Optical Fiber/optical Fiber Cable Termination Structure Patents (Class 385/76)
  • Patent number: 8870466
    Abstract: Fiberoptic connector and adapter assembly includes a fiberoptic connector received within an adapter. The connector has a cover on the connector housing. The cover pivots between open and closed positions to expose or cover, respectively, a optical fiber contained within the connector. Longitudinal guides of the connector are received cooperating with longitudinal guides of the adapter to direct the connector into the adapter in a prescribed alignment. A cam pin is carried on the adapter to engage a cam pin receiving slot on the cover to urge the cover to the open position as the connector is inserted into the adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventor: Liang-Ju Lu
  • Publication number: 20140308010
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an adapter for a connector, notably for a multicontact connector, of the type including at least one insert, a housing containing the insert and at least one alveolus suitable for housing an alignment sleeve, notably slotted. According to the invention, each alveolus is also suitable for housing a securing cage for an alignment sleeve, by a mounting that is floating radially to its axis, over the entire length of the alignment sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2014
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Inventor: Sylvain MOUGIN
  • Patent number: 8860060
    Abstract: A high output light emitting diode (LED) based lighting module includes a plurality of LEDs support structures mounted on one or more electrical transfer structures, each said LED support structured securely holding a fiber bundle so that it mates to an LED so that each fiber bundle slightly overlaps the active area of its respective LED.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Inventor: David Sanso
  • Patent number: 8858092
    Abstract: Provided is an inner module for holding a plurality of connectors. The inner module includes a first cylindrical portion having a first outer wall spaced radially from a first inner wall to form an annular volume and a second cylindrical portion having a second outer wall spaced radially from a second inner wall to form an annular volume. The inner module also includes a connecting portion to connect the first cylindrical portion to the second cylindrical portion. Each of the first and second cylindrical portions have an opening in an axial direction having a width that is narrower than a distance between the first inner wall and the first outer wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: AFL Telecommunications LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Donaldson, Eddie Kimbrell, Ted Lichoulas
  • Patent number: 8854728
    Abstract: A method and apparatus use a photonic-crystal fiber having a very large core while maintaining a single transverse mode. In some fiber lasers and amplifiers having large cores problems exist related to energy being generated at multiple-modes (i.e., polygamy), and of mode hopping (i.e., promiscuity) due to limited control of energy levels and fluctuations. The problems of multiple-modes and mode hopping result from the use of large-diameter waveguides, and are addressed by the invention. This is especially true in lasers using large amounts of energy (i.e., lasers in the one-megawatt or more range). By using multiple small waveguides in parallel, large amounts of energy can be passed through a laser, but with better control such that the aforementioned problems can be reduced. An additional advantage is that the polarization of the light can be maintained better than by using a single fiber core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher D. Brooks, Fabio Di Teodoro
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20140286610
    Abstract: A communications connection system includes an adapter module defining at least first and second ports and at least one media reading interface mounted at one of the ports. The first adapter module is configured to receive a fiber optic connector at each port. Some type of connectors may be formed as duplex connector arrangements. Some types of adapters may include ports without media reading interfaces. Some types of media reading interfaces include contact members having three contact sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventors: John Anderson, Steven J. Brandt, Joseph C. Coffey, Bruce Ogren, Kamlesh G. Patel, Cyle D. Petersen, Michael D. Schroeder, John Stasny
  • Patent number: 8842963
