With Splice (permanent Connection) Patents (Class 385/95)
  • Patent number: 8506178
    Abstract: The invention provides and apparatus for mechanically splicing fiber optic cables and method for performing the process. The apparatus comprises an inventive segmented track with a middle track segment containing a splicer mount, and first and second rotating track segments on opposed sides of a middle segment, the rotating segments moving from a cleaving orientation wherein the rotating track segments align with a respective flat edge angled cleaver and a rounded edge angled cleaver, to a splicing orientation wherein the rotating track segments align with the middle track segment. First and second fiber key holders securely holding partially stripped fiber optic cables move along the respective first and second track segment for cleaving by the cleavers and then toward the middle track segment where their cleaved tips come into controlled aligned contact within a splicer joint contained in the splicer joint mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Go!Foton Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenichiro Takeuchi, Haiguang Lu
  • Patent number: 8494322
    Abstract: A side-hole optical cane for measuring pressure and/or temperature is disclosed. The side-hole cane has a light guiding core containing a sensor and a cladding containing symmetrical side-holes extending substantially parallel to the core. The side-holes cause an asymmetric stress across the core of the sensor creating a birefringent sensor. The sensor, preferably a Bragg grating, reflects a first and second wavelength each associated with orthogonal polarization vectors, wherein the degree of separation between the two is proportional to the pressure exerted on the core. The side-hole cane structure self-compensates and is insensitive to temperature variations when used as a pressure sensor, because temperature induces an equal shift in both the first and second wavelengths. Furthermore, the magnitude of these shifts can be monitored to deduce temperature, hence providing the side-hole cane additional temperature sensing capability that is unaffected by pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan D. Kersey, John L. Maida
  • Patent number: 8491201
    Abstract: An apparatus for splicing of optical waveguide sections is in the form of a handheld splicer. The splicer comprises a preprocessing unit, which may comprise a plurality of processing devices for carrying out removal, cleaning and cutting steps. The optical waveguide sections are clamped in a holding apparatus and are prepared in the preprocessing unit. The holding apparatuses are inserted with the prepared optical waveguide sections into a splicing unit, where they are spliced. The spliced optical waveguide sections can be fed by means of a transfer station to a shrinking oven for shrinking a shrink sleeve on. The preprocessing unit, the splicing unit and the shrinking oven can be controlled by means of one hand of an operator, while the splicer is held with the other hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: CCS Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Rainer Matthias Kossat, Bert Zamzow
  • Patent number: 8480314
    Abstract: A method of butting and connecting a first optical fiber and a second optical fiber in an optical connector comprises placing said optical connector that holds said first optical fiber in wherein an optical fiber connection tool; mounting said optical fiber holder on a holder mounting base of a front end bevel processing tool; processing a front end face of said second optical fiber such that said front end face of said second optical fiber is beveled relative to the surface perpendicular to the optical fiber axis direction; transferring said optical fiber holder to said holder support base; and moving said optical fiber holder toward said optical connector along said guide part, and butting and connecting the beveled front end face of said second optical fiber to the front end face of said first optical fiber such that their bevel directions are aligned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Fujikura Ltd.
    Inventors: Daigo Saito, Kazuhiro Takizawa, Hiroshi Furukawa, Serin Khee Yen Tan, Quang Minh Ngo
  • Publication number: 20130108225
    Abstract: A modular assembly for supporting fiber optic splices includes a tray, cradle, and splice holder. A splice holder is mounted to the first face of the cradle base and defines a plurality of fiber optic splice slots positioned over the depression. The splice holder has parallel upright members extending from a splice holder base to define the slots between the members. The members have internal sidewalls incorporating at least one pair of grooves defining passages in which fiber splices fit. The passages have a tapered shape to accommodate varying sizes of fiber splices, and the holder utilizes alternating orientations for the passages to flexibly fit fiber splices therein. The members define an internal cavity with thinned end walls and a bubble formation at a face of the member that add to the flexibility of the members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2012
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: ALL SYSTEMS BROADBAND, INC.
    Inventor: ALL SYSTEMS BROADBAND, INC.
