Embeddable fiber optic connector and associated method
US6547448B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 15, 2001 |
| Grant date | Apr 15, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 21, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/3897
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An embeddable fiber optic connector includes a small diameter protective sheath embedded within a plurality of composite layers of a composite structure. The sheath has a first end that is flush with a surface of the composite structure. An alignment sleeve is disposed within the sheath and an internal ferrule, mounted on an internal optical fiber, is snugly disposed within the alignment sleeve proximate a second end of the sheath. An external ferrule is mounted on an external optical fiber and is inserted into the first end of the sheath so as to be snugly disposed within the alignment sleeve proximate the internal ferrule, thereby establishing optical communications between the internal and external optical fibers. The external optical fiber is easily disconnected by gripping and removing the external ferrule from the connector. Reconnection is accomplished by reinserting the external ferrule into the connector.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.