Patent · US Expired

Interconnect system for coupling ribbon optical fibers and method of making the same

US5037179A · kind A · utility

38Cited by
5References
44Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJul 20, 1990
Grant dateAug 6, 1991
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 20, 2010

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG02B6/3861
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An interconnect system for ribbon-joined optical fibers includes two connectors (1, 2) integrally attached to the ends of respective optical fiber ribbons (3, 4), in which each connector (1, 2) consists of a pair of coupled metal plates (5) rigidly fastened to each other, between which two or more optical fibers (7) belonging to a ribbon (3, 4) made of parallel optical fibers as well as alignment plugs (10) are clamped. At least a plate (5) in each connector (1, 2) includes an element made of metallic material in which several housing grooves (6, 9) for the optical fibers (7) of the ribbon (3, 4) and for the alignment plugs (10) are formed by cold plastic deformation using the same punch for all the plates belonging to one series. The method of accomplishing the invention includes making several grooved plates (5) by plastic deformation using a single punch; coupling a grooved plate (5) to a second plate and interposing therebetween the optical fibers (7) which are part of an optical fiber ribbon (3, 4) and on a length of which the common covering has been removed, partially housing the fibers (7) in the respective grooves (6); inserting a metered amount of hardening adhesive betwe…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.