  • Publication number: 20130094819
    Abstract: There is provided an optical transmission line that includes a bend insensitive fiber (BIF) defined by ITU-T Recommendation G.657 and that reduces the influence of MPI. An optical transmission line 1 includes a first optical fiber 11, a second optical fiber 12 joined to an incident end of the first optical fiber 11, and a third optical fiber 13 joined to an exit end of the first optical fiber 11. The first optical fiber 11 is a bend insensitive fiber (BIF), and each of the second optical fiber 12 and the third optical fiber 13 is a general single mode optical fiber. An attenuation coefficient of an LP11 mode in the first optical fiber 11 at a wavelength of 1310 nm, a splice loss between the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber, a splice loss between the first optical fiber and the third optical fiber, and a length of the first optical fiber satisfy a predetermined relational equation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Tatsuya KONISHI, Tetsuya NAKANISHI, Tetsuya HAYASHI
  • Patent number: 8419296
    Abstract: An optical fiber structure (10) includes an optical fiber (11a), and a block-like chip (12) joined to the optical fiber (11a). The block-like chip (12) is tapered toward its fiber-joined end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Cable Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Manabu Murayama, Motohiko Yamasaki, Takeshi Satake, Masahiro Miura
  • Patent number: 8408817
    Abstract: A controlled radius splice protector includes a first fiber optic fiber, a second fiber optic fiber, a fiber splice connecting the first fiber optic fiber and the second fiber optic fiber, a hot melted splice tubing extending over the fiber splice and a jacket tubing receiving the hot melted splice tubing and pre-formed to a selected bend radius.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Kenneth C. Noddings, Terry L. Holcomb, Mahmood A. Majid
  • Patent number: 8408814
    Abstract: An optical connector of the present invention includes a ferrule to which an internal optical fiber is embedded and an end face grinding is performed; and a connection mechanism which extends to an opposite side of a connection end face of the ferrule, wherein the optical connector butt connects the internal optical fiber and an insert optical fiber which is inserted from outside within a positioning groove provided at the connection mechanism; and a back end side of an end face of the internal optical fiber which butts to the insert optical fiber is made a beveled end face by cutting process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Fujikura Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Sumida, Kazuhiro Takizawa, Daigo Saito
  • Patent number: 8388242
    Abstract: A fiber optic cable assembly includes a connector and a fiber optic cable. The connector includes a housing having a first axial end and an oppositely disposed second axial end. A ferrule is disposed in the housing. A plurality of optical fibers is mounted in the ferrule. The fiber optic cable includes an outer jacket defining a fiber passage that extends longitudinally through the outer jacket and a window that extends through the outer jacket and the fiber passage. First and second strength members are oppositely disposed about the fiber passage in the outer jacket. A plurality of optical fibers is disposed in the fiber passage. The optical fibers are joined at splices to the optical fibers of the connector. A splice sleeve is disposed over the splices. The splice sleeve is disposed in the window of the outer jacket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne M. Kachmar, Ronald J. Kleckowski
  • Publication number: 20130050709
    Abstract: A method in which a ribbon fiber, containing a plurality of waveguides each having a first end and a second end, is wound into a coil and the second end of a first waveguide is coupled together with the first end of a second waveguide such that light in said first waveguide will transfer to said second waveguide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Inventor: Ralph A. Bergh
  • Publication number: 20130044986
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a first fiber segment having a core that transitions from a first core diameter at a first end to a second core diameter at a second end. The first core diameter is smaller than the second core diameter, and the second end is attached to a connector. The apparatus may further include a second fiber segment having a core with the first diameter, wherein the first end of the first fiber segment is spliced onto the second fiber segment. In one embodiment, the small diameter ends of two tapered fiber segments are core-aligned and fusion spliced to the ends of a length of a single-mode fiber and the large diameter ends of the two tapered fiber segments are attached to a connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2011
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Applicant: VERIZON PATENT AND LICENSING INC.
