Amp LLC

The Whitaker Corporation

Other

Robert N Weber

Robert C Briggs

William J Stape

John C Hoffer

Edmund Joseph Haley

David D Sonner

Donald W Thompson

Lloyd R Budd

Bryan T Edwards

James David Kevern

Steven P Owens

Steven Lee Flickinger

Kevin T Monroe

Wilbur A Hamsher, Jr

Jeffrey A Zeiders

Robert L Mansberger, Ii

Robert L Showman

Lee Andrew Barkus

Frederic H Abendschein

John R Hopkins

Alan Edward Plotts

Wallace R Savitsky

David D Erdman

Jeffrey Allen Zeiders

Paul Michael Mayercik

John J Racilla

The present invention provides an optical interconnection system capable of connecting a plurality of optical array connectors between assemblies. The optical array connectors are arranged to minimize the board real estate occupied by the assembly. Safety features are provided for preventing light from escaping in both the mated and unmated condition.

Optical connector having multiple modular housings

The invention provides an optical connector for coupling a plurality of optical fibers in an array configuration. The optical connector housing is designed to accommodate a plurality of array ferrules. Each array ferrule holds multiple fiber ends each being precisely positioned with respect to alignment features of the ferrule. The plurality of ferrules may be either independently biased or dependently biased.

Fiber optic connector having a plurality of array interfaces

A multi-fiber fiber-optic connector is provided containing a cartridge having a front radial flange containing peripheral, circumferentially-spaced notches in each of which a fiber-optic terminal is axially positioned, and having a rear radial flange containing peripheral, circumferentially-spaced notches in each of which a fiber-optic clamp body is axially positioned. The fiber-optic terminals are spring-biased forwardly toward the open end of the connector, and a preload plate holds them in a preloaded state. Each of the terminals is provided at its outer end with a surrounding, axially-extending resilient split sleeve, the outer end of which is empty to receive a fiber-optic terminal of a mating conductor similar to the above-described connector, but without the split sleeves. Each fiber extends between the front flange and the rear flange non-axially, the crimp-held end of each fiber instead being aligned with the fiber-optic terminal circumferentially next to the one which is aligned with the crimp body for that fiber.

Circular multi-fiber fiber-optic connector

A duplex fiber optic connector assembly enables mating the fibers of a first multifiber cable with like fibers of a second cable or cables with maximum axial alignment of the respective fiber paris. An interconnect member receives cable terminating connectors in opposite sides thereof. Each connector carries the fibers of a respective cable in individual ferrules, each ferrule having limited floating mount within the respective connector. The mating pairs of ferrules are received in opposite ends of receptor members each of which has an axially profiled bore adapted to receive the respective ferrules and a profiled outer surface which allows movement about the geometric center of the receptor so as to axially align the bores of the ferrules received therein. Connectors at each end of a predetermined length of fiber optic cable provide a fiber optic extension cord, analogous to the well-known electrical extension cord, for convenient and efficient interconnection between optical signal-using equipments. Small interconnect members receive the connectors of such fiber optic extension cords to allow even wider-ranging interconnections. Wall boxes containing such interconnect members, connected to permanently installed fiber optic cables conveying optical signals from a central optical signal source, allow a user to readily access optical signals by 'plugging-in' a connector therein.

High precision optical fiber connectors

Polarized connector

A connector for an optical fiber comprising, a body (86, 86') at least one ferrule (66, 66', 68, 68') encircling a corresponding optical fiber, a coil spring (337) compressible between a flange on the corresponding ferrule and a ridge (48) of the body (86, 86'), and the corresponding ferrule extends through a recess (52) in a second ridge (46) and is pivotally moveable in the recess (52).

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 fiber optic connector (1) for an optical fiber cable (2), comprising; a strain relief (3) encircling the cable (2), a housing (4), and a fixture (5) attached to the strain relief (3), the fixture (5) interlocking with the housing (4) at a stationary position angularly pointing the strain relief (3) and the cable (2) relative to the housing (4).