    Abstract: A method and structure for terminating an optical fiber are disclosed that provide an optical fiber termination structure with a small volume and very low return loss, even when the termination is in close proximity to reflective surfaces. In one example embodiment, the optical fiber termination reduces reflections into the one or more cores to a return loss of ?70 dB or less regardless of the presence of surfaces proximate the optical fiber termination. At the same time, a length of the optical fiber termination is less than 5 mm and a largest transverse dimension of the optical fiber termination is less than 325 um. The optical fiber termination is useful in fiber sensing applications in general and is particularly effective for terminating a multi-core fiber used in a distributed shape sensing application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul F. Wysocki, Alan Heaney, Stephen Kreger, Mark Froggatt, Ken Walker
  • Publication number: 20140270649
    Abstract: A bracket for securing an end of a fiber optic cable, having at least one strength member, to a termination point includes a base portion at a first end of the bracket, a retention feature at a second end of the bracket that is opposite to the first end, and adapted to receive and at least partially surround an exposed end of the at least one strength member, and an elongated portion extending from the base portion to the retention feature. A first flat surface, on the base portion or the elongated portion, has at least one opening adapted to receive a fastener for mounting the strength member bracket to a first mounting surface on the termination point. A first flange is disposed along the elongated portion, and adapted to receive a tether for securing a jacketed portion of the fiber optic cable to the bracket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Craig Dwayne Ray, Timothy W. Dexter
  • Patent number: 8814229
    Abstract: Latching mechanisms for electronic modules. In one example embodiment, a latching mechanism for an electronic module includes a latch, a latch return spring, and a release slide. The latch is configured to rotate between a latched position and an unlatched position. The latch includes a latch arm on a first end of the latch and an engagement pin on a second end of the latch. The latch return spring is configured to bias the latch in the latched position. The release slide includes a slide ramp. The slide ramp is configured to engage the latch arm as the release slide is slid away from the engagement pin, which causes the latch to rotate from the latched position to the unlatched position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Finisar Corporation
    Inventors: Chris Kiyoshi Togami, Gary Dean Sasser, Joshua John Edward Moore
  • Publication number: 20140233893
    Abstract: A multi-core optical fiber has dimensions to be backwards compatible with a conventional, single-core optical fiber of the single-mode or multimode type. In one embodiment, the center core has a diameter, such as 3 to 9 um, 50 um or 62.5 um. Such a multi-core optical fiber can be used in connector envelopes like an LC, SC, ST or an array connector, such as an MTP/MPO connector, and will permit the fiber optic connector to continue supporting conventional transmission using only the central core of the optical fiber. Yet, allow fiber optic networks to be upgraded from supporting conventional transmission to parallel transmission using the multiple cores within the optical fiber at a later date.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: CommScope, Inc. of North Carolina
    Inventors: Richard Y. MEI, Golam Mabud CHOUDHURY, Richard BACA, Paul F. KOLESAR
  • Publication number: 20140226936
    Abstract: A fiber optic connector includes a mechanical splice assembly and a connector body. The connector body has a first portion joined to a second portion. The first portion of the connector body includes first and second chambers. An opening on a front end of the connector body passes through the first chamber into the second chamber so that the mechanical splice assembly can be inserted into the first and second chambers. The second portion of the connector body includes cable retention arms that extend out from the rear end of the first portion and an opening that passes into the second chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2014
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: Corning Cable Systems (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: JiWei Sun
  • Patent number: 8801298
    Abstract: A connector assembly for reversibly terminating a fiber optic cable comprising an optical fiber stub and an actuator illustratively configured for sliding along a path between a first position and a second position which illustratively serves to move one or more anvils thereby mechanically clamping the fiber optic cable proximate to the optical fiber stub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Belden CDT (Canada) Inc.
