Fiber End Held In Ferrule Patents (Class 385/78)
  • Patent number: 7566176
    Abstract: A cleaning apparatus (1100) for cleaning an endface (1104) of an optical fiber (1106), wherein a portion of the optical fiber is contained within an interface device (1103) is provided. The cleaning apparatus includes a housing (1114) having an interface portion (1124) adapted to be received by the interface device. The cleaning apparatus further includes a fluid dispensing assembly (1116) at least partially disposed within the housing, wherein at least a portion (1112) of the fluid dispensing assembly engages the endface when the interface portion is received by the interface device. The fluid dispensing assembly is operable to deliver a fluid and a solvent upon the endface when the interface portion of the housing is received by the interface device to aid in the removal of contaminants on the endface. The cleaning apparatus may include a contact cleaning assembly (1304) and/or a microscope (1408).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: Westover Scientific, Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Lytle, Kevin G. Cassady, Gregory J. Gerhard
  • Patent number: 7563033
    Abstract: The invention relates to a housing for fiber-optic plug-in connectors. According to the invention, said housing is configured in at least two parts, one end of a core cable can be positioned in the housing and the position of said cable can be fixed in said housing, at least one housing part is equipped with an opening and the housing part can engage over the core cable in a transversal direction by means of the opening. The invention also relates to a method for laying fiber-optic cables, which can be manufactured with plug-in connectors, whereby at least one end of a core cable is laid in a plug-in station, the end of the core cable is positioned in a housing part, the position of the core cable is fixed in the housing part by at least one second housing part and at least one housing part, which is provided with an opening, engages over the core cable in a transversal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: ADC GmbH
    Inventors: Jorg Adomeit, Hans-Joachim Faika, Hans-Peter Sandeck
  • Patent number: 7563034
    Abstract: A casing includes a solid sleeve and a split sleeve in combination to provide a connection between a fiber stub and a ferrule containing an optical fiber. The arrangement prevents wiggle of the ferrule, and also does so without the tight tolerances that would otherwise be required in solid sleeve systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Opnext, Inc.
    Inventors: Jianyao Chen, Frank Yashar
  • Patent number: 7559700
    Abstract: A shading member-equipped optical connector plug is compact while having the compatibility to engage existing connector receptacles. The connector plug includes a shading member having a shutter housing enclosing a plug frame slidably on an outside thereof. The shutter housing is inserted into an engagement opening of a connector receptacle to be engaged when the shading member-equipped optical connector is connected. The shading member also has a shutter one end of which is supported by the shutter housing at a front part of the housing and another end of which is urged by an elastic force and closes so as to shade the optical fibers at a position in front of the ferrule, and an elastic member disposed between the plug frame and the shutter housing that urges the shutter housing forward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Honda Tsushin Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiaki Eguchi, Naohide Goto, Yasuaki Ohkubo
  • Patent number: 7556436
    Abstract: The invention relates to an optical connector system including a backpanel and at least one substrate, said substrate having at least one substrate housing assembly and said backpanel having at least one backpanel housing assembly for establishing an optical interface. The substrate housing assembly is attached to said substrate and includes a further housing slidably mounted in a z-direction of said substrate housing assembly. Accordingly no residual forces are exerted on the backpanel after establishment of the optical interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: FCI
    Inventor: Hendrikus Petrus Gijsbertus Van Der Steen
  • Patent number: 7556438
