Fiber optic connector assembly
AssigneeAmphenol Corporation
InventorsJohn H. Mikolaicyk, Andrew Matzkin-Bridger
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An alignment bushing (40) having a frusto-conical entranceway (44,46) at each of its opposite end faces (41,43) with each entranceway receiving a frusto-conical lens (30) terminted to an optical fiber cable (16,26), the bushing optically aligning and coupling an optical signal passed between a fiber in each with each lens having its focal point (31) coaxially rearward of a hemispherical nose portion of the lens and abutting the fiber end. The frusto-conical cross-section defining the entranceway and lens conform identically to assure coaxial seating.
Claims10
In a fiber optic cable connector, means for effecting axial alignment of a pair of abutting generally cylindrical fiber optic cable termination sleeves in light transmission relationship, comprising:
- an elongated, generally cylindrical member including a bore having a central portion and two end portions, said central portion having a diameter less than that of each said end portion with each said end portion defining a frusto-conically shaped entranceway sized to receive a corresponding one of said pins, said pins being inserted therein and each said termination pin including a lens having a focal point, each said lens being generally frusto-conically shaped about a primary axis with the primary axis of each said lens and said member being in register when the lenses are received within the entranceway and the angle defining the frusto-conical surface of each said entranceway and respective lens conforming identically both axially and radially.
In combination, a first and a second connector member each having an insert, an optical fiber mounted in a passage of its insert, and alignment means for optically aligning and coupling a optical signal passed from one fiber to the other fiber, each said fiber being terminated by a lens of the type comprising a hemispherical portion defining a nose and being disposed in plane which defines a first diameter, and a frusto-conical body portion which expands uniformally radially outward from the first diameter to a second diameter, and the alignment means comprising a cylindrical bushing being mounted in a passage of one said insert and including a central bore extending between the end faces thereof and coaxially aligned with the passage of said insert, the bore being frusto-conical in cross-section to define a first and a second entranceway for seating each lens, the cross-section of each lens and entranceway conforming identically both radially and axially.
A fiber optic connector assembly, comprising a pair of optical fibers each being terminated by a conically shaped lens having a focal point, and a cylindrical bushing including a central bore extending between the ends thereof for axially aligning an optical signal passed between the fibers, said bore having a cross-section which tapers radially inward from one and the other end of said bushing whereby to define a frusto-conical entranceway at each said end, and each said lens, respectively, being seated within one said frusto-conical entranceway with the outer periphery of each conforming identically to the frusto-conical surface of its entranceway.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.