    Inventors: Luc Milette, Moise Levy, Yannick Demers
  • Publication number: 20140205240
    Abstract: A hybrid fiber/copper connector assembly which permits repair of damaged fibers or copper conductors carried by a hybrid fiber/copper cable without requiring replacement of the entire connector assembly or the cable is disclosed. The hybrid fiber/copper connector assembly disclosed also allows individual hybrid fiber/copper connectors of the assembly to be converted from one gender to a different gender. The hybrid fiber/copper connectors of the assembly include removable keying members mountable to housings of the connectors. The removable keying members allow gender conversion and proper mating and orientation. The hybrid fiber/copper connector assembly also allows the individual connectors of the assembly to be converted from being hybrid fiber/copper connectors to being only fiber connectors or only copper connectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: ADC TELECOMMUNICATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Jarrod Scadden, M'hamed Anis Khemakhem, Jeffrey Louis Peters, Wayne M. Kachmar
  • Patent number: 8783969
    Abstract: An illumination device includes an optical fiber holder configured to hold an optical fiber, a phosphor holder configured to hold a phosphor and faces the optical fiber holder, and a bonding material configured to intervene between the optical fiber holder and the phosphor holder to bond them. The illumination device includes adjustment guide members configured to intervene between the optical fiber holder and the phosphor holder, relatively positionally adjust the optical fiber holder and the phosphor holder so as to arrange an optical axis of the optical fiber and an optical axis of the phosphor on one line, and configured to prevent the optical fiber holder and the phosphor holder from tilting when the bonding material is cured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Toru Kuboi, Satoshi Ohara
  • Publication number: 20140199028
    Abstract: A plug including main optical connector bodies, a housing for securing and holding the main optical connector bodies on the connecting end side thereof, a cylindrical inner shell surrounding the housing and attached to the housing by screwing a threaded hole formed in a rear wall portion thereof onto a thread formed in the outer periphery of the housing, and a cylindrical outer shell surrounding the inner shell and having a thread formed in the inner periphery thereof on the connecting end side and a step portion formed in the inner periphery on the rear end side thereof, the thread being screwed onto the thread of an enclosure shell. When the plug is coupled to a receptacle, the inner shell is rotated with respect to the housing and the connecting end of the inner shell hits the abutment surface of the enclosure shell and, when the outer shell is screwed onto the enclosure shell, the step portion hits the rear wall portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2013
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Inventors: Hideto Shimazu, Yuichi Koreeda, Yasutaka Hiroki
  • Patent number: 8770861
    Abstract: A termination enclosure includes a base, a cover, and at least one optical component. An input member extends outwardly from the base. At least a portion of the input member extends along the bottom of the termination enclosure. The input member defines a sealed input passage that extends through the base. A sealing chamber is defined by the base and cover. A gasket disposed at the sealing chamber seals and/or retains drop cables routed into the enclosure even when the cover is moved relative to the base. The sealing chamber defines ports that are located on a common side of the enclosure as an end of the input member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignees: Tyco Electronics Corporation, ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventors: Trevor D. Smith, David Braga, Eric E. Alston, Daniel B. Hangebrauck, Christopher Brian Barefoot
  • Patent number: 8770863
    Abstract: A multi-fiber fiber optic connector is configured to include a switchable polarity key that can be used to define first and second polarity configurations for the connector. The connector has a multi-fiber ferrule surrounded by an inner housing. The inner housing has top and bottom recesses sized to accommodate the polarity key. The polarity key is removably secured in either a top or bottom recess using a latching feature. The polarity of the connector can be switched by moving the polarity key from one position in the connector to the other rather than having to disassemble the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Corning Cable Systems LLC
    Inventors: Terry L. Cooke, Christopher S. Houser, Ronald A. Leonard, James M. Wilson
  • 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: 8764316
    Abstract: A fiber optic connector includes a ferrule having a mating end and an insertion end and a ferrule holder having a first end portion in which the ferrule is received and a second end portion opposite the first end portion. The first end portion defines a first bore having a first bore width for receiving the ferrule. Additionally, the first end portion defines a bore surface and at least one groove formed in the bore surface. The at least one groove extends from where the insertion end of the ferrule is located within the first bore to a front face of the ferrule holder. Ridges are formed around the first bore because the at least one groove also extends in a circumferential direction. The ridges contact the ferrule and are deflected by the ferrule in a direction toward the insertion end of the ferrule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Corning Cable Systems LLC