    Inventors: David Zhi Chen, Mark Anthony Ali
  • Publication number: 20130034330
    Abstract: A pigtail cable assembly comprising a fiber optic cable having a plurality of optical fibers, a mid-section, a first end section and a second end section is disclosed. The plurality of optical fibers are separated from the fiber optic cable at the first end section. One of the plurality of the optical fibers at the second end section is adapted to be connected to a single fiber splice at a second end when single fiber splicing is intended. A sever site is located on the mid-section. The second end section may be severed from the mid-section at the sever site when mass splicing is intended. When the second end section is separated from the mid-section at the sever site the mid-section of the fiber optic cable is adapted to be connected to a mass splice at the sever site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Inventors: David Lopez Barron, Gabriela Medellin Ramos Clamont, William Julius McPhil Giraud
  • Patent number: 8366327
    Abstract: A communication media having a first media portion defining a first end, a second media portion having first and second ends, the first end of the second communication media fused to the first end of the first media portion at a media joint, the second media portion configured to transmit data received from the first media portion; and a support sleeve disposed about the media joint. The support sleeve defines an end face, the second end of the second communication media terminating at an end surface parallel with the end face, the end face configured to be selectively connected to a media component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: David Zhi Chen, Vijay Jain
  • Patent number: 8366328
    Abstract: Apparatus and methodology for mechanically splicing two optical fibers of equal or different diameters. Instead of flat V-groove structure for holding the optical fibers to be spliced, embodiments of the present invention use a concave-walled channel to better align two optical fibers if they have different diameters. The cover holding the fibers in place in the concave channel is similarly curved. The improved alignment results in more area overlap between end surfaces of the two optical fibers to be spliced. This reduces insertion loss by 0.1 dB or better, at the splice junction and, therefore, improves light signal transmission. The radius of curvature of the concave structure can be approximately two to three times the radius of the optical fibers being spliced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: David Zhi Chen, George N. Bell
  • Publication number: 20130022324
    Abstract: Radially symmetric splicer joint and locking assemblies and connectors for optical fibers are provided. The assemblies use splicer joints formed from a slightly deformable plastic material. The splicer joints contain an axial bore having a diameter slightly less then the diameter of the stripped ends the optical fibers inserted into the axial bore. When a stripped fiber is inserted into the axial bore of the splicer joint, the bore expands slightly to frictionally receive the stripped end. The assemblies and connectors use radially symmetric locking to secure the fibers therein. The radially symmetric locking and the surface tension provided by the axial bore against the stripped ends of the fibers minimizes the occurrence of mis-alignment and reduces insertion and return losses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Inventors: Kenichiro Takeuchi, Haiguang Lu
  • Patent number: 8358890
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus may include an optical fiber that may have a surface non-normal to a longitudinal axis of a distal end portion of the optical fiber. The surface may define a portion of an interface configured to redirect electromagnetic radiation propagated from within the optical fiber and incident on the interface to a direction offset from the longitudinal axis. The apparatus may also include a doped silica cap that may be fused to the optical fiber such that the surface of the optical fiber may be disposed within a cavity defined by the doped silica cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignees: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc., Coherent, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey W. Zerfas, Richard P. Tumminelli
  • Patent number: 8358899
    Abstract: Apparatus for mechanically splicing two optic fibers, including an inner section including scoring apparatus, cleaving channels and a splicing channel; and two optic fiber restraining members, each being in operative communication with, and movable with respect to, the inner section; wherein restraining members locate end sections of optic fiber cores of said optic fibers in respective cleaving channels for scoring by said scoring apparatus; and wherein relative movement of the restraining members away from the inner section cleaves said end sections of optic fiber cores; and further relative movement between the restraining members and the inner section located cleaved end sections of said optic fiber cores into respective openings of the splicing channel to effect mechanical splicing therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: ADC GmbH
    Inventors: Brett Hoe Slater, Brent David Allwood, Bryce Nicholls
  • Patent number: 8342756
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hermetic feedthrough of an optical fiber into a package for an optical module, that includes a package ferrule hermetically attached to the package or integral therewith, a fiber ferrule hermetically sealed around the optical fiber, and a compression sleeve hermetically sealed around the package ferrule. The compression sleeve is hermetically sealed to the fiber ferrule or integral therewith, and wherein a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of the compression sleeve is greater than a CTE of the package ferrule so that a joint between the compression sleeve and the package ferrule is under compressive stress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: JDS Uniphase Corporation
