Lens-shaped Ferrule Patents (Class 385/79)
  • Patent number: 7942587
    Abstract: A strain-relief assembly for a field-installable fiber optic connector is disclosed, wherein the assembly includes a ferrule holder, an intermediate sleeve, and a crimp sleeve. The ferrule holder back section holds a buffered section of a fiber optic cable, while the ferrule holder front end holds a ferrule and a splice assembly. A stub fiber is held within the ferrule and the splice assembly so as to interface with a section of field optical fiber protruding from the buffered section. The intermediate sleeve engages and generally surrounds a portion of the ferrule holder back section and thus surrounds a portion of the buffered layer. An intermediate sleeve handler may be used to handle the intermediate sleeve and attached the intermediate sleeve to the ferrule holder back section. Stress-relief strands from the fiber optic cable are flared around the outer surface of the intermediate sleeve. A crimp sleeve is placed over the intermediate sleeve to hold the ends of the stress-relief strands in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Corning Cable Systems LLC
    Inventors: Ray S. Barnes, Kristine A. McEvoy, David W. Meek, Scott E. Semmler
  • Patent number: 7891884
    Abstract: An optical receptacle including a cylindrical sleeve formed using a material having higher elasticity than that of the optical receptacle main body. The sleeve is held within the sleeve holding section by being press-fitted and a sum of a press-fitted sleeve thickness and a press-fitted holding sleeve thickness in a radial direction is a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Enplas Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiharu Sumi, Shimpei Morioka
  • Publication number: 20110033159
    Abstract: An optical fiber connecting part has a ferrule, and a guide bore penetrating through the ferrule and configured to guide an optical fiber to be inserted. The guide bore has a first bore provided at one end of the ferrule, through which the optical fiber is inserted into the ferrule, a second bore provided at another end of the ferrule, the second bore having an inner diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the first bore, and an intermediate bore provided between the first bore and the second bore to directly connect between the first bore and the second bore. A center axis of the second bore is shifted from a center axis of the first bore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2010
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Applicant: HITACHI CABLE, LTD.
    Inventors: Seiji Kojima, Kanako Suzuki, Mikio Ohkoshi, Yoshikazu Namekawa
  • Patent number: 7874740
    Abstract: A housing (10) for an optical waveguide ferrule (12), includes first distance elements (22, 28) being determinative for a distance between two adjacently arranged housings (10) and being formed by formations of the housing (10), the first distance elements (22, 28) being located opposite each other with respect to one of a center axis (M) of the housing (10) and the optical waveguide ferrule (12) arranged in the housing (10), and the first distance elements (22, 28) being formed by a pair of first distance elements of a first type (22) and a second type (28) differing from the first type (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Harting Electronics GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Rita Hoffmann
  • Publication number: 20100303422
    Abstract: An optical connector having a front and back orientation and suitable for operating with a temperature range, the connector comprising: (a) a ferrule comprising a first material having a first coefficient of thermal expansion (COE), and having no greater than a first diameter below a transition temperature with the temperature range, and no less than a second diameter above the transition temperature, the ferrule also comprising an endface, and containing at least one fiber having a fiber end presented at the endface; (b) a spring disposed behind the ferrule and in contact with the ferrule to apply a forward urging force to the ferrule; and (c) a housing comprising a second material having a second COE, the housing defining a bore hole having a diameter greater than the second diameter, and an interface portion having a restricted bore hole having no greater than a third diameter below the transition temperature, and no less than a fourth diameter above the transition temperature; wherein the connector is con
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2009
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Applicant: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel E. Wertman, Soren Grinderslev
  • Patent number: 7824110
    Abstract: The invention relates to a data transmission cable (10; 20), in particular for motor vehicles, at at least one of whose ends a plastics housing (14; 24) is arranged, said housing having mechanical dimensions in its interface region (30; 32) which conform to the FAKRA standardisation scheme. The data transmission cable (10; 20) has an optical waveguide, wherein a holding member (40) is provided in the plastics housing (14; 24), said holding member being configured for holding an optical imaging element (42) and for connecting the optical imaging element (42) to the optical waveguide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Rosenberger Hochfrequenztechnik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Bernd Rosenberger, Clemens Wurster
