# US 9,039,291 B2 · Device for connecting optical fibers > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,039,291 B2 - Document ID: US9039291B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/502,641 - Filed: 2010-10-19 - Published: 2012-09-06 - Granted: 2015-05-26 - Earliest claimed: 2009-10-19 - Assignees: Amphenol Socapex - Applicants: Stéphane Doit; Laurent Lagrange - Inventors: Stéphane Doit; Laurent Lagrange - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9039291B2 ## CPC - G02B 6/3873: {Connectors using guide surfaces for aligning ferrule ends, e.g. tubes, sleeves, V-grooves, rods, pins, balls} - G02B 6/32: having lens focusing means {positioned between opposed fibre ends (with lens being an integral part of the single fibre end G02B6/262)} - G02B 6/327: {with angled interfaces to reduce reflections} - G02B 6/3846: {with fibre stubs} - G02B 6/3853: {Lens inside the ferrule (lensed connectors G02B6/32)} - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS ## Abstract An optical fiber connection device mainly made up of two coupling elements shaped to be inserted in cavities of two connector housings. Each coupling element (11A, 11B) includes a fiber bar (14) having an optical fiber segment (16) passing axially therethrough, and each bar is situated at a predetermined distance from a lens (13) held stationary in the corresponding coupling element; the two coupling elements include conical engagement endpieces. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An optical fiber connection device comprising two coupling elements that are shaped to be inserted in respective cavities in two cooperating connector housings, each of the two coupling elements comprising: a first bar having a first end and a second end and axially containing an optical fiber segment, wherein the first bar is a fiber bar, the first end of said first bar is in contact with an end of a corresponding optical fiber, and the second end of said first bar is situated at a predetermined distance from a lens held stationary in said coupling element, wherein the coupling elements respectively include male and female conical engagement endpieces having the same cone angle, said lenses being at a desired distance apart from each other when said conical endpieces are in contact. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A connection device according to claim 1, wherein one of the coupling elements carries externally a spring mounted between a shoulder of said coupling element and a ring slidable on said coupling element, said ring co-operating with locking means in the housing of the corresponding connector enabling said conical engagement endpieces to be put into contact under spring loading. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A connection device according to claim 1, wherein each coupling element includes an insert having an optical fiber passing axially therethrough and shaped to engage in axial sliding in one end of said coupling element, and said insert comprises a second bar having said optical fiber passing axially therethrough and having its end coming axially into contact with a corresponding end of said first bar in order to establish end-to-end contact between said optical fiber passing through the insert and said optical fiber segment passing through said first bar. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) A connection device according to claim 3, wherein a semirigid tubular sleeve is mounted around the first and second bars to hold them in alignment. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) A connection device according to claim 4, wherein said tubular sleeve is split longitudinally. ### Claim 6 (depends on 3) A device according to claim 3, wherein each coupling element includes an external thread on which an internally threaded sleeve is screwed, the sleeve being provided with an annular end shoulder bearing against said insert to hold the first and second bars in end-to-end contact. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) A device according to claim 6, wherein a resilient gasket is interposed between said annular shoulder and said insert. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A device according to claim 1, wherein the second end of the first bar has a slanting truncated conical shape. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) A device according to claim 8, wherein said first bar includes a flat for determining its orientation on assembly. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) A device according to claim 1, wherein each lens is in the form of a spherical bead. ### Claim 11 An optical fiber connection device comprising two coupling elements that are shaped to be inserted in respective cavities in two cooperating connector housings, each of the two coupling elements comprising: a first bar having a first end and a second end and axially containing an optical fiber segment, wherein the first bar is a fiber bar, the first end of said first bar is in contact with an end of a corresponding optical fiber, and the second end of said first bar is situated at a predetermined distance from a lens held stationary in said coupling element, wherein the coupling elements respectively include male and female conical engagement endpieces having the same cone angle, said lenses being at a desired distance apart when the conical endpieces are in contact, and wherein the second end of the first bar has a slanting truncated conical shape. ### Claim 12 An optical fiber connection device for optically connecting two optical fibers, comprising: a female coupling element including a lens and a female engagement endpiece, the female engagement endpiece having an inner surface with a conical shape defining a cone angle; and a male coupling element including a lens and a male engagement endpiece, the male engagement endpiece having an outer surface with a conical shape defining a cone angle, said male engagement endpiece configured to slidably engage with the female engagement endpiece, wherein the cone angle of the male engagement endpiece is the same as the cone angle of the female engagement endpiece such that the outer surface of the male engagement endpiece maintains contact with the inner surface of the female engagement endpiece when the optical fibers are optically connected. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) A device according to claim 12, further comprising a fiber bar axially containing a fiber segment, wherein an end of the fiber bar proximate to the lens has a slanting truncated conical shape. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) A device according to claim 12, wherein the outer surface of the male engagement endpiece and the inner surface of the female engagement endpiece cooperate to maintain a desired distance between said lenses.