    Inventors: Abdul Jaleel K. Moidu, Wenlin Jin
  • Patent number: 8333519
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to techniques for facilitating installing a fiber optic connector at the end of a fiber optic cable. One aspect of the disclosure involves splicing a first fiber optic cable to a second fiber optic cable. The second fiber optic cable may be pre-connectorized. In certain embodiments, a plurality of splice enclosure components are positioned to form a splice enclosure that encloses the portion of an optical fiber of the first cable that is spliced to an optical fiber of the second cable. The splice enclosure protects the optical fibers at the site of the splice and securely holds the strength members of the fiber optic cables. Furthermore, splice enclosure components are positioned to form a cable enclosure that encloses the splice enclosure and exposed portions of the fiber optic cables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Marcouiller, Tim Redmann
  • Publication number: 20120305312
    Abstract: A compression connector and assembly include an elongated, interiorly hollow tube, and at least one tubular sleeve, the tube including a first material exhibiting a first axial extrusion rate and the sleeve including a second material exhibiting a second axial extrusion rate, wherein the sleeve wall thickness is selected such that, when inserted into the tube and subjected to mechanical compression in a direction substantially orthogonal to the tube's exterior surface, deforms so that the first and second materials extrude axially at substantially the same rate. In some exemplary embodiments, the sleeve wall thickness may be selected to be thin, or the sleeve may include a multiplicity of axially spaced-apart corrugations formed in at least one exterior or interior surface. The assembly may include stranded composite wires, optionally with a tape covering only a portion of the composite wires. A method of making the compression connector is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Inventors: Colin McCullough, Herve E. Deve, Michael F. Grether
  • Patent number: 8317406
    Abstract: An optical connector, which is capable of enhancing fittability into a cabinet, or the like on account of compactification and also avoiding problems of an increase of bead loss, a breakage, etc. of an optical fiber, can be provided. In an optical connector 1 that houses a fusion-spliced portion 13, in which a short optical fiber 5 that is fitted previously to an optical connector ferrule 85 and a coated optical fiber 3 are fusion spliced together and holds the fusion-spliced portion 13 therein, one end of a protection sleeve 87 made of the thermal shrinkage material that externally fixes the fusion-spliced portion 13 is coupled to the optical connector ferrule 85. An air escape hole 7ffor escaping an air, which is confined in the protection sleeve 87 when the protection sleeve 87 is thermally shrunk and adhered closely to the optical connector ferrule 85, to the outside is formed in the optical connector ferrule 85.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignees: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd., SEI Optifrontier Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshikyo Tamekuni, Masahiro Shibata, Yukihiro Yokomachi, Toshihiko Honma, Tsutomu Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8317412
    Abstract: In aligning ends of optical fibers (13), e.g. for performing a prealignment of ends of large mode area double-clad fibers (LMA-DCFs) in order to thereafter perform a core alignment process, in a fiber optic fusion splicer a best, optimum or near optimum position or setting of the optical system (7) for observing the self-focusing effect is first determined and then the very alignment operation may be performed using the determined setting. The very alignment process may then be performed by adjusting stepwise the offset distance between the observed fiber ends by e.g. using a cascade technique.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ)
    Inventors: Wei-Ping Huang, Kjell Ahlstedt
  • Patent number: 8295669
    Abstract: An optical fiber splice holder device for connecting jacketed optical fiber cables includes a cover and a main body that houses a splice device therein. The splice device is configured to splice a first fiber end to a second fiber end. The main body also includes first and second fiber jacket clamping portions disposed at first and second ends of the main body to clamp a respective fiber's jacket portion that surrounds a portion of the respective fiber upon actuation. The optical fiber splice device also includes first and second fiber jacket boots that are attachable to the main body at the first and second ends of the main body. The boots each actuate the respective fiber jacket clamping regions of the optical fiber cables upon attachment to the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Chansool Park, Donald K. Larson
  • Patent number: 8290365
    Abstract: An optical communication apparatus that includes multiple optically communicative components positioned optically in series. Some of the optically communicative components may be optical fiber segments of perhaps different types. The optical channel represented by the series of optically communicative components and approximates a transfer function of an optical channel of a longer optical fiber. Accordingly, rather than deal with a lengthy optical fiber, an apparatus having a shorter optical channel may be used instead. The construction of the optical communicative components may be calculating an input transfer function. The construction would include an ordering of discrete optically communicative components that, when placed optically in series, simulates an estimation of a particular transfer function. Testing may then occur by actually passing an optical signal through the series construction of optically communicative components, rather than through the longer optical fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Finisar Corporation