  • Publication number: 20100266245
    Abstract: A fiber termination (10) for a fiber optical connection system includes a cable (107) having a number of fibers (1070) therein; a ferrule member (103) combined with the fibers, with front ends of the fibers exposed around a front end portion of the ferrule member; and a lens member (101) adhesively attached to the front end portion of the ferrule member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2009
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Inventor: James M. Sabo
  • Publication number: 20100149650
    Abstract: The optical device includes a first capillary tube assembly including a capillary tube into which an optical fiber is inserted and fixed, and a retaining sleeve for retaining the capillary tube; a second capillary tube assembly including a capillary tube into which optical fibers are inserted and fixed, and a retaining sleeve for retaining the capillary tube; and a lens assembly including a first lens that faces a forward end face of the optical fiber with a gap therebetween, a second lens facing the end faces of the optical fibers with a gap therebetween, a band pass filter interposed between the first lens and the second lens, and an accommodation member for receiving the first and second lenses and the band pass filter. The retaining sleeve of the first capillary tube assembly is secured to one end surface of the accommodation member, and the retaining member of the second capillary tube assembly is secured to another end surface of the accommodation member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2007
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventors: Hirokazu Tanaka, Funabiki Nobuo
  • Publication number: 20100135618
    Abstract: A unitary fiber optic ferrule reflects light off an interior lens and through the fiber optic ferrule. Optical fibers can be easily secured in the unitary fiber optic ferrule. An adapter to secure the unitary fiber optic ferrule to a optical component assembly is also presented. The adapter provides a sealing function for the lenses and to provide routing for optical fibers from other assemblies of unitary fiber optic ferrules and adapters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Inventors: Joseph P. Howard, Darrell R. Childers, Russell J. Granger
  • Patent number: 7722261
    Abstract: An optical connector comprising: (a) a lens; (b) a ferrule assembly comprising a ferrule with an endface and at least one fiber in the ferrule having a fiber end presented at the endface; (c) a housing for holding the ferrule assembly and the lens in a certain axial and radial relationship; and (d) a glass element having a first and second surface, the first surface affixed to the endface such that it is in physical contact with the fiber end, the second surface having an AR coating and defining a space between it and the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Aaron Kadar-Kallen, Soren Grinderslev, Randall Bobby Paul
  • Publication number: 20100027944
    Abstract: An optical receptacle and a manufacturing method thereof are provided in which good wiggle characteristics can be actualized at a low cost and mass-productivity can be improved. A sleeve 3 is formed using a material having higher elasticity than that of an optical receptacle main body 2. The sleeve 3 is held within a sleeve holding section 5 by being press-fitted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2009
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Inventors: Toshiharu Sumi, Shimpei Morioka
  • Patent number: 7625129
    Abstract: A multi channel connector includes a first connector housing and a mating second connector housing. The first connector housing includes a plurality of first termini, each first terminus resting upon a respective bench or within a respective channel. The second connector housing loosely holds a plurality of second termini. In a first embodiment, a biasing member is disposed in the first connector housing and when the first and second housings are mated, the biasing member engages the plurality of second termini to press the second termini onto engagement with respective benches within the first housing to thereby ensure accurate end-to-end alignments between the plurality of first termini and the plurality of second termini. In a second embodiment, chamfers are formed at openings to the respective channels and beveled outer edges are formed at tip ends of the second termini to guide the second termini into respective channels, when the first and second connector housings are mated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Commscope, Inc. of North Carolina
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Nielson, Matthew Cruz
  • Patent number: 7604417
