Augat Inc.

Harold A Roberts

Robert A Wey

Richard A Breed, Iii

Henry W Doyle

Roger Dery

A connector for coupling opposed optical fibers includes a cluster of resilient cylindrical rods which are given double diameters for ease of rod mounting, with the large diameter distal ends of the rods providing that the smaller diameter nose ends are in spaced-apart relationship when the distal ends are maintained in mutual contact in a housing. The spaced-apart nose ends are compressed onto a fiber by sliding a rigid ferrule with a tapered central bore over the nose ends. Each double diameter rod has two cylindrical portions, a nose portion of smaller diameter sized to provide an interstitial space between the nose portions of the rod cluster which is slightly smaller than the smallest fiber to be utilized so as to clamp the smallest fiber, and a distal portion of larger diameter sized to provide an interstitial space between the distal portions which is slightly larger than the largest of the optical fibers to be utilized. In the connector version of the subject system, ferruled clusters are inserted in opposition in an alignment sleeve, whereas in a version adopted for splicing, a single cluster of double diameter rods is utilized in which fibers are inserted at either end so as to meet in the interstitial space adjacent the nose portions. A centrally-bored rigid cap is then forced over the nose portions to capture and align the opposed fibers contained therein.

Optical connector and splicing device using double diameter resilient

Efficient coupling of light between an active device such as a light emitting diode having a focused light output and a ferruled optical fiber is provided by a receptacle having an adapter for increasing the diameter of the ferrule to that of the active device. The active device is concentrically and resiliently mounted at the end of the adapter, with the resilient mounting including a resilient bushing to accommodate variation in the size of the can housing the active device. The resilient bushing serves to center the can on the central axis of the adapter such that when a ferruled optical fiber is inserted into the adapter the optical fiber is coaxially aligned with and spaced from the active device.

Active receptacle having resilient sleeve-like bushing

An assembly for end-to-end coupling, and decoupling, of optical fibers in which the fibers are captured in a selectively expandable channel defined between a plurality of thermally actuated, shape memory vanes. The vanes are configured to provide flared ends to the channel that guide optical fibers into the channel from a precision groove in a surrounding casing. The fibers are retained within the groove of the casing by a leaf spring that prevents deflection of the fibers while holding them in place until the channel contracts around them. The thermally actuated, shape memory vanes are contained within a collar that provides a spring bias which maintains the contracted channel size at room temperature when the vanes are not thermally activated to thus securely capture and hold the optical fibers. The vanes, as an alternative, may be coated with a resilient material that adapts the channel dimensions to slightly different fiber diameters, providing exact fiber centering within the channel. The collar for the vanes is loosely fitted into a surrounding housing which limits the expansion of the channel to a predetermined size to prevent fibers from slipping out of the channel during insertion. The housing further helps to distribute the activating heat evenly around the collar, to the vanes.

Assembly for thermally actuated optic fiber jointing device

A resilient ferrule connector capable of terminating both tightly buffered and loosely buffered fiber optic cables without pot and polish steps and without damage to the fibers includes a hollow resilient ferrule with a tapered nose over which is forced a rigid cap having a concentrically precise frusto-conical interior taper. When the cap is forced onto the nose, the optical fiber extending through the nose is gripped and held concentric to the outer periphery of the cap thereby to facilitate coaxial alignment of the fiber with an opposing fiber when opposing ferrules are positioned within an alignment sleeve, the rigid cap providing inward radial pressure which prevents axial movement of the fiber relative to the ferrule when the ferrule is in an unmated condition. A method of recessing the end of the fiber within the nose of the ferrule which prevents dirt trapping includes the use of a flat-tipped tool for establishing the end of the fiber flush with the end of the nose. A cap with an undersized interior channel is then forced over the nose to cause the nose to bulge at its end thereby to provide for the recessing of the end of the fiber within the nose.