    Inventors: Robert Elvin Barnette, John Wayne Beatty, Hieu Vinh Tran
  • Patent number: 8764313
    Abstract: An optical connector plug to be inserted to an adapter, is arranged such that a pair of engaging parts for expanding an elastic locking piece provided on a side of the adapter by a taper part and locking it with a step part is provided on a tip part of a plug frame which is a body of the plug; a locking releasing piece movable along an insertion-extraction direction is provided between the pair of engaging parts; a taper part for releasing a locking action of the elastic locking piece when extracting the plug is provided at a rear end of the locking releasing piece; and the taper part of the engaging parts has such a shape that the connecting stress is not lowered before being locked when inserting the plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignees: NTT Electronics Corporation, Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation, Honda Tsushin Kogyo Co. Ltd
    Inventors: Koichi Arishima, Yoshi Kurosawa, Fumiaki Hanawa, Ryo Nagase, Toshiaki Eguchi, Naohide Goto
  • Patent number: 8757893
    Abstract: Cable assemblies and optical connector subassemblies having retractable alignment pins and coded magnetic arrays for optical alignment are disclosed. In one embodiment, an optical connector subassembly includes a connector body, an optical coupling assembly within the connector body, first and second alignment pins, and a pin switch coupled to the first and second alignment pins. The connector body includes a front surface, a first pin bore and a second pin bore. The optical coupling assembly includes at least one magnetic component, and an optical coupling face. The optical coupling assembly receives at least one optical fiber. The first alignment pin is disposed within the first pin bore and the second alignment pin is disposed within the second pin bore. Actuation of the pin switch translates the first and second alignment pins between a protracted state and a retracted state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Corning Cable Systems LLC
    Inventors: Micah Colen Isenhour, Michael de Jong, Dennis Michael Knecht, James Phillip Luther
  • Patent number: 8753021
    Abstract: An optical fiber may be secured to a ferrule of an optical connector with an adhesive mixture. The optical fiber may be secured by preparing an adhesive mixture, disposing the adhesive mixture in a fiber-receiving passage defining an inner surface of the ferrule, inserting the optical fiber into the fiber-receiving passage and into contact with the adhesive mixture, and curing the adhesive mixture. The adhesive mixture may be prepared by forming a base mixture that includes a base solvent, an alkyltrialkoxysilane, an aryltrialkoxysilane, and an aryltrifluorosilane. The adhesive mixture may be cured by heating to a temperature of at least about 200° C. and cooling to room temperature or below.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Corning Cable Systems LLC
    Inventors: Adra Smith Baca, Steven Bruce Dawes
  • Patent number: 8753022
    Abstract: A fiber optic connector includes a front housing having sidewalls each defining a slot and a rear insert with a pair of locking flanges extending radially away, the locking flanges configured to snap-fit into the slots, each locking flange defining a front face and a rear face, the radially outermost portion of the rear face defining an edge, the edge being the rearmost extending portion of the locking flange. Another fiber optic connector includes a front housing defining a front opening at a front end, a circular rear opening at a rear end, and an internal cavity extending therebetween. A rear insert including a generally cylindrical front portion is inserted into the front housing through the circular rear opening, the front portion defining at least one longitudinal flat configured to reduce the overall diameter of the generally cylindrical front portion configured to be inserted into the front housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Schroeder, Ponharith Nhep, Steven C. Zimmel
  • Publication number: 20140161393
    Abstract: The invention relates to a plug-in terminal having terminal elements for the connection of at least one electrical or optical conductor and having first connecting elements for connecting the at least one electrical or optical conductor with an electronic device, wherein the plug-in terminal comprises a storage for data and that means for reading out and/or archiving data in the storage by means of the electronic device are provided, as well as an electronic device which can be configured by means of configuration data having a plug-in terminal removably arranged on it, wherein the plug-in terminal comprises a storage for the configuration data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Inventors: Joachim Borst, Hermann Stadler, Winfried Gruber, Andreas Veit, Markus Cech
  • Publication number: 20140153876
