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
  • G02B6/3809—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs without a ferrule embedding the fibre end, i.e. with bare fibre end
• • 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
• • 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

Definitions

• This invention relates to a connector for use in aligning ends of optical fibers adapted to be joined in light signal transmissive connections.
• this invention is directed to the utilization of at least three, flexible, convex surfaces arranged in a rigid array defining in cross section a tricuspid channel or passageway. The longitudinal edges of the three walls are joined to form in transverse section three channel apices 120° apart.
• the channel-forming structure is of sufficient rigidity whereby application of a force at one apex directed toward the center of the channel may result in uniform and resilient movement of all three convex walls relative to the center of the fiber-receiving passageway defined thereby.
• the tricuspid channel adapted to receive optical fibers to be joined may collapse upon abutting ends of optical fibers received therein so as to align such fibers along a common longitudinal axis.
• optical fibers for data transmission purposes has increased dramatically in recent years. Fiber optic systems often require connections between the ends of optical fibers so that a light signal conveyed by one may be transmitted to an adjacent fiber with which it is connected at an abutting interface. Unless the ends of optical fibers adapted to transmit a light signal are in a desired aligned condition, significant light losses may result. Losses may result from conditions such as: lateral misalignment or lack of coaxial coincidence wherein the optical fiber longitudinal centerlines are not in alignment. The most critical alignment condition which must be satisfied for efficient light transmission is a coaxial relationship of the abutting fibers. Misalignment of the abutting fiber ends can result in losses of 0.5 dB or higher.
• a second alignment condition which must be satisfied for efficient light transmission between the abutting ends of optical fibers comprises the coplanar relationship at the normally planar ends of the fibers for efficient light transmission.
• the fiber end surfaces defining the interface whereat light passes from one fiber to the other should not be angularly disposed to each other.
• rigid connector or guide members are employed for purposes of effecting a guiding action on abutting ends of optical fibers to be joined in a signal transmissive connection.
• the connector construction of this invention requires no application of isostatic pressure but merely the application of forces applied at longitudinal edges of the tricuspid passageway directed towards the passageway center. As a result of the rigidity of the connector structure provided, all walls thereof will collapse or uniformly move inwardly.
• the disclosure of the Lathlaen application is incorporated herein by reference.
• the prior art endeavors to guide abutting optical fiber ends into engagement and align the same for efficient light signal transmissive connections employed precisely formed bores in which the entering fibers are admitted only with difficulty.
• the prior art utilized optical fiber guides having enlarged cross sections in which the fiber ends intended to abut are urged into an aligning corner or track whereat they may efficiently abut in a face-to-face engagement.
• the invention of this application is directed to a connector which possesses the desideratum of having a fiber-receiving channel which is initially of adequate cross-sectional area so as to readily receive at opposed entrance ends the ends of optical fibers to be engaged in a light transmissive connection.
• the provided connector employs a channel having a fiber-receiving cross-section which is shrunk as a result of the ability of. the channel-forming walls to uniformly inwardly move.
• the connector of this invention may be initially formed with the sectional area of the fiber-receiving channel of an adequate size to readily receive the fiber ends to be connected, there is no necessity for precise tolerances in the walls defining the channel.
• FIG. 2 is an end elevational view of the connector of FIG. 1 illustrated in an initial position of rest with optical fibers disposed in the passageway defined thereby;
• FIG. 3 is a view similar to that of FIG. 2 illustrating the convex connector walls in a collapsed state after they have been inwardly flexed by an inward movement of the three edge apices defined by the three joined walls;
• FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating one embodiment of an optical fiber connector adapted to effect repeated connect-disconnect operations on optical fiber ends;
• FIG. 5 is a sectional view similar to that of FIG.