    Abstract: A terminus for a fiber optic cable includes a ferrule. An optic fiber of the cable passes through a central bore of the ferrule and is attached to a lens seated in a conical or cylindrical seat formed in an end surface of the ferrule by an epoxy. Preferably, the seat permits the lens to be recessed below the end surface of the ferrule. An inspection slot may be formed through the seat to allow a technician to inspect the state of the epoxy attachment. The ferrule may also include retaining features, such as an o-ring encircling a groove in the outer circumference of the ferrule or a metal sleeve crimped or otherwise attached to the ferrule to permit the ferrule to be easily attached to a cable retention sleeve, connector body or similar structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Commscope, Inc. of North Carolina
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Nielson, Timothy W. Anderson, Matthew Cruz
  • Publication number: 20090252459
    Abstract: A terminus for a fiber optic cable includes a ferrule. In one embodiment, an optical fiber of the cable passes through a central bore of the ferrule and is attached to a lens seated in a conical or cylindrical seat formed in an end surface of the ferrule by an epoxy. In a second embodiment, an optical fiber of the cable passes through the central bore of the ferrule. Next, a cap sleeve with a lens therein is slid over and attached to the ferrule such that the lens abuts or is attached to the optical fiber. In either embodiment, an inspection slot may optionally be formed in the ferrule and/or the cap sleeve to allow a technician to inspect the state of the attachment and/or abutment and/or spacing of the optical fiber and lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Nielson, Gary Gibbs, Matthew Cruz, Timothy W. Anderson
  • Patent number: 7594765
    Abstract: Various embodiments of arrangements for optically coupling an optical waveguide to an optical unit of an optical module are provided. One embodiment is an optical module for optically coupling an optical waveguide to an optical unit. One such optical module comprises: a reference structure having a reference geometry that defines a first axis of symmetry; an optical unit having an optical axis along which light is transmitted or received, the optical unit positioned relative to the reference structure with an offset between the first axis of symmetry and the optical axis; and a coupling element that couples the optical unit to an optical waveguide, the coupling element having an eccentric hole which functions as a fiber guide and a structural geometry adapted to compensate for the offset between the first axis of symmetry and the optical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: Avago Technologies Fiber IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Hans-Ludwig Althaus, Hans Hurt, Stephan Prucker, Tobias Stäber, Frank Weberpals, Josef Wittl
  • Publication number: 20090214165
    Abstract: An optical connector having a compression ring that is fitted onto a front end portion of a ferrule so as to compressively deform the ferrule and thus reduce the diameter of a through hole formed in the ferrule to thereby press and fixedly hold an optical fiber within the through hole from the outside. The compression ring can fix an optical fiber with high accuracy in terms of the position of the center axis of the optical fiber and can easily be manufactured through a simple manufacturing process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2006
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: MOLEX INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Akihiro Shimotsu, Teruki Nagase, Tsuneyasu Asada
  • Patent number: 7574080
    Abstract: A technique for photonic switching is disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the technique may be realized as a method for photonic switching. The method may comprise receiving at least one optical signal at a photonic line card, wherein the at least one optical signal comprises one or more wavelength channels and the photonic line card comprises at least one integrated optical switch. The method may also comprise routing at least one of the one or more wavelength channels through the at least one integrated optical switch to a photonic bus, wherein the photonic bus comprises a plurality of optical paths and each of the plurality of optical paths is capable of carrying multiple wavelength channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Nortel Networks Limited
    Inventors: Dominic John Goodwill, Mirjana Vukovic
  • Patent number: 7572063
    Abstract: The device includes a housing, an insert, a first ferrule, a second ferrule, a first ball lens, a second ball lens, a first contact pin, a second contact pin, a first contact socket, a second contact socket, an alignment pin, and an alignment socket. The housing has a first key and a second key. The insert is mounted in the housing. The first ferrule is mounted in the insert. The second ferrule is mounted in the insert. The first ball lens is mounted in the insert, and the first ball lens is in optical communication with the first ferrule. The second ball lens is mounted in the insert, and the first ball lens is in optical communication with the second ferrule. The first and second contact pins, and the first and second contact sockets are mounted in the insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Stratos International, Inc.