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cable fixture assembly for fastening at least one cable, such as an optical fibre cable, at a cable carrier, such as a housing of a splitter. The cable having a core, a reinforcement cover for protecting the core as well as an outer jacket, wherein the reinforcement cover and the outer jacket are stripped off the core, at least in sections, and the stripped-off reinforcement cover is folded back; as well as the cable carrier, to which the cable is fastened with the fold-back section of the reinforcement cover. Further provided is a method of fastening at least one cable having a core, a reinforcement cover for protecting the core as well as an outer jacket, such as an optical fibre cable, at a cable carrier, such as the housing of a splitter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2013
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: TYCO ELECTRONICS NETHERLAND BV
    Inventors: Freddy Jean Philip Dendas, Marc Jansen, Dennis Spaan
  • Patent number: 8740474
    Abstract: A method for processing ferrules for fiber optic connectors is disclosed herein. The method involves ablating a distal end face of the ferrule with the plurality of laser beam pulses to remove a distal layer of the ferrule without removing an optical fiber secured within the ferrule. By removing the distal layer from the ferrule, the optical fiber is caused to protrude distally outwardly from the distal end of the ferrule by a desired amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventor: Yu Lu
  • Patent number: 8734028
    Abstract: A clamping mechanism having a top and bottom orientation, comprising: (a) an inner component having a platform defining a fiber channel and a clamping member disposed over the fiber channel, the clamping component being connected to the inner component such that it moves radially independently from the rest of the inner component, the inner component defining a cavity above the clamping member to receive an actuator; (b) an outer casing containing the inner component, the outer casing defining a slot; and (c) an actuator comprising a rotating member disposed in the cavity and restrained therein from moving radially, the rotating member being configured to rotate along an axis parallel to the fiber channel, the rotating member configured to interact with the clamping member such that rotating the rotating member causes the clamping member to move toward the fiber channel such that any fiber disposed therein is clamped between the clamping component and the platform, the actuator also comprising a lever connect
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Soren Grinderslev
  • Publication number: 20140140662
    Abstract: Cable assemblies having a connector with a stable fiber length within the connector and methods for making the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, a filling material is disposed in the passageway of a fiber optic cable near a first end where the connector is attached for inhibiting the optical fiber from movement adjacent to the first end of the cable. The filling material may be placed into fiber optic cable using any suitable method such as injecting into the end of the cable or forming a window in the cable and inserting the filling material into the window.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2014
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: Corning Optical Communications LLC
    Inventors: Alvin John McDonald, Sherrh Clint Reinhardt, Hieu Vinh Tran, Thomas Theuerkorn
  • Patent number: 8727638
    Abstract: A fiber channel-interchangeable fiber optic connector includes an adapter, two connectors respectively rotatably mounted in respective axle holes at the front side of the adapter, a sub-assembly detachably attached to the adapter to stop the connectors from rotation and hold down the connectors in position, and a cable inserted through the sub-assembly and mounted in the adapter with two optical-fiber cores therein respectively inserted into ferrules of the connectors. Detaching the sub-assembly from the adapter allows rotation of the connectors and the sub-assembly through 180-degrees angle relative to the adapter to interchange the fiber channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Alliance Fiber Optic Products Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jhih-Ping Lee, Kuo-Fu Hsu
  • Publication number: 20140133807
    Abstract: An optical connector receptacle of the invention includes: a receptacle housing holding a ferrule; a flange protruding from an external surface of the receptacle housing; an elastic deformation portion extending from the flange along the external surface of the receptacle housing; and a locking protruding portion protruding from the elastic deformation portion to the opposite side of the external surface of the receptacle housing. The optical connector receptacle is attachable to an attachment wall by sandwiching a peripheral edge of an attachment hole of the attachment wall between the flange and the locking protruding portion. A state where the locking protruding portion is locked by the peripheral edge of the attachment hole of the attachment wall is releasable as a result of elastically deforming the elastic deformation portion to be directed to the external surface of the receptacle housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: FUJIKURA LTD.
