Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090003778 | Fiber optic cable assembly - A fiber optic cable assembly comprising a fiber optic cable having a plurality of optical fibers disposed within a cable sheath and having an access point through the cable sheath for accessing and preterminating at least one of the plurality of optical fibers, at least one tether attached about the access point, the at least one tether having at least one optical fiber disposed within a cable sheath, and a flexible closure substantially encapsulating the access point, a portion of the fiber optic cable and a portion of the at least one tether. At least one preterminated fiber of the fiber optic cable is spliced to the at least one optical fiber of the at least one tether, and spliced together fiber portions of the at least one preterminated fiber and the at least one tether optical fiber are not maintained within a splice tube. | 01-01-2009 |
20120252244 | ADAPTER PLATE FOR SECURING AN ADAPTER TO A SURFACE - An adapter plate assembly includes an adapter for mating two connectors and an adapter plate. The adapter includes a first end and a second end and a passage therethrough. The adapter further includes an adapter footprint and an adapter flange. The first end has an external threaded portion and the second end has an external threaded portion. The adapter is adapted to receive a ruggedized connector in the first and a multi-fiber connector in the second end. The adapter plate includes an aperture for receiving at least a portion of the adapter, a footprint receiving portion for receiving at least a portion of the adapter footprint, a flange receiving portion for receiving the adapter flange, and an attachment feature. A method of assembling the adapter plate and mounting the adapter plate to a non-standard wall is described. | 10-04-2012 |
20130336618 | OPTICAL FIBER AND COMPOSITE INORGANIC FERRULE ASSEMBLIES AND METHODS - A pre-terminated optical fiber assembly with a ferrule having front and rear opposed faces and at least one fiber bore defined longitudinally therethrough includes a glass optical fiber is disposed within the at least one fiber bore with the fiber fused to the ferrule at a location at least 1 mm deep inside the bore. A method for fusing is also disclosed. The ferrule 14 is desirably composed of an inorganic composite material, the composite comprising a material gradient from at least 75% by volume of a first inorganic material to at least 75% by volume of second inorganic material in the radially inward direction, where the first inorganic material has a fracture toughness of at least 1 MPa•m | 12-19-2013 |
20130343709 | FERRULE ASSEMBLIES EMPLOYING MECHANICAL INTERFACES FOR OPTICAL FIBERS, AND RELATED COMPONENTS AND METHODS - Embodiments disclosed herein include ferrule assemblies employing mechanical interfaces for optical fibers and related component and methods. The ferrule assemblies may be used in fiber optic connectors to precisely position the optical fiber relative to the ferrule to facilitate an optical connection with another optical device. In certain embodiments disclosed herein, the ferrule assemblies include a ferrule that includes an inner surface forming a ferrule bore. Each of the ferrules may also include an end portion of an optical fiber disposed in the ferrule bore. The inner surface of the ferrule bore abuts against an outer surface of the optical fiber to form a mechanical interface. In this manner, the mechanical interface secures the optical fiber within the ferrule bore and precisely positioned relative to the ferrule. This mechanical interface may eliminate the need for epoxy or other means to secure the optical fiber within the ferrule bore. | 12-26-2013 |
20130343710 | SIMULTANEOUS THERMAL FORMING OF FERRULE AND OPTICAL FIBER IN A FERRULE ASSEMBLY TO THERMALLY FORM AN OPTICAL SURFACE IN THE FERRULE ASSEMBLY, AND RELATED FIBER OPTIC COMPONENTS, FIBER CONNECTORS, ASSEMBLIES, AND METHODS - Simultaneous thermal forming of a ferrule and optical fiber as part of a ferrule assembly to thermally form an optical surface in the ferrule assembly. Related fiber optic components, connectors, assemblies, and methods are disclosed. In certain embodiments, the ferrule assembly is comprised of a ferrule and an optical fiber having an end portion extending from an end face of the ferrule. The ferrule may be made from a material or material composition having the same or similar thermal energy absorption characteristics as the optical fiber disposed in the ferrule. Thus, when the end face of the ferrule and an end portion of an optical fiber are simultaneously exposed to a wavelength(s) of a laser beam emitted by a laser, at least a portion of the end face of the ferrule and end portion of the optical fiber are both thermally formed together to form an optical surface. | 12-26-2013 |
20140105545 | GRADED COMPOSITION FOR OPTICAL WAVEGUIDE FERRULE - A ferrule for optical waveguides includes an exterior and an interior of the ferrule. The interior of the ferrule has a bore defined therein that is configured to receive an optical waveguide. Material of the ferrule is such that the material changes from the interior to the exterior of the ferrule, where the thermal expansion coefficient of the material transitions from less than 30×10−7/° C. at the interior of the ferrule to greater than 70×10−7/° C. at the exterior of the ferrule. The thermal expansion coefficient of the material may change by way of discrete layers in the material between the interior and exterior of the ferrule. | 04-17-2014 |
20140332510 | COATING REMOVAL SYSTEMS FOR OPTICAL FIBERS - Coating removal systems for optical fibers are disclosed. Related methods and optical fibers processed with these methods and coating removal systems are also disclosed. An optical fiber includes a glass fiber, having a cladding and core, surrounded by a protective coating which does not contribute to the optical performance of the optical fiber. By removing the coating at an end portion of the optical fiber, the end portion may be precisely positioned and secured to enable reliable optical communications. A laser beam may be directed at the protective coating to remove the protective coating by one or more ablating, melting, vaporizing, and/or thermal decomposing processes. The optical fiber may also be optionally cleaved. In this manner, the coating may be efficiently removed while retaining at least fifty percent of the tensile strength of the optical fiber. | 11-13-2014 |
20150219860 | METHODS OF SECURING ONE OR MORE OPTICAL FIBERS TO A FERRULE - A method of securing an optical fiber to a ferrule involves heating the ferrule to cause thermal expansion. A ferrule bore of the ferrule increases in diameter as a result of the thermal expansion, and an optical fiber is inserted into the ferrule bore. The ferrule is then cooled so that the ferrule bore decreases in diameter and forms a mechanical interface with the optical fiber. Finally, the optical fiber is fused to the ferrule by irradiating the optical fiber and the ferrule with laser energy. | 08-06-2015 |
20150219861 | OPTICAL CONNECTOR WITH ADHESIVE MATERIAL - An optical fiber connector includes a ferrule configured to receive an optical fiber. The ferrule has a fiber bore and a storage location interior to the ferrule and adjacent to the fiber bore. The storage location comprises a funnel-shaped portion that is directed toward the fiber bore. An adhesive material is positioned in the storage location of the ferrule. The adhesive material is a dry and solid material. | 08-06-2015 |