    Abstract: An angle type optical connector enables a splicing operation of an optical fiber cable accurately and stably without requiring skilled labor and having a superior on-site installation property. An optical connector is provided with a splicing section for securely supporting an incorporated optical fiber securely supported at a ferrule and an optical fiber of an outside optical fiber cable in an end-abutting condition. The body of the optical connector is provided with a cable holding member able to hold an optical fiber cable. The cable holding member can be set at a temporary position where it makes an optical fiber of the optical fiber cable abut against the incorporated optical fiber at the splicing section in the state holding the optical fiber cable and bends a covered optical fiber of the optical fiber cable between the splicing section and the cable holding member by a pressing force in the lengthwise direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignees: 3M Innovative Properties Company, Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation
    Inventors: Tomayasu Oike, Takaya Yamauchi, Akihiko Yazaki, Tsunetaka Ema, Kenichi Nakazawa, Yasuhiko Hoshino
  • Patent number: 7553089
    Abstract: An optical connector which is suitable for connection to jacketed cable includes a housing and a ferrule assembly. The ferrule assembly includes a front portion having a first geometry, and the housing includes a receiving portion having a second geometry that mates with the first geometry to prevent rotation of the ferrule assembly relative to the housing. A spring biases the ferrule assembly forward to assist mating of the first and second geometries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Lawrence Gurreri, Douglas Harold Rohde, Eric James Hopkins, David Donald Erdman
  • Patent number: 7549802
    Abstract: A fiber optic connector may include a first cover with an integral restraining mechanism and a second cover with a reciprocal restraining mechanism. A fiber optic cable having a ferrule at a terminating end may be placed within the fiber optic connector. A dust cap may be placed on the terminating end of the fiber optic cable. The integral restraining mechanism and the reciprocal restraining mechanism may detachably mate and enclose the terminating end of the fiber optic cable within the fiber optic connector. The fiber optic connector may include one or more gaskets to assist in sealing the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Verizon Services Corp.
    Inventors: George N. Bell, Richard D. Pinsonneault, John L. Carey, Jr., Kevin N. Smith, William R. Belben
  • Patent number: 7547148
    Abstract: In a connectored optical fiber sheet according to the present invention, a connector is fitted around both optical fibers and sheet base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Cable Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Shogo Ikunishi
  • Patent number: 7540668
    Abstract: A transparent ferrule is fused to an end of an optical fiber to increase the coupling area without altering the input numerical aperture of the fiber system. This is accomplished by controlling the length of the area at which the transparent ferrule is fused or welded. In addition, an extended ferrule portion is situated behind the fusion area and is separated from the fiber core such that light that fails to couple to the core is reflected from the inner diameter of the extended ferrule portion away from the fiber core, where it can be deflected or dissipated by a beam block or absorptive material. The transparent ferrule is formed from a plurality of relative thin wall ferrules that are successively fused from the side to form at the least the termination or coupling end of the transparent ferrule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Inventor: Joe D. Brown
  • Publication number: 20090129729
    Abstract: A fiber optic stub fiber connector for reversibly and nondestructively terminating an inserted field fiber having a buffer over at least a portion thereof. The connector includes a housing and a ferrule including a stub fiber disposed within and extending from a bore through the ferrule. The ferrule is generally at least partially disposed within and supported by the housing. The connector further includes a reversible actuator for reversibly and nondestructively terminating the inserted field fiber to the stub fiber. The reversible actuator includes a buffer clamp for engaging with the buffer to simultaneously provide reversible and nondestructive strain relief to the terminated field fiber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2009
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Applicant: PANDUIT CORP.