• FIG. 7 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 7-7 of FIG. 5;
• FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an optical fiber connector made in. accordance with, this invention illustrating the uniform collapse of the convex walls thereof upon application of turning couples to opposed ends thereof;
• FIG. 9 is an end elevational view illustrating the displacement of the three walls of the illustrated connector upon imparting the twisting couples in the manner illustrated in FIG. 8 and taken along line 9-9 of said FIG. 8;
• FIG. 10 illustrates the manner whereby a connector made in accordance with the teachings of this invention may be readily formed from a cylindrical tube;
• FIG. 11 is a rather schematic representation illustrating the manner whereby four interconnected connectors defining tricuspid channels and made in accordance with the teachings of this invention may be simultaneously collapsed upon application of forces directed toward the channel centers as illustrated;
• FIG. 12 is a schematic representation of a plurality of interconnected connectors made in accordance with this invention and particularly adapted for interconnecting abutting ends of optical fibers in a flat tube form whereby the fiber-receiving channels defined by the connectors may be reduced in cross-sectional area by the application of forces applied normal to the opposed main surfaces; and
• FIG. 13 is a sectional view similar to that of FIG. 2 illustrating a fiber connector formed of four collapsible convex walls.
• a connector 10 is disclosed comprising three exteriorly concave and interiorly convex walls 12.
• the three walls 12 may comprise a single sheet of thin-gauge metal such as a phosphorus-bronze alloy or copper, which has been folded twice longitudinally, the distal ends of the sheet being welded or otherwise adhered together along their length.
• the three walls 12 may comprise discrete members as illustrated, welded or otherwise joined along their longitudinal edges.
• a further alternative comprises the formation of an integral connector having a continuous external periphery formed from a seamless cylindrical tube by inwardly forming the three walls with the desired concavities in the manner illustrated in FIG. 10.
• a further manner of formation of a connector, such as illustrated connector 10 having no distal edges, is the extrusion of an integral seamless member having the desired cross-section as illustrated in the drawing.
• FIG. 2 there is a desired size relationship between the dimensions of the walls 12 and the optical fibers to be housed therein for abutting engagement. It will be seen from FIG. 2 that the interval between apices 14 of the connector 10 (which in section are the guide longitudinal edges) is preferably approximately twelve times the diameter of the fiber to be housed within the channel 16 defined by the convex walls 12. It is apparent that FIG. 2 is not drawn to scale.
• a connector made in accordance with this invention is able to assume an initial uncollapsed position illustrated in FIG. 2 whereby the opposed entrance ends may have a sufficiently large cross-sectional area defining the fiber-receiving channel 16 so that the opposed ends of the optical fibers 18 may be readily threaded therein until they abut in the center.
• the walls are collapsed in the manner illustrated in FIG. 3.
• punched* out recesses 20 may be formed at spaced intervals along the length thereof in the manner illustrated in FIG. 1 so as to facilitate inward flexing of each of the walls.
• all walls of a connector are preferably uniformly apertured to assure uniform flexing or collapse, a lesser number may be apertured for particular situations as when employing walls of different thicknesses.
• the means for effecting such uniform collapsing of the housing 22 includes opposed collapsing sleeves 36.
• Each sleeve has an inner frusto-conical recess 38 adapted to snugly receive and inwardly compress the outer periphery of each tapered housing portion 24 as the sleeve approaches the center of housing 22.
• Disposed on the larger-diameter end of each sleeve 36 are male threads 40 adapted to threadedly engage female threads 42 of coupling ring 44 surro-unding the central outer peripheral portion of the housing 22.
• the coupling ring female threads 42 are formed so that such threads may simultaneously engage the male threads of the opposed collapsing sleeves 36.
• a frusto-conical guide element 43 having an inwardly-converging, funnel-shaped recess 46 is inserted in the interior frusto-conical passageway 38 of each collapsing sleeve 36.
• Such guides not only serve to guide the fibers into end entrances of the tricuspid aligning channel 32 disposed within the collapsible, slotted housing 26, but, in addition, serve to prevent entrance of any dirt or other foreign matter which iffay affect the efficiency of light transmission between the optical fibers into the housing interior. If a permanent splice between the fiber ends is intended, an appropriate hardenable epoxy resin may be inserted in the recess opening of the conical guide elements 43 to effect a seal and in the channel interior between the fiber ends to assure a permanent connection.
