Patent · US Expired

Optical connector, particularly for operating in high pressure environment

US6655849B1 · kind B1 · utility

12Cited by
3References
7Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 16, 2001
Grant dateDec 2, 2003
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 16, 2021

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG02B6/4248
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

The invention concerns an optical fibre connector (15, 18) for high pressure (P) environments. Said connector comprises means for maintaining (1, 2, 19b) the respective ends of the fibres, facing one another. The invention is characterised in that it further comprises a sleeve (3) enclosing the fibre ends, and a translucent gel (4), provided in the sleeve to soak the space (4b) separating the fibre ends (15, 18). Moreover, by maintaining itself by capillary action in said space (4b) the gel seals off the connection with environment. The ambient pressure (P) then acts on one free end of the sleeve (3) while maintaining the gel (4) in the sleeve.

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