GB2033099A - Terminating optical fibres - Google Patents

Terminating optical fibres Download PDF

Info

Publication number
GB2033099A
GB2033099A GB7842534A GB7842534A GB2033099A GB 2033099 A GB2033099 A GB 2033099A GB 7842534 A GB7842534 A GB 7842534A GB 7842534 A GB7842534 A GB 7842534A GB 2033099 A GB2033099 A GB 2033099A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
fibre
jewel
bore
connector
tapered
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.)
Granted
Application number
GB7842534A
Other versions
GB2033099B (en
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
STC PLC
Original Assignee
Standard Telephone and Cables PLC
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Standard Telephone and Cables PLC filed Critical Standard Telephone and Cables PLC
Priority to GB7842534A priority Critical patent/GB2033099B/en
Priority to FR7926981A priority patent/FR2440564A1/en
Publication of GB2033099A publication Critical patent/GB2033099A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2033099B publication Critical patent/GB2033099B/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

Links

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
    • G02B6/3834—Means for centering or aligning the light guide within the ferrule
    • G02B6/3835—Means for centering or aligning the light guide within the ferrule using discs, bushings or the like
    • 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
    • G02B6/3855—Details of mounting fibres in ferrules; Assembly methods; Manufacture characterised by the method of anchoring or fixing the fibre within the ferrule

Abstract

A glass or silica optical fibre is terminated in a watch jewel type connector by providing the fibre end with a tapered region. The tapered region is wedged into the jewel bore thus providing mechanical adhesion between the jewel and the fibre.

