Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company

3m Innovative Properties Company

Massachusetts Manufacturing and Mining Company

Harry A Loder

Edward B Lurie

Larry R Cox

Curtis L Shoemaker

John J Emmel

Richard L Simmons

Denis D Springer

Kenneth L Kornele

Duane T Smith

Elmer Blackwell

Bruce E Samuelson

William Jeffrey Clatanoff

Alden R Miles

James C Nygard

Charles A Mathna

Theodore F Schwandt

Nicholas A Lee

John L Roche

Robert S Dodsworth

Mark D Matthies

Lizhang Yang

Bruce K Grove

Marion A Casserberg

Duane Thomas Smith

This invention relates to a ferrule for use in a fiber optic connector. The ferrule has front and rear faces and comprises (a) a passage being disposed inside the ferrule and having first and second ends, the passage having dimensions defined by the following formulas:()&#x2266;&#x2266;( where 'W' is the passage width, 'H' is the passage height, &#x201c;X&#x201d; is the measured with of a fiber optic ribbon, &#x201c;n&#x201d; is the number of fiber optic ribbons and n&#x3e;1, &#x201c;a&#x201d; is the fiber optic ribbon thickness and &#x201c;b&#x201d; is the fiber pitch on a (b) a plurality of tapered channels disposed between the second end of the passage to said front face of the ferrule.

Ferrule for use in fiber optic connectors

A bend radius control member for controlling the bend radius of an optical fiber cable including a deformation resistant heat shrunk outer jacket wrapped around the optical fiber cable. The heat shrunk outer jacket has a desired bend radius curvature.

Apparatus and method for controlling the bend radius of an optical fiber cable

The present invention relates to a fiber optic cable assembly including a connector subassembly having a fiber optic cable terminated in a connector, the fiber optic cable having a minimum bend radius; and a strain relief boot attached to the connector subassembly, the strain relief boot having a core portion, a flexible extension with a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end extending from the core portion. The flexible extension retains at least a portion of the fiber optic cable.

Strain relief boot with flexible extension for guiding fiber optic cable

An article and process for cleaning relatively inaccessible and recessed surfaces, including a shaft having a first end opposite a second end with a cleaning head assembly, including a movable strip of buffing material, at the first end of the shaft. The article has an actuator at the second end of the shaft; and a connector coupling the cleaning head assembly to the actuator to move the movable strip during positional change of the actuator. Repeated positional change of the actuator produces reciprocatory movement in the movable strip of buffing material to produce a rubbing, cleaning action of the material against a recessed surface.

Article and process for cleaning optical surfaces

The amount of air dielectric in air core coaxial and twinaxial cables is increased by spacer structures installed between the center conductor and the outer shield which have provision for air voids or pockets running lengthwise. The extra air space provides lower effective dielectric constant for the cable. In one embodiment, a single-element extruded spacer is formed with air cavities or voids that run continuously throughout the length of the spacer. Several spacer 'profiles' or cross-sections are disclosed that place less solid dielectric mass in proximity to the center conductor. The result is a greater volume of air dielectric, and hence a lowered cable dielectric constant. In a further embodiment the spacer is a circular cross-sectioned element consisting of a central dielectric strength member surrounded with foamed material. Strength strands such as Kevlar&#xae; may be added to the spacer.

High propagation speed coaxial and twinaxial cable

A three dimensional optical circuit featuring an optical manifold for organizing, guiding and protecting individual optical fibers is shown. One aspect of the present invention is a three dimensional manifold which may be constructed using a rapid prototyping process such as, but not limited to, stereolithography ('SLA'), fused deposition modeling ('FDM'), selective laser sintering (&#x201c;SLS&#x201d;), and the like. The manifold has a number of input openings in a first ordered arrangement at one end connected by passageways to a number of output openings in a second ordered arrangement at the opposite end. A plurality of optical fibers may be directed through the passageways of the manifold to produce a three dimensional optical circuit such as a shuffle. Moreover, the optical manifold may be used in conjunction with a number of connections or terminations to form a various optical modules. These modules may be configured for rack mounting within enclosures for electrical components.

