Optical fiber connector ferrule assembly having single reflective surface for beam expansion and expanded beam connector incorporating same
US10520680B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 17, 2017 |
| Grant date | Dec 31, 2019 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 17, 2037 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/3652
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An expanded beam ferrule includes a first ferrule halve having reflective surfaces and a second ferrule halve, which together retain optical fibers. The reflective surfaces output light perpendicular to the mid-plane of the ferrule. A sleeve aligns the external surface of two similar ferrules, with the reflective surfaces of the respective ferrules facing each other. Output light from an optical fiber held in the first ferrule is bent and collimated by a reflective surface, transmitted to the facing reflective surface in a second ferrule aligned by the sleeve, which bends the light to input to the optical fiber held in the second ferrule. The ferrule components and/or sleeve are precision formed by high throughput metal stamping. The ferrule is incorporated in an optical fiber connector.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.