Method and apparatus for multi-directional fiber optic connection
AssigneeADC Telecommunications, Inc.
InventorsVern Loch, Craig Bentz, Joseph Coffey
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus are disclosed that permit multi-directional fiber optic connections to a device. The multi-directional aspect of the fiber optic connections permit the connections to be aligned closely with the direction of travel of the fiber optic cables that interface with the device. Closely aligning the fiber optic connections on the device with the fiber optic cables' direction of travel maximizes the bend radius of the fiber optic cable near the point of connection or eliminates the bend altogether and reduces the likelihood of a broken fiber or signal attenuation.
Claims16
A device for coupling a first signal line to fiber optic cables, the device comprising:
- a main housing;
- at least one secondary housing coupled to and movably supported by the main housing;
- and
- at least two connector receptacles fixed to the at least one secondary housing, the at least two connector receptacles for interfacing with the fiber optic cables.
A device for coupling a first signal line to a fiber optic cable, comprising:
- a main housing;
- means for movably supporting at least one connector receptacle within the main housing, the at least one connector receptacle for receiving the fiber optic cable;
- means for receiving light signals from the fiber optic cable and for converting the light signals into electrical signals;
- and
- means for transferring the electrical signals from the at least one movably supported connector receptacle.
A device for coupling a first signal line to a fiber optic cable, the device comprising:
- a main housing;
- at least one connector receptacle pivotally supported by the main housing, the at least one connector receptacle for interfacing with the fiber optic cable;
- and
- a second housing providing support for the at least one connector receptacle, wherein the second housing has end shafts that protrude through holes on each side of the main housing to secure the second housing within the main housing and to allow the second housing to rotate about the axis formed by the end shafts.
A device for coupling a first signal line to a fiber optic cable, the device comprising:
- a main housing;
- at least one connector receptacle movably supported by the main housing, the at least one connector receptacle for interfacing with the fiber optic cable;
- at least one photodetector within the main housing fixed in relation to the connector receptacle for establishing optical communication with the fiber optic cable coupled to the connector receptacle and for generating electrical signals in response to receiving light pulses from the fiber optic cable;
- and
- a flex circuit for transferring the electrical signals from the at least one photodetector.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.