US 6,445,867 B1 · Optical fiber hermetic termination connector

Abstract

A connector for mounting to and through a wall of a device. In one form of the invention a connector is used for mounting to and through a wall of a device. The connector includes a body, an optical fiber, and a sealant. The body includes a surface having an aperture. The optical fiber has a length and a first end and a second end. A portion of the length of the optical fiber being metallized. The optical fiber passes through the aperture of the surface of the body and the metallized portion of the optical fiber is attached to the aperture of the surface of the body so as to form a hermetic seal between the optical fiber and the aperture of the surface of the body. The sealant is located between the body and the surface of the device so as to provide a hermetic seal between the body and the wall of the device when the body is urged toward the wall of the device thus deforming the sealant. The connector allows an optical signal to be transmitted within the optical fiber through the body. The connector, at the first end of the optical fiber, is adapted so as to receive a second optical fiber where the second optical fiber and the optical fiber communicate with each other. The connector, at the second end of the fiber, is adapted so as to receive a third optical fiber where the third optical fiber and the optical fiber communicate with each other. Therefore, the second optical fiber communicates with the third optical fiber. A method of making the connector is also disclosed.

A connector for mounting to and through a wall of a device, the connector comprising:

a body having a surface, the surface having an aperture, the body having a threaded region;
a first optical fiber having a length, the first optical fiber having a first end and a second end, a portion of the length of the first optical fiber being metallized so as to form a metallized portion, the first optical fiber passing through the aperture of the surface of the body, the metallized portion attached to the aperture of the surface of the body so as to form a hermetic seal between the first optical fiber and the aperture of the surface of the body;
a fourth optical fiber having a length, a portion of the length of the fourth optical fiber being metallized so as to form a metallized portion, the fourth optical fiber passing through the aperture of the surface of the body, the metallized portion attached to the aperture of the surface of the body so as to form a hermetic seal between the fourth optical fiber and the aperture of the surface of the body;
a fifth optical fiber having a length, a portion of the length of the fifth optical fiber being metallized so as to form a metallized portion, the fifth optical fiber passing through the aperture of the surface of the body, the metallized portion attached to the aperture of the surface of the body so as to form a hermetic seal between the fifth optical fiber and the aperture of the surface of the body;
a sixth optical fiber having a length, a portion of the length of the sixth optical fiber being metallized so as to form a metallized portion, the sixth optical fiber passing through the aperture of the surface of the body, the metallized portion attached to the aperture of the surface of the body so as to form a hermetic seal between the sixth optical fiber and the aperture of the surface of the body;
a seventh optical fiber having a length, a portion of the length of the seventh optical fiber being metallized so as to form a metallized portion, the seventh optical fiber passing through the aperture of the surface of the body, the metallized portion attached to the aperture of the surface of the body so as to form a hermetic seal between the seventh optical fiber and the aperture of the surface of the body;
an eighth optical fiber having a length, a portion of the length of the eighth optical fiber being metallized so as to form a metallized portion, the eighth optical fiber passing through the aperture of the surface of the body, the metallized portion attached to the aperture of the surface of the body so as to form a hermetic seal between the eighth optical fiber and the aperture of the surface of the body;
a ninth optical fiber having a length, a portion of the length of the ninth optical fiber being metallized so as to form a metallized portion, the ninth optical fiber passing through the aperture of the surface of the body, the metallized portion attached to the aperture of the surface of the body so as to form a hermetic seal between the ninth optical fiber and the aperture of the surface of the body;
a sealant located between the body and the wall of the device so as to provide a hermetic seal between the body and the wall of the device when the body is urged toward the wall of the device and wherein the sealant is deformed, and whereby an optical signal can be transmitted within the first optical fiber through the body, and whereby the first end of the first optical fiber is hermetically sealed from the second end of the first optical fiber when the sealant is deformed;
and
a nut mounted on the body so as to trap a portion of the wall of the device therebetween, the nut having a threaded region, and wherein
the threaded region of the nut is complementary to and mates with the threaded region of the body, and wherein
the connector, at the first end of the first optical fiber, being adapted so as to receive a second optical fiber where the second optical fiber and the first optical fiber are in optical communication, and wherein
the connector, at the second end of the first optical fiber, being adapted so as to receive a third optical fiber where the third optical fiber and the first optical fiber are in optical communication, and whereby
the second optical fiber and the third optical are in optical communication when the second optical fiber and the first optical fiber are in optical communication and the first optical fiber and the third optical fiber are in optical communication, and wherein
the body includes a groove, the groove circumscribes the aperture of the surface of the body, and wherein the sealant substantially lies in the groove, and wherein
the sealant is an O-ring, and wherein
the body has a cylindrically shaped portion, the cylindrically shaped portion of the body has a diameter equal to or less than one inch, and wherein
the connector, near the first end of the first optical fiber, being adapted so as to receive a MP connector, and wherein
the first optical fiber, the fourth optical fiber, the fifth optical fiber, the sixth optical fiber, the seventh optical fiber, the eighth optical fiber, and the ninth optical fiber lie in only one plane, and wherein
the length of the first optical fiber is substantially parallel to the length of the fourth optical fiber, and wherein
the length of the fourth optical fiber is substantially parallel to the length of the fifth optical fiber, and wherein
the length of the fifth optical fiber is substantially parallel to the length of the sixth optical fiber, and wherein
the length of the sixth optical fiber is substantially parallel to the length of the seventh optical fiber, and wherein
the length of the seventh optical fiber is substantially parallel to the length of the eighth optical fiber, and wherein
the length of the eighth optical fiber is substantially parallel to the length of the ninth optical fiber, and wherein
the nut is made of a metallic material which is non-magnetic.

