Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090154884 | Multifiber MT-Type Connector and Ferrule Comprising V-Groove Lens Array and Method of Manufacture - A fiber optic ferrule, preferably an MT-type ferrule, and connector design is provided that includes a unitary v-groove lens array (v-lens). The v-lens comprises a plurality of lenses and corresponding plurality of open v-grooves to align optical fibers with the plurality of lenses. Because the v-groove lens array is a unitary structure, high precision manufacturing is required for only the v-groove lens array, and not for other components forming the ferrule. A housing holds the v-groove lens array and preferably comprises a cantilever configured to retain the optical fibers substantially within their corresponding v-grooves. An opening in the housing allows an adhesive to be placed in contact with the housing, optical fibers and v-groove lens array thereby retaining the various components in a fixed relationship. A fiber optic connector may include the fiber optic ferrule in accordance with the present invention disposed within a suitable connector housing. | 06-18-2009 |
20090175580 | Hybrid optical/electrical connector and adapter - A hybrid optical/electrical connector and mated adapter for terminating at least one hybrid optical/electrical cable containing an optical fiber and a conductor. The connector includes a crimp body having an elongated conductive insert with an interior passage for receiving the optical fiber and a non-conductive shell covering the insert. The insert has a contact portion exposed through the shell and an end extending beyond the shell for electrical engagement with the hybrid cable conductor. The adapter includes a non-conductive housing with a plug connector receiving channel. Within the plug receiving channel, a conductor extends longitudinally. The conductor has a contact point within the channel in alignment with the exposed contact portion of the insert so that when the connector is inserted within the receiving channel, the exposed contact portion of the insert and the conductor contact point of the adapter are in electrical engagement with one another. | 07-09-2009 |
20120213478 | OPTICAL FIBER CONNECTOR - An optical fiber connector includes a housing with at least one elongated cylindrical cavity, a fiber holder within the cavity including a ferrule which secures an optical fiber therein and a biasing member engaging the fiber holder to bias the ferrule towards an unmated position. A resilient metal latch is mounted on the housing for releasably securing the optical fiber connector to another component. A latch travel limiting structure prevents the latch from deflecting outside a desired predetermined path. Improved structures for mounting the latch on the housing and for creating a duplex connector assembly are also provided. | 08-23-2012 |
20140169743 | FERRULE ASSEMBLY WITH LATERAL FIBER INSERTION - An optical fiber ferrule assembly includes a ferrule body with an optical fiber receiving nest configured to receive a plurality of optical fibers. The nest opens laterally relative to the optical fiber axis to facilitate insertion of the optical fibers into the optical fiber receiving nest. The nest includes a plurality of arcuate surfaces configured to engage and align the optical fibers. A cover is secured to the ferrule body to secure the optical fibers within the optical fiber receiving nest. A ferrule and a method of assembly are also provided. | 06-19-2014 |
20140185990 | LENSED FERRULE ASSEMBLY WITH THERMAL EXPANSION COMPENSATION - An optical fiber assembly includes a ferrule body with a plurality of optical fibers. An end face of each optical fiber extends past the front face of the ferrule body. A beam expanding element is generally adjacent the front face of the ferrule body and has a lens array aligned with the optical fibers. An index matched resilient medium engages the rearwardly facing surface of the beam expanding element and the end faces of the optical fibers. | 07-03-2014 |
20140193120 | FERRULE ASSEMBLY WITH INTEGRAL LATCH - An optical fiber assembly includes a ferrule body with a plurality of optical fibers positioned therein. The assembly may include a beam expanding element adjacent the front face of the ferrule body with a lens array aligned with the optical fibers. A resilient latch is integrally formed with the beam expanding element or the ferrule body. | 07-10-2014 |
20140294395 | WIDE TEMPERATURE RANGE OPTICAL FIBER CONNECTOR WITH THERMAL EXPANSION COMPENSATION - An optical fiber assembly comprises an optical fiber having a forward end, a ferrule supporting the optical fiber, a beam expanding element aligned with the forward end of the optical fiber, and a thermal expansion compensation element adjacent the optical fiber to compensate for thermal expansion differences between the optical fiber and the ferrule. | 10-02-2014 |
20140321814 | MULTI-FIBER FERRULE WITH A LENS PLATE - An optical fiber assembly includes a ferrule body with a plurality of optical fibers and an end of each optical fiber positioned adjacent the front face of the ferrule body. A beam-expanding element is positioned adjacent the front face of the ferrule body including a lens array aligned with the optical fibers. The lens array is spaced from the optical fibers by a predetermined distance to form a gap with an index-matched medium within the gap. A method of manufacturing the optical fiber assembly is also provided. | 10-30-2014 |