Description

SPECIFICATION Terminating optical fibers This invention relates to optical fiber transmission system and in particularto arrangements for and methods of coupling optical fibres.
Optical fibres at present employed for optical data transmission often comprise a silica core fibre whose surface is provided with a thin protective coating of a silicone resin which also functions as the optical cladding. The fibre is then given an outer or secondary coating of a plastics material, the secondary coating both protecting and supporting the fibre. Such fibres are frequently coupled via connectors of the watch jewel type. Such a connector comprises a tubular ferrule in one end of which an accurately drilled watch bearing jewel is inserted, the jewel bore receiving and locating the bared end of an optical fibre. To permit adhesion of the fibre to the jewel bore it is necessary to remove the silicone coating from the fibre end. The length for which the silicone resin is removed must be kept to a minimum to avoid excessive light leakage from the fibre.Too short a length of bared fibre however results in low mechanical adhesion between jewel and fibre allowing the fibre to move axially, a phenomenon commonly referred to as "growing out".
The object of the invention is to minimise or to overcome this disadvantage.
According to the invention there is provided a method of terminating a glass or silica optical fibre with a connector or splice member of the drilled watch bearing jewel type, the method including providing the end of the fibre to which the connector or splice is to be fitted with a tapered portion of such dimension that, when that portion is inserted into the bore of the drilled jewel, the taper wedges in the bore so as to provide mechanical adhesion between the fibre and the jewel.
Embodiments of the invention will now be de scribed with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure lisa cross section of the "business end" of a watch jewel connector fitted to an enlarged fibre end; Figure 2 shows a similar connector fitted to a tapered fibre end; and Figure 3 shows a tapered fibre end provided with a matching taper-bored jewel connector.
Referring to Figure 1,the connector member shown is of the type having a tubular ferrule lithe outer surface of which provides a reference surface for mating with a similar connector member. A drilled watch bearing jewel 12 is inserted into the end of the ferrule extending beyond the front surface 14 of the jewel. The jewel bore 15 is of such a diameter as to accommodate an optical fibre 16 to which the jewel is to befitted.
The fibre 16 has been previously prepared by removing the plastics coating (not shown) to leave only the thin silicone coating 17 on the core fibre 18.
A portion of the silicone resin is removed to expost the end of the core fibre 18 and the fibre is then heated adjacent that end to fuse the glass or silica core thus producing an enlarged portion 19, the diameter of the enlarged portion being greater than the diameter of the jewel bore. The fibre is inserted into the ferrule such that the fibre end protrudes through the jewel bore 15, the enlarged portion 19 being wedged into the mouth of the bore to provide mechanical adhesion of the fibre to the jewel. The protruding fibre end is protected by coating the front surface 14 of the jewel with a layer 20 of an epoxy resin and then polishing the resin and fibre end flush with the end of the ferrule.
Figure 2 shows a similar connector arrangement for use with a tapered fibre. In this arrangement the ferrule 11 is fitted with a drilled watch jewel 21 the diameter of whose bore 22 is slightly less than the core diameter of a fibre 23 to which the connector is to fitted. The fibre 23 is prepared as before by removing the plastics coating (not shown) and a small portion of the silicone coating 24 adjacent the fibre end 25. The fibre end is then tapered by heat fusion and drawing down to a diameter sufficiently small to pass through the jewel bore.
The fibre is inserted into the jewel bore 22 such that the tapered end 25 is wedged therein, the protruding portion of the fibre end being protected by a body 26 of an epoxy resin as previously described..
Figure 3 shows a modification of the arrangement of Figure 2. In the connector shown in Figure 3 the watch jewel 31 is provided with a tapered bore 32 the dimensions of which correspond to the dimensions of the tapered end portion 25 of the fibre to which the connection is fitted. By matching the dimensions of the jewel bore to those of the fibre taper a high degree of mechanical adhesion between the jewel and the fibre is provided.
1. A method of terminating a glass or silica optical fibre with a connector or splice member of the drilled watch bearing jewel type, the method including providing the end of the fibre to which the connector or splice is to be fitted with a tapered portion of such dimension that, when that portion is inserted into the bore of the drilled jewel, the taper wedges in the bore so as to provide mechanical adhesion between the fibre and the jewel.
2. A method as claimed in claim 1 in which the tapered fibre end is of such dimensions as to protrude through the jewel, the fibre end being surrounded by a body of an epoxy resin material.
3. A method as claimed in claim 1 or 2, and wherein the taper is provided by fusing the fibre immediately adjacent the fibre end so as to form a region of increased diameter.
4. A method as claimed in claim 1 or 2, and wherein the watch jewel has a tapered bore the dimensions of which correspond to the dimensions of the tapered fibre end.
5 .A method of terminating a glass or silica optical fibre substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.
6. An optical connector assembly substantially as described herein with reference to Figure 1,
**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (7)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Terminating optical fibers This invention relates to optical fiber transmission system and in particularto arrangements for and methods of coupling optical fibres. Optical fibres at present employed for optical data transmission often comprise a silica core fibre whose surface is provided with a thin protective coating of a silicone resin which also functions as the optical cladding. The fibre is then given an outer or secondary coating of a plastics material, the secondary coating both protecting and supporting the fibre. Such fibres are frequently coupled via connectors of the watch jewel type. Such a connector comprises a tubular ferrule in one end of which an accurately drilled watch bearing jewel is inserted, the jewel bore receiving and locating the bared end of an optical fibre. To permit adhesion of the fibre to the jewel bore it is necessary to remove the silicone coating from the fibre end. The length for which the silicone resin is removed must be kept to a minimum to avoid excessive light leakage from the fibre.Too short a length of bared fibre however results in low mechanical adhesion between jewel and fibre allowing the fibre to move axially, a phenomenon commonly referred to as "growing out". The object of the invention is to minimise or to overcome this disadvantage. According to the invention there is provided a method of terminating a glass or silica optical fibre with a connector or splice member of the drilled watch bearing jewel type, the method including providing the end of the fibre to which the connector or splice is to be fitted with a tapered portion of such dimension that, when that portion is inserted into the bore of the drilled jewel, the taper wedges in the bore so as to provide mechanical adhesion between the fibre and the jewel. Embodiments of the invention will now be de scribed with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure lisa cross section of the "business end" of a watch jewel connector fitted to an enlarged fibre end; Figure 2 shows a similar connector fitted to a tapered fibre end; and Figure 3 shows a tapered fibre end provided with a matching taper-bored jewel connector. Referring to Figure 1,the connector member shown is of the type having a tubular ferrule lithe outer surface of which provides a reference surface for mating with a similar connector member. A drilled watch bearing jewel 12 is inserted into the end of the ferrule extending beyond the front surface 14 of the jewel. The jewel bore 15 is of such a diameter as to accommodate an optical fibre 16 to which the jewel is to befitted. The fibre 16 has been previously prepared by removing the plastics coating (not shown) to leave only the thin silicone coating 17 on the core fibre 18. A portion of the silicone resin is removed to expost the end of the core fibre 18 and the fibre is then heated adjacent that end to fuse the glass or silica core thus producing an enlarged portion 19, the diameter of the enlarged portion being greater than the diameter of the jewel bore. The fibre is inserted into the ferrule such that the fibre end protrudes through the jewel bore 15, the enlarged portion 19 being wedged into the mouth of the bore to provide mechanical adhesion of the fibre to the jewel. The protruding fibre end is protected by coating the front surface 14 of the jewel with a layer 20 of an epoxy resin and then polishing the resin and fibre end flush with the end of the ferrule. Figure 2 shows a similar connector arrangement for use with a tapered fibre. In this arrangement the ferrule 11 is fitted with a drilled watch jewel 21 the diameter of whose bore 22 is slightly less than the core diameter of a fibre 23 to which the connector is to fitted. The fibre 23 is prepared as before by removing the plastics coating (not shown) and a small portion of the silicone coating 24 adjacent the fibre end 25. The fibre end is then tapered by heat fusion and drawing down to a diameter sufficiently small to pass through the jewel bore. The fibre is inserted into the jewel bore 22 such that the tapered end 25 is wedged therein, the protruding portion of the fibre end being protected by a body 26 of an epoxy resin as previously described.. Figure 3 shows a modification of the arrangement of Figure 2. In the connector shown in Figure 3 the watch jewel 31 is provided with a tapered bore 32 the dimensions of which correspond to the dimensions of the tapered end portion 25 of the fibre to which the connection is fitted. By matching the dimensions of the jewel bore to those of the fibre taper a high degree of mechanical adhesion between the jewel and the fibre is provided. CLAIMS
1. A method of terminating a glass or silica optical fibre with a connector or splice member of the drilled watch bearing jewel type, the method including providing the end of the fibre to which the connector or splice is to be fitted with a tapered portion of such dimension that, when that portion is inserted into the bore of the drilled jewel, the taper wedges in the bore so as to provide mechanical adhesion between the fibre and the jewel.
2. A method as claimed in claim 1 in which the tapered fibre end is of such dimensions as to protrude through the jewel, the fibre end being surrounded by a body of an epoxy resin material.
3. A method as claimed in claim 1 or 2, and wherein the taper is provided by fusing the fibre immediately adjacent the fibre end so as to form a region of increased diameter.
4. A method as claimed in claim 1 or 2, and wherein the watch jewel has a tapered bore the dimensions of which correspond to the dimensions of the tapered fibre end.
5 .A method of terminating a glass or silica optical fibre substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.
6. An optical connector assembly substantially as described herein with reference to Figure 1, Figure 2 or Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings.
7. A glass or silica optical fibre when terminated by a method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5.
GB7842534A 1978-10-31 1978-10-31 Terminating optical fibres Expired GB2033099B (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB7842534A GB2033099B (en) 1978-10-31 1978-10-31 Terminating optical fibres
FR7926981A FR2440564A1 (en) 1978-10-31 1979-10-31 CLOCK RUBY TERMINATION FOR FIBER OPTICS

