Fiber End Held In Ferrule Patents (Class 385/78)
  • Patent number: 8702320
    Abstract: A fiber optic ferrule assembly includes a ferrule with an axial passage, an insert with an axial passage, and a hub with an axial passage. The axial passage of the ferrule includes a first diameter portion having a diameter of at least 125 microns, and the axial passage of the insert includes a second diameter portion having a diameter of at least 250 microns. The axial passage of the hub holds at least a portion of the ferrule and the insert. The fiber optic ferrule assembly terminates a fiber optic cable including an inner fiber, an outer coating around the inner fiber, and a buffer layer around the outer coating. The first diameter portion only receives the inner fiber and no outer coating, and the second diameter portion receives at least a portion of an exposed portion of the outer coating and no buffer layer. Minimal epoxy is applied around a transition area near an end of the outer coating. A method of assembling a terminated fiber optic cable is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael James Ott
  • Publication number: 20140105547
    Abstract: A ferrule for optical waveguides includes an exterior of the ferrule, an interior of the ferrule, and a stress-isolation region between the interior of the ferrule and the exterior of the ferrule. The interior of the ferrule has a bore defined therein that is configured to receive an optical waveguide. The material of the stress-isolation region has an elastic modulus that is less than the elastic modulus of material of the interior and exterior of the ferrule, whereby the stress-isolation region limits communication of stresses therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Inventors: Adra Smith Baca, Thomas Dale Ketcham, Robert Michael Morena
  • Publication number: 20140105549
    Abstract: A plug that can be produced without performing complicated axial alignment. The plug is provided at one end of an optical fiber and is removably attached to a receptacle. A metallic cover is fitted in the receptacle. A ferrule is molded integrally with the metallic cover to hold the optical fiber. An optical element module includes a photoelectric conversion element to be optically coupled to the optical fiber and a substrate on which the photoelectric conversion element is mounted. The optical element module is press-fitted in a space formed by the metallic cover and the ferrule.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Katsumi KOHNISHI
  • Publication number: 20140105548
    Abstract: An optical fiber connector includes a ferrule, an inserted optical fiber, an external optical fiber, and a pair of reinforcing members that pinches and reinforces a fusion-spliced portion of the other end portion of the inserted optical fiber and the front end portion of the external optical fiber. The reinforcing members include adhesion layer on the inner surface thereof which comes in contact with the other end portion of the inserted optical fiber and the front end portion of the external optical fiber. The adhesion layer is depressed at the position where the inserted optical fiber and the external optical fiber come in contact with each other so as to closely adhere to the outer circumferential surfaces of the optical fibers in the fusion-spliced portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: Fujikura Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeo TAKAHASHI, Kazuhiro TAKIZAWA
  • Publication number: 20140105545
    Abstract: A ferrule for optical waveguides includes an exterior and an interior of the ferrule. The interior of the ferrule has a bore defined therein that is configured to receive an optical waveguide. Material of the ferrule is such that the material changes from the interior to the exterior of the ferrule, where the thermal expansion coefficient of the material transitions from less than 30×10?7/° C. at the interior of the ferrule to greater than 70×10?7/° C. at the exterior of the ferrule. The thermal expansion coefficient of the material may change by way of discrete layers in the material between the interior and exterior of the ferrule.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Inventors: Jeffrey Dean Danley, Robert Bruce Elkins, II, Thomas Dale Ketcham, Robert Michael Morens
  • Publication number: 20140105546
    Abstract: An optical waveguide ferrule includes a body and a low-expansion material on one end of the body. The body of the ferrule is formed from a first material and has a bore extending lengthwise therethrough. The bore is configured to receive an optical fiber along a central axis of the ferrule. The low-expansion is configured to be heated without damaging the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: Corning Cable Systems LLC
    Inventors: Adra Smith Baca, Daniel Warren Hawtof, Thomas Dale Ketcham, Robert Michael Morena
  • Publication number: 20140099061
    Abstract: Reconfigurable fiber optic cable assemblies and optical connectors are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a fiber optic cable assembly includes an optical cable having a connector end and a plurality of optical fibers, a connector housing wherein the plurality of optical fibers are disposed within the connector housing, and an optical interface to which the plurality of optical fibers is optically coupled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Inventors: Micah Colen Isenhour, Dennis Michael Knecht, James Phillip Luther
  • Patent number: 8693825
    Abstract: A ferrule structure including a ferrule having an end face shape configured to incorporate at least a portion of a lens attached to an end of an optical fiber. The end face includes a cavity in which a circumference of the cavity is equal to or less than the outer diameter of the ferrule and larger than in inner diameter of an opening in the ferrule housing an optical fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: AFL Telecommunications LLC
