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Assignee3M Innovative Properties Company
InventorsLarry R. Cox, Edward B. Lurie, Eric M. Morgan, David S. Hardcastle
Estimating the term…
A load adapter and method for terminating an optical fiber in a small form factor connector having a ferrule portion and a barrel portion that include a pre-loaded thermoplastic adhesive material, and a housing. The load adapter includes a thermally conductive body having a base section and a connector mounting section extending axially therefrom. The base section is adapted to be inserted/placed in an oven port of a portable heat source. The connector mounting section has a substantially cylindrical shape adapted to surround a substantial portion of the small form factor connector housing and includes at least one slot. The connector mounting section includes a mount adapted to receive the small form factor connector. The mount includes a stem having a substantially cylindrical structure adapted to slidably receive the ferrule portion of the small form factor connector, where an end of a received ferrule portion of the small form factor connector extends beyond an edge of an inner wall of the stem. An optical fiber is inserted through the connector housing and ferrule portion such that an end of the optical fiber extends beyond the end of the ferrule portion. The load adapter can then be removed from the heat source, cooled, and the end of the optical fiber can be polished. The load adapter and method can thus provide for practical field termination of an optical fiber in a small form factor fiber connector.
A load adapter for terminating an optical fiber in a small form factor connector having a ferrule portion and a barrel portion that include a pre-loaded thermoplastic adhesive material, and a housing, comprising:
A load adapter, for terminating an optical fiber in a small form factor connector having a housing and an internal assembly, the internal assembly including a ferrule portion, a raised collar, and a barrel that includes a thermoplastic adhesive material, a spring, and a connector body portion that retains the ferrule portion, raised collar, barrel, and spring, 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.
Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs: details of mounting fibres in ferrules; Assembly methods; Manufacture
Characterised by the method of anchoring or fixing the fibre within the ferrule: adhesive bonding
Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs: mounting ferrules to connector body, i.e. plugs
Optical elements, systems or apparatus
Term ended 28 Jun 2025 (estimated)
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to an optical connector. More specifically, the present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for the field termination of small form factor optical connectors having a thermoplastic adhesive.
2. Related Art
The present invention will be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIGS. 1A–1C show schematic views of a load adapter according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of a load adapter mounted in a portable oven.
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 an apparatus and method for field termination of a small-form factor optical connector adapted to use thermoplastic adhesives.
According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a “load adapter” device is designed to receive a small form factor (SFF), e.g., LC-type, MU-type, or LX5-type, optical fiber connector that includes a preloaded thermoplastic adhesive. The load adapter can then be placed in a field oven or heating device to heat the preloaded thermoplastic adhesive to an appropriate temperature to receive an optical fiber. The load adapter and method of exemplary embodiments can thus provide for practical field termination of an optical fiber in, e.g., a LC-type, optical fiber connector.