24 more elements

Description4,489 words

Summary1,781 words

#1. Field of the Invention

#The present invention relates to a connector which provides a hermetic seal. The invention more particularly concerns a connector for the termination of an optical fiber where the connector includes sealing material.

#2. Discussion of the Background

Brief description of the drawings11 figures

#A more complete appreciation of the invention and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the optical fiber hermetic termination connector of the invention mounted to and through a wall of a device;

#FIG. 2 is an exploded, perspective view of the connector of FIG. 1 with the wall removed;

Detailed description2,443 words

#Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and more particularly to FIGS. 1-11, an embodiment of the present invention is an optical fiber hermetic termination connector 10.

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the hermetic connector 10 of the invention mounted to and through a wall 2 of a device. Also shown are a nut 4, a first coupling housing 6, and a second coupling housing 8. The wall 2 may belong to a device or chamber where atmospheric conditions exist on one side of the wall 2 and a vacuum exists on the other side of the wall 2. The connector 10 seals the opening in the wall 2 while allowing data to be transferred through the wall 2.

#FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the connector 10 with the wall 2 removed. A body 14 includes an O-ring groove 18. The O-ring groove 18 being substantially filled with an O-ring 28. The body 14 further has a threaded region 16. The nut 4 has a threaded region 12 which is complimentary to and mates with the threaded region 16 of the body 14. The body 14 further includes threaded bores 24, 26, and ferrule receiving structures 22, 20.

Facts

Application

09/626,034Filed 27 Jul 2000

Granted

3 Sep 2002

Term ended

18 Aug 2020

Estimated · how

20 years from earliest known nonprovisional domestic filing plus recorded patent term adjustment, including 22 days of adjustment. Maintenance-fee lapses, terminal disclaimers and statutory extensions have not been checked. The continuity chain may be incomplete; this is not an enforceability determination.

Classification7 codes

G02B 6/3897
Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs: connectors fixed to housings, casing, frames or circuit boards
G02B 6/3825
Of the ferrule type, e.g. fibre ends embedded in ferrules, connecting a pair of fibres: with an intermediate part, e.g. adapter, receptacle,…
G02B 6/3877
Using tubes, sleeves to align ferrules: split sleeves
G02B 6/3885
Connectors using guide surfaces for aligning ferrule ends, e.g. tubes, sleeves, V-grooves, rods, pins, balls: multicore or multichannel optical…

Optical fiber hermetic termination connector

Life of this patent

Optical fiber hermetic termination connector

Life of this patent

Life of this patent

Abstract

Drawings

Drawings

Claims11

Description4,489 words

Drawings

Classification7 codes

Life of this patent

Description4,489 words