    Inventor: Seiji KATOH
  • Patent number: 8721190
    Abstract: An optoelectrical connector is composed of a plug to which a wire and an optical fiber are assembled and a receptacle to which the plug is inserted and connected. A receptacle includes insulation sleeves and conductive contacts in openings of receptacle housings, and plugs include a ferrule assembled bodies which are composed of an insulation ferrule which holds an optical fiber and a conductive cylindrical member which holds the ferrule and to which a wire is assembled, in an opening of the plug housing. When the plugs are inserted into the receptacle, the contacts and the cylindrical member contact with each other and the ferrules are inserted into the sleeves. Parts which serve electrical connection are not exposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Japan Aviation Electronics Industry Limited
    Inventors: Yuichi Koreeda, Osamu Hashiguchi
  • Patent number: 8702322
    Abstract: An optical fiber connector preloaded with an adhesive is provided. The optical connector includes an optical fiber-receiving passage. The passage includes a first passage section extending inwardly from the first face, and the first passage section has a first width. The passage includes a second passage section extending inwardly from the second face, and the second passage section has a second width. The second width is less than the first width. The passage includes a transition passage section located between the first passage section and the second passage section. The transition passage has a variable width, and the variable width of the transition section decreases as the distance to the second face decreases. A meltable adhesive composition is located within the transition passage section and is configured to bind an optical fiber to an inner surface of the second passage following melting and solidification of the adhesive composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Corning Cable Systems LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Dean Danley, Robert Bruce Elkins, II, Darrin Max Miller, Dennis Craig Morrison
  • Patent number: 8702316
    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: October 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: John C. DiFonzo, Chris Ligtenberg, Michael Culbert
  • Publication number: 20140079356
    Abstract: An ST format optical connector for terminating an optical fiber comprises a housing configured to mate with an ST receptacle or coupling, the housing having an ST bayonet-style format. The ST format optical connector also includes a collar body and a retainer disposed in the housing, where the collar body is retained between the housing and the retainer. The housing is prevented from fully rotating about the collar body and retainer. In addition, the connector can be deactivated for fiber repositioning or reuse.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Ronald P. Pepin, Jerome A. Pratt
  • Patent number: 8676022
    Abstract: A fiber optic connector adapter includes a base, a cap, and an interlock between the base and cap. The base includes surfaces that define an exterior and an interior passage between front and rear openings on opposing sides of the base. The cap is fastened to the base over one of the openings and has a port for a fiber optic connector, which includes a major dimension and a minor dimension narrower than the major dimension. The port includes only a single keyway, which is defined by an interior groove on the side of the port defining the major dimension. The interlock positions and holds the cap with the port oriented in a standard polarity. The interlock is releaseable and reengageable. The cap is configured to be released from the base, rotated 180-degrees, and refastened to the base, via the interlock. The keyway then has a reverse polarity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Corning Cable Systems LLC
    Inventor: Ashley W. Jones
  • Patent number: 8672561
    Abstract: An optical cable connector is disclosed herein. The optical cable connector includes a housing; an aperture on a side of the housing for receiving unsplit duplex optical cable; a sharp edge, disposed within the housing and positioned to split a portion of the optical cable into two optical fibers when the cable is inserted into the aperture, the fibers for carrying optical signals; and electro-optical transceivers, disposed within the housing and aligned with the two optical fibers to receive the optical signals, the transceivers configured to convert the optical signals into electrical signals. Integrating the sharp edge within the connector precludes a user from having to manually split optical cable prior to inserting the cable into the connector, thereby making the connector relatively easy to use and reducing the likelihood the user will be injured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Inventors: Mohammad Tootoonian, Bradley George Kelly, Edward Matthew Rooyakkers
  • Publication number: 20140072264
    Abstract: A wall-mountable outlet comprising an enclosure and a faceplate mechanically coupled to the enclosure. An optical network terminal (ONT) is provided in the enclosure. In one example embodiment, the ONT comprises an optical-electrical (O-E) data module, and the O-E data module comprises an O-E converter. The O-E data module can further comprise a switch arranged to selectively couple at least one signal with the O-E converter. The O-E data module further can comprise a Passive Optical Network (PON) controller interposed between the O-E converter and the switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: Tellabs Bedford, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Schroder, Russell W. Brown, Thomas C. Ruvarac, John Silovich, Andrew G. Low
