Fiber optic alignment devices; systems; and methods
AssigneeCommScope Technologies LLC
InventorsDanny Willy August VERHEYDEN, Jozef Christiaan Mathieu VERSLEEGERS, Michael MARIS, Alfons Rudi HERMANS, Walter MATTHEUS
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Abstract
The present disclosure relates to methods, devices and systems for co-axially aligning first and second optical fibers to provide an optical coupling between the first and second optical fibers. A fiber engagement element is used to force the first and second optical fibers into an alignment groove.
Claims20
A multi-fiber alignment device for optically coupling first and second optical fibers, the fiber alignment device having a first end, an opposite second end, and an optical mating plane located between the first and second ends, the multi-fiber alignment device comprising:
- a first alignment piece defining a plurality of groove-type alignment structures that extend along a fiber insertion axis between the first and second ends, each one of the plurality of groove-type alignment structures being configured to receive a respective first optical fiber at the first end and a respective second optical fiber at the second end such that fiber tip ends of the respective first and second optical fibers meet at the optical mating plane;
- a second alignment piece including a plurality of fiber engagement members that extend above a respective one of the plurality of groove-type alignment structures, the plurality of fiber engagement members each being configured to extend along a first length of a respective one of the first optical fibers and along a second length of a respective one of the second optical fibers when the respective first and second optical fibers are inserted in a respective one of the plurality of groove-type alignment structures, the plurality of fiber engagement members further extending across the optical mating plane;
- and
- a third alignment piece including a plurality of deflection members adapted to spring bias a respective one of the plurality of fiber engagement members such that the respective one of the plurality of deflection members directly engage a respective one of the optical fiber ends of the first and second optical fibers to press the optical fiber ends within the respective one of the plurality of groove-type alignment structures to improve mating contact of the respective one of the optical fiber ends positioned at the optical mating plane of the multi-fiber alignment device.
A fiber alignment system comprising:
- a base member including a first end and an opposite, second end, the base member defining a groove-type alignment structure that extends along a fiber insertion axis between the first and second ends, the groove-type alignment structure being configured to receive a first optical fiber at the first end and a second optical fiber at the second end such that fiber tip ends of respective first and second optical fibers meet at an optical mating plane in the base member;
- a fiber engagement member that corresponds with the groove-type alignment structure, the fiber engagement member being configured to extend along a first length of the first optical fiber and along a second length of the second optical fiber when the first and second optical fibers are inserted in the groove-type alignment structure, the fiber engagement member further extending across the optical mating plane;
- and
- a deflection member adapted to spring bias the fiber engagement member in a downward direction toward the fiber tip ends of the respective first and second optical fibers into the groove-type alignment structure when the first and second optical fibers are inserted in the groove-type alignment structure.
A fiber alignment device for optically coupling first and second optical fibers, the fiber alignment device having a first end, an opposite second end, and an optical mating plane located between the first and second ends, the fiber alignment device comprising:
- a first piece defining a groove-type alignment structure, the groove-type alignment structure extending along a fiber insertion axis between the first and second ends, the groove-type alignment structure being configured to receive the first optical fiber at the first end and the second optical fiber at the second end;
- and
- a second piece including a pressure member, the pressure member extending above the groove-type alignment structure, the pressure member being spring biased by a cantilevered beam such that the pressure member directly engages optical fiber ends of the first and second optical fibers to press the optical fiber ends within the groove-type alignment structure to improve mating contact of the optical fiber ends positioned at the optical mating plane of the fiber alignment device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.