3M Innovative Properties Company

Nathaniel S Shonkwiler

Donald Kent Larson

William Jeffrey Clatanoff

Richard L Simmons

Janet A Kling

An optical fiber connection system () for connecting a plurality of optical fibers is described. The connection system comprises a first bare fiber holder () comprising a first splice element () and a second bare fiber holder (') comprising a second splice element (&#x2032;). Each of the first and second splice elements (&#x2032;) comprises a splice body () having a first end () and a second end () and a plurality of alternating alignment and clamping channels () formed in a top surface () of the splice body () that extend from the first end to the second end of the splice body. When the first and second bare fiber holders (&#x2032;) are mated, at least a portion of the alignment channels () of the first splice element () overlap a portion of the clamping channels () in the second splice element (&#x2032;) and at least a portion of the clamping channels () of the first splice element () overlap a portion of the alignment channels () of the second splice element (&#x2032;) to hold the first and second optical fibers in end to end alignment.

Optical fiber connection system

An optical fiber connection system () configured to interconnect a plurality of first and second optical fibers (') is described. The connection system comprises a first bare fiber holder () that includes a clamping plate () having an interconnection portion () with a generally planar surface, wherein bare ends of the plurality of first optical fibers () are disposed adjacent to interconnection portion () and wherein the plurality of first optical fibers () are secured in the first bare fiber holder () at a first distance from the bare ends of the plurality of first optical fibers () and a second bare fiber holder (&#x2032;) that includes a splicing plate () having a plurality of alignment channels (), wherein a bare end of each of the second optical fibers (&#x2032;) extend at least partially into one of the plurality of alignment channels () and wherein the plurality of second optical fibers (&#x2032;) are held at a second distance from the bare ends of the plurality of second optical fibers (&#x2032;).

Growing community of inventors

Austin, TX, United States of America

Nathaniel S Shonkwiler