Device and method for bundling optical fibers
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorsLeland Fraser Rindge, Theodore Alexander Chilek
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The subject matter disclosed herein relates to a device and method for bundling optical fibers. The device has a receiving channel with a cavity for receiving the optical fibers. A cover with a protrusion is configured to be inserted into the cavity for compression of the optical fibers. The receiving channel has at least one hole in the receiving channel or the cover configured to receive any excess adhesive resulting from the compression of the optical fibers.
Claims20
A ferrule for bundling optical fibers coated with an adhesive, the ferrule comprising:
- a receiving member with a receiving channel comprising a cavity for receiving the optical fibers;
- a cover comprising a protrusion configured to be inserted into the cavity of the receiving channel, the cover to compress the optical fibers;
- and
- at least one hole in the receiving channel or the cover configured to receive any excess adhesive resulting from the compression of the optical fibers.
An optical fiber bundle comprising:
- a plurality of elongated optical fibers comprising a first end portion and a second end portion;
- a first ferrule disposed on the first end portion, the first ferrule comprising:
- a receiving member with a receiving channel comprising a cavity for receiving the optical fibers;
- a cover comprising a protrusion configured to be inserted into the cavity of the receiving channel for compression of the optical fibers;
- and
- at least one hole in the receiving channel or the cover configured to receive any excess adhesive resulting from the compression of the optical fibers.
A method for bundling optical fibers, the method comprising the steps of:
- disposing a first end portion of an optical fiber within a receiving channel of a receiving member of a ferrule, the receiving channel comprising a cavity for receiving the optical fibers;
- introducing an adhesive into the receiving channel;
- placing a cover on the receiving channel, the cover comprising a protrusion configured to be inserted into the cavity of the receiving channel for compression of the optical fibers;
- permitting excess adhesive to flow through a hole in the receiving channel or the cover that is configured to receive any excess adhesive resulting from the compression of the optical fibers;
- and
- permitting the adhesive to set.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.