Unitary fiber optic ferrule and adapter therefor
AssigneeUS Conec Ltd.
InventorsJoseph P. Howard, Darrell R. Childers, Russell J. Granger
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A unitary fiber optic ferrule reflects light off an interior lens and through the fiber optic ferrule. Optical fibers can be easily secured in the unitary fiber optic ferrule. An adapter to secure the unitary fiber optic ferrule to a optical component assembly is also presented. The adapter provides a sealing function for the lenses and to provide routing for optical fibers from other assemblies of unitary fiber optic ferrules and adapters.
Claims24
A unitary fiber optic ferrule comprising:
- a main body having a front end, a back end, and a middle portion disposed between the front end and back end, the main body also having an upper surface and a bottom surface, the upper surface and bottom surface being nonparallel to one another, and the upper surface is tilted at an angle of about 9° relative to the bottom surface;
- a first opening extending between the back end and the middle portion, the first opening configured to receive at least two optical fibers and having a front wall;
- a plurality of lenses in optical alignment with the front wall to reflect light, each of the plurality of lenses having at least one surface exposed to air;
- and
- at least two alignment features to align the unitary fiber optic ferrule.
A method of connectorizing an optical ferrule for attaching to an optical component comprising the steps of:
- providing a unitary optical ferrule having a main body having a front end, a back end, and a middle portion disposed between the front end and back end, a first opening extending between the back end and the middle portion, the first opening configured to receive at least two optical fibers and having a front wall, a plurality of lenses in optical alignment with the front wall to reflect light, each of the plurality of lenses having at least one surface exposed to air;
- securing at least two optical fibers in the optical ferrule with the at least two optical fibers being in optical communication with respective ones of the plurality of lenses;
- and
- attaching an adapter to the optical ferrule, the adapter configured to mate with the optical component without removing the optical ferrule.
A unitary fiber optic ferrule comprising:
- a main body having a front end, a back end, and a middle portion disposed between the front end and back end;
- a first opening extending between the back end and the middle portion, the first opening configured to receive at least two optical fibers and having a front wall;
- a plurality of lenses in optical alignment with the front wall to reflect light, each of the plurality of lenses having at least one surface exposed to air;
- at least two alignment features to align the unitary fiber optic ferrule;
- and
- an adapter to hold and align the unitary fiber optic ferrule, the adapter comprising a main body having a front end, a back end, and an opening extending therebetween, a first projection extending downward from the front end and orthogonal to the opening, a second projection extending downward from the back end and orthogonal to the opening, and a cover portion extending between the front end and back end and partially defining the opening, the cover portion disposed to cover at least one opening in the unitary fiber optic ferrule.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.