Closed alignment sleeve for optical connectors
US5621834A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 22, 1994 |
| Grant date | Apr 15, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 22, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/3874
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A closed alignment sleeve has three lands equally spaced on the inside surface of the sleeve. When a ferrule is inserted into the sleeve, the interference at the three lands causes the walls of the sleeve to bend to accommodate the ferrule. In this manner, the closed alignment sleeve with three lands has a stiffness attained by the mechanism normally associated with the open sleeve. The closed alignment sleeve is symmetrical and the three lands act to center the ferrule within the sleeve. The sleeve is formed from a thermoplastic which is much less expensive and much more compliant than conventional ceramic and which allows the sleeve to deform to the size of the ferrule. Further, the envelope required to contain the sleeve is small enough to fit within a variety of optical connectors, including the SC connector.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.