Patent · US Expired

Ferrule having optical fiber incorporated therein as an integral part thereof and method for production thereof

US6435731B1 · kind B1 · utility

12Cited by
6References
25Claims
0Family size

Assignees

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 29, 2000
Grant dateAug 20, 2002
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 28, 2020

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG02B6/3854
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An optical connector ferrule has an optical fiber incorporated therein as an integral part thereof, wherein the optical fiber is integrally fixed in the ferrule directly or through the medium of the metal tube embedded in the ferrule. This ferrule of the optical fiber built-in type can be produced by inserting an optical fiber or a metal tube having an optical fiber fitted therein into a mold provided with a molding cavity which defines the outer shape of an optical connector ferrule, injecting a fluid material kept at an elevated temperature into the cavity of the mold, and solidifying the cast material by cooling. The optical fiber or both the optical fiber and the metal tube are strongly fixed in the ferrule integrally by the thermal shrinkage or coagulation shrinkage of the ferrule during the production thereof.

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