Plural Rods Or Balls Structure Patents (Class 385/82)
  • Patent number: 5430819
    Abstract: A multiple optical fiber connector is constructed from a unitary planar substrate having two surfaces with 1) multiple fiber holes and 2) plural alignment regions located in opposing relationship to each other along edges of the substrate, the multiple fiber holes and plural alignment regions being formed substantially perpendicular to and between the surfaces of the substrate using photolithographical techniques. Each optical fiber is permanently mounted through one of the holes in one surface of the substrate so that the end of each fiber is substantially flush with the other surface of the substrate. Alignment posts which are positioned against the alignment regions and mounted substantially perpendicular to the surfaces of the substrate are used to align optical fibers mounted in the substrate with optical fibers mounted in a substrate of a mating connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1995
    Assignee: AT&T Corp.
    Inventors: Theodore Sizer, II, James A. Walker
  • Patent number: 5422971
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an adhesive for connecting and fixing an optical fiber to an optical connector and to an optical connector which uses that adhesive. The adhesive prevents deformation of the optical connector ferrule and stressing of the optical fiber due to hardening shrinkage during the hardening of the adhesive and/or a shrinkage during cooling of the adhesive. In accordance with the invention, (1) the value of (the coefficient of linear expansion (.degree.C..sup.-1) of the adhesive).times.(the difference between a hardening temperature of the adhesive and room temperature (.degree.C.)).times.(Young's Modulus (kg/mm.sup.2) of the adhesive) is equal to or less than about 2.5, (2) the value of (the rate of hardening shrinkage (%) of the adhesive).times.(Young's Modulus (kg/mm.sup.2) of the adhesive) is equal to or less than about 1000 and/or (3) the adhesive hardens at room temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1995
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Honjo, Hiroshi Katsura, Tomohiko Ueda, Toru Yamanishi
  • Patent number: 5390267
    Abstract: An optical connecting device including an optical waveguide substrate having a plurality of optical waveguides, at least two fiber arranging members connected to at least one connecting end surface of the optical waveguide substrate, and an optical fiber disposed in the position controlling means of the fiber arranging members, wherein the connecting end surfaces of the optical wave guides and the optical fiber are brought in contact with each other, thereby the optical waveguides and the optical fiber are optically connected to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1995
    Assignee: The Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hisaharu Yanagawa, Takeo Shimizu
  • Patent number: 5384876
    Abstract: A quasi-hermaphroditic connection comprises first and second substantially identical connector assemblies. Each connector assembly comprises a cylindrical plug member having a central bore containing an optical fiber, the end of which is made flush with the front face of the plug member. A support rod is affixed to the plug member with its axis parallel thereto and has a portion extending beyond the front of the plug member. The two plug members are pushed towards each other until the faces abut with the extended portions of each support rod contacting the other support rod and forming a V-groove therewith in which both plugs rest. The two connector assemblies are clamped together on either side of the region in which the faces abut, with no clamping forces being exerted in that region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1995
    Assignee: AT&T Corp.
    Inventor: Ernest E. Bergmann
  • Patent number: 5367593
    Abstract: An optical/electrical connector including a molded base having a well and a plurality of grooves extending from the well to a first outer edge of the base and alignment guides associated with the grooves at the first outer edge. The base further having external electrical connections with first ends exposed and positioned in the well and second ends extending outwardly beyond a second outer edge of the base. An array of photonic components is positioned in the well and each aligned with a separate groove. The array is electrically coupled to the exposed first ends of the external electrical connections of the base. The grooves are filled with a plastic material to form optical waveguides from the optical ports to the first outer edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1994
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael S. Lebby, Christopher K. Y. Chun, Shun-Meen Kuo, Davis H. Hartman
  • Patent number: 5257333
    Abstract: Connection device for connecting the end portions of optical fibres (30) comprising insertion means (12) and receiving means (11) designed for cooperation with at least a centering means (37) for radial and axial centering of the end portions of the optical fibres relative to each other. The centering means (37) is comprised of a sleeve (38) being closed in cross-section and provided with internal guiding elements (39) in the form of centering shanks extending in the longitudinal direction, and external guiding elements (40) in the form of ridge formed portions (40) extending in the longitudinal direction of the sleeve connected to the centering shanks and designed to allow the centering shanks to radially spring in a direction toward and from the center axis of the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1993
    Inventor: Anders Nodfelt
  • Patent number: 5125055
    Abstract: A multiple optical fiber connector terminal includes a sleeve (6); a plurality of pins (7) disposed within the sleeve to form a plurality of receiving apertures (9); a plurality of filler rods (8) disposed between the sleeve and the pins; and a plurality of optical fibers (10) inserted into and bonded to the receiving apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1992
    Assignee: Hirose Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Norihide Kawanami, Kinjiro Okada, Yoshikazu Kozu
  • Patent number: 5123072
    Abstract: An optical fiber connector terminal includes a sleeve (6); a plurality of pins (7) disposed equidistance from a center within the sleeve to form a receiving aperture (9); a plurality of filler rods (8) disposed between the sleeve and the pins; and an optical fiber (10) inserted into and bonded to the receiving aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1992
    Assignee: Hirose Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Norihide Kawanami, Kinjiro Okada, Hiroshi Maruta
  • Patent number: 5119456
    Abstract: An optical fiber connector terminal includes a sleeve (6); a plurality of pins (7) disposed equidistance from a center within the sleeve to form a receiving aperture (9); a plurality of inner ridges (8) disposed between the sleeve and the pins; and an optical fiber (10) inserted into and bonded to the receiving aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1992
    Assignee: Hirose Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Norihide Kawanami, Kinjiro Okada, Yoshikazu Kozu
  • Patent number: 5117475
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a connector adapted to receive fiber cables. The connector comprises a housing including a first opening and a second opening which includes a first beveled portion. The connector further comprises a means for holding and aligning a cable and being adapted to slidably fit into the first opening, a wedge means adapted to slidably fit into the second opening, and means for fastening the wedge means to the housing. A means for preventing free rotation of the wedge means in absence of the holding and aligning means is also included. The second opening is machined such that the wedge means is forced against the holding and aligning means as the wedge means is moved into the second opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1992
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Joseph C. Young
  • Patent number: 5113474
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for the assembly of an optical fiber termination that does not require adhesive applies a selected force characteristic over a selected displacement. The apparatus includes a holder element, a drive element, and a positioning element that directs the relative motion of the holder and drive elements. In operation, the holder element receives a partially assembled optical fiber termination including inner and outer elements and a compressive system. The drive element, guided by the positioning element, provides the force which presses the elements of the termination telescopically together. The telescoping of the two termination elements compresses the compressive system into mechanical engagement with the optical fiber. The pressing force has a limited maximal value to prevent undue stress or damage to the optical fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1992
    Assignee: Optical Fiber Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Slaney, Soren Grinderslev
  • Patent number: 5113465
    Abstract: An optical fiber connector terminal includes a sleeve (6); a plurality of pins (7) disposed equidistance from a center within the sleeve to form a receiving aperture (9); and an optical fiber (10) inserted into and bonded to the receiving aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1992
    Assignee: Hirose Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Norihide Kawanami, Kinjiro Okada, Yoshikazu Kozu
  • Patent number: 5111521
    Abstract: An optical fiber connector terminal includes a sleeve (6); a plurality of pins (7) disposed equidistance from a center within the sleeve to form a receiving aperture (9); a plurality of filler rods (8) disposed between the sleeve and the pins; and an optical fiber (10) inserted into and bonded to the receiving aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1992
    Assignee: Hirose Electric Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Norihide Kawanami, Kinjiro Okada, Yoshikazu Kozu