    Inventors: Chandraika (John) Sugrim, Daiichiro Tanaka, Lalitkumar Bansal, Ted Lichoulas, Lawrence Srutkowski
  • Publication number: 20140093212
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing fiber optic connectors includes precision molding optical ferrule assemblies around optical fibers for use in the connectors. The optical ferrule assemblies are over-molded in two-parts: a ferrule and a hub. The ferrule is molded around a coated section of fiber and a fiber tip is formed (e.g., using a laser) at a stripped section of the optical fiber at a location axially spaced from the ferrule. The fiber is pulled into the ferrule to align the tip and the hub is formed to complete the ferrule assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Inventors: Michael James Ott, Paul A. Suek
  • Patent number: 8684611
    Abstract: A two-piece spring push includes a main body portion and a cap. The cap is attached to the main body portion through frictional or interference fits of projections and openings in the two-piece spring push. The two-piece spring push allows for the use of the spring push on larger diameter optical cables as the spring push is assembled on the optical fibers after the optical fibers are terminated in an optical ferrule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: US Conec, Ltd.
    Inventors: Darrell R. Childers, Mike Hughes, Hiep Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20140079355
    Abstract: An optical connector includes a base including a main body and a number of optical elements, and a number of optical fibers. The main body includes a first surface, a third surface perpendicularly connecting the first surface, and a fourth surface facing away the third surface, and defines a number of slots, which is perpendicular to the third surface, in the in the first surface. The slots run through the third surface. Each of the slots includes a regular wide first section and a second section connecting the first section and running through the third surface. Each of the second section tapers from the third surface to the first section. The optical elements are formed on the fourth surface and aligned with the slots. The optical fibers are slid and fitted in the first sections, guided by the second sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: I-THUN LIN
  • 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: 8672560
    Abstract: The invention pertains to an optical coupling method and apparatus in which the connectors are hermaphroditic and each connector comprises a ferrule that provides (1) the coarse alignment of the fibers, (2) the fine alignment of the fibers, and (3) the releasable latching of two such ferrules to each other. Hence, two such ferrules can be used to connect optical fibers without the need for connector housings. The ferrule of this system includes an alignment protrusion and a complementary alignment hole on the front face of the ferrule for providing the fine alignment. Coarse alignment is provided by longitudinally-directed protrusions extending forwardly of the front face, and recesses in the ferrule that are complementary to the protrusion such that two such ferrules can be mated to each other with the protrusions of one such ferrule fitting snugly within the recesses of the other such ferrule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Edmund J. Haley, David Robert Baechtle
  • 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: 20140064669
    Abstract: An optical fiber cable includes an optical fiber; a sheet of reinforcing tape rolled around a majority of an annular sidewall of the optical fiber; and a jacket surrounding the rolled sheet of reinforcing tape. The sheet has parallel longitudinal edges that are circumferentially spaced from each other to form a longitudinal slit along a length of the sheet of reinforcing tape. The reinforcing tape is formed of a polymeric material having uni-directionally oriented molecules along the length of the sheet. The jacket is heat-bonded to the sheet of reinforcing tape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventor: Wayne M. Kachmar
  • Publication number: 20140064670
    Abstract: An optical fiber connector includes an optical cable and a connector body connected to the optical cable. The connector body includes a shell, a PCB, photoelectric elements, and a coupler. The shell includes a receiving portion and a plug portion connected to the receiving portion. The receiving portion defines a receiving space therein, and the plug portion defines an opening communicating with the receiving space. The receiving portion includes a bottom plate and an opposite top plate. The receiving portion defines a connecting hole in the top plate and communicating with the receiving space, and an end of the optical cable is received and fixed in the connecting hole. The PCB includes a mounting end positioned in the receiving portion and an insertion end extending to the plug portion through the opening. The photoelectric elements are positioned on the mounting end and faces toward the top plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: I-THUN LIN
  • Patent number: 8662759
    Abstract: Provided is a multi-fiber connector and a method of providing a secure fiber network, where the multi-fiber connector includes a housing; a multi-position ferrule disposed within the housing, the multi-position ferrule including a plurality of fiber holes arranged in a predetermined pattern; and at least one fiber. Each of the plurality of fiber holes is configured to receive one of the at least one fiber and each fiber is selectively inserted within one of the plurality of fiber holes at a selected position among the plurality of fiber holes. Additionally, only a portion of the plurality of fiber holes are populated with the at least one fiber and a remaining portion of the plurality of fiber holes are not populated with fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: AFL Telecommunications LLC