    Inventors: Gayle L. Noble, Lucy G. Hosking, Luke M. Ekkizogloy
  • Patent number: 8282291
    Abstract: A method of aligning a non-circular fiber with another component is provided. A method of aligning a first D-fiber with a second D-fiber includes rotating the first D-fiber; obtaining a first image profile of an end of the first D-fiber; using the first image profile to measure a diameter of a cladding of the first D-fiber along a first direction; and repeating these operations until a minimum diameter of the cladding of the first D-fiber is aligned along the first direction. The method also includes rotating the second D-fiber; obtaining a second image profile of an end of the second D-fiber; using the second image profile to measure a diameter of a cladding of the second D-fiber along the first direction; and repeating these operations until a minimum diameter of the cladding of the second D-fiber is aligned along the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: AFL Telecommunications LLC
    Inventors: Wenxin Zheng, Toshiki Kubo, Bryan Malinsky, Yoshiharu Kanda, Doug Duke
  • Publication number: 20120237172
    Abstract: Apparatus and methodology for providing a mechanical-only splice between two optical glass fibers. No fusion splicing is involved. A heat-shrinkable plastic ferrule containing an aperture extending from one end of the ferrule to the other accepts a different cleaved and cleaned optical fiber into each of its two ends, the fibers meeting at or near the middle of the ferrule in a parallel or coplanar manner forming a splice junction. Index matching gel is applied to at least one of the fiber ends before entering the aperture. Heat is applied to the ferrule to shrink it upon the portion of the two fibers within the ferrule (sealed fibers) and hold the splice junction in place. Epoxy can be applied to both ends of the ferrule to further seal the fiber splice junction, and to further enhance its integrity. If both fibers are sliced on an angle other than 90 degrees, when they touch inside the ferrule they are automatically coplanar without requiring intervening orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: VERIZON PATENT AND LICENSING INC.
    Inventors: David Zhi CHEN, Mark A. ALI, George N. BELL
  • Patent number: 8254742
    Abstract: A splice holder includes a base member and a plurality of high wall pairs on top of the base member each having first and second wall members spaced by a first distance, and adjacent ones of the high wall pairs are spaced by a distance less than the first distance. A first plurality of low wall pairs project from the base member on one side of the high wall pairs, and a second plurality of low wall pairs project from the base member on the other side. The first and second plurality of low wall pairs are shorter than the high wall pairs. The splice holder is configured to support a first level of splices running through the low wall pairs and high wall pairs in between and a second level of splices running through the high wall pair and supported on top of two low wall pairs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: CommScope, Inc. of North Carolina
    Inventor: Wade Womack
  • Publication number: 20120155812
    Abstract: Apparatus and methodology for mechanically splicing two optical fibers of equal or different diameters. Instead of flat V-groove structure for holding the optical fibers to be spliced, embodiments of the present invention use a concave-walled channel to better align two optical fibers if they have different diameters. The cover holding the fibers in place in the concave channel is similarly curved. The improved alignment results in more area overlap between end surfaces of the two optical fibers to be spliced. This reduces insertion loss by 0.1 dB or better, at the splice junction and, therefore, improves light signal transmission. The radius of curvature of the concave structure can be approximately two to three times the radius of the optical fibers being spliced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: VERIZON PATENT AND LICENSING INC.
    Inventors: David Zhi CHEN, George N. BELL
  • Publication number: 20120148203
    Abstract: A method of terminating a fiber optic cable includes removing a portion of an outer jacket from an end of a fiber optic cable to expose an end portion of an optical fiber so that an end of the optical fiber extends a first axial length from the outer jacket. A portion of the fiber optic cable is coiled about a spool so that the end of the optical fiber extends a second axial length from the outer jacket. The second axial length is greater than the first axial length. A second optical fiber is spliced to the optical fiber of the fiber optic cable. The portion of the fiber optic cable is uncoiled so that the optical fiber retracts into the outer jacket of the fiber optic cable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventors: Yu Lu, Scott Carlson, Andy Schmidt
  • Patent number: 8172470
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the insertion loss of a fiber optic connection is provided. The invention generally comprises a light source providing light to a test connector which contains a juncture of two fiber optic cables. The test connector has one or more opaque portions surrounding the fiber optic juncture. A pyrometer or other heat detection means is then used to measure any temperature increase as a result of light scattered into the opaque portions of the test connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Panduit Corp.
