Device for aligning fiber optic connectors
Assignee3M Innovative Properties Company
InventorsLarry R. Cox, William J. Clatanoff, Harry A. Loder
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention pertains to a multi-fiber optic connector system. The system contains a first housing and a second housing. The first housing contains (i) a first portion having at least one first cavity (ii) a second portion having at least one second cavity, a reference surface, and a first groove, and (iii) at least one alignment element disposed on the first groove. When an optical connector is slidably engaged into the first housing, the alignment element, having spring-like properties, contacts the optical connector and forces it against the reference surface.
Claims19
A multi-fiber optic connector system comprising:
- (a) a first housing comprising
- (i) a first portion having a first surface, a second surface, and at least one first cavity,
- (ii) a second portion having a first surface, a second surface, and at least one second cavity, each second cavity having a reference surface and a first groove, wherein the second surface of the first portion is disposed with the first surface of the second portion and the first and the second portions are aligned such that the first cavity and the second cavity form a passageway,
- (iii) at least one alignment element disposed on the first groove of the second cavity;
- and
- (b) at least one optical connector comprising a ferrule housing and a first ferrule disposed inside the ferrule housing, the first ferrule having at least one port;
- wherein when the optical connector is inserted into the first portion and resides in the passageway, the alignment element contacts the ferrule housing and forces it against the reference surface.
A connector system comprising:
- (a) a housing comprising at least one passageway, each having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a reference surface;
- (b) at least one first optical connector slidably engaged into the first end of the passageway, each first optical connector comprising a ferrule housing and a first ferrule disposed inside the ferrule housing, the first ferrule having at least one port, the ferrule housing having first surface opposite a second surface;
- and
- (c) an alignment element;
- wherein as the alignment element engages the first surface of the ferrule housing, the alignment element forces the second surface of the ferrule housing against the reference surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.