    Inventor: Kheng Hwa Seng
  • Publication number: 20140050445
    Abstract: An optical fiber connector includes a housing configured to mate with a receptacle, a collar body that includes a fiber stub and a mechanical splice device, a backbone to retain the collar body within the housing, and a boot. The backbone includes a fiber jacket clamping portion to clamp a jacket portion that surrounds a portion of the terminated optical fiber upon actuation. The boot actuates the fiber jacket clamping portion of the backbone upon attachment to the backbone. The optical fiber connector can be terminated in the field without the need to use a separate termination platform or tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Chansool PARK, Donald K. LARSON
  • Publication number: 20140050446
    Abstract: A connector for a fiber optic cable is disclosed, as well as a housing therefor, wherein the housing is formed as a single unitary piece to simplify construction and assembly. A ferrule assembly may be configured in conjunction with the housing to provide a retentive coupling between the assembly and the housing upon insertion of the assembly into the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Inventor: Jimmy Jun-Fu CHANG
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20140037250
    Abstract: An optical fiber connector includes a housing configured to mate with a receptacle, a collar body that includes a fiber stub and a mechanical splice device, a backbone to retain the collar body within the housing, and a boot. The backbone includes a cable jacket clamping portion to clamp a cable jacket that surrounds a portion of the terminated optical fiber upon actuation. The boot actuates the cable jacket clamping portion of the backbone upon attachment to the backbone. A method for terminating the optical fiber in the field includes slitting or removing a portion of the cable jacket prior to splicing the optical fiber to the fiber stub. The method also includes utilizing a protective sheath or tube to protect exposed portion of the fiber cable and provide structural integrity to the optical connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Daniel J. Treadwell, Donald K. Larson, Michael A. Jessup, William J. Clatanoff
  • Publication number: 20140037249
    Abstract: An optical fiber connector is used for fastening a cable. The optical fiber connector includes a front housing, a fiber joining assembly, a fastening sleeve, and a rear housing. The front housing includes a base portion and a fixing portion extending from an end of the base portion. The fixing portion is applied for fastening the cable. The fastening sleeve is sleeved on the fixing portion of the front housing. The fiber joining assembly is received in the base portion of the front housing. The rear housing is sleeved on the fixing portion and is fastened to the base portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicants: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD., HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO.,LTD.
    Inventors: JUN-JIN PAN, PO-HSUN SHEN, MIN DONG
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8641294
    Abstract: An assembly, in particular for interfacing an embedded element, in particular a waveguide, at the surface of a substrate, such as a composite panel which forms part of a vehicle, typically an aircraft, to an external module, consolidation tooling for mounting an assembly to a substrate, and a method of mounting an assembly to a substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Inventor: Gareth L. Bannister
  • Publication number: 20140029899
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include fiber optic connectors employing a movable optical interface connected by optical fibers to a fiber optic cable, components and methods. In one embodiment, the movable optical interface moves between an extended position for cleaning by the user of the movable optical interface and a retracted position to optically connect the fiber optic connector to an optical device in a mechanically-secure manner. Because the fiber optic cable employs the movable optical interfaces, embodiments described herein involve one or more fiber protection features to prevent optical fiber attenuation and/or damage to the end portions of the optical fibers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Inventors: Micah C. Isenhour, Dennis M. Knecht, James P. Luther
  • Patent number: 8636424
    Abstract: In accordance with the following description, an optical communication connector includes a ferrule having retractable alignment pins that are actuable between an extended position and a retracted position. For example, the connector may include an inner housing assembly having optical fibers and an outer housing positioned over the inner housing assembly. The outer housing is shaped to be removable from the inner housing assembly, which has a movable pin clamp mechanically coupled to alignment pins for aligning the connector with another connector. The pin clamp may be slid from a first position (corresponding to a male gender) to a second position (corresponding to a female gender). Separately or in combination with changing gender, the polarity of a communication connector may be changed due to its inclusion of an asymmetric polarity-changing feature that is actuable by an installer to change a polarity of the communication connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Panduit Corp.
