Loading patent…
Assignee3M Innovative Properties Company
InventorsDavid S. Hardcastle, Eric M. Morgan, Edward B. Lurie, Janet A. Kling
Estimating the term…
A optical connector for terminating an optical fiber comprises a housing configured to mate with an LC receptacle. The housing comprises a polymer material that does not deform when exposed to temperatures of at least 210° C. The optical connector further includes a ferrule assembly. The ferrule assembly includes a ferrule portion and a barrel portion. The ferrule assembly is preloaded with a thermoplastic adhesive material. The thermoplastic material can be a polyamide-based hot melt adhesive. The thermoplastic mater can be an ultra high temperature hot melt adhesive. These optical connectors can be terminated in the field in a short amount of time.
An optical connector for terminating an optical fiber, comprising:
An optical connector for terminating an optical fiber, comprising:
An optical connector for terminating an optical fiber, comprising:
An optical connector for terminating an optical fiber, comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.
Drawings are temporarily unavailable. Open the PDF at USPTO
From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.
Characterised by the method of anchoring or fixing the fibre within the ferrule: adhesive bonding
Of the ferrule type, e.g. fibre ends embedded in ferrules, connecting a pair of fibres: with cooling or heat dissipation means
Details of mounting fibres in ferrules; Assembly methods; Manufacture: fabricated by using polishing techniques
Optical elements, systems or apparatus
Term ended 28 Sep 2024 (estimated)
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to an optical connector.
2. Related Art
The present invention will be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of an LC connector;
FIGS. 2A and 2B show alternative exemplary embodiments of pre-loaded ferrule-collar-barrel assemblies;
While the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the invention to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
The present invention is directed to a small-form factor optical connector adapted to use thermoplastic adhesives, more particularly ultra high temperature thermoplastic adhesives, for optical fiber retention, insertion, and termination.
According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a small form factor, or LC-type, optical fiber connector includes a preloaded thermoplastic adhesive. The use of optical fiber connectors having thermoplastic adhesives provides a practical field termination capability. The thermoplastic adhesive utilized can be a thermoplastic resin, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,984,865, incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. In addition, the thermoplastic adhesive can be an ultra high temperature (UHT) thermoplastic adhesive material which provides a high softening point and that is capable of satisfying environmentally stringent Telcordia GR-326 specifications. In one aspect, reduced assembly times in field termination applications can be accomplished. In an alternative embodiment, larger form factor fiber optic connectors can include a UHT thermoplastic adhesive material for more extreme environmental conditions.