    Inventors: Geoffrey Neil Mynott, Christopher M. Warnes, Graham Woolmer
  • Publication number: 20090154884
    Abstract: A fiber optic ferrule, preferably an MT-type ferrule, and connector design is provided that includes a unitary v-groove lens array (v-lens). The v-lens comprises a plurality of lenses and corresponding plurality of open v-grooves to align optical fibers with the plurality of lenses. Because the v-groove lens array is a unitary structure, high precision manufacturing is required for only the v-groove lens array, and not for other components forming the ferrule. A housing holds the v-groove lens array and preferably comprises a cantilever configured to retain the optical fibers substantially within their corresponding v-grooves. An opening in the housing allows an adhesive to be placed in contact with the housing, optical fibers and v-groove lens array thereby retaining the various components in a fixed relationship. A fiber optic connector may include the fiber optic ferrule in accordance with the present invention disposed within a suitable connector housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2006
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Inventors: Wenzong Chen, Malcolm H. Hodge, Iiya Makhlin, Dean Richardson
  • 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
  • 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: 7455462
    Abstract: A module-to-fiber connection includes a fiber optic module and a fiber optic cable assembly. The fiber optic module includes (1) a ferrule interface having a port for receiving a ferrule, (2) an optoelectronic device such as a light source or a photodetector, and (3) a first lens having a first focus located at the optoelectronic device. The fiber optic cable assembly includes (1) the fiber and (2) the ferrule receiving the fiber. The tip of the ferrule includes a second lens having a second focus located at the tip of the fiber. When the ferrule is inserted into the port, the optical axes of the first and the second lenses are substantially parallel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Avago Technologies Fiber IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventor: Robert E. Wilson
  • Patent number: 7360953
    Abstract: A light emitting end face side front end part of an optical fiber bundle 16 is covered by a sleeve member 13 and an emitting part outer cover 14. A glass rod holding member 42, which holds a glass rod 40, is mounted to emitting part outer cover 14. Glass rod 40 is fixed to glass rod holding member 42 by means of positioning pins 44 and a light incidence end face 40i thereof opposes a light emitting end face 16o of optical fiber bundle 16. A light emitting end face 40o of glass rod 40 has a rectangular shape. The light emitting from light emitting end face 40o is made uniform in illuminance across the entirety of its cross section and the cross section thereof is shaped to a rectangular shape in the process of being propagated while being totally reflected at the boundary surface of glass rod 40.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.
    Inventors: Kazuhito Kawai, Tetsuya Osajima
  • Publication number: 20080075406
    Abstract: There is provided a light emitting device using an optical component capable of emitting light having a wavelength different from that of light exit from an optical fiber and obtaining light of high output, and capable of being easily attached to an end of the optical fiber. The optical component includes an optical fiber holding member for holding an optical fiber, a light conversion member, and a cap having an inner hole allowing the light conversion member and the optical fiber holding member to be inserted into and an engagement part with an opening for engaging inserted members at one end of the inner hole. The light conversion member inserted into the inner hole of the cap is fitted into the inner hole with the optical fiber holding member pressed against the engagement part. The opening of the engagement part is smaller than a maximum diameter of the light conversion member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2007
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Inventors: Masaaki Kadomi, Yoshio Umayahara, Tadahito Furuyama, Masaru Iwao, Atsutomo Hama, Takafumi Sugiyama, Yukihiro Hayashi, Naoto Morizumi
  • Patent number: 7330546
    Abstract: A multimedia patching box including a generally rectangular housing. The housing includes a first wall positioned opposite from a second wall. The housing also includes opposing third and fourth walls that extend between the first and second walls. A panel is mounted adjacent the front of the housing. The panel is mounted to pivot about a pivot axis between an open position and a closed position. The pivot axis is located adjacent to the third wall of the housing and extends generally along the third wall of the housing. A plurality of multimedia connectors are mounted on the panel. The housing defines at least one cable access opening defined through at least one of the first and second walls at a location adjacent the third wall. A cable management structure is connected to the back side of the panel. The cable management structure defines a cable guiding channel that extends generally along the pivot axis of the panel and generally aligns with the at least one cable access opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley Scott Kessler, Jeffrey Scott Hartzler, Cory Lee Grabinger
