The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 13, 2001
Filed:
May. 06, 1998
Robert J. Maron, Cromwell, CT (US);
Guy A. Daigle, Plainville, CT (US);
James R. Dunphy, South Glastonbury, CT (US);
Thomas W. Engel, Manchester, CT (US);
John J. Grunbeck, Northford, CT (US);
Mark R. Fernald, Enfield, CT (US);
Charles W. Helm, Rocky Hill, CT (US);
CiDRA Corporation, Wallingford, CT (US);
Abstract
A creep-resistant optical fiber attachment includes an optical fiber,, having a cladding,and a core,, having a variation region,(expanded or recessed) of an outer dimension on of the cladding and a structure, such as a ferrule,, disposed against least a portion of the variation region,. The fiber,is held in tension against the ferrule and the ferrule,has a size and shape that mechanically locks the ferrule,to the variation,, thereby holding the fiber,in tension against the ferrule,with minimal relative movement (or creep) in at least one axail direction between the fiber,and the ferrule,. The ferrule,may be attached to or part of a larger structure, such as a housing. The variation,and the ferrule,may have various different shapes and sizes. There may also be a buffer layer,between the cladding,and the ferrule,to protect the fiber,and/or to help secure the ferrule,to the fiber,to minimize creep.