Three dimensional optical circuits

A fiber optic cable has one or more optical fibers, an inner tube surrounding the optical fibers, a strength member, an inner jacket surrounding the inner tube and strength member, and an outer jacket surrounding the inner jacket without being adhered to the inner jacket such that the outer jacket is easily strippable from the inner jacket. The inner jacket is constructed of a flexible, flame resistant material such as braided glass fibers, while the outer jacket may be constructed of a stiffer, flame retardant material such as polyvinyl chloride.

Dual stage fiber optic cable design

A three dimensional optical circuit featuring an optical manifold for organizing, guiding and protecting individual optical fibers is shown. One aspect of the present invention is a three dimensional manifold which may be constructed using a rapid prototyping process such as, but not limited to, stereolithography (&ldquo;SLA&rdquo;), fused deposition modeling (&ldquo;FDM&rdquo;), selective laser sintering (&ldquo;SLS&rdquo;), and the like. The manifold has a number of input openings in a first ordered arrangement at one end connected by passageways to a number of output openings in a second ordered arrangement at the opposite end. A plurality of optical fibers may be directed through the passageways of the manifold to produce a three dimensional optical circuit such as a shuffle. Moreover, the optical manifold may be used in conjunction with a number of connections or terminations to form a various optical modules. These modules may be configured for various in-line applications and may include protective housings or enclosures of metal or the like.

In-line shuffle modules utilizing three dimensional optical circuits

Optical fiber connector system

A connector assembly for securing and optically aligning one or more optical fiber arrays, each optical fiber array having a plurality of optical fibers having an outer surface. The connector assembly includes a base having fiber receiving features configured to receive and align the plurality of optical fibers; and a retaining element that covers at least a portion of the alignment features and secures the plurality of optical fibers against the alignment features. The retaining element has a first contact surface that contacts the plurality of optical fibers, where the contact surface is able to conform to the outer surfaces of the plurality of optical fibers.

Optical fiber connector having compliant alignment features

The present invention pertains to a multi-fiber optic connector system. The system contains a first housing and a second housing. The first housing contains (i) a first portion having at least one first cavity (ii) a second portion having at least one second cavity, a reference surface, and a first groove, and (iii) at least one alignment element disposed on the first groove. When an optical connector is slidably engaged into the first housing, the alignment element, having spring-like properties, contacts the optical connector and forces it against the reference surface.

Device for aligning fiber optic connectors

A three dimensional optical circuit featuring an optical manifold for organizing, guiding and protecting individual optical fibers is shown. One aspect of the present invention is a three dimensional manifold which may be constructed using a rapid prototyping process such as, but not limited to, stereolithography (&ldquo;SLA&rdquo;), fused deposition modeling (&ldquo;FDM&rdquo;), selective laser sintering (&ldquo;SLS&rdquo;), and the like. The manifold has a number of input openings in a first ordered arrangement at one end connected by passageways to a number of output openings in a second ordered arrangement at the opposite end. A plurality of optical fibers may be directed through the passageways of the manifold to produce a three dimensional optical circuit such as a shuffle. Moreover, the optical manifold may be used in conjunction with a number of connections or terminations to form a various optical modules. These modules may be configured for rack mounting within enclosures for electrical components.

Three dimensional optical circuit

A method of making a three dimensional optical circuit featuring an optical manifold for organizing, guiding and protecting individual optical fibers is provided. One aspect of the present invention is a three dimensional manifold which may be constructed using a rapid prototyping process such as, but not limited to, stereolithography (&ldquo;SLA&rdquo;), fused deposition modeling (&ldquo;FDM&rdquo;), selective laser sintering (&ldquo;SLS&rdquo;), and the like. The manifold has a number of input openings in a first ordered arrangement at one end connected by passageways to a number of output openings in a second ordered arrangement at the opposite end. A plurality of optical fibers may be directed through the passageways of the manifold to produce a three dimensional optical circuit such as a shuffle.

Method of making a three dimensional optical circuit

A high speed signal transmission cable including spaced, parallel conductors and an insulation layer comprising blown micro fiber web surrounding the conductors, preferably further including a layer of another dielectric material surrounding the microfiber material.

Growing community of inventors

Austin, TX, United States of America

Harry A Loder