The Whitaker Corporation

Reliance Comm/tec Corporation

Robert Essert

Peter C Ori

Brent W Thomas

A re-enterable splicer assembly is provided for forming a re-enterable splice connection between respective ends of a pair of fiber optic cables, each cable comprising at least one optical fiber surrounded by an outer jacket and a quantity of fibrous strengthening material intermediate the outer jacket and the optical fiber. The splicer assembly comprises a splice portion having an elongate channel formed thereon for receiving and effectively joining respective ends of a pair of optical fibers, retaining structure for retaining the ends of the optical fibers received in the elongate channel, and an arrangement for partially opening the splice portion to facilitate inserting and releasing a fiber relative to the elongate channel. An elongate housing includes opposite outer housing sections configured for receiving respective outer jackets of fiber optic cables therein and an intermediate housing section between the respective outer housing sections configured for receiving the splice portion therein. The splicer assembly also includes an arrangement for securing the fibrous strengthening material relative to the elongate housing.

Re-enterable fiber optic splicer for data communications

Apparatus for splicing a plurality of optical fibers of ribbonized fiber optic cable comprises: an elongate base has a splicing area and guides for directing optical fibers of a ribbonized fiber optic cable from either end of the elongate base into alignment with the splicing area. A first splicing element defining a splicing surface having a plurality of elongate parallel channels for receiving and aligning respective optical fibers is disposed in the splicing area. A second splicing element configured for overlying the first splicing element and maintaining optical fibers in the channels is mounted to the base.

Re-enterable splicer for ribbon fiber

Apparatus for achieving an optical connection between an optical fiber and electro-optic device comprises a fiber optic connector comprising a pair of elongated connector elements having facing substantially flat surfaces and an elongated groove on at least one of the surfaces for receiving an optical fiber to be retained between the connector elements. A resilient clamping member maintains the connector elements in engagement with each other so as to retain the optical fiber in the groove. A coupling portion projecting from the clamping member for joining the clamping member with the electro-optic device in such a manner that an optical fiber retained in the connector is in optical alignment with a predetermined portion of the electrooptic device.

Apparatus for optically coupling an optical fiber to an electro-optic

An optical fiber splicer-connector comprises a fiber section, a splice section, and a connecting section. The splice section is located between the fiber section and the connecting section. A fiber channel is disposed on the fiber section for accepting an optical fiber and for guiding the optical fiber to the splice section. Means for splicing optical fibers is located on the splice section. A fiber channel is disposed on the connecting section for accepting an optical fiber and for guiding the optical fiber to the splice section. The connecting section includes a connecting body for releasably attaching the splicer to an adapter. In one embodiment, the splice section and the connecting section are provided as separate, interengagable pieces.

Fiber optic splicer-connector

An optical fiber splice element useful for effecting a splice connection between at least two optical fibers comprises a pair of joinable splice halves. Fiber channels are provided on the splice halves extending through the element for accepting an optical fiber. Recess portions are provided on the splice halves to one side of the fiber channel for accepting a tool for applying a force for variably separating the halves to allow for fiber insertion in the fiber channel. Welds for joining the halves are disposed to a side of the fiber channel opposite to the recess portion. The welds are capable of holding the halves together along a side adjacent thereto while allowing the halves to variably separate along a side adjacent the recess portion so that the halves are at an angle to each other when separated by application of a force to the recess portion, with the welds being generally adjacent an apex of an angle so formed by the halves. The welds are capable of encouraging the halves back together when the application of force has ceased.

Welded splice element

Optical fiber splicer

A strain relief is provided for use with a splice for optical fibers having a fiber channel for housing and guiding a buffered optical fiber. At least one section of the fiber channel has a diameter sufficient to accept the buffered optical fiber. The strain relief is located on this section of the fiber channel. The strain relief comprises a projection which is able to bite into a buffer on the optical fiber without causing compressive stress losses.

Strain relief for optical fiber

A splicer for optical fibers. The splicer is assembled from two polymer body halves. When assembled the body halves function as spring clamps. Internal to the body halves is a metallic splice element which is assembled from two mirror image halves. The polymer body halves and the metallic splice element body halves both include a passageway for the two fibers to be spliced and a passageway for a tool that is used to operate the splicer so that a fiber can be inserted into or removed therefrom. During assembly a portion of the body halves are fused together to provide a unitized construction to the spring clamps. The splicer may be inserted in a panel. A ferrule is used to hold the splicer in the panel.

Growing community of inventors

Glen Ellyn, IL, United States of America

Robert Essert