GB1599688A - Optical fibre couplers - Google Patents
Optical fibre couplers Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB1599688A GB1599688A GB22051/78A GB2205178A GB1599688A GB 1599688 A GB1599688 A GB 1599688A GB 22051/78 A GB22051/78 A GB 22051/78A GB 2205178 A GB2205178 A GB 2205178A GB 1599688 A GB1599688 A GB 1599688A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- optical
- bracket
- connector
- filament
- assembly
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
- 239000013307 optical fiber Substances 0.000 title claims description 13
- 230000003287 optical effect Effects 0.000 claims description 24
- 239000000523 sample Substances 0.000 claims description 9
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000010137 moulding (plastic) Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000000853 adhesive Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 230000001070 adhesive effect Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000006243 chemical reaction Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 230000000717 retained effect Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000002904 solvent Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000004677 Nylon Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920000297 Rayon Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000000428 dust Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229920001778 nylon Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000005304 optical glass Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000004806 packaging method and process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002964 rayon Substances 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
- G02B6/36—Mechanical coupling means
- G02B6/38—Mechanical coupling means having fibre to fibre mating means
- G02B6/3807—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs
- G02B6/3833—Details of mounting fibres in ferrules; Assembly methods; Manufacture
- G02B6/3847—Details of mounting fibres in ferrules; Assembly methods; Manufacture with means preventing fibre end damage, e.g. recessed fibre surfaces
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
- G02B6/36—Mechanical coupling means
- G02B6/38—Mechanical coupling means having fibre to fibre mating means
- G02B6/3807—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs
- G02B6/3873—Connectors using guide surfaces for aligning ferrule ends, e.g. tubes, sleeves, V-grooves, rods, pins, balls
- G02B6/3882—Connectors using guide surfaces for aligning ferrule ends, e.g. tubes, sleeves, V-grooves, rods, pins, balls using rods, pins or balls to align a pair of ferrule ends
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
- G02B6/36—Mechanical coupling means
- G02B6/38—Mechanical coupling means having fibre to fibre mating means
- G02B6/3807—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs
- G02B6/3887—Anchoring optical cables to connector housings, e.g. strain relief features
- G02B6/3888—Protection from over-extension or over-compression
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
- G02B6/36—Mechanical coupling means
- G02B6/38—Mechanical coupling means having fibre to fibre mating means
- G02B6/3807—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs
- G02B6/389—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs characterised by the method of fastening connecting plugs and sockets, e.g. screw- or nut-lock, snap-in, bayonet type
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
- G02B6/36—Mechanical coupling means
- G02B6/38—Mechanical coupling means having fibre to fibre mating means
- G02B6/3807—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs
- G02B6/3897—Connectors fixed to housings, casing, frames or circuit boards
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
- G02B6/36—Mechanical coupling means
- G02B6/38—Mechanical coupling means having fibre to fibre mating means
- G02B6/3807—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs
- G02B6/3887—Anchoring optical cables to connector housings, e.g. strain relief features
- G02B6/3889—Anchoring optical cables to connector housings, e.g. strain relief features using encapsulation for protection, e.g. adhesive, molding or casting resin
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Optics & Photonics (AREA)
- Mechanical Coupling Of Light Guides (AREA)
Description
(54) OPTICAL FIBRE COUPLERS
(71) We, THE PLESSEY COMPANY LIM
If ED, a British Company Limited, of Vicarage Lane, Ilford, Essex, do hereby declare the invention. for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: The present invention relates to optical fibre couplers and more particularly to low cost easily demountable optical fibre couplers suitable for use in clean environments, and in environments where the optical fibre is not subjected to undue strains necessitating a more expensive clamping arrangement.
According to the present invention there is provided an optical fibre connector for connecting two optical fibres including a self centreing guide means, first and second sleeves, for attachment to first and second optical fibres placed therein, each said sleeve being acted on by spring means and bracket means which in combination with said spring means urges said sleeves and said optical fibres together within the guide means both to provide said connection and to retain said connection in the prescence of an axial force applied to one of said optical fibres.
Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 shows in cross sectional elevation an optical fibre connector according to the present invention,
Figures 2a, 2b and 2c show alternative brackets for the connector of Figure 1 and Figure 3 shows the cable strain relief action of the connector of Figure 1.
The connector shown in Figure 1 is a compact low cost de-mountable optical connector which can be used in confined space, possibly inside component casings and as such would not be subjected to the full rigours of dust, dirt and moisture. Since it is not completely enclosed the connector may be considered to be a skeleton connector.
The device is not intended for use in hostile environments and as such does not need a rugged cable to contain the optical filaments, F1, F2. Present rugged cables are normally 6mm diameter and have a restricted bend radius of 60 to 80mm which sometimes causes packaging problems relating to cable runs etc.
The protection tube R1, R2 used for the optical filament in conjunction with this connector can, therefore, be British standard nylon tube of 1.5mm bore or reinforced wave woven rayon, or similar filament which can then be plastic dip coated to stiffen and 'damp' the scissor action of the cross weave.
