Non-physical contact visual fault locator coupler
US7520677B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 12, 2007 |
| Grant date | Apr 21, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 12, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/385
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The present invention provides a non-physical contact (non-PC) visual fault locator (VFL) coupler that functions with fewer components and reduces handling, and without ferrule-to-ferrule contact, thereby reducing endface wear degradation and other problems. Specifically, the non-PC VFL coupler incorporates an alignment sleeve retainer that includes a connector stop, such that, when a field-installable fiber optic connector engages the alignment sleeve retainer of the non-PC VFL coupler, the endfaces of the ferrules of the non-PC VFL coupler and the field-installable fiber optic connector do not physically contact one another. Both 1.25 mm and 2.5 mm versions are contemplated, among others.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.