  • Publication number: 20140064661
    Abstract: An optical fiber interface includes an optical fiber connector including a receptacle and an axis of propagation along which light traverses through the optical fiber connector. The receptacle includes a first member pivotably attached to the receptacle. The first member includes a first aperture. The first member has a blocking position relative to the receptacle in which the first aperture is not aligned with the axis of propagation, such that light traversing along the axis of propagation does not pass through the first aperture. The first member has a transmitting position relative to the receptacle in which the first aperture is aligned with the axis of propagation such that light traveling along the axis of propagation passes through the first aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Inventor: Michael Lucien Genier
  • Publication number: 20140064667
    Abstract: Cable assemblies, optical connector assemblies, and optical connector subassemblies employing a translating element and a unitary alignment pin are disclosed. In one embodiment, an optical connector assembly includes a connector housing defining a connector enclosure and a connector housing opening, a unitary alignment pin including a first pin portion and a second pin portion, and a translating element including a first bore, a second bore, and an optical interface. The unitary alignment pin is secured within the connector enclosure. The first pin portion is disposed within the first bore and the second pin portion is disposed within the second bore such that the translating element translates along the first pin portion and the second pin portion within the connector enclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Inventors: Micah C. Isenhour, Dennis M. Knecht, James P. Luther
  • Patent number: 8662760
    Abstract: A fiber optic connector that employs an optical fiber guide member, and a cable assembly that uses the connector are disclosed. The connector has a connector housing formed by mateable sections. The connector housing defines a housing passage having opposite connector-end and channel-end portions that define respective connector-end and channel-end passages, with the channel-end portion configured to be arranged adjacent the end of a fiber optic cable. An optical fiber guide member is disposed in the channel-end passage and has a first transition end that faces the connector-end passage. The optical fiber guide member has a conduit configured to loosely confine and guide the optical fibers to the connector-end passage. Connector sub-assemblies can be operably supported at the connector-end portion supporting end portions of the optical fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Corning Cable Systems LLC
    Inventors: Timothy S. Cline, Terry L. Cooke, David L. Dean, Jr., Tory A. Klavuhn
  • Publication number: 20140056561
    Abstract: A loop back connector and methods for testing lines in a fiber optic network are disclosed. The loop back connector includes a ferrule having an interface side constructed for optical connection to a multifiber optical cable. The loop back connector also includes first and second optical loop back paths, each having first and second terminal ends positioned at the interface side. The terminal ends of each loop back path are adapted to be aligned to fibers in the multifiber optical cable. The method includes injecting a signal on a first optical path at a first location, looping back the signal at a second location onto a second optical path, and receiving the signal on the second optical path at the first location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Inventors: Yu Lu, Randy Reagan, Michael Noonan, Jeff Gniadek
  • Patent number: 8657506
    Abstract: A method of terminating a fiber in a connector using a device comprising: (a) positioning a stripped fiber on the device such that the bare fiber portion extends into a first fiber channel of a cleaver; (b) securing the fiber to a fiber retainer slidably attached to the substrate to move along an x axis at a first position; (c) cleaving the bare fiber portion to form a cleaved end; (d) sliding the fiber retainer away from the cleaver along the x axis; (e) causing to be presented a second fiber channel of a connector held in a connector retainer along the x axis; (f) sliding the fiber retainer to the first position along the x axis, thereby causing the cleaved end to extend into the second fiber channel; and (g) actuating the connector while the fiber retainer is at the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Shelly Ann Buchter, Sean Patrick Kelly, Douglas Allen Kirsch, David Donald Erdman, David William Cormany, Terry Patrick Bowen, Craig Bryan Kegerise
  • Patent number: 8651751
    Abstract: In the present disclosure, a termination apparatus and process is disclosed that optimizes the termination of polymer optical fiber ribbons, eliminates the need for a ferrule and connector, and utilizes lower-cost materials instead of diamond for the cutting blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Chromis Fiberoptics, Inc.
