Fci Americas Technology Inc.

David H Naghski

Mark A Mentzer

Drew A Demangone

Brian S Trostle

An improved assembly for housing actively aligned VCSELs or detectors to a light transport terminal, such as a ferrule, and a method and technique for actively aligning VCSELs and laser detectors to a light transport terminal, such as a ferrule, are provided. The method actively aligns an array of VCSELs or laser detectors to a light transport terminal, such as a first ferrule. The aligned components can then be secured to a retainer housing which can receive a plug. Then a plug, having a second ferrule with V-groove alignment portions and a substantially rectangular housing encasing the second ferrule, can be inserted into the retainer housing, thereby passively aligning the array of optical fibers carried by the second ferrule of the plug to the array of optical fibers of the first ferrule by way of posts extending from the first ferrule into the V-grooves of the second ferrule. A VCSEL or detector to optical fiber plug assembly is thus provided.

Multi-fiber array connector system

An angled optical connector optically couples received first and second optical blocks, each of which has an optical fiber embedded therein which terminates at an optical block end face. The connector has corresponding first and second ports and a reflecting surface. In one embodiment, each port has a port optical block which includes an optical fiber embedded therein which extends between and terminates at first and second port optical block end faces. The first port optical block end face is aligned with the corresponding received optical block end face such that the port optical block optical fiber as terminating at the first end face thereof is aligned with the corresponding received optical block optical fiber as terminating at the end face thereof. A lens aligns with each port optical block optical fiber as terminating at the second end face of such port optical block for collimating light exiting or entering such optical fiber. The reflecting surface is aligned to reflect collimated light from the port optical block optical fiber of the first port to the port optical block optical fiber of the second port. In another embodiment, each lens aligns directly with the optical fiber of the corresponding received optical block. In a further embodiment, each lens is dispensed with such that light reflects directly from the first port optical block to the second port optical block.

Angled optical connector

A high density multiple chip fiber array connector having a ferrules located by alignment chips within the connector. The ferrules each contain an array of optical fibers and have grooves on opposing ends that cooperate with ridges formed on said alignment chips to locate the ferrules within the connector. Alignment pins are provide at opposing end of the alignment chips to position the connector with respect to a complementary connector when mated thereto. The connector is fabricated by bonding the ferrules, alignment chips and alignment pins together and then placing these components within a housing.

Growing community of inventors

Lewisberry, PA, United States of America

David H Naghski