Siecor Corporation

Siecor Operations, LLC

Corning Cable Systems

Corning Optical Communications LLC

David L Dean

Dennis Michael Knecht

James Phillip Luther

Joel Christopher Rosson

Terry Lee Cooke

Tory Allen Klavuhn

Kevin Lee Strause

Harley Joseph Staber

Alan William Ugolini

Jody L Greenwood

Alan J Malanowski

Markus A Giebel

Michael De Jong

Brian Keith Rhoney

Michael D Domaille

Karl M Wagner

James R Merriken

Mark Emmett Alrutz

Otto I Szentesi

Keith H Lail

Juan Miguel Gonzalez

Juan Garcia

Johnny W Beatty

Christopher S Houser

Clyde B Mabry

Manuel Lopez

Juan M Gonzalez

Manuel A Lopez Sanchez

Gerald J Davis

A guide block assembly and associated method are provided for retaining a plurality of fiber bore forming pins and at least one guide bore forming pin in precise relation to each other during molding of a multi-fiber ferrule used in a multi-fiber connector. The assembly comprises an array of fiber bore blocks each with a fiber bore therethrough to retain a respective one of the fiber bore forming pins. At least one guide block that defines a guide bore for retaining a guide bore forming pin is assembled with the array of fiber bore blocks. Adjoining surfaces are defined between adjacent fiber bore blocks and between the guide bore blocks and the array of fiber bore blocks. The use of bores more precisely retains the pins during the molding process, and the use of blocks with adjoining surfaces allows for the machining of such surfaces to precisely establish the relationships between successive fiber bore blocks and between the array of fiber bore blocks and the guide bore blocks.

Guide block assembly for aligning bore forming pins during molding of multi-fiber optical connector ferrules

An alignment sleeve for precisely aligning a pair of ferrules, such as a pair of multifiber ferrules, is provided along with an associated assembly method. The alignment sleeve includes a sleeve member defining a lengthwise extending cavity opening through opposed ends thereof. The sleeve member can also define at least one window and, more commonly, a plurality of windows opening into the cavity. The alignment sleeve also includes a guide pin extending lengthwise through the cavity and a guide pin engagement member extending at least partially into the window defined by the sleeve member. The guide pin engagement member is bonded, such as by welding, to the guide pin such that the guide pin is retained in a floating relationship within the sleeve member. The sleeve member can also define an expansion window to accommodate expansion of the guide pin that is creating during welding of the guide pin. By retaining the guide pins in a floating relationship within the sleeve member, the alignment sleeve aligns the ferrules with increased precision since the precision of the alignment is dictated, not by the precision with which the alignment sleeve is fabricated, but by the precision with which the closely toleranced ferrules are formed.

Alignment sleeve for aligning ferrules and associated assembly method

Method for aligning bore forming pins during molding of multi-fiber

An adapter assembly is provided for removably receiving two optical fiber ferrules of the type with open grooves extending longitudinally rearward of the end face of the ferrule. The assembly comprises a sleeve with an interior surface that defines a passageway therethrough sized for receiving the ends of the ferrules therein. The interior surface also defines two longitudinal grooves opposite each other that open to the passageway. A guide pin is located in each groove such that an exposed portion of the outer surface of the guide pin along the entire length of the guide pin inside the sleeve is exposed to the passageway. The exposed portion are sized and located relative to each other to slide in the ferrule grooves and operatively align the end faces of the ferrules rotationally and laterally relative to each other when the two ferrules are inserted into the sleeve.

Adapter assembly for precise alignment of fiber optic connectors

An adapter is provided for operatively mating two optical fiber connectors of the type that are aligned relative to each other by guide pins. The adapter has two sleeve body halves that are joined together at a mating ends. A guide pin mount is captured between the two sleeve body halves that defines an opening to allow abutment of the two connectors therethrough. Two guide pins mounted on the guide pin mount parallel with the passageway defined through the sleeve and located so as to engage the guide pin holes on the connectors and align two connectors inserted into the adapter.

Adapter and guide pin assembly for coupling of fiber optic connectors

A guide block assembly is provided for retaining a plurality of fiber bore forming pins and at least one guide bore forming pin in precise relation to each other during molding of a multi-fiber ferrule used in a multi-fiber connector. The assembly includes an array of fiber bore blocks each with a fiber bore therethrough to retain a respective one of the fiber bore forming pins. At least one guide bore block that defines a guide bore for retaining a guide bore forming pin is assembled with the array of fiber bore blocks. Adjoining surfaces are defined between adjacent fiber bore blocks and between the guide bore blocks and the array fiber bore blocks. The use of bores more precisely retains the pins during the molding process, and the use of blocks with adjoining surfaces allows for the machining of such surfaces to precisely establish the relationships between successive fiber bore blocks and between the array of fiber bore blocks and the guide bore blocks.