    Inventors: Gregory L. Kuffel, Joel D. Kwasny
  • Patent number: 8636425
    Abstract: A connector includes a ferrule assembly having a ferrule, a hub and a spring, the ferrule having a distal face accessible at a distal end of the connector housing, the ferrule being movable in a proximal direction relative to the connector housing. The distal and proximal positions are separated by an axial displacement distance. The ferrule proximal movement is against the spring's bias. The cable of the assembly includes an optical fiber contained within a jacket and also a strength layer between the fiber and the jacket that is anchored to the connector housing. The fiber extends through a fiber passage from the proximal end of the connector housing to the ferrule. The fiber has a distal portion potted within the ferrule. The fiber passage has a fiber take-up region configured to take-up an excess length of the fiber corresponding to the ferrule axial displacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventor: Ponharith Nhep
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20140023326
    Abstract: A communications connection system includes an SC fiber optic connector including a storage device having memory configured to store physical layer information. The storage device also includes electrical contacts or an RFID antenna coil connected to the memory for transmitting information to a management system. The communications connection system also includes a fiber optic adapter module having one or more media reading interfaces. Each media reading interface is configured to read physical layer information stored on one of the fiber optic connectors received at the adapter module. Example media reading interfaces include electrical contacts and RFID readers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Inventors: David J. Anderson, Stephen Lambourn
  • Publication number: 20140023325
    Abstract: A taper-locking ferrule for use with optical fibers is provided. The taper-locking ferrule has an interior channel The interior channel is tapered from one end to the other end and has a threaded interior portion. In an embodiment, the threaded interior portion covers approximately half of the interior wall of the channel A slit may extend along the threaded portion, from the exterior surface of the device to the interior channel, dividing the threaded portion of the interior channel into sections and allowing the interior channel to slightly expand. The threaded portion of the interior channel grasps and secures an optical fiber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Inventor: Paul M. Mulligan
  • Patent number: 8632258
    Abstract: An optical connector adapter allowing a stopper member to be arranged at ends of an insertion hole while being overlaid on a shutter member is provided. In the optical connector adapter, a first base plate of the shutter member is fitted into a bottom wall recess, a second base plate of the stopper member is fitted into the bottom wall recess while being overlaid on the first base plate of the shutter member, first both side plates of the shutter member are fitted into a sidewall recess, and the second both side plates of the stopper member are fitted into the sidewall recess while being overlaid on the first both side plates of the shutter member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Seikoh Giken Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masayuki Jibiki, Junji Taira
  • Patent number: 8622634
    Abstract: A ferrule assembly includes a ferrule comprising a ferrule boot insertion end and a ferrule boot defining an optical fiber channel. The optical fiber channel of the ferrule boot is shaped to receive a plurality of optical fibers therethrough. The ferrule boot includes an outer shell and a heat-activated adhesive liner is positioned within the outer shell channel and coupled to the inner surface of the outer shell. A portion of the outer shell is sized to be at least partially inserted into the ferrule boot insertion end of the ferrule. The outer shell has a thermal melting point that is greater than a thermal melting point of the heat-activated adhesive liner such that the heat-activated adhesive liner melts for adhering the plurality of optical fibers to the outer shell upon receipt of thermal energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Corning Cable Systems LLC
    Inventors: Misty Nichols Arnold, Terry Lee Cooke
  • Patent number: 8622632
    Abstract: Small-form-factor fiber optic interface assemblies (180) for electronic devices (100) are disclosed. The fiber optic interface assemblies include a receptacle (120) configured to matingly engage with a plug (20) of a fiber optic cable assembly (10). Example assemblies include a flexible mount (228) supported by a circuit board (150) and configured to absorb a mechanical force when the plug is mated to the receptacle. The receptacle aperture (223) has at least one transverse dimension (L, W) of between about 2 mm and 4 mm. The assemblies can support both optical and electrical communication and functionality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Micah C. Isenhour, Dennis M. Knecht, James P. Luther