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB7842534A GB2033099B (en) 1978-10-31 1978-10-31 Terminating optical fibres

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB2033099A true GB2033099A (en) 1980-05-14
GB2033099B GB2033099B (en) 1982-11-03

Family

ID=10500699

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB7842534A Expired GB2033099B (en) 1978-10-31 1978-10-31 Terminating optical fibres

Country Status (2)

Country Link
FR (1) FR2440564A1 (en)
GB (1) GB2033099B (en)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2513394A1 (en) * 1981-09-24 1983-03-25 Thomson Csf METHOD OF COUPLING BETWEEN OPTICAL FIBERS MONOMODES
US4396247A (en) * 1979-06-08 1983-08-02 Thomson-Csf Method for fitting an optical fiber into an end fitting, the resulting end fitting and a connecting assembly for optical fibers using this end fitting
GB2255419A (en) * 1991-04-03 1992-11-04 Bicc Plc Optical fibre splicing using a one-piece collar

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
IT1246351B (en) * 1989-07-15 1994-11-17 Souriau Electric Gmbh CONNECTION PLUG FOR FIBER OPTIC LIGHT WAVE CONDUCTOR

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4396247A (en) * 1979-06-08 1983-08-02 Thomson-Csf Method for fitting an optical fiber into an end fitting, the resulting end fitting and a connecting assembly for optical fibers using this end fitting
FR2513394A1 (en) * 1981-09-24 1983-03-25 Thomson Csf METHOD OF COUPLING BETWEEN OPTICAL FIBERS MONOMODES
EP0076186A1 (en) * 1981-09-24 1983-04-06 Thomson-Csf Method of coupling monomode optical fibres
GB2255419A (en) * 1991-04-03 1992-11-04 Bicc Plc Optical fibre splicing using a one-piece collar
GB2255419B (en) * 1991-04-03 1994-07-06 Bicc Plc Optical fibre splicing

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2440564A1 (en) 1980-05-30
GB2033099B (en) 1982-11-03
FR2440564B3 (en) 1981-07-10

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US4303304A (en) Universal optical waveguide alignment ferrule
US4186999A (en) Connector ferrule for terminating optical fiber cables
US4185883A (en) Optical fiber coupling element
CA1102599A (en) Connector pin assembly and method for terminating an optical fiber
US4743084A (en) Optical fiber connector for field application
EP0299603B1 (en) Fibre-optic connector employing mode field modification
CA2006467C (en) Optical connector ferrule and method for assembling the same
US4158477A (en) Optical fiber splice
JP3347399B2 (en) Optical connector
CA1219156A (en) Alignment sleeve for fiber optic connectors
US4134641A (en) Self centering connector design
US4220398A (en) Jeweled optical fiber connector
EP0186701A1 (en) Optical fiber connector and article comprising same
US4930859A (en) Fiber optic splice assembly
CA1126550A (en) Coupling optical fibres
US4383732A (en) Fiber optic connector
CA2009119C (en) Mechanical connection for polarization-maintaining optical fiber and methods of making
US4807959A (en) Method of splicing fibers
US5113462A (en) High energy fiber optica coupler
EP0112379B1 (en) Fabrication of optical connectors
US4367011A (en) Optical fiber connector and means and method for centering optical fibers
GB2049220A (en) Optical fiber terminator and means and method for centering optical fiber
GB2033099A (en) Terminating optical fibres
JPS63106610A (en) Connector for optical fiber and tool for assembling the same
JP2007178980A (en) Ferrule holder and eccentricity measuring apparatus using the same

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee