Optical connector with ferrule interference fit
US8123417B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 1, 2009 |
| Grant date | Feb 28, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 21, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/49865
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An optical connector having a front and back orientation and suitable for operating with a temperature range, the connector comprising: (a) a ferrule comprising a first material having a first coefficient of thermal expansion (COE), and having no greater than a first diameter below a transition temperature with the temperature range, and no less than a second diameter above the transition temperature, the ferrule also comprising an endface, and containing at least one fiber having a fiber end presented at the endface; (b) a spring disposed behind the ferrule and in contact with the ferrule to apply a forward urging force to the ferrule; and (c) a housing comprising a second material having a second COE, the housing defining a bore hole having a diameter greater than the second diameter, and an interface portion having a restricted bore hole having no greater than a third diameter below the transition temperature, and no less than a fourth diameter above the transition temperature; wherein the connector is configured in one of two ways, in a first configuration, the second COE is greater than the first COE, and in the second configuration, the second COE is less than the first COE; …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.