Tyco Electronics Corporation

The Whitaker Corporation

Amp LLC

US Conec Limited

James David Kevern

Robert N Weber

Randy Marshall Manning

Vinod J Franklin

Michael Lawrence Gurreri

Steven Lee Flickinger

Bryan T Edwards

David D Sonner

Jeffrey A Zeiders

Darrell Randolph Childers

Dimitry G Grabbe

Johannes C Bakermans

Michael Aaron Kadar-Kallen

Soren Grinderslev

Edmund Joseph Haley

Lou Castagna

William J Stape

Brian T Patterson

Martijn Scholten

Mike Elbert Hughes

Jeff Swartzbaugh

Antonius Bernardus Gerardus Bolhaar

Antonius Petrus Cornelius Maria Hultermans

The invention pertains to a modular optical connection system that permits simple swapping of optical connectors of different form factor types. Furthermore, it allows a single optical connector design of a given form factor to be used to make optical connectors in various different board-to-board configurations, such as orthogonal, coplanar, and backplane. In accordance with the invention, an outer housing is mounted on a board which housing allows two inner housings to mate with each other through the outer housing. A single outer housing can be used with different inner housings adapted to accept various different connector form factors therein and permits the two mating inner housings to float longitudinally within the outer housing. It also allows the two mating inner housings to engage and disengage via simple push engagement and pull disengagement. The external dimensions and features of all of the different connector housings are essentially identical to each other so that they all can mate with each other and with the outer housing, but have different internal dimensions and features depending on the particular connector form factor style for which they are designed.

Modular optical connector apparatus and method

A method of qualifying a ferrule assembly as being adequate to make physical contact upon application of a certain mating force, said ferrule assembly comprising a ferrule having an mating face and two or more fibers in said ferrule extending from said mating face, said method comprising (a) determining a coplanarity line of the ends of said fibers of said ferrule assembly, (b) determining minus coplanarity, said minus coplanarity being the greatest parallel offset between said coplanarity line and a fiber end below the coplanarity line; and (c) determining whether said ferrule assembly will make physical contact as a function of at least said minus coplanarity and said certain mating force.

Method and apparatus for predicting physical contact

A multi-fiber ferrule and optical fibers therein make easier contact with other multi-fiber ferrules and connectors with a small fiber tip radius and a modulus of elasticity. A method for qualifying multi-fiber ferrules (and connectors) is also disclosed.

Multi-fiber ferrules for making physical contact and method of determining same

A method of coupling a high-power optical signal between an optical fiber and a mating optical component, the optical signal ranging in wavelength from x to y, and having a first diameter while propagating in a mode field within the fiber, the method comprising: (a) converting the high-power optical signal between the first diameter in the fiber and a second diameter significantly greater than the first diameter using a GRIN lens fused to an end of the fiber, the GRIN lens having a diameter substantially the same as that of the optical fiber and a length l complying with the following equation:&#xbc;&#xbd;&#x2266;&#xbc;+&#xbd;

Expanded beam connector system

A ferrule assembly comprising: (a) an array of optical fibers each having a mating end face; and (b) a ferrule with the fibers disposed therein, the ferrule having a front and rear orientation and a front surface, the front surface having at least a mating surface and a non-mating surface, the mating surface extending forward beyond the non-mating surface and presenting the mating end face of at least one of the fibers.

Multifiber ferrule

A fiber optic connector utilizing a fiber array ferrule has a housing with an internal geometry that provides transverse alignment of the ferrule relative to the housing when the connector is in an unmated condition and permits transverse displacement of the ferrule relative to the housing when the connector is in a mated condition. This structure advantageously permits proper pre-mating alignment with a mating connector ferrule or other optical device while also improving isolation of the ferrule from external loads imposed on the housing when the connector is in a mated condition.

Optical fiber connector with improved ferrule float feature

The present invention is directed to a connector assembly comprised of an adapter that is engageable with one or more connectors . The adapter has a plurality of alignment tabs formed therein. When the adapter and the connector are in mated engagement, the alignment tabs are positioned within a plurality of recesses formed in the connector

Fiber optic connector

Disclosed is a connector which can be used to terminate, among other things, an optical fiber. The connector includes a housing, and the housing defines a cavity. The housing has an end configured for insertion into an associated receptacle. On the housing is a latch for securing the housing in the associated receptacle. The latch has a first end and a second end opposite the first end, and each end of the latch is either connected to or simply supported by the housing.

Optical fiber connector

An automated method is disclosed for grinding and polishing the terminated ends of the optical fibers in a fiber optic cable. The abrasive material, in strip form, is moved in a carriage along a linear path while the carriage is oscillated in a circle within a plane during polishing. There are three separate work stations operating concurrently, the first having a relatively course grade of abrasive while the others have finer grades. Fixtures holding the cables for polishing are held in fixture supports that are automatically fed toward the abrasive material during polishing and retracted after polishing is complete. The fixture engagement mechanism for the first carriage engages at a slower rate than do the mechanisms of the other carriages.

Automated method of finishing the tip of a terminated optical fiber

An automated machine is disclosed for grinding and polishing the terminated ends of the optical fibers in fiber optic cables. The machine utilizes abrasive material in strip form. The abrasive material is moved in a carriage along a linear path while the carriage is oscillated in a circle within a plane during polishing. There are three separate carriages operating concurrently, the first having a relatively course grade of abrasive while the others have finer grades. Fixtures holding the cables for polishing are held in fixture supports that are automatically fed toward the abrasive material during polishing and retracted after polishing is complete. The fixture engagement mechanism for the first carriage engages at a slower rate than do the mechanisms of the other carriages.

Machine for grinding and polishing terminated fiber optic cables

A fixture for positioning and holding fiber optic cables for polishing is disclosed. The fixture includes a cable clamping mechanism consisting of a pair of links that are pivotally attached to movable portions of a nest that receives and holds the terminated end of the cable. A holding member is positioned above the nests to steady and hold the cables in rough position while the nest accurately positions the fiber optic end for polishing. A dovetail member is provided to accurately attach the fixture to the polishing machine. The fixture is arranged to not contact the abrasive material during polishing.

Tool for finishing terminated fiber optic cable

A connector for joining light transmitting fiber cables through a cover (14) to a transmitter and/or receiver device (3) comprises a plug half connector (6) comprising a plug (8) and a transceiver adapter (10). The plug (8) has profiled passageway (43) for receiving an optical fiber. The transceiver adapter (10) is an integral two-part structure comprising a transceiver shroud (11) adapted to axially receive the plug (8) and extending axially (38) for aligning the plug (8) forward relative to the transmitter and/or receiver device (3). The adapter (10) further comprises a latching beam mechanism (12) having forward extending latching beams (13), the latching beam mechanism (12) characterized by a wedge shaped plug stop (64) along each of the extending latching beams (13).

Latching beam mechanism having plug stops for optical connector

A connector for joining light transmitting fiber cables through a cover (14) to a transmitter and/or receiver device (3) comprises a plug connector half (6) and a retention frame (48). The plug connector half (6) comprises a plug (8) having profiled passageway (43) for receiving an optical fiber, a transceiver adapter (10) adapted to axially receive the plug (8) through the cover (14) and extending axially for aligning the plug (8) forward relative to the transmitter and/or receiver device (3). The retention frame (48) is mounted to the cover (14) and captivates the transceiver adapter (10) with play so as to permit free floating of the transceiver adapter (10) relative to the cover within the retention frame (48). The transceiver adapter (10) is an integral two-part structure comprising a transceiver shroud (11) adapted to axially receive the plug (8) and extending axially (38) for aligning the plug (8) relative to the transmitter and/or receiver device( 3), and further having a latching beam mechanism (12) having forward extending latching beams (13).

Connector with floating alignment feature

A connector, method and alignment device for connecting single-mode optical fibers are provided. The connector is characterized by a deformable, elongated base for supporting two coaxial fibers and a meltable slug which secures the fibers to the base in a nondamageable manner upon melting and resolidification. The method addresses employing the connector to affix the fibers. The device, employed in combination with the connector, includes two translatable clamps to distort the connector base thereby aligning the fibers optical cores in a substantially coaxial relationship.

A ferrule for electro-optic cables is formed of identical mating halves which, when assembled, provide accurate alignment of the fiber carried thereby. Each ferrule half has a mating surface with a longitudinally extending profiled groove which grips the cable and fiber and centers the fiber with respect to the ferrule. The ferrule halves are preferably permanently bonded together by well known means.

Growing community of inventors

Wellsville, PA, United States of America

James David Kevern