    Inventor: Whitney R. White
  • Patent number: 8646992
    Abstract: A receptacle structure for optical sub-assembly for transceivers includes a receiving tube; an optical fiber; an optical fiber retainer member having an interface section and an inclined head integrally connected with the interface section, the interface section being mounted in the receiving tube with the inclined head protruding out of the receiving tube, the inclined head defining an inclined hole for receiving a front end section of the optical fiber, whereby the optical signals can be mass-accumulated and coupled to the optical fiber; a sleeve mounted in the receiving tube and the optical fiber retainer member, the sleeve being formed with an internal through hole for receiving a front end section of an optical fiber module; and a fiber stub mounted in the optical fiber retainer member and the sleeve. The fiber stub has a passageway for receiving a rear end section of the optical fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: EZConn Corporation
    Inventors: Szu-Ming Chen, Chin-Tsung Wu
  • Publication number: 20140037248
    Abstract: A locking connector having a body with a receiving section and a mating section. The locking connector includes a cantilevered lock arm with a pivoting end integrally formed with a midpoint of the receiving section and extending along an axial direction towards a mating end of the mating section. The locking connector also includes a locking projection disposed on an outer surface of a mating end of the cantilevered lock arm. A lock release arm is integrally formed with the mating end of the cantilevered lock arm and separately extends along the axial direction from the mating end of the cantilevered lock arm towards the receiving section. The lock release arm projects from a terminal end of the receiving section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: Tyco Electronics Japan G.K.
    Inventors: Takashi Shimoyasu, Shinji Yamada
  • Publication number: 20140038462
    Abstract: A connectorized media cable includes at least one primary media segment; a first plug connector coupled to a first end of the media segment; and a second plug connector coupled to the second end of the media segment. Each plug connector includes a storage device having memory configured to store physical layer information pertaining to the cable. The storage device also includes at least four contacts that are electrically connected to the memory and isolated from the primary media segment. Certain types of cables include an electrical conductor extending along the media cable between a fourth one of the contacts of the first plug connector and a fourth one of the contacts of the second plug connector. The plug connectors of other types of cables have two data contacts coupled to the memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Inventors: Joseph C. Coffey, Kamlesh G. Patel
  • Patent number: 8641293
    Abstract: An optical fiber connector according to the present disclosure includes a housing, a tab, a vertical portion, a horizontal portion and a handle member. According to the optical fiber connector of the present disclosure, wherein a pull at the handle member may pull out the optical fiber connector from the optical fiber adapter without need to press a tab on the optical fiber connector directly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Ezontek Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung An Lin, Sung Chi Lin
  • Publication number: 20140029897
    Abstract: A plug including main optical connector bodies, a housing for securing the main optical connector bodies on the connecting end, a cylindrical inner shell surrounding the housing and attached to the housing, and a cylindrical outer shell surrounding the inner shell and having a thread formed in the inner periphery on the connecting end side and a step portion formed in the inner periphery on the rear end side, the thread screwed onto the thread of an enclosure shell. When the plug is coupled to a receptacle, the inner shell is rotated with respect to the housing and the connecting end of the inner shell hits the abutment surface of the enclosure shell and, when the outer shell is screwed onto the enclosure shell, the step portion hits the rear wall portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Inventors: Hideto Shimazu, Yuichi Koreeda, Yasutaka Hiroki
  • Patent number: 8636422
    Abstract: Device for the coaxial connection of fiber-optic cables, comprising a single-piece coupling housing (10) and a single-piece sleeve mount (20), the sleeve mount (20) being designed with at least one latching nose (21) and the coupling housing (10) being designed with at least one latching mount which complements the at least one latching nose (21), wherein the latching mount is designed with at least one latching hook (14) and at least one stop (15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: ADC GmbH
    Inventors: Eberhard Kahle, Anne Kramer, Jorg Adomeit