    Inventors: Jack E. Caveney, Shaun P. Brouwer, Vincent M. Barone, Scott R. Hartman, Andrew J. Stroede
  • Patent number: 7534051
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a low-cost attachable/detachable optical fiber connector, and the like. The optical fiber connector comprises first and second fiber connecting members. The first fiber connecting members has a ferrule that holds a first optical fiber in its inserting hole in a slidable state, a housing that covers the first optical fiber, and a fixing member that fixes the inserted first optical fiber to the housing behind the ferrule so as not to protrude out from the ferrule. The second fiber connecting members has a housing that has a ferrule engaging portion having a recess therein and an optical fiber holding portion that holds a second optical fiber in its inserting hole in a slidable state, and a fixing member that fixes the inserted second optical fiber to the housing behind the optical fiber holding portion so as to protrude into the recess from the optical fiber holding portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Daizo Nishioka, Kenichiro Ohtsuka, Toshifumi Hosoya
  • Patent number: 7534115
    Abstract: Systems and methods for securing a keyed fiber optic network assembly are provided. A typical network system includes an assembly having a security feature and adapted to facilitate fiber optic communication between two mating fiber optic connectors. The security feature is uniquely keyed to disengaged when mated with a corresponding uniquely keyed connector. The security feature includes at least an inner door and a spring and is adapted to prevent optical communication and mating with a receiving connector during illegitimate connector insertion. A typical network includes a plurality of assemblies each having a uniquely keyed security feature. Each of the plurality of assemblies is color coded to match with a legitimate color coded connector to provide guidance to a network user. The connector and the security feature are uniquely keyed through unique positioning of protruding bosses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Ortronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam Murano, Chester Rynaski
  • Patent number: 7530746
    Abstract: An optical fiber terminating assembly includes a housing, which can receive an optical fiber to be terminated so that it is located in alignment with a length of another optical fiber, or an optoelectronic device, a heat responsive adhesive element, and a thermally conductive element. The housing includes a compartment through which the optical fiber to be terminated can extend. The heat responsive adhesive element is disposed in the compartment and includes at least one pathway preformed dispose in the heat responsive adhesive element. A portion of the optical fiber is disposed in the pathway. The thermally conductive element is disposed in the compartment and is coupleable to a source of energy so that heat in the thermally conductive element causes the heat responsive adhesive element to soften and adhere to the optical fiber in the channel to secure it in position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: ABC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventor: Wayne M. Kachmar
  • Publication number: 20090116791
    Abstract: A coupling device includes a first coupling element having a first passage, and an end section connected to the free end of the light guide; as well as a second coupling element with a second passage for holding/fixing an intermediate section following the end section of the light guide. In one implementation, the first coupling element and the second coupling element can be detachably joined in a coupled state, where the first passage and the second passage form a common passage and/or have (or surround) a common longitudinal axis. The first passage can be configured with a funnel-shaped section that, in the coupled state, the first passage faces the second passage and widens toward the second passage. In addition, the first coupling element may be formed from ceramic material at least on its inner surface in the region of the funnel-shaped section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Applicant: A.R.C. LASER GMBH
    Inventor: Reinhardt Thyzel
  • Publication number: 20090116793
    Abstract: An optical connector of a fitting pin positioning type includes multiple optical fiber insertion holes arranged in one row and fitting holes or fitting pins. The fitting holes or the fitting pins for positioning are respectively disposed on mutually opposite sides of a straight line connecting centers of the optical fiber insertion holes and are located point-symmetrically with respect to a center of the row of the entire optical fiber insertion holes arranged on the straight line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2008
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Applicant: FUJIKURA LTD.
    Inventors: Akito NISHIMURA, Kunihiko FUJIWARA, Tatsuya OHTA, Kenji SASAKI, Yukio HAYASHI
  • Patent number: 7527435
    Abstract: A right-angle optical-fiber connector assembly for providing an optical connection to an external device such as a circuit board. The connector assembly includes a rigid ferrule having at least one right-angle bend and that defines an interior region and first and second ferrule ends, and a maximum optical fiber bending radius RMAX. One or more bend-performance optical fibers traverse the interior region. Each optical fiber has an associated minimum bending radius RMIN and includes a bending radius RF such that RMIN?RF?RMAX, wherein at least one of the one or more optical fibers has RF=RMIN. The first and second connector ends are respectively located at or near the first and second ferrule ends and operably support the first and second optical fiber ends. The connector ends are each adapted to provide an external optical interconnection to an external device such as a circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Corning Cable Systems LLC
    Inventors: David Lee Dean, Jr., Dennis Michael Knecht, Thomas Theuerkorn
  • Patent number: 7527434