Either type of tube or sleeve is very cheap and has the desired flexibility required for use with optical filaments, also both types are able to withstand a sudden tension strain of approximately 101bus without showing appreciable extension and this is quite acceptable for practical purposes.
Due to the comparatively small cross section of these protection tubes and sleeves bend radii of 30mm and less have been successfully used.
Regarding the vulnerability of the optical glass filament used in any rugged connector to date, approximately two thirds of the total length of a connector is taken up by a cable strain protection clamp to provide effective security. The skeleton connector of the present invention has comparatively small dimensions when compared with previous known connectors.
The skeleton connector uses the same probes and needle collet assembly as in our co-pending patent application no. 40159/76 (Serial no 1585766) which is common to previously known screw couplers.
Apart from the sleeves Al and A2 shown in Figure 1 the remaining piece parts of the whole assembly cost but a few pence each to manufacture. The needle rollers 'B' in Figure
I are standard items and the remaining turned parts are not precision parts, neither is the bracket D which itself could be fabricated from wire or it could be a plastic moulding in a 'gang' form where several connectors are needed in a row.
No screw threads are used, and coupling and uncoupling is easily achieved by squeezing the washers C1 and C2 [Figure 2] together and the assembly can be released upwards away from forked bracket 'D'. The overall width of the connector assembly is approximately 10 to 12mm.
The coned washers CI and C2. are shaped so that the smaller end is retained in the keyhole shaped fork in the base bracket (see diagram. Figures 2a. 2b and 2c).
An in built strain relief arrangement is incorporated in the general design of the connector (see Figure 3). If tensile strain is subjected to one of the filament tubes then the whole demountable assembly is moved as shown, compressing the coil spring S2 whilst at the same time the two opposing sleeves are held together by the opposing follow up spring S3 which enables optical light transmission to be maintained.
When the connector assembly is uncoupled then both probes can be readily cleaned.
also the needle collet assembly can be rinsed in solvent or cleaned with a blast of dry air.
With reference to Figure 1. it can be seen that roller needle collet 'B' grips and aligns two sleeves Al and A2, each probe is fitted with an optical filament F1 and F2, the filament is first cleaned and broken and glued into its respective sleeve such that when held by a suitable adhesive G1 and G2 the optical flat end face of the filament is positioned flush with the end of the sleeve.
Each probe is glued into its respective holder T1 and T2 with for example LOC
TITE (Registered Trade Mark). the filament passing through respective protection tube RI and R2.
The ferrules Vl and V2 are crimped or glued to the tubes RI and R2 which are themselves glued or fixed to holders Tl and
T2 at this point.
The ferrules V I and V2 serve another purpose since they prevent springs S 1 and S2 and cone washers Cl and C2 from sliding down the respective protection tubes R1 and
R2 when the coupling assembly is released.
Springs S I and S2 are constrained by cone washers C1 and C2 acting against the forked bracket 'D', the opposing reaction induces the two vital optical ends of the probes together via the driving flanges on each respective holder T1 and T2.
Bracket 'D' and holders T1 and T2 together with cone washers C1 and C2 could be plastic mouldings for large quantity economy production.
WIlAT WE CLAIM IS: I. An optical fibre connector for connecting two optical fibres including a self centreing guide means, first and second sleeves. for attachment to first and second optical fibres placed therein, each said sleeve being acted on by spring means and bracket means which in combination which said spring means urges said sleeves and said optical fibres together within the guide means both to provide said connection and to retain said connection in the prescence of an axial force applied to one of said optical fibres.
2. An optical fibre connector as claimed in claim 1 in which said bracket means comprises two spaced apart slotted members, the spring means bearing against the inside of said bracket means.
3. An optical fibre connector substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.
Claims (3)
- **WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **.together and the assembly can be released upwards away from forked bracket 'D'. The overall width of the connector assembly is approximately 10 to 12mm.The coned washers CI and C2. are shaped so that the smaller end is retained in the keyhole shaped fork in the base bracket (see diagram. Figures 2a. 2b and 2c).An in built strain relief arrangement is incorporated in the general design of the connector (see Figure 3). If tensile strain is subjected to one of the filament tubes then the whole demountable assembly is moved as shown, compressing the coil spring S2 whilst at the same time the two opposing sleeves are held together by the opposing follow up spring S3 which enables optical light transmission to be maintained.When the connector assembly is uncoupled then both probes can be readily cleaned.also the needle collet assembly can be rinsed in solvent or cleaned with a blast of dry air.With reference to Figure 1. it can be seen that roller needle collet 'B' grips and aligns two sleeves Al and A2, each probe is fitted with an optical filament F1 and F2, the filament is first cleaned and broken and glued into its respective sleeve such that when held by a suitable adhesive G1 and G2 the optical flat end face of the filament is positioned flush with the end of the sleeve.Each probe is glued into its respective holder T1 and T2 with for example LOC TITE (Registered Trade Mark). the filament passing through respective protection tube RI and R2.The ferrules Vl and V2 are crimped or glued to the tubes RI and R2 which are themselves glued or fixed to holders Tl and T2 at this point.The ferrules V I and V2 serve another purpose since they prevent springs S 1 and S2 and cone washers Cl and C2 from sliding down the respective protection tubes R1 and R2 when the coupling assembly is released.Springs S I and S2 are constrained by cone washers C1 and C2 acting against the forked bracket 'D', the opposing reaction induces the two vital optical ends of the probes together via the driving flanges on each respective holder T1 and T2.Bracket 'D' and holders T1 and T2 together with cone washers C1 and C2 could be plastic mouldings for large quantity economy production.WIlAT WE CLAIM IS: I. An optical fibre connector for connecting two optical fibres including a self centreing guide means, first and second sleeves. for attachment to first and second optical fibres placed therein, each said sleeve being acted on by spring means and bracket means which in combination which said spring means urges said sleeves and said optical fibres together within the guide means both to provide said connection and to retain said connection in the prescence of an axial force applied to one of said optical fibres.