  • Patent number: 7306376
    Abstract: A monolithic ferrule/endcap/optical fiber structure is provided wherein an optical fiber is terminated in a ferrule and bonded by fusion to form a monolithic unit which minimizes optical loss and is typically capable of transmitting high power laser radiation, preferably on the order of 500 W and higher, without damage to the optical fiber and ferrule. Ferrule, endcap, optical fiber and fusible powder are composed of material of substantially the same physical characteristics such that, when all are fused together, the structure so formed is monolithic and the optical path is transparent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Electro-Optics Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: David Gerald Scerbak, Gordon Edgar Gottfried, Eric Sean Pooler, Evan Matthew Rogers
  • Publication number: 20070211999
    Abstract: The optical fiber connector of the present invention includes a housing having a ferrule receiving passageway and a lens receiving portion which is disposed on the front end portion of this ferrule receiving passageway. A central axis is coaxial with the central axis of the ferrule receiving passageway. A spherical lens is fastened to the lens receiving portion and a ferrule is inserted into the ferrule receiving passageway from the rear side and is incorporated with an optical fiber whose front end surface is perpendicular to the central axis. A transparent block having a refractive index that is substantially the same as the refractive indices of the lens and optical fiber is disposed between the lens and the ferrule so that this block contacts the lens, the ferrule, and the optical fiber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2007
    Publication date: September 13, 2007
    Inventors: Shigeru Kobayashi, Nobuaki Ohtsu, Takehiro Hayashi
  • Patent number: 7264403
    Abstract: An optical ferrule is provided with a ferrule body having a front face and at least one covering applied to the front face to protect the front face of the ferrule from a laser beam used during a trimming process. The optical ferrule may also have a second covering disposed between the front face of the ferrule and the first covering to assist in adhering the first covering to the optical ferrule. A method is also provided for applying the first covering or the first covering and the second covering to the front face of the ferrule. A method is also provided for trimming, and in particular, ablating portions of one or more optical fibers that protrude beyond the front face of the ferrule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Corning Cable Systems LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Danley, Paul A. Sachenlk, Robert S. Wagner
  • Patent number: 7231115
    Abstract: Disclosed is an optical collimator-use lens component including: a thin tube; a partially spherical lens that has been fixed in an inner hole of the thin tube so that an insertion portion having a predetermined length is left, is made of glass whose refractive index is approximately uniform, and has translucent spherical surfaces, whose centers of curvature are approximately the same, at both ends of a cylindrical portion of the partially spherical lens; and an adhesive that bonds the partially spherical lens to the thin tube. An axial deviation amount between a center axis of the thin tube and an optical axis of the partially spherical lens is 5 ?m or less. When a capillary tube, in whose inner hole an optical fiber has been fixed and whose axial deviation amount between an outer peripheral surface of the capillary tube and a core center of an end surface of the optical fiber is 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Nippon Electric Glass Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadashi Seto, Masaaki Kadomi, Hirokazu Tanaka, Hirokazu Takeuchi, Shintaro Ito
  • Patent number: 7178989
    Abstract: The present invention provides an optical receptacle having a superior insertion/extraction performance of the ferrule, and an optical sub-assembly applying the optical receptacle. The optical receptacle 1 includes a stub, a bush 4, a sleeve, and a sleeve cover. The stub having a lower portion covered by the bush, and an upper portion covered by the sleeve. The sleeve may be a rigid sleeve without any slit along the optical axis in its outer surface. The sleeve cover covers the sleeve and the bush. In the present optical receptacle, the bush is press-fitted into the gap formed between the stub and the sleeve cover. Accordingly, in addition to the application of the rigid sleeve, not only the sub is hard to slide out from the sleeve, but also the insertion/extraction performance of the ferrule to be inserted into the sleeve may be enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industrics, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazunori Yoshida, Hiromi Nakanishi, Yoshiki Kuhara
