Optical connector with ferrule interference fit
US8911157B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 1, 2010 |
| Grant date | Dec 16, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 15, 2031 |
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, the connector comprising: (a) a ferrule comprising a first material having a first coefficient of thermal expansion (COE), and having a first diameter at a first temperature, and a second diameter at a second temperature, the ferrule also comprising an endface; (b) a housing comprising a second material having a second COE, the housing having a restricted borehole having a third diameter at the first temperature, and a fourth diameter at the second temperature; (c) a resilient member disposed in the housing and in contact with the ferrule to apply a forward urging force to the ferrule; (d) wherein the connector has a first and second configuration, in the first configuration, the second COE is greater than the first COE, the first diameter is greater than the third diameter such that the connector is in an interference state at the first temperature, and the second diameter is less than the fourth diameter such that the connector is in a clearance state at the second temperature, in the second configuration, the second COE is less than the first COE, the first diameter is less than the third diameter such that the connector …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.