Connector with a variable direction strain relief

A face plate adaptor (10) includes spring driven doors (60) to seal apertures (42) and integral projections (46, 48) which latch connector halves (90, 100) to the plate. The adapter (10) precludes dust from collecting thereon and therein and provides an adequate bend radius for cable (90) extending within a wall box (16) to which the face plate is attached.

Face plate with seal and cover

Plug connector for optical fiber cable

A clamp comprising; two sections 12, 12 hinged together for closure toward each other and onto an exterior of a divisible, multiple fiber cable 2, friction surfaces 24, 24 of the sections 12, 12 are adapted for engaging along an exterior of a first portion 25 of the multiple fiber cable 2, for holding the first portion 25 together while the multiple fiber cable 2 is split partially along its length into single fiber cables 3, 3 and while optical connectors 5, 5 are assembled to the single fiber cables 3, 3.

Clamp for split cable of multiple optical fibers

A strain relief (9) for right angle coupling of a fiber optic cable (2) with a connector (1) comprises, a generally tubular length of flexible material provided with a cylindrical axial bore (18) sized for receiving the fiber optic cable (2), and formed with narrow openings (24), an imposing tongue (27) in each of the openings (24) and a complementary groove (29) across the opening (26), whereby upon bending of the tubular length, tongues (27) lodge in the grooves (29).

Interlocking strain relief

An active device mount 1, comprises a body 2 for receiving an optoelectronic device 10 and having a socket 11 for receiving a holder 15 for an optical fiber, an interior and an entrance end of the socket 11 being covered from the entrance end, the lip 17 having exterior mold vestiges 54, and the material 16 preventing a rubbing mark from being applied on the holder 15 by the socket 11. Very small apertures either in the face of body 2 as at 58 or in the side wall of body 2 as at 78 are filled with material 16 during molding to preclude rotation of the material 16 relative to body 2.

Active device mount with mark prevention, anti-rotation features and

A connector (7) for joining light transmitting fiber cables (9) to a transmitter and/or receiver device (3) comprises a plug half connector (6) and a yoke half connector (5). The plug half connector (6) comprises a plug (8) having axial extending bore (35) for receiving an optical fiber, a transceiver adapter (10) adapted to axially receive the plug (8) and extending axially for aligning the plug (8) relative to the transmitter and/or receiver device (3). Further the transceiver adapter (10) has a forward mating face (27). A pin (13) is beveled at its end (47) and is fixed to the forward mating face (27) of the tranceiver adapter (10) and extends forward of the plug half connector (6). The yoke half connector (5) is attached to and is integral with the transmitter and/or receiver device (3) and has an aperture (19) therein beveled (20) to receive the pin (13) to be guided into the aperture (19) by the beveling (20).

Optical fiber connector with alignment feature

A duplex fiber optic connector assembly enables mating the fibers of a first multifiber cable with like fibers of a second cable or cables with maximum axial alignment of the respective fiber pairs. An interconnect member receives cable terminating connectors in opposite sides thereof. Each connector carries the fibers of a respective cable in individual ferrules, each ferrule having limited floating mount within the respective connector. The mating pairs of ferrules are received in opposite ends of receptor members each of which has an axially profiled bore adapted to receive the respective ferrules and a profiled outer surface which allows movement about the geometric center of the receptor so as to axially align the bores of the ferrules received therein. Connectors at each end of a predetermined length of fiber optic cable provide a fiber optic extension cord, analogous to the well-known electrical extension cord, for convenient and efficient interconnection between optical signal-using equipments. Small interconnect members receive the connectors of such fiber optic extension cords to allow even wider-ranging interconnections. Wall boxes containing such interconnect members, connected to permanently installed fiber optic cables conveying optical signals from a central optical signal source, allow a user to readily access optical signals by 'plugging-in' a connector therein.

Growing community of inventors

Hummelstown, PA, United States of America

Robert N Weber