    Inventors: Jack E. Caveney, Brett Lane
  • Publication number: 20120045184
    Abstract: An installation assembly for connecting an optical fiber cable and an optical fiber connector is disclosed. The installation assembly comprises an fixing member adapted to fixing the optical fiber cable; a guiding member, the fixing member is movably provided in the guiding member so as to guide a bare fiber of the optical fiber cable into the optical fiber connector and thus to bring the bare fiber to be in effective contact with an inline optical fiber in the optical fiber connector; and a splicing member, the splicing member is fitted with the guiding member and the fixing member, and splices the bare fiber of the optical fiber cable and the inline optical fiber in the optical fiber connector. The above solution provides a simple installation assembly which is capable of splicing optical fibers with easy and simple operations at site. The above solution can be applied to splice various types of optical fibers. Correspondingly, the present invention also provides a method for splicing optical fibers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: Raychem Shanghai Cable Accessories Ltd.
    Inventors: Wayne Fan, Eric Wang
  • Patent number: 8118494
    Abstract: An optical fiber connector comprises an outer housing configured to mate with a receptacle and a collar body disposed in the outer housing. The collar body receives and secures a ferrule in a first portion of the collar body. The ferrule includes a central bore that defines an axis. The ferrule further includes a fiber stub disposed in a portion of the central bore, the fiber stub comprising a first optical fiber having a first end proximate to an end face of the ferrule and a prepared second end terminating within the ferrule. The collar body further includes a second portion that includes a housing portion to house a gripping device that grips a second optical fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Donald K. Larson, Sidney J. Berglund, Paul N. Winberg, James R. Bylander, Takaya Yamauchi, Tomoyasu Oike, Yukino Miyoshi
  • Patent number: 8104978
    Abstract: A wedge-type mechanical optical fiber splice is provided in the present invention. The splice comprises a housing, a V-grooved block, a pushing block, and a first wedge. The housing is a hollow block, and has two openings for guiding optical fiber at two opposite sides. The V-grooved block, so called a first block, is a long strip block having a V-shaped groove on its surface. The pushing block, so called a second block, confronts to the V-grooved block. The first wedge is a wedged-type block. The second block is moved toward the first block or the first block is moved toward the second block by pushing down the first wedge, so that two optical fibers are aligned and secured in the V groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Inventor: Parry Lin
  • Patent number: 8103144
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for mechanically splicing a pair of optic fibers or optic cables, the mechanical splice comprising: a ferrule having an axial capillary bore, the capillary bore configured to enclose the optic fibers at both ends of the ferrule; and cured epoxy disposed to secure together the ends of the optic fibers and to secure the optic fibers to an inside surface of the capillary bore, the ferrule optionally enclosed in a metal tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Agiltron, Inc.
    Inventors: Jing Zhao, Yongjun Wu, Yuanxin Shou, Qingdong Guo
  • Patent number: 8096712
    Abstract: A splicing method and splicing kit are suitable for creating a multimode mechanical splice. The splice may be used, for example, in Aircraft Battle Damage Repair operations. The splice utilizes two cylindrical inner crimp sleeves and an outer crimping assembly. The inner crimp sleeves are placed over prepared fiber cable ends, and the fiber core is cleaved. The cable ends are then inserted into an outer cannula of the outer crimping assembly. The cannula guides the inner crimp sleeves, and the cleaved fiber ends enter a glass ferrule in the cannula. The glass ferrule has a triangular bore containing an index matching gel. A window in the cannula and a magnifying viewer are provided to visually confirm the splice quality. The fibers may be cleaved by forming a circumferential score on the fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.