    Abstract: A connecting member which is formed by filling a mold with a resin composition and then solidifying the resin composition, the connecting member having one end face in which a plurality of fine holes of a ? or less are arrayed in a row with a pitch P therebetween, and guide pin insertion holes are formed on either side of the fine holes, wherein the resin composition is comprised of a resin and a filler mixed therein, and wherein the space (P?a) between the fine holes meets the following formula; Dm<(P?a)<Dmax, in which Dmax represents the largest diameter of the filler particles, and Dm represents the most frequent diameter of the filler particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: The Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Naka, Shinpei Todo, Takashi Shigematu, Takayuki Ando, Yoshimi Ono
  • Patent number: 7524117
    Abstract: To extend the service life of a latch of a plug housing and facilitate assembly and aligning operations of an optical connector. The optical connector includes a latch provided in a cantilever form on an external surface of the optical connector and deformable for attachment/detachment with respect to an adaptor, and an excessive deformation preventing unit that prevents excessive deformation of the latch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Seikoh Giken Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Atsuhiro Terakura
  • Patent number: 7526162
    Abstract: An epoxy-free collimator assembly is configured with a ferrule and a lens operative to move within an outer case to a desired position therebetween. The collimator assembly further has an aligning component made from soft, malleable material which is capable of filling out the radial space between the ferrule and case so as to spatially fix the aligned fiber held in the ferrule and lens in the desirable position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: IPG Photonics Corporation
    Inventors: Yuri Grapov, William D. Jones
  • Publication number: 20090097801
    Abstract: An optical ferrule includes a positioning block and a ferrule main body. The ferrule main body is integrally formed by molding a resin over the positioning block. The positioning block includes an optical fiber insertion hole formation portion having optical fiber insertion holes and guide pin hole formation portions which are provided on both sides of the positioning block and which have guide pin holes. On a front end side of the ferrule main body, the positioning block is disposed. The ferrule main body has a hollow part on its rear end side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2008
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Applicant: FUJIKURA LTD.
    Inventors: Akito NISHIMURA, Kunihiko FUJIWARA, Takahiko SABANO
  • Patent number: 7513695
    Abstract: An optical fiber connector includes a connector housing, a ferrule and a clamping assembly. The connector hosing has a front end and a rear end. The ferrule is disposed in the connector housing and projects from the front end of the connector housing. The clamping assembly is disposed in the connector housing for mounting the ferrule, and includes a hollow housing and a cam member, wherein the cam member includes a groove adapted to clamp a terminating fiber when a cam effect between the hollow housing and the cam member is generated and further the cam effect causes the groove of the cam member to generate a clamping force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignees: Protai Photonic Co., Ltd., Senko Advanced Components, Inc
    Inventors: I En Lin, Tomoyuki Mamiya
  • Patent number: 7510335
    Abstract: An exemplary optical connector 200 includes a first housing 20 and a second housing 24. The first housing 20 includes a main body 201. The main body 201 is elongated and hollow. One end of the main body 201 forms a resisting member 203 and the other end of the main body 201 forms a lock receiving portion 205. At least one latch hole 2051 is defined in the lock receiving portion 205 and at least one joint line 208 is formed in the lock receiving portion 205 adjacent to the at least one latch hole 2051. The extending direction of the joint line 208 is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the first housing 20. One end of the second housing 24 forms a lock portion 242 configured for engaging with the lock receiving portion 205. The lock portion 242 forms at least one protrusion 2423 configured for engaging with the latch hole 2051.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Bing Su, Li-Jun Yang, Hao-Zhuan Lin, Xiao-She Bian
  • Patent number: 7507031
    Abstract: To provide a fusion-spliced optical connector capable of easily performing a fusion-splicing operation at an actual site in a short time, without need to perform additional special operations. An optical connector component is configured to attach a short-length optical fiber to a ferrule including a capillary and a flange. The capillary comprises a minute through hole and a coated-portion storage hole formed in the capillary, the minute through hole to be stored therein the bare optical fiber portion of the short-length optical fiber and the coated-portion storage hole to be stored therein a part of a coated optical fiber portion of the short-length optical fiber continuous to the bare optical fiber portion. The flange includes a coated-portion penetrating hole formed in the flange to be penetrated therein a very short portion continuous to the part of the coated optical fiber portion stored in the coated-portion storage hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Seikoh Giken Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasunari Kawasaki
  • Publication number: 20090074361
    Abstract: A fiber optic connector having a double-clad specialty optical stub fiber with a deep index core-to-inner-cladding profile and a raised index outer-cladding profile. The double-clad optical stub fiber abuts against a single-clad field optical fiber of the single-mode type to form an interface across which the primary mode traverses without significantly interfering with higher-order modes. The ratio of the radius of the inner cladding to the radius of the core of the stub fiber is less than 6.5:1. The index profile of the refractive index of the inner cladding is deep relative to the refractive index of the core to confine the primary mode within the core. The raised refractive index of the outer-cladding pulls the higher-order modes deeper into that region, reducing interference with the primary mode. The respective core diameters of the field and stub fibers are matched to avoid mode-field diameter mismatch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicant: PANDUIT CORP.
