# US 2013/0156381 A1 · Ferrule with encapsulated protruding fibers > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2013/0156381 A1 - Document ID: US20130156381A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/326,852 - Filed: 2011-12-15 - Published: 2013-06-20 - Earliest claimed: 2011-12-15 - Assignees: Tyco Electronics Corporation - Inventors: Michael Aaron Kadar-Kallen - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130156381A1 ## CPC - G02B 6/325: {comprising a transparent member, e.g. window, protective plate} - G02B 6/382: {with index-matching medium between light guides (provisionally see G02B6/4212)} - G02B 6/3861: {Adhesive bonding (adhesives in general C09J)} - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS ## Abstract A process for preparing terminated fibers comprising: (a) deposition one or more fibers in a ferrule having a ferrule end face such that a portion of each fiber extends forward beyond the ferrule end face; (b) after step (a), positioning a register surface in a predetermined position relative to the ferrule end face; (c) after step (b), depositing an optically-clear filler between the end face and the register surface and around the portion of each fiber; and (d) once the filler solidifies, releasing the register surface form the filler to define a mating surface on the filler. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A process for preparing terminated fibers comprising: (a) depositing one or more fibers in a ferrule having a ferrule end face such that a portion of each fiber extends forward beyond said ferrule end face; (b) after step (a), positioning a register surface in a predetermined position relative to said ferrule end face; (c) after step (a), depositing an optically-clear filler between said end face and a register surface and around said portion of each fiber; and (d) once said filler solidifies, releasing said register surface form said filler to define a mating surface on said filler. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The process of claim 1, wherein said register surface used in step (b) is the same register surface used in step (c). ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The process of claim 1, wherein said register surface used in step (b) is a first register surface and said register surface used is step (c) is a second register surface different from said first register surface. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The process of claim 1, wherein step (a) comprises cleaving said portion of each fiber, thereby forming cleaved fiber end faces. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The process of claim 4, wherein said cleaving is laser cleaving ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The process of claim 1, wherein step (b) comprises registering said fiber end faces by moving said register surface backward, thereby pushing said fibers backward until one or more of said fiber end faces abut said register surface and until said register surface is in said predetermined position relative to said ferrule end face. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The process of claim 6, wherein said ferrule has at least one first alignment member and said register surface is part of a tool which also comprises a second alignment member, and, in step (b), positioning said register surface comprises interengaging said second alignment member of a tool with said first alignment member such that a register surface of said tool is aligned with said ferrule. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The process of claim 7, wherein said ferrule is an MT-type ferrule ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The process of claim 7, wherein one of said first or second alignment members is an alignment pin and the other is an alignment hole for receiving said alignment pin. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The process of claim 9, wherein said first alignment member is an alignment hole and said second alignment member is an alignment pin. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The process of claim 1, wherein said ferrule is a multifiber ferrule. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The process of claim 1, wherein said register surface is planar. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The process of claim 1, wherein said register surface is non-planar. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The process of claim 1, wherein said register surface is at least one of curved, V-shaped, stepped, ellipsoid, intersecting ridges, square stepped pyramid, cylindrical, conical, elongated stepped concentric columns, and curved ridge. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The process of claim 1, wherein said ferrule end face is not polished. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The process of claim 1, wherein, said optically-clear filler is a UV-curable adhesive. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The process of claim 1, wherein step (b) is performed before step (c). ### Claim 18 A ferrule assembly comprising: a ferrule having a mating face; one or more fibers a portion of each protruding beyond said mating face; and optically-transparent filler encapsulating said portion of each fiber and defining a smooth mating face a predetermined distance from said ferrule mating face. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The ferrule assembly of claim 18, wherein said one or more fibers are two or more fibers. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The ferrule assembly of claim 18, wherein said filler is compliant. ### Claim 21 (depends on 18) The ferrule assembly of claim 18, wherein said mating face is planar. ### Claim 22 (depends on 18) The ferrule assembly of claim 18, wherein said mating face is non-planar. ### Claim 23 A tool comprising: (a) a wall having a register surface, said wall being essentially transparent to a certain light frequency; and (b) at least one alignment member at a certain angle from the register surface, the alignment member configured to cooperate with a corresponding alignment member of a ferrule.