  • Patent number: 8622629
    Abstract: A power and data connector includes an extension that protrudes from a planar lip surface. The extension is configured to cooperate with one or more magnetic attractors of an electronic device to hold the power and data connector to the electronic device via magnetic force. A planar connection surface at a terminal end of the extension separately surrounds openings, through which power interfaces extend.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroo Umeno
  • Publication number: 20140003084
    Abstract: A connector for connecting a fiber optic cable to a light source comprising a female adaptor having a receiving bore and a channel projecting into the receiving bore; a male ferrule, having a first portion insertable into at least part of the receiving bore, and a second portion defined at least partially by a tapered diameter region; and a compressible ring member disposed in the channel that engages the tapered portion when the male ferrule is inserted in the female adaptor in order to provide some resistance to removal of the male ferrule from the female adaptor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: TEDAN SURGICAL INNOVATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Marguerite McHenry, Daniel Bass, Terry Johnston
  • Publication number: 20140003772
    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: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Inventors: Alan Duncan Burkett, William Julius McPhil Giraud, Michael de Jong, Diana Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 8616785
    Abstract: A coupler for coupling a light source to a fiber optic, comprising an adapter having a cavity for receiving the fiber optic, said adapter including pins extending in a direction perpendicular to the fiber optic's axis; a coupler body having an aperture for receiving the adapter, said aperture including a pair of through slots for receiving the pins, said body including interior pin sockets radially offset from the slots; a plate mounted within the coupler body; and biasing means urging said plate towards the aperture in the coupling body wherein when the adapter is inserted into the aperture of the coupler body, the adapter initially urges the plate in a direction away from the aperture, whereupon the adapter is rotated until the pins become aligned with and captured within the pin sockets allowing the plate to be urged in a direction back towards the aperture locking the coupler in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Excelitas Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: Scott Carpenter, Tom Papanek
  • Patent number: 8616783
    Abstract: Fiber optic assemblies including a plurality of optical fibers in a connector having a ferrule are disclosed. The ferrule has a front end face and a plurality of bores with the plurality of optical fibers being disposed within one of the respective plurality of bores. The fiber optic assemblies have the plurality of optical fibers recessed from the front end face of the ferrule by a suitable distance to inhibit physical contact of the plurality of optical fibers when mated with a complementary connection. Consequently, the fiber optic assemblies are suited for hundreds or thousands of connections and disconnections (i.e., mating cycles) with reduced susceptibility from damage and/or optical attenuation caused by dirt, debris and the like as expected with the consumer electronic/device environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Corning Cable Systems LLC
    Inventors: Radawan Hall, Micah C. Isenhour, Dennis M. Knecht, James P. Luther
  • Patent number: 8613560
    Abstract: An optical connector plug is comprised of a pair of divided front and rear housings formed generally in a quadrilateral tubular shape for receiving a ferrule to hold an optical fiber. A housing, one of the housings is provided with engagement openings on at least opposite wall portions thereof, and the other housing is provided with engagement projections on its opposite wall portions to be engaged in the engagement openings. Furthermore, fitting projections are formed in the longitudinal direction on the wall portions in which the engagement openings are formed, and fitting recesses to be fitted with the fitting projections are formed in the wall portions on which the engagement projections are formed. The pair of housings are firmly joined to each other by engaging the engagement projections with the engagement openings and by fitting and engaging the fitting projections in the fitting recesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Adamant Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuhiko Oda, Isao Yamauchi, Kohsuke Ishikawa
  • Publication number: 20130336618
