insert is placed in a connector receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: John C. DiFonzo, Chris Ligtenberg, Michael Culbert
  • Patent number: 8768116
    Abstract: An optical cross-connect assembly and method are provided that are suitable for use in both small-scale and large-scale applications. The optical cross-connect assembly comprises first and second stacks of multi-optical fiber connector modules that are configured to orthogonally mechanically couple with one another such that the optical ports of each of the connector modules of the first stack are optically aligned with respective optical ports of all of the connector modules of the second stack, and such that the optical ports of each of the connector modules of the second stack are optically aligned with respective optical ports of all of the connector modules of the first stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Avago Technologies General IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Laurence R. McColloch, Mitchell H. Fields