• FIG. 4 Elements of a connector construction 50 for effecting disengageable light transmissive connections between the ends of optical fibers is illustrated in FIG. 4 in disassembled relationship.
• optical fiber cable 52 traverses opening 53 of strain relief nut 54 having female threads 56 which engage male threads 58 of connector housing 60.
• a clamp 62 has jaws 63 thereof disposed in opening 53 about the outer periphery of optical fiber cable
• Housing 60 has mounted therein a collapsing element 61 having a flared bore 66 adapted to receive in substantially interfitting relationship the right-hand tapered portion of slotted housing 22M which may be of substantially the same construction as the slotted housing 22 of FIG. 6, with the exception of elongate cylindrical base portion 67 which is partially housed in spacer element 64.
• a "C" ring 69 clamped to base portion 67 prevents axial movement to one left in FIG. 4 by abutting collapsing element 61. Accordingly, the right end of slotted housing 22M is received in the collapsing element frusto-conical bore 66.
• Element 61 has an annular retention flange 70 preventing the element 61 from moving out the open end of cylindrical passageway 72 of the connector housing 60 by engaging inner annular stop shoulder 74.
• Housing 60 is adapted to intermate with connector housing 76 of FIG. 4 having a retained coupling nut 78 with female threads 80 disposed about an inner peripheral distal end portion thereof.
• the coupling nut is retained to the connector body portion 76 by means of an annular shoulder 82 which engages annular stop ring 84 integrally formed with the connector body 76.
• Optical cable 52L enters the connector housing 76 from the left as illustrated in FIG. 4 and trasverses opening 53L of a strain relief nut 54L having male threads 57 which engage housing female threads 59. Extending from cable 53L is optical fiber 18L disposed in the connector housing 76.
• Housing 76 has a longitudinal passageway 88 in which is disposed a spring 90 surrounding fiber 18L.
• FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating the manner whereby a tricuspid channel made in accordance with this invention may be formed from an integral cylindrical tubing by.
• FIG. 12 illustrates a further modified guide 10F wherein the individual interconnected triangular guide elements 11F are simultaneously collapsed by the application of opposed forces indicated by the arrows.
• the collapsible guide 10F of FIG. 12 would find application for use in conjunction with a plurality of optical fibers in the form of a flat cable or the like in which parallel discrete fibers are to be simultaneously connected in substantially the same horizontal plane.
• one series of apices in Fig. 12 is stationary and forces are applied to the opposed, substantially linearly aligned series of tapered wall edges.
• FIG. 13 is illustrative of a modified collapsible guide 116 and depicts the ability of this invention to be incorporated in a collapsing guide structure composed of more than three wall portions.
• inwardly convex walls 118 illustrated in FIG. 13 may be discrete and maintained in a slotted collapsible housing, welded together, or formed from an integral tube or an integral sheet joined along terminal longitudinal edges.
• Guide 116 is illustrative of the ability of the invention of this application to be incorporated in any sectional configuration in which the number of collapsing walls may be a number greater than three.
• the connectors of this invention also provide for uniform or substantally uniform shrinkage of the fiber-receiving passageway so that the fiber ends disposed within such passageway may be aligned along a longitudinal axis.
• the connector channel collapsing force is readily applied to one or more tapered edges of converging walls defining such channel.

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• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Optics & Photonics (AREA)
• Mechanical Coupling Of Light Guides (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=22532226

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (4)

Cited By (1)

Families Citing this family (28)

Citations (5)

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• 1980
  • 1980-05-14 US US06/149,889 patent/US4353620A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
• 1981
  • 1981-05-13 JP JP56502039A patent/JPS57501251A/ja active Pending
  • 1981-05-13 WO PCT/US1981/000634 patent/WO1981003384A1/en not_active Ceased
  • 1981-05-13 EP EP81103677A patent/EP0039954A1/en not_active Withdrawn

Patent Citations (5)

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