  • Patent number: 7164817
    Abstract: As a wavelength selection filter, a filter in which dielectric multilayered films are formed on a substrate, an optical fiber grating in which diffraction grating is formed in an optical fiber, and so on, can be used. As another optical demultiplexer 33, as described in Japanese Patent No. 2599876, an arrayed optical waveguide diffraction grating which forms plural optical waveguides having different length of optical paths on the substrate to demultiplex the multiple wavelength light to the respective wavelengths can be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Hoya Corporation
    Inventors: Kaoru Kagami, Hidekuni Asai, Yoshiatsu Yokoo
  • Patent number: 7156563
    Abstract: After a tolerance of width B during the mounting of a photoelectric transfer element 8 is previously set, a holder 3 is formed so that a dimensional error A on the end portion of the holder 3 on the side of the photoelectric transfer element 8 in directions parallel to an optical axis 4 satisfies a condition of A<B with respect to the tolerance of width B, and then, a substrate 9 on which the photoelectric transfer element 8 is mounted is caused to contact the end face of the holder 3 on the side of the photoelectric transfer element 8 to form an optical module 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Enplas Corporation
    Inventor: Shimpei Morioka
  • Patent number: 7121735
    Abstract: An optical fiber connector (19) has a connector main body including a first pipe (20) for receiving a fiber (24) inside, and three second pipes (21a) through (21c) for receiving the first pipe (20) inside. With this arrangement, the fiber (24) can be securely held with ease at the center of the connector main body. On this account, it is possible to provide the optical fiber connector (19) in which the fiber (24) is securely held with ease at the center of the connector main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignees: Japan Science and Technology Agency, Nalux Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takahisa Jitsuno, Keiu Tokumura
  • Patent number: 7085440
    Abstract: A semiconductor laser module includes a polarization direction transforming part which transforms polarization directions of first and second laser beams such that they are orthogonal to each other even if a polarization dependent optical isolator is utilized in the semiconductor laser module. The configuration allows the two laser beams to propagate through the birefringence element to the output port without each splitting into an ordinary ray and an extraordinary ray on entering the birefringence element, and therefore free from decrease of optical power reaching the output port. Thus, high power semiconductor laser modules can be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: The Furukawa Electric Co., LTD
    Inventors: Toshio Kimura, Masashi Nakae
  • Patent number: 7083333
    Abstract: Housings for use in optical packages, optical packages, and methods to manufacture the same are disclosed. A disclosed optical assembly includes a housing having a ferrule to receive an optical fiber; a lens; an annular mechanical interface; and a total internal reflection surface disposed between the ferrule and the lens to direct light between the ferrule and the lens. The example optical package also includes an optical element coupled to the mechanical interface of the housing to form a sealed chamber. The lens is disposed within the sealed chamber substantially in optical alignment with the optical element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Craig W. Hodgson
  • Patent number: 7006728
    Abstract: An optical device has a housing for receiving a plurality of optical fibers adapted to carry optical signals. A filter is disposed within the housing for transmitting specific optical signals having a predetermined wavelength range. A first ball lens is coupled to the housing and is positioned relative to the filter and the optical fibers to selectively collimate and focus the optical signals. A second ball lens is coupled to the housing and is also positioned relative to the filter and optical fibers to selectively collimate and focus the optical signals. Both ball lenses are optically coupled to the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Finisar Corporation
    Inventors: Wei Jiang, Yingzhi Sun, Ray T. Chen
  • Patent number: 6973582
    Abstract: An audio signal output device is disclosed in which optical signals are not output when a plug is not connected to an S/PDIF output terminal. When a plug is not connected to the S/PDIF output terminal, a fitting metal part does not contact a detection pin, and a connection detection signal is therefore 12V. As a result, a PNP transistor and an n-channel MOS transistor are both OFF, a power supply voltage of 5 V is not supplied to a drive IC, and optical signals are not output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Atsuko Sugiura, Naoya Ishii, Takashi Taga, Toshiaki Uotani
  • Patent number: 6961496
    Abstract: An optical package comprises an optical element (e.g., a filter), a reflective surface, an input optical fiber and an output optical fiber. A light signal travels through the input fiber and through the element where it is shaped or modified a first time. The shaped light signal is reflected by the reflective surface and is again transmitted through the element where it is shaped or modified a second time. The twice-shaped light signal then travels out through the output fiber. The package thereby utilizes the element two times. The package is useful in wavelength division multiplex (WDM) telecommunication systems and other light processing systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Avanex Corporation
    Inventors: Scott M. Hellman, Patrick B. Paolini, Paul A. Townley-Smith, Michael Ushinsky
  • Patent number: 6957920
    Abstract: A ferrule assembly having highly protruding optical fibers and a corresponding method of efficiently, precisely and repeatedly fabricating the ferrule assemblies are provided. In this regard, a ferrule assembly is provided that includes a plurality of optical fibers extending at least about 3.5 ?m beyond the front face. The end portions of the optical fibers of the ferrule assembly may also be substantially coplanar with the end portions of the optical fibers differing in position from one another by no more than 100 nm. The ferrule assembly may be efficiently fabricated by polishing the optical fibers to a desired protrusion without first grinding or polishing the optical fibers to be flush with the front face of the ferrule. The ferrule assembly may be even more efficiently fabricated in instances in which the ferrule includes at least one polishing feature, such as an outwardly extending pedestal or a recessed portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Corning Cable Systems LLC
    Inventors: James P. Luther, Dennis M. Knecht, Hieu V. Tran, Robert B. Elkins, II
  • Patent number: 6953288
    Abstract: A safe connection system for coupling radiation from radiation sources, such as lasers, into optical fibers is provided. The system prevents the accidental use of standard optical fibers with radiation sources that require fibers capable of transmitting high power or other radiation with unique characteristics. Because often the fibers for use with high power lasers, for example, may also be used with standard lasers, the system preserves the interchangeability of standard connection systems such as SMA by providing connectors that can properly fit both in standard receptacles and in the receptacles of the present invention. Thus, this connection system preserves the advantages of a standard laser-fiber connection system while increasing the safety of such systems, where it is necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Assignee: CeramOptec Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Foley, Wolfgang Neuberger, Heinrich Kudla, Stefan Spaniol
  • Patent number: 6951994
    Abstract: A system for shaping an optical fiber with various geometries while minimizing unwanted artifacts in the core of the optical fiber. The system facilitates control of sag in the region of the core that is exposed to a beam of optical energy. The sag is reduced, if not eliminated, by maintaining the cross-sectional area of the core that is exposed to the beam at thermal equilibrium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2005
    Assignee: RDM Corporation
    Inventor: Robert Mays, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6942398
    Abstract: There is provided an optical module capable of improving assembling efficiency and reducing the number of parts to reduce production costs, and an optical connector having the same. The optical module has a holder 3, a lens 12 and a diffraction grating 13 for damping the quantity of light. The holder 3, the lens 12 and the diffraction grating 13 are formed of a resin material so as to be integrated with each other. The diffracting grating 13 is designed to prevent high-order diffracted light beams from being coupled with an optical fiber 8.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Enplas Corporation
    Inventor: Shimpei Morioka
  • Patent number: 6904206
    Abstract: Improved fiber Fabry-Perot (FFP) filter configurations are provided in which at least one of the mirror-ended fiber ends forming the FFP has a concave fiber core end. The mirror at that fiber core end is thus concave. The invention provides waferless FFP configurations in which the FFP cavity is an air-gap cavity formed by two highly reflective dielectric mirrors deposited directly on optical fiber ends. The air gap cavity can be tuned using various methods to tune the filter. Use of a concave mirror at the fiber core enables filters with improved performance characteristics: including very wide FSR (>12000 GHz), very high finesse (>5,000), and high glitch-free dynamic range (GFDR) (>40 dB). The invention also provides improved wafer-based FFP fixed and tunable filters that incorporate a concave mirror at a fiber core forming the FFP cavity and a fiber (SMF) waveguide within the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Micron Optics, Inc.