Resilient ferrule connector

A tool is provided for the cleaving or separation of optical fibers so as to provide a flat perpendicular end face for the fiber. In the cleaving process, fiber is inserted into a slot and extends between an opposing scribe and anvil positioned at the end of the slot. In order to cleave the fiber, the fiber is first moved in a direction towards the scribe which, when it touches the fiber, produces a mark or surface imperfection on the outer surface of the fiber or its cladding. After scribing, the fiber is moved in an opposite direction over the anvil at which point the fiber is broken at the scribe mark.

Cleaving tool for optical fibers

An interconnect for ferruled optical fibers which assures that the ferrule tips will not touch when inserted into an interconnect housing provides for a small, repeatable, yet non-zero spacing between the ends of opposed ferrules through a manufacturing technique in which the interconnect housing is provided with inserts pressfit into the housing utilizing a tool that establishes a precise spacing for the distal ends of the inserts regardless of the lengths of the inserts, thereby to provide precisely spaced-apart recessed seats for the flanges of the ferrules. The use of inserts also permits the formation of a central cavity in which an alignment sleeve may be either loosely or tightly captured. In one embodiment, a carrier is provided for the alignment sleeve to insure retention of the alignment sleeve during manufacture or use. In other embodiments, recessed seat spacing is provided by a precise length part or parts. These embodiments include a single insert, two abutting inserts, or two inserts with a spacing member sandwiched therebetween, in which the spacing member may be the aforementioned alignment sleeve carrier.

Fiber optic connector and method of manufacture

A vacuum chuck particularly suited for use with optical fibers includes a V-shaped channel provided with 'hold-down' suction and extending across the middle of a plane surface for placement of an optical fiber. The V-shaped channel is formed by abutting chamfered edges of two metal, solid rectangular jaw blocks. Slots along the abutting sides of the jaw blocks extend away from the chamfered edges to form passages for applying suction to the V-shaped channel for retention of the fiber therein. The passages are centered in the channel and the suction drawn through them pulls the fiber directly down into the V-shaped channel for precise centering therein. The top surfaces of the jaw blocks form a plane surface which extends laterally onto the shoulder of a support base. The generally planar surface facilitates placement and visual confirmation of the alignment of the fiber thereon and further permits mechanical securing of the fiber by tape or other means so that suction is not continuously required. Set screws are provided for securing the jaw blocks to the base. The center lines of the set screw holes are offset slightly below the centers of detent holes in the jaw blocks when assembled on the base and the detent holes are provided with sloping walls so that as the set screws are tightened into the blocks, they are drawn downwardly and driven together to effect a seal around the vacuum ports without a separate gasket. The jaw blocks may be easily removed by withdrawal of the set screws for cleaning of the passage slots to prevent clogging of the vacuum ports, and they may be easily replaced in proper alignment.

Vacuum chuck for holding filaments

A fiber optic cable connector assembly for precise end-to-end mating of two fiber optic cables in a low loss light transmitting relation. An interconnect housing has loosely disposed and captured therein a floating spring metal sleeve of non-circular, multi-lobed cross-section having flared ends adapted to capture the sleeve within the housing and to guide opposing cylindrical ferrules, each containing and supporting a respective fiber optic cable, into resiliently held facing relationship within the sleeve. Each ferrule can include an oversized end member having a central aperture containing the end of the optical fiber, the outer periphery of the end member engaging the surrounding sleeve to coaxially align the optical fiber. A rearward cylindrical wall of the ferrule also engages the sleeve and prevents off-axis cocking of the ferrule in the sleeve. Means are provided to suspend the cable in the connector body without potting and to secure the outer jacket of the cable at its point of entry into the connector body. The end face of the ferrule is provided with an overflow well for receiving excess adhesive used to secure the end member on this face of the ferrule. Each cable is secured to a connector body which is attachable to the interconnect housing in a manner to minimize non-axial forces which could cause optical misalignment of the fiber ends.

Growing community of inventors

North Attleboro, MA, United States of America

Harold A Roberts