    Inventors: Thomas Solomon, Donald Johnson, Steven Mersch
  • Patent number: 8094988
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for verifying an acceptable splice termination include propagating light energy into the stub optical fiber of a fiber optic connector, detecting and collecting the amount of optical power emanating from the stub optical fiber at a termination area of the connector, converting the optical power to an electrical signal proportional to the amount of collected optical power, and displaying the electrical signal on a feedback monitor, such as an optical power meter, an LCD bar graph, or an LED. An initial (i.e., reference) value is obtained with the field optical fiber not in physical contact with the stub optical fiber. A final (i.e., terminated) value is obtained with the field optical fiber in physical contact with the stub optical fiber and terminated to the connector. The final value is compared to the initial value to determine whether the change (i.e., difference) is sufficient. Alternatively, the final value is compared to a predetermined limit or threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Corning Cable Systems LLC
    Inventors: Bradley S. Billman, David W. Meek, Joshua D. Raker, Scott E. Semmler
  • Publication number: 20120002929
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for splicing fiber optic lines having a first and second holder for direct or indirect receiving of at least one fiber optic line each, an alignment means for aligning the ends of the fiber optic lines received in the first and in the second holder to one another and electrodes in the region of the ends of the fiber optic lines aligned to one another for creating a slice connection. The two holders on one side and the alignment means and preferably the electrodes on the other side can move relative to one another between a splicing position and a release position such that the splice connection is released in the release position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: DIAMOND SA
    Inventor: Aaron Rossetto
  • Publication number: 20110317966
    Abstract: Disclosed is a spliced joint between two fibers, in which at least one of the fibers includes a fiber core comprising at least one inner signaling core and a pumping core that surrounds the signaling core, and a fiber cladding which rests against the pumping core and is used for guiding light within the pumping core. The fiber cladding of the at least one fiber is removed at least in part in a radial direction in a connection zone extending from the spliced end of the fiber along a predetermined length in the longitudinal direction of the fiber. Furthermore, a supporting jacket may be provided, inside which the spliced ends of the two fibers are arranged and which extends along the entire connection zone and therebeyond. The supporting jacket may be mechanically connected to both fibers next to the connection zone while not being mechanically connected to and being at a distance from the respective fiber along the entire connection zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: JT OPTICAL ENGINE GMBH + CO. KG
    Inventors: Malte Kumkar, Marcin Michal Kozak, Ulrich Grusemann
  • Patent number: 8079763
    Abstract: An optical assembly includes a gas cell and an optical fiber portion in which the gas cell is contiguously attached to the optical fiber portion. The gas cell can be made, for example from hollow-core photonic crystal fiber (HC-PCF).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: University of Bath
    Inventor: Abdel Fetah Benabid
  • Patent number: 8070367
    Abstract: An LC format optical connector for terminating an optical fiber includes a housing configured to mate with an LC receptacle, the housing including a shell, a first resilient latch disposed on a surface of the shell, and a backbone. The LC format connector also includes a collar body disposed in the housing and retained between the outer shell and the backbone, wherein the collar body includes a fiber stub disposed in a first portion of the collar body. The collar body further includes a mechanical splice disposed in a second portion of the collar body, the mechanical splice configured to splice the second end of the fiber stub to a second optical fiber. The LC format connector further includes a trigger coupled to an outer surface of the housing backbone, the trigger including a second latch that engages the first latch when acted upon by a pressing force. An optical connector with a single piece latch structure is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Paul N. Winberg, Donald K. Larson, Wesley A. Raider
  • Publication number: 20110280525
    Abstract: An optical fiber cable includes a first cable segment; a second cable segment; and a splice enclosure. The first cable segment can have a different configuration than the second cable segment. The splice enclosure is coupled to the strength member and strength component of the first cable segment and the second cable segment. One example splice enclosure includes a first enclosure body having a first threaded connection region and a second enclosure body having a second threaded connection region. Another example splice enclosure includes a tubular enclosure with two end caps. Cable retention members are positioned within the splice enclosure at fixed axial positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: ADC TELECOMMUNICATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas Marcouiller, Paula Rudenick
  • Patent number: 8047726
    Abstract: An optical connector in which the housing property into a cabinet or the like can be enhanced because of the compactification, and which can solve problems of the increase of the bending loss of an optical fiber, the breakage, and the like is obtained. In an optical connector which houses and holds a fusion spliced portion where a short optical fiber previously fitted to an optical connector ferrule is fusion-spliced with a coated optical fiber, one end of a protection sleeve which armors the fusion spliced portion is coupled to the optical connector ferrule. As a result, the length of the protection sleeve which covers the fusion spliced portion so that the fusion spliced portion is positioned at the middle can be set with reference to an end portion of the optical connector ferrule. Therefore, the protection sleeve can be shortened, and compactification of the optical connector can be realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshikyo Tamekuni, Yukihiro Yokomachi, Tsutomu Watanabe, Toshihiko Honma, Masahiro Shibata