    Inventors: Yufei Bao, Stephen K. Ferguson, Donald Q. Snyder
  • Patent number: 6883978
    Abstract: A fiber-coupled optical component package comprises a high thermal conductivity base, a housing including a ceramic substrate, an optical component mount aperture formed on the substrate and a substantially planar fiber mount region on the substrate adjacent to the optical component mount aperture. An optical component may be secured within an area defined by the optical component mount aperture and an optical fiber may be secured to the substantially planar fiber mount region to optically couple the fiber and the optical component. A package lid may be placed over one or more of the housing, the optical component, and a portion of the fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Michael Powers
  • Patent number: 6876790
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for coupling a laser signal to an optical carrier. The method and associated apparatus control a power of the laser signal to a power density level below a damage threshold of the optical carrier, couple the laser signal to the optical carrier, and measure an output power of the laser signal at an exit of the optical carrier. By translating a focusing lens or an entrance of the optical carrier along an optical axis between the focusing lens and the entrance to the optical carrier, a range in measured power output is determined in which the laser signal is incident within the entrance of the optical carrier. The method and associated apparatus set a distance between the focusing lens and the entrance to the optical carrier such that the entrance to the optical carrier is at a position beyond a focal point of the focusing lens where the laser signal is divergent-coupled to the optical carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Science & Engineering Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Hyo Sang Lee
  • Patent number: 6837625
    Abstract: Various embodiments of methods and systems for reducing the amount of contamination that enters the optical path of an optical device are disclosed. In one embodiment, an optical device includes a housing containing at least one optical component (active, passive, or both) that is configured to process an optical signal. The optical device also includes a first sleeve that encloses a portion of an optical fiber, an optical path configured to convey the optical signal between the optical component(s) and the end of the optical fiber. A flexible seal contacts a portion of the surface of the first sleeve and contacts the surface of a portion of the housing through which the first sleeve passes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: Finisar Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Philip Schott, Manish Sharma, Donald G. Dyke, James Douglas Struttmann, John Allen David, Theodore William Scone
  • Patent number: 6796720
    Abstract: An optical component 1 comprises a holder 2 formed as a generally elongate tubular member which, at one end, houses a lens 3 and, at the other end, houses an optical fiber 4. The optical fiber 4 is fixed within an elongate tubular ferrule 5. The optical component 1 further includes three adjustment screws 10 which can engage the front of the ferrule 5. The adjustment screws 10 can be used to adjust the radial positioning of the end of the optical fiber 4 and to tilt the ferrule 5 (and thus the fiber 4) with respect to the holder 2 about a pivot point defined by a neck 9 in the holder 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Point Source Limited
    Inventor: Ian Peter Alcock
  • Patent number: 6795612
    Abstract: The invention is a device for measuring angle of slant surface of an optical component and a method used therein. The slant surface of the optical component faces exactly toward the slant surface of a standard GRIN Lens and the optical component is spaced from the standard GRIN Lens by a fixed distance. Laser beams are irradiated into the vertical surface of the standard GRIN Lens and then generate two oval projections on a screen by reflection off the slant surface of the standard GRIN Lens and the slant surface of the optical component, respectively. Therefore, the angle of the slant surface of the optical component can be obtained according to the specification of the standard GRIN Lens and the dimensions of the two oval projections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: U-Conn Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Win-Yann Jang, His-Hsun Tsai
  • Publication number: 20040179788
    Abstract: A ferrule is provided that can be fabricated in a repeatable and an efficient manner so as to have a relatively small apex offset. The ferrule includes a front face having a plateau defining a plane that extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and a hemispherical portion through which a longitudinal bore opens. The hemispherical portion is generally angled relative to the plateau and to the plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis defined by the plateau. In this regard, a plane coincident with the centerline of the ferrule is disposed at an offset angle, typically between 8° and 12°, relative to the plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis such that the resulting ferrule is an angled physical contact (APC) ferrule. A method and apparatus for fabricating the ferrule are also provided that grind a portion of the front face of the ferrule into a hemispherical shape with a relatively small apex offset regardless of the amount of material that is removed from the front face of the ferrule.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Inventors: Paul A. Fleenor, Joel C. Rosson
  • Publication number: 20040146250
    Abstract: A ferrule is attached to a terminal of an optical fiber. The ferrule is provided with a main body, and a leading end portion integrated with the main body to serve as a convex lens such that light emitted from a core wire of the optical fiber is made to be parallel light, while incident light is focused onto the core wire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2003
    Publication date: July 29, 2004
    Applicant: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomohiro Wakabayashi, Hiroki Kawai, Saori Saito, Kazuharu Tsuchiya