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US 2008/0166090 A1Published application
Flexible optical interconnection system
AssigneeAmphenol Corporation
InventorsSepehr Kiani, Richard F. Roth, John A. Lehman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An optical connector system assembled from modular components. These components include connector modules that position ferrules for mating and providing fine alignment to fibers. The modules are assembled to support members to form connectors of various sizes. Mounting modules are attached to the support members. Various shaped mounting modules are provided, allowing connectors to be assembled for various configurations, such as a matrix configuration, a parallel board-to-board configuration or a panel mount configuration.
Claims23
An electronic assembly comprising:
- a) a first plurality of circuit boards, the first plurality of circuit boards disposed in the assembly generally parallel to each other, each of the first plurality of circuit boards having a forward edge;
- b) a second plurality of circuit boards, the second plurality of circuit boards disposed in the assembly generally parallel to each other and generally orthogonal to the first plurality of circuit boards, each of the second plurality of circuit boards having a forward edge, with the forward edge of each of the second plurality of circuit boards facing a forward edge of the first plurality of circuit boards;
- c) a first plurality of optical connectors, each mounted on a forward edge of one of the first plurality of circuit boards;
- and
- d) a second plurality of optical connectors, each mounted on a forward edge of one of the second plurality of circuit boards, each of the second plurality of optical connectors shaped to form a blind-mate optical connection with one of the first plurality of optical connectors.
2 more elements
11-30. (canceled)
A method of providing optical connectors, comprising:
- a) providing optical connector components suitable for use in assembling an optical connector system, the optical connector components comprising:
- i) optical connector modules;
- ii) support modules, each configured to hold at least one optical connector module in a connector subassembly;
- iii) first type mounting members adapted to engage a support module and to mount a connector subassembly to a circuit board;
- and
- iv) second type mounting members adapted to engage a support module and mount a subassembly to a circuit board and position the subassembly to mate with a connector subassembly mounted to a circuit board with the first type mounting member when the circuit board containing the connector with the second type mounting member is positioned in an assembly at a right angle to the circuit board containing the first type mounting members;
- and
- b) providing third type mounting members adapted to engage a support module and mount a first connector subassembly to an electronic system and position the first connector subassembly to mate, in other than a right angle backplane configuration, with a second connector subassembly with a second type mounting member attached thereto.
5 more elements
An electronic assembly comprising:
- a) a first plurality of circuit boards, the first plurality of printed circuit boards disposed in the assembly generally parallel to each other, each of the first plurality of printed circuit boards having a forward edge;
- b) a second plurality of circuit boards, the second plurality of printed circuit boards disposed in the assembly generally parallel to each other, each of the second plurality of printed circuit boards having a forward edge, with the forward edge of each of the second plurality of printed circuit boards facing a forward edge of the first plurality of printed circuit boards;
- c) a first plurality of optical connectors, each mounted on a forward edge of one of the first plurality of circuit boards;
- and
- d) a second plurality of optical connectors, each mounted on a forward edge of one of the second plurality of circuit boards, each of the second plurality of optical connectors shaped to form a blind-mate optical connection with one of the first plurality of optical connectors.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.