Guide block assembly for aligning bore forming pins during molding of

A connector block and method are provided wherein a plurality of optical fiber connectors can be removably loaded in the block for the simultaneous mating of such optical fiber connectors. Springs are disposed behind the connectors and the block defines a shoulder surface against which the spring is abutted. The block further defines connector channels to fix the connectors relative to each other in a lateral direction yet allow the connectors to slide backward in the longitudinal direction to compress the spring. Two such blocks can be connected to each other for simultaneously mating and spring loading the plurality of connectors.

Connector block and method for simultaneously mating a plurality of

An applicator for inserting guide pins in the corresponding apertures of a fiber optic connector includes a carrier body defining a number of bores and a number of guide pins disposed at least partially within respective ones of the bores, the guide pins extending outwardly from a first surface of the carrier body. The outwardly extending ends of the guide pins are then inserted into and captured by the fiber optic connector and remain therein after removal of the carrier body. In order to further increase the numbers of guide pins that are simultaneously inserted, a plurality of fiber optic connectors can be maintained in a predetermined aligned relationship by an alignment shell having a releasably connected sidewall for receiving the fiber optic connectors.

Applicator and associated method for inserting guide pins in a fiber

Disclosed is a tool for closing optical connectors having external rotatable locking rings. Opposing optical fiber clamps are mounted to a base, and a frame is mounted to the base between the clamps. Levers rotate tubes to close the locking rings while the clamps hold optical fibers in their proper position.

Tool for closing optical connectors having locking rings

A fiber optic connector having a slotted housing has an interior ribbed member projecting through the housing slot. A dust cap is rotatably fixed to the housing to prevent rotation while a tool slides a locking member over the housing slot to force the ribbed member inwards, centering optical fibers. A portion of the connector is factory built so that users need use no epoxies or curing devices.

Slide fit optical connector having end cap to prevent rotation

Disclosed herein is a connector for positioning an optical fiber featuring a rotatable locking ring having a cam shaped inner wall having in circumferential succession a first, second, and third inner diameter, the third inner diameter being smaller than the first inner diameter and the second inner diameter being smaller than the third inner diameter, rotation of the locking ring applying inward radial compression to centering elements as the locking ring is rotated from the first to second inner diameter position and to a closed position when the area of the third inner diameter is reached. A plurality of centering members is provided, at least one having no resilient coating thereon, whereby compression forces an optical fiber against resilient material, thereby centering the optical fiber and giving the fiber additional strength to withstand longitudinal tension forces. Also disclosed is an end grommet sized to allow watertight insertion of a buffer tube.

Connector for optical fibers

An optical fiber connector having a magnifying lens to aid the user in placement of the optical fibers to be abutted.

Optical fiber connector having magnifying lens

A first embodiment of an optical splice having a frame with a channel; two rods each having a resilient exterior surface disposed in the channel; and a lid adapted to be received on the frame over the channel, the lid having a resilient surface adapted to allow compression of optical fibers placed end to end for splicing between the rods by the lid and the rods. The frame and lid are placed within a tubular housing and a tubular sleeve which is attached at the ends following insertion of the optical fibers. An additional embodiment of an optical splice contains first tube, a ferrule and an optical fiber, the optical fiber having first and second portions, the optical fiber first portion disposed inside of and affixed to the ferrule and the optical fiber second portion lying outside of the ferrule and inside of the first tube and a portion of the ferrule disposed inside of and affixed to the first tube; an alignment device and a second tube, both of which are disposed in the first tube; another optical fiber having a terminal end portion, the terminal end portion disposed in the second tube and said alignment device; and, a housing-coupling device affixed to the first tube, the housing-coupling device adapted to be removably coupled to a receiving device.

Rematable optical splice utilizing rods with resilient coating

A single fiber optical connector with a tube holding two first rods. A curve is induced into optical fibers by force provided by tapered ends of two second rods resting on the first rods. The curve causes the optical fibers to rest in a groove formed by the first rods for splicing.

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Hickory, NC, United States of America

David L Dean