Mirror systems securing optical fibers to ferrules by thermally securing bonding agents within fiber optic connector housings, and related methods and assemblies
US9429716B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 7, 2013 |
| Grant date | Aug 30, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 10, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/3861
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Mirror systems securing optical fibers to ferrules by thermally securing bonding agents within fiber optic connector housings are disclosed, along with related methods and assemblies. A fiber optic connector includes an optical fiber secured within a ferrule by a temperature-sensitive bonding agent to prevent attenuation-causing movement. The bonding agent is activated (e.g., cured) by heat provided by laser energy incident upon the ferrule, which is at least partially disposed within a fiber optic connector housing and which may be damaged by the laser energy. By shaping and disposing at least one mirror of a mirror system, the laser energy may be reflected to be incident upon the ferrule in a controllable intensity distribution. In this manner, the laser energy may be absorbed uniformly or substantially uniformly along a partial length of the ferrule extending into the housing to accelerate securing of the bonding agent while avoiding damage to the housing.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.