    Inventors: Richard J. Pimpinella, Albert Brunsting
  • Publication number: 20090074360
    Abstract: To provide an optical connector kit in which all connector parts contained in a containing case, wherein said connector parts includes a ferrule equipped with an optical fiber employed, in which a short length optical fiber is fixed to the ferrule and the ferrule is subjected to polishing at the terminal end thereof in advance. The optical connector kit, wherein said kit comprises a ferrule with an optical fiber comprising a short length optical fiber which has been fixed to the ferrule in advance, in which the ferrule is subjected to polishing treatment at the terminal surface thereof; a plurality of connector parts which are passed through said optical fiber before the rear end of said short length optical fiber and the front end of another optical fiber are subjected to fusion splice each other; and a containing case for receiving all connector parts constructing an optical connector including said ferrule with the optical fiber and said passing parts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicant: SEIKOH GIKEN CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yasunari Kawasaki
  • Patent number: 7503702
    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: April 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventor: Liang-Ju Lu
  • Patent number: 7505654
    Abstract: There is provided a mechanical connector for mechanically connecting and optically coupling two optical fiber ends, the connector comprising a longitudinal body, and a fiber conduit in the body for holding the two fiber ends and confining the fibers to be in end to end alignment in the conduit with sufficient inward radial pressure exerted from the conduit on each one of the fiber ends to ensure centering within the fiber conduit to provide the optical coupling without risking damage to a silica core of the fiber ends. The connector is adapted to controllably release the pressure on the fibers to allow for insertion of the fibers in the conduit, and the connector holds the fiber ends in the optical coupling without adhesive. There is further provided a method for mechanically connecting and optically coupling two optical fiber ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Inventors: Daniel Demissy, Eric Weynant
  • Patent number: 7500789
    Abstract: A fibre optic coupler assembly for optically aligning a sectioned fibre optic cable, the cable having a first end and a second end and comprising one or more fibre optic cores. The assembly comprises a first holder for holding the first end; a second holder for holding the second end coupled to the first end; a retractor for retracting the second end; an aligning unit comprising a resilient construction having a conduit passing through it, for linear alignment of the ends; whereby the first and second ends are coupled by the respective holders and whereby the second end can be linearly aligned in the conduit of the aligning unit, retracted using the retractor, and rotated to obtain rotational alignment of the fiber cores of the ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: BioScan Ltd.
    Inventors: Ilan Grunberg, Avram Matcovitch
  • Publication number: 20090060422
    Abstract: A one-piece LC type optical fiber adapter is provided. The LC type adapter of the present invention has fewer parts than a conventional one. Therefore, it is simpler and easier to assemble the LC type adapter of the present invention. In addition, the main body of the LC type adapter is unitary thereby avoiding the prior art problem that the stresses cause the two halves of the adapter to separate from each other after time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Applicants: PROTAI PHOTONIC CO. LTD., SENKO ADVANCED COMPONENTS, INC.