- 2. An optical fibre connector as claimed in claim 1 in which said bracket means comprises two spaced apart slotted members, the spring means bearing against the inside of said bracket means.
- 3. An optical fibre connector substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB22051/78A GB1599688A (en) | 1978-05-24 | 1978-05-24 | Optical fibre couplers |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB22051/78A GB1599688A (en) | 1978-05-24 | 1978-05-24 | Optical fibre couplers |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB1599688A true GB1599688A (en) | 1981-10-07 |
Family
ID=10173103
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB22051/78A Expired GB1599688A (en) | 1978-05-24 | 1978-05-24 | Optical fibre couplers |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB1599688A (en) |
Cited By (8)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP0105597A2 (en) * | 1982-09-07 | 1984-04-18 | Amp Incorporated | Fiber optic connection system |
| WO1985001118A1 (en) * | 1983-08-29 | 1985-03-14 | American Telephone & Telegraph Company | Optical fiber connector |
| GB2174506A (en) * | 1985-04-30 | 1986-11-05 | Stc Plc | Optical fibre splicing and repair |
| EP0297765A2 (en) * | 1987-06-30 | 1989-01-04 | AT&T Corp. | Optical fiber biconic connector |
| EP0302292A1 (en) * | 1987-07-21 | 1989-02-08 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Connector for fibre-optical waveguides |
| US4896938A (en) * | 1983-08-29 | 1990-01-30 | American Telephone And Telegraph Company, At&T Bell Laboratories | Optical fiber connector comprising glass tubes |
| US4934785A (en) * | 1983-08-29 | 1990-06-19 | American Telephone And Telegraph Company | Optical fiber connector |
| GB2306696A (en) * | 1995-10-31 | 1997-05-07 | Daewoo Telecom Ltd | Optic fibre connector assembly having case with clamping members |
-
1978
- 1978-05-24 GB GB22051/78A patent/GB1599688A/en not_active Expired
Cited By (14)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP0105597A3 (en) * | 1982-09-07 | 1985-11-06 | Amp Incorporated | Fiber optic connection system |
| EP0105597A2 (en) * | 1982-09-07 | 1984-04-18 | Amp Incorporated | Fiber optic connection system |
| AU567298B2 (en) * | 1982-09-07 | 1987-11-19 | Amp Incorporated | Fibre optic connection system |
| US5048916A (en) * | 1982-09-07 | 1991-09-17 | Amp Incorporated | Fiber optic connection system |
| US4896938A (en) * | 1983-08-29 | 1990-01-30 | American Telephone And Telegraph Company, At&T Bell Laboratories | Optical fiber connector comprising glass tubes |
| WO1985001118A1 (en) * | 1983-08-29 | 1985-03-14 | American Telephone & Telegraph Company | Optical fiber connector |
| US4934785A (en) * | 1983-08-29 | 1990-06-19 | American Telephone And Telegraph Company | Optical fiber connector |
| GB2174506A (en) * | 1985-04-30 | 1986-11-05 | Stc Plc | Optical fibre splicing and repair |
| EP0297765A3 (en) * | 1987-06-30 | 1989-08-30 | American Telephone And Telegraph Company | Optical fiber biconic connector |
| EP0297765A2 (en) * | 1987-06-30 | 1989-01-04 | AT&T Corp. | Optical fiber biconic connector |
| EP0302292A1 (en) * | 1987-07-21 | 1989-02-08 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Connector for fibre-optical waveguides |
| GB2306696A (en) * | 1995-10-31 | 1997-05-07 | Daewoo Telecom Ltd | Optic fibre connector assembly having case with clamping members |
| US5838856A (en) * | 1995-10-31 | 1998-11-17 | Daewoo Telecom, Ltd. | Optical-fiber cable connector assembly |
| GB2306696B (en) * | 1995-10-31 | 1999-12-29 | Daewoo Telecom Ltd | Optic fiber connector assembly having case with clamping members |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| PS | Patent sealed [section 19, patents act 1949] | ||
| PCNP | Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |