3m Innovative Properties Company

Corning Research & Development Corporation

Richard L Simmons

Curtis L Shoemaker

Kenneth L Kornele

Donald Kent Larson

Harry A Loder

Edward B Lurie

Ronald Phillip Pepin

James R Bylander

William Jeffrey Clatanoff

Martin G Afflerbaugh

Thomas E Lyons, Jr

Nathaniel S Shonkwiler

Michael Alan Meis

Nicholas A Lee

Gordon D Henson

Zachary Michael Thompson

William George Allen

Joseph Christopher Sawicki

Jeremy K Zoss

Mark R Richmond

Constand E Yemelong

Paul H Benson

Joseph M Van Allen

Janet A Kling

Robert W Bunte

Luke Carlson

Jeffrey Lane Shields

Monte L Otts

Marion A Casserberg

Ronald P Pepin

Jeffrey L Shields

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;).

The present invention relates to a modular breakout device providing optical and/or electrical connection interfaces in each modular unit. The exemplary breakout device includes a housing made up of a plurality of individual compartments stacked upon each other and a cover that is attachable to the housing. The plurality of individual compartments includes a base compartment configured with a port though a wall of the base compartment that is configured to accept optical and/or electrical transmission media and a first furcation tray. The first furcation tray is disposed on top of the base compartment and the cover is disposed on top of the first furcation tray to enclose the housing. In one exemplary aspect, the breakout device has an optical connection interface and an electrical connection interface disposed in a side wall of the first furcation tray.

Modular breakout device for optical and electrical connections

The present description relates to an optical fiber interconnection tray. The interconnection tray has a base extending longitudinally from a first end to a second end, with a cable entrance at the first end of the tray. A first interconnection layer is disposed on the base, and a second interconnection layer is positioned over at least a portion of the first interconnection layer, wherein the second interconnection layer is disposed on a first repositionable mezzanine attached to the base at a plurality of locations.

Highly configurable fiber-optic interconnection tray

An enclosure for protect a cabling junction or transition point on a cell tower is described. In particular, the exemplary cell tower enclosure provides an interconnection platform for both optical and electrical conductors. The cell tower enclosure includes a cover and a base configured attachable to an open first end of the cover to provide an enclosed configuration. The base has a plurality of cable ports passing through the base to allow passage cables into and out of the enclosure. The enclosure also includes a cable management device. The cable management device has two longitudinal edges disposed between two rounded bend control portions oriented at each end of the cable management device and a plurality of optical fiber connector adapters secured along at least one of the longitudinal edges, wherein the cable management device is connected to the base by a support frame.

Cell tower enclosure

Disclosed is an exemplary a re-enterable enclosure for a cable splice. The enclosure includes a cover and a base configured for engagement with the cover, wherein the cover and the base form a cavity for enclosing the cable splice when the base and cover are in a closed position. The enclosure also includes first and second sealing members disposed in the base and the cover. The first sealing member has first and second end portions coupled by a longitudinal member, wherein each end portion includes at least two lobes separated by a gap. The second sealing member includes a third end portion having a protrusion, wherein the protrusion on the third end portion is configured for insertion into the gap between the lobes of one of the first and second end portions of the first sealing member to form an intermating seal.

Sealing member for an enclosure

An antenna assembly is disclosed. The antenna assembly comprises an antenna that includes a radiating element formed on the first major surface of a substrate and connection mechanism for connecting the antenna to an unsevered midspan section of adhesive backed RF distribution cable.

Antenna assembly for converged in-building network

An inlet device is described herein for inserting a telecommunication cable into a telecommunications enclosure. The inlet device includes a housing, a retainer clip attached to the housing and a compression member. The housing can include a compressible portion at the second end of the housing. The retainer clip can secure the inlet device in a close fitting port of a telecommunication enclosure.

Telecommunications cable inlet device

A polishing apparatus is provided for polishing an optical fiber connector. The optical fiber connector includes a connector housing and a ferrule. The polishing apparatus includes a mount to receive and hold the optical connector and a polisher housing supported by a base. The polisher housing houses a polisher that comprises a platen that supports a polishing media, the platen being coupled to a planetary gear system. The mount is disposed on a cover that encloses the polisher housing when the cover is placed in a closed position. A rotatable knob is exposed at an opening of the base, the rotatable knob being engaged with the planetary gear system to move the planetary gear system. The polishing media is disposed proximate to a fiber tip extending from an end face of the ferrule of the optical connector disposed in the mount when the cover is placed in the closed position.

Optical fiber polishing apparatus

Disclosed is an exemplary strain relief device. The strain relief device includes a tubular body having a central bore, a plurality of cable passages disposed around the central bore, and a plug to block the central bore and secure the one or more telecommunication drop cables in the cable passages. the central bore defines a longitudinal axis and an interior surface of the tubular body. The central bore has a perimeter that is larger than a perimeter of each of the plurality of cable passages.

Strain relief device

A bladeless optical fiber cleaver includes a first clamp and a second clamp coupled to each other via a generally support tray, where the second clamp is movable with respect to the first clamp along an axis of the optical fiber. The first and second clamps each receive a portion of the optical fiber. The fiber cleaver includes a mechanism to create a tension force in a stripped portion of the optical fiber, where the stripped portion of the fiber under tension is exposed to receive contact from a flexible abrasive material, the flexible abrasive material introducing a flaw in the optical fiber where the cleave takes place.

Bladeless optical fiber cleaver

Disclosed is a coupling assembly for use in a telecommunication enclosure. The coupling assembly comprises an optical coupling mounted within the enclosure, a parking lot adapter, and a first optical fiber connector having a key on its housing. The parking lot adapter is axially aligned with and fitted to a first side of the optical coupling. The first optical fiber connector is inserted into the parking lot adapter and is movable between two stable positions. The two stable positions consist of a connected position and a disconnected position.

Coupling field adapter

An assembly tool for installing an optical fiber in an optical connector includes a base and a protrusion setting station. The base includes a connector mount disposed in the base. The connector mount can be configured to receive and secure the optical connector on the base where the connector has a housing and a connector ferrule. The protrusion setting station enables the craftsperson to set distance (or protrusion) that a terminal end of the optical fiber extends from an end face of the connector ferrule. The protrusion station includes a light source to illuminate the terminal end of the optical fiber, at least one black body absorber to eliminate unwanted reflected light and a window to visualize the terminal end of the optical fiber protruding from the end face of the connector ferrule.

Assembly tool and optical connector assembly method

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.

Optical manifold

An apparatus for routing optical fibers to create a fiber optic circuit includes a substrate and a plurality of retaining structures on the substrate. The retaining structures removably retain an optical fiber adjacent the substrate.

Growing community of inventors

Leander, TX, United States of America

Richard L Simmons