    Inventors: I. En LIN, Tomoyuki Mamiya
  • Patent number: 7494399
    Abstract: A fiber grinding process includes: contacting an end of the optical fiber with a grinding surface in such a manner that a central axis of the optical fiber at the end is inclined to the grinding surface; rotating the optical fiber about the central axis; and changing a contact pressure between the end of the optical fiber and the grinding surface by applying a variable torque while rotating the optical fiber. A substantially cone-shaped end face with a substantially elliptic cross-section may be produced. A fiber grinding apparatus is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: National Sun Yat-Sen University
    Inventors: Ying-Chien Tsai, Yu-Kuan Lu, Yu-Da Liu, Wood-Hi Cheng
  • Patent number: 7490997
    Abstract: A connector (10) comprising: a housing 11 having a front and rear orientation; a ferrule (12) disposed in the front of the housing and containing at least one fiber, a resilient member (13) disposed in the housing rearward of the ferrule (12); and a bendlimiter (14) disposed in the housing rearward of the resilient member, the bend limiter comprising a crimp portion (21) for interengaging the housing such that the bend limiter position with respect to the housing (11) is fixed, the crimp portion providing a backstop for compressing the resilient means (13) against the ferrule to urge the ferrule forward, the bend limiter also comprising an arcuate portion for dressing the fiber, the arcuate portion having a radius no less than the minimum bend radius of the fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Inventor: Robert Verhagen
  • Patent number: 7488116
    Abstract: It is often desirable to efficiently couple laser foci that are dimensionally large to dimensionally small optical fibers. A fiber fused in a lower refractive index fiber is disclosed. The fiber/ferrule construct is characterized by having no taper of the fiber in the ferrule and a negative lens shape at a fiber/ferrule face. This construct enable the coupling of imparting rays that fall outside of the fiber core into the transmission path of the fiber. Where the laser systems are integrated in a manner that precludes altering the focusing optic, such as in surgical laser systems, or where the laser's beam focal properties are such that reducing the focal spot diameter is impractical for fiber coupling, modification of the optical fiber input geometry offers a means of customizing the laser-to-fiber interface for applications involving different fiber diameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Inventor: Griffin Steve
  • Patent number: 7481586
    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: January 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventors: Yu Lu, Randy Reagan
  • Patent number: 7479664
    Abstract: Fiber optic phototherapy devices include fiber optic light emitters having fiber optic end portions at one or both ends that may be separated into a plurality of groups of end portions that receive light from one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs). Lenses may be used to focus the light from one or more LEDs onto the end portions. The LEDs may be mounted to a heat sink to dissipate any excess heat generated by the LEDs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: Lumitex Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey B. Williams
  • Publication number: 20090016683
    Abstract: An angle-polished optical fiber may be mounted relative to a laser at an off-axis angle to allow coupled light from a laser to be substantially aligned with the axis of the fiber core. An angled fiber ferrule may facilitate providing the off-axis angle when coupling the angle-polished optical fiber to a laser package. The angled fiber ferrule includes a through hole including at least a portion that is off-axis. The axis of the off-axis portion of the through hole is angled at the off-axis angle with respect to an axis of the ferrule body portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2007
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Applicant: APPLIED OPTOELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Jun Zheng, Chung-Yung Wang
  • Publication number: 20090016684
    Abstract: A device and method of blocking customer access to a fiber optic distribution cable. A service blocker is positioned between a fiber distribution cable and a customer drop cable within a fiber optic adapter. The service blocker includes a body which does not permit optical transmission between the fiber distribution cable and the customer drop cable. The service blocker includes a first end configured to be inserted within the fiber optic adapter and a second end configured connect with a fiber optic cable connector. A system for mounting fiber optic cables including a service blocker positioned within a bulkhead mounted adapter between two fiber optic cables.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Applicant: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald A. Beck
  • Patent number: 7476035