    Abstract: A pre-terminated optical fiber assembly with a ferrule having front and rear opposed faces and at least one fiber bore defined longitudinally therethrough includes a glass optical fiber is disposed within the at least one fiber bore with the fiber fused to the ferrule at a location at least 1 mm deep inside the bore. A method for fusing is also disclosed. The ferrule 14 is desirably composed of an inorganic composite material, the composite comprising a material gradient from at least 75% by volume of a first inorganic material to at least 75% by volume of second inorganic material in the radially inward direction, where the first inorganic material has a fracture toughness of at least 1 MPa•m1/2, and the second inorganic material has a softening point of no greater than 1000° C., desirably no greater than 900° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Inventors: Jeffrey Dean Danley, Robert Bruce Elkins, II
  • Publication number: 20130330046
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a high performance quick terminal assembly for optical fiber, comprising a ferrule and an inner bore inside the ferrule. The inner bore is exposed after part of the cylinder body of the ferrule is cut away, forming a connecting platform. Pre-embedded optical fiber and connecting optical fiber are connected in the inner bore of the connecting platform, and the connecting platform is disposed with a pressing device to compress the connecting point of the two optical fibers. The invention uses high precision inner bore of the ceramic ferrule to replace the existing V-shaped groove. It can be easily, efficiently and effectively installed and is cost saving. Meanwhile excellent optical performance and high reliability are achieved. The problem related to various failure or badness of the prior art are resolved in the present invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicants: NANCHONG THREE-CIRCLE ELECTRONICS CO., LTD., CHAOZHOU THREE-CIRCLE (GROUP) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Cansheng Xie, Zhenhong Zheng, Zhanhui Wang
  • Publication number: 20130322826
    Abstract: Ferrule holders with an integral lead-in tube employed in fiber optic connector assemblies, and related components, connectors, and methods are disclosed. By integrating the integral lead-in tube as part of the ferrule holder, the integral lead-in tube may be less expensive to manufacture and easier to install. The integral lead-in tube may also be less susceptible to inadvertent removal by friction with a bonding agent syringe or by vibration during shipment. The ferrule holder may include a ferrule holder body and integral lead-in tube. The integral lead-in tube may guide an optical fiber from a rear end of a fiber optic connector to an internal passage of the ferrule holder, where the optical fiber may be further guided to a ferrule for precise alignment. The integral lead-in tube may also protect the optical fiber during installation, shipment, and use in the fiber optic connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Inventors: Charles T. Henke, Louis E. Parkman, III
  • Patent number: 8596883
    Abstract: An optical connector plug incorporates a coil spring to bias a shutter holding member to the front side of an axial direction with respect to a plug frame and minimizes the entire length. The plug has a housing that includes a grip member and a shutter holding member that move relatively in the axial direction and the plug frame has an extension state in which the grip member moves to the rear side of the axial direction of the shutter holding member and a reduction state in which the grip member moves to the front side of the axial direction of the shutter holding member. A biasing member that biases the shutter holding member to the front side of the axial direction with respect to the plug frame and a biasing member receiving member that is connected to the plug frame are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Seikoh Giken Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Junji Taira, Norimasa Arai
  • Patent number: 8596884
    Abstract: An optical fiber mechanical splice connector system that couples with a field fiber includes a connector body comprising a ferrule receiving portion, a pellet receiving portion and a support portion between the ferrule receiving portion and pellet receiving portion. The pellet receiving portion includes one or more engagement fingers connected at a first end to the support portion and extending away from the ferrule receiving portion to a second, free end adjacent a pellet receiving opening of a pellet receiving cavity at the pellet receiving portion. A ferrule is connected to the connector body at the ferrule receiving portion. A stub fiber is captured within the ferrule. The stub fiber extends from the ferrule into a fiber receiving cavity provided within the connector body for connecting with the field fiber. A fiber carrying pellet carries the field fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Corning Cable Systems LLC
    Inventors: Brandon A. Barnes, Michael de Jong, Greg J. Scherer
  • Publication number: 20130315541
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a fiber optic connector and cable assembly. The fiber optic connector includes a connector body and ferrule assembly mounted in the connector body. A spring is positioned within the connector body for biasing the ferrule assembly in a forward direction. The spring has a first spring length when the ferrule assembly is in a forwardmost position. A rear housing of the connector body includes a front extension that fits inside a rear end of the spring, the front extension having a front extension length. The fiber optic connector defines a gap between the front extension and a ferrule hub of the ferrule assembly, the gap having a first dimension measured between the front extension and the ferrule hub when the ferrule assembly is in the forwardmost position, the front extension length being longer than the first dimension.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2013