  • Publication number: 20110243513
    Abstract: A communication media having a first media portion defining a first end, a second media portion having first and second ends, the first end of the second communication media fused to the first end of the first media portion at a media joint, the second media portion configured to transmit data received from the first media portion; and a support sleeve disposed about the media joint. The support sleeve defines an end face, the second end of the second communication media terminating at an end surface parallel with the end face, the end face configured to be selectively connected to a media component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: David Zhi Chen, Vijay Jain
  • Publication number: 20110235981
    Abstract: Embodiments and methods are disclosed herein that relate to a connection assembly to communicatively couple one or more cables to each other. The connection assembly includes a cable having a housing with a communication line disposed therein, a connection apparatus having a housing with a communication line disposed therein, and a weld coupling disposed between an end of the housing of the connection apparatus and an end of the housing of the cable such that the end of the housing of the connection apparatus and the end of the housing of the cable are connected to each other through the weld coupling. The communication line of the connection apparatus is communicatively coupled to the communication line of the cable, and the end of the housing of the connection apparatus has substantially the same diameter as the end of the housing of the cable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2010
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Oguzhan Guven, Philippe Gambier
  • Patent number: 8025445
    Abstract: A method for imaging a structure disposed in a borehole penetrating the earth, the method including: selecting a splice housing having a first port configured to seal the housing to a first fiber optic cable and a second port configured to seal the housing to a fiber optic sensor configured to image the structure, wherein the housing includes a sealed interior volume sufficient to contain a splice of optical fibers for protection and to enable a functional bend of at least ninety degrees for at least one spliced optical fiber; disposing a splice between an optical fiber of the first fiber optic cable and an optical fiber of the fiber optic sensor in the splice housing; disposing the splice housing containing the splice in the borehole; attaching the fiber optic sensor to the structure; and disposing the structure in the borehole after the splice housing is disposed in the borehole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Frederick Henry Kreisler Rambow, Brad W. Davis, Brooks Childers, Travis Hall, Phillip Edward Abshire
  • Patent number: 8007186
    Abstract: Provided is a method of constructing a normal joint structure for connecting superconducting cables having a cable core and an optical fiber arranged along the cable core. With the method, which includes the steps of: pulling out an optical fiber from the end of each of two superconducting cables to be connected together and splicing the optical fibers thus pulled out; returning the excess length of the pulled-out optical fiber to a superconducting cable side upon the completion of splicing; and connecting the cable cores, it is possible to reduce the quantity of optical fiber housed in a joint box, and accordingly to downsize the joint box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yuuichi Ashibe
  • Publication number: 20110206329
    Abstract: Disclosed is a fiber terminal box comprising: a panel having a front surface and a rear surface; a front cover for covering the front surface of the panel; and a case adapted to be embedded in a wall. An adapter and a fiber splicing member are mounted on the front surface of the panel, and the panel is adapted to be accommodated in the case and hence be embedded in the wall along with the case. The panel is provided with an optical cable inserting hole through which a lead-in end of an optical cable is led from the rear surface of the panel to the front surface of the panel and is connected to one end of the fiber splicing member. The panel is further provided with a fiber pigtail hole, one end of a fiber pigtail is connected to the terminal of the adapter, the other end of the fiber pigtail is led from the rear surface of the panel to the front surface of the panel through the fiber pigtail hole and is connected to the other end of the fiber splicing member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2009
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Inventor: Liming Wang
  • Patent number: 7985029
    Abstract: A multi-electrode system includes a fiber holder that holds at least one optical fiber, a plurality of electrodes arranged to generate a heated field to heat the at least one optical fiber, and a vibration mechanism that causes at least one of the electrodes from the plurality of electrodes to vibrate. The electrodes can be disposed in at least a partial vacuum. The system can be used for processing many types of fibers, such processing including, as examples, stripping, splicing, annealing, tapering, and so on. Corresponding fiber processing methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: 3SAE Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert G. Wiley, Brett Clark, Jared C. Meitzler, Clyde J. Troutman
  • 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