    Abstract: A hermaphroditic connector for mounting to a cable having a plurality of optical fibers and connecting the fibers to mating optical fibers wherein the optical fibers and mating optical fibers have termini mounted to the respective ends thereof, and wherein the termini of at least one of the optical fibers is slidably mounted and biased to provide a predetermined amount of longitudinal travel during connection includes a plug insert for mounting the termini, a generally cylindrical plug body for receiving the plug insert through an open end thereof, the plug body including a mating end with a plurality of mating features configured to cooperate with corresponding mating features of a second connector to align the termini of the first and second connectors in opposed relationship, a plurality of ears extending radially from the mating end of the plug body, a coupling nut slidably mounted on the plug including a groove formed between a plurality of ribs extending around an inside nut so that rotation of the coup
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Fiber Systems International
    Inventors: Bryan D. Cull, Jon M. Woodruff, Jamie Castillega
  • Publication number: 20080317416
    Abstract: An optical fiber includes a core, a clad formed around the core, a plurality of holes being formed in the clad, and a UV curing optically-transparent resin which is filled in the holes and hardened. The UV curing optically-transparent resin has a Young's modulus of 8 to 500 MPa after hardening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventors: Yoshinori Kurosawa, Kazumasa Ohsono, Yoshihisa Kato
  • Patent number: 7469091
    Abstract: An optical fiber termination apparatus includes a body portion having an optical fiber outlet therein and a connector receiving portion extending from the body portion and having an outer wall defining an optical fiber connector receiving chamber and having an opening to the connector receiving chamber at an end thereof spaced from the body portion. An optical connector is positioned in the opening, wherein the opening is configured to receive the optical connector therein without rotating the optical connector relative to the connector receiving portion. A sealing member is positioned between the optical connector and the outer wall of the connector receiving portion to seal a gap therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Julian Mullaney, Roy Keller Thompson, William Alan Carrico
  • Patent number: 7467896
    Abstract: A preconnectorized outdoor cable streamlines the deployment of optical waveguides into the last mile of an optical network. The preconnectorized outdoor cable includes a cable and at least one plug connector. The plug connector is attached to a first end of the cable, thereby connectorizing at least one optical waveguide. The cable has at least one optical waveguide, at least one tensile element, and a cable jacket. Various cable designs such as figure-eight or flat cables may be used with the plug connector. In preferred embodiments, the plug connector includes a crimp assembly having a crimp housing and a crimp band. The crimp housing has two half-shells being held together by the crimp band for securing the at least one tensile element. When fully assembled, the crimp housing fits into a shroud of the preconnectorized cable. The shroud aides in mating the preconnectorized cable with a complimentary receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: Corning Cable Systems LLC
    Inventors: Stuart R. Melton, David A. Thompson, Michael J. Gimblet, Hieu V. Tran, Richard S. Wagman, Xin Liu
  • Publication number: 20080310797
    Abstract: An optical connector and a method of assembling an optical connector that is capable of avoiding generation of unnecessary tension in the optical fiber cable in which plain fiber portions are optically connected to each other using a splice assembly. The optical connector comprises a connector housing having splice means configured to abut a stripped and cleaved end surface of a plain fiber of an optical fiber cable (2) onto an end of a fiber stub predisposed in the splice means to form an optical connection; and a cable fixing assembly (26, 40), that includes a cable fixing member (26) and a cable holder (40), for fixing an outer covering (2c) of the optical fiber cable (2) introduced into said connector housing (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Inventors: Akihiko Yazaki, Tomoyasu Oike, Takaya Yamauchi
  • Patent number: 7465106
    Abstract: An optical receptacle includes: a fiber stub having a ferrule and an optical fiber in a through-hole of the ferrule; a holder to which an rear end of the fiber stub is fixed; and a sleeve for holding a plug ferrule in front of the fiber stub; wherein a grip ring is provided on an outer side face in which the fiber stub and the sleeve are overlapped to each other, whereby attaining the shortened optical receptacle, and improving connection loss due to tilting of the plug ferrule, and obtaining good repeatability of the connection loss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroki Ito, Tsuyoshi Tanaka, Toshiyuki Matsumoto
  • Publication number: 20080292248
    Abstract: An optical fiber includes a core, a clad having a plurality of air holes at a periphery of the core, and a hardening resin filled in a sealed portion at an end of the plurality of air holes. The hardening resin after hardening has a fill length of 7 mm to 8 mm. An optical fiber connection structure includes the optical fiber with an end face butt-connected to another optical fiber. An optical connector includes the optical fiber, and a ferrule to which the optical fiber is attached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Applicant: HITACHI CABLE, LTD.