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Inventors: Ponharith Nhep, Patrick Nault
  • Publication number: 20130315540
    Abstract: An optical connector has a housing, and a retention member for retaining a cable with a fiber that has a specified minimum bend radius. A rear portion of a connector ferrule and spring are seated in the retention member, a front end of the member engages the connector housing, and the spring urges the ferrule toward the front of the connector housing. An elongated cable support has an axial passage that opens at a front end and at a back end of the support for receiving the cable, and the front end of the support is joined at the rear of the retention member. The passage in the support has a radially outward flare at the back end which acts to limit the cable from bending in the vicinity of the connector, so that the cable fiber is not strained below the specified minimum bend radius.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: OFS FITEL, LLC
    Inventors: Kelvin B. Bradley, Gregory A. Sandels
  • Patent number: 8591124
    Abstract: A system for plugging a fibre optic cable into a fibre optic receptacle includes: a base element having at least one base port, and an adapter unit having at least one adapter, the at least one adapter and the at least one base port being spaced of a predetermined length. The system includes a cable adaptor associated with the fibre optic cable, the cable adaptor including a connector for being plugged into the adapter; an anchoring device for anchoring the fibre optic cable to said base port, and a connector retaining element for receiving the connector and a cable end portion, the connector retaining element defining the predetermined length and removably engaging with the anchoring device. A cable adaptor for a fibre optic cable and a method of installing a fibre optic cable into a fibre optic receptacle, especially into a joint closure, are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Prysmian Cables & Systems Limited
    Inventors: Ian Griffiths, Paul Hubbard
  • Publication number: 20130308911
    Abstract: An optical fiber module includes an optical transmission line and a fiber stub structure. The optical transmission line has an optical fiber core, a coating enclosing the optical fiber core and a buffer layer enclosing the coating. A part of the optical fiber core is exposed to outer side of a free end of the optical transmission line. The fiber stub structure includes a sleeve and a ferrule. The sleeve has an internal central hole for accommodating the optical transmission line and an oblique hole in communication with the central hole for accommodating the ferrule. The ferrule has an internal passageway for accommodating a part of the optical fiber core of the optical transmission line. When installed, under the restriction of the oblique hole, the ferrule is disposed in the sleeve in an inclined state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: EZCONN CORPORATION
    Inventor: Chin-Tsung Wu
  • Publication number: 20130308910
    Abstract: A ferrule of the invention includes: a ferrule main body having a front edge and a rear edge; a fiber insertion hole into which an optical fiber is to be inserted; a recess provided at a top surface of the ferrule main body, having a reflection surface converting an optical path of a front end of the optical fiber into an optical path of a light emission-launch end provided at a lower surface side of the ferrule main body; a light emission-launch portion provided on the optical path of the light emission-launch end at a lower surface of the ferrule main body; a locating pin provided closer to the front edge than the light emission-launch portion at the lower surface of the ferrule main body; and a recessed portion provided between the locating pin at the lower surface of the ferrule main body and the light emission-launch portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: FUJIKURA LTD.
    Inventor: FUJIKURA LTD.
  • Publication number: 20130308909
    Abstract: A fiber optic assembly includes a connector and a cover bonded to an end face of the connector. The connector includes a ferrule, where an optical fiber extends through the ferrule and to the end face of the connector. An end of the optical fiber is polished proximate to the end face. The cover is bonded directly to the end face of the connector, and overlays the polished end of the optical fiber such that the cover protects the optical fiber, limits access of dust to the end face of the connector, and draws loose particulates from the end face upon removal of the cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Inventors: Robert Elvin Barnette, JR., David Lee Dean, JR., Matthew Wade Smith, Wesley Allan Yates