    Inventors: Kanako Suzuki, Bing Yao, Kazumasa Ohsono, Yoshihisa Kato
  • Publication number: 20080292244
    Abstract: An optical fiber includes a core, a clad formed around the core, a plurality of holes being formed in the clad, and a hardening resin having a moisture permeability equal to or less than 0.5 g/cm2ยท24 hr, in which the hardening resin is filled in a vicinity of an end face of the holes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Applicant: HITACHI CABLE, LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshihisa Kato, Kanako Suzuki, Yoshinori Kurosawa, Kazumasa Ohsono
  • Patent number: 7455460
    Abstract: A fiber optic connector having a double-clad specialty optical stub fiber with a deep index core-to-inner-cladding profile and a raised index outer-cladding profile. The double-clad optical stub fiber abuts against a single-clad field optical fiber of the single-mode type to form an interface across which the primary mode traverses without significantly interfering with higher-order modes. The ratio of the radius of the inner cladding to the radius of the core of the stub fiber is less than 6.5:1. The index profile of the refractive index of the inner cladding is deep relative to the refractive index of the core to confine the primary mode within the core. The raised refractive index of the outer-cladding pulls the higher-order modes deeper into that region, reducing interference with the primary mode. The respective core diameters of the field and stub fibers are matched to avoid mode-field diameter mismatch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Panduit Corp.
    Inventors: Richard J. Pimpinella, Albert Brunsting
  • Patent number: 7448809
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of manufacture that minimizes the lateral offset of a plurality of optical fiber holes associated with a multi-fiber ferrule, including: determining an initial offset distance of each of the plurality of optical fiber holes from each of a plurality of corresponding target locations on an initial endface; removing a predetermined amount of material from the multi-fiber ferrule to form a subsequent endface; determining a subsequent offset distance of each of the plurality of optical fiber holes from each of the plurality of corresponding target locations on the subsequent endface; and, using the initial offset distance and the subsequent offset distance, determining an angle of each of the plurality of optical fiber holes relative to the initial endface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Corning Cable Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Todd Cody, David Lee Dean, Jr., Alan John Malanowski, Scott Timothy Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20080273841
    Abstract: A plastic ferrule (1) for optical connecting systems, in which a optical wave guide (3) of an optical fibre (6) is guided through a support element (2), whereby the optical wave guide (3) is surface-conditioned in a partial area (4) in order to bond in a force-actuated way to a hardened casting mass (5) in this partial area (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2005
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Inventors: Werner Leutwyler, Giorgio Friedrich, Oliver Eckstein, Rolf Weber
  • Patent number: 7441962
    Abstract: A multi-channel fiber optic cable connector is provided for connecting the terminal ends of fiber optic cables utilizing alignment sleeves to align the adjacent termini of optical fibers included within respective ones of the cables. A retention mechanism, a sleeve retainer, secured within the connector, is provided that secures the alignment sleeve within the connector. In another aspect, a single floating seal assembly extends around a termini and seals between the termini and a connector housing. The single seal assembly provides a dual sealing function, sealing between an aperture of a floating collar and the termini body and sealing between the floating collar and a seal surface of a bore in the connector housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Applied Optical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Venkata R. Penumatcha, Vincent A. Wouters
  • Patent number: RE40622
    Abstract: A fiber optic connector has two ferrules contained within a single connector housing with the ferrules positioned in parallel, spaced-apart alignment. The connector includes a first mating fastener exposed on exterior sides of the connector housing. A fiber optic adapter has an open end to slidably receive the connector housing. The adapter includes two parallel sleeves contained within the adapter housing and aligned with the ferrules of the connector. The adapter includes a second mating fastener exposed to an interior of the adapter housing to releasably mate with the first mating fastener when the connector housing is in the full insert position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventor: Liang-Ju Lu