U.S. patent application number 16/213456 was filed with the patent office on 2020-06-11 for expanded beam lc fiber optic connector.
This patent application is currently assigned to Winchester Interconnect Corporation. The applicant listed for this patent is Winchester Interconnect Corporation. Invention is credited to Jerome FARNAN.
Application Number | 20200183095 16/213456 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 70970206 |
Filed Date | 2020-06-11 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200183095 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
FARNAN; Jerome |
June 11, 2020 |
EXPANDED BEAM LC FIBER OPTIC CONNECTOR
Abstract
An expanded beam optical connector includes a body, a tube
holder, an alignment tube, and a collimator assembly. The tube
holder is disposed within a bore of the body. The collimator
assembly is received within the bore of the body and includes an
optical fiber and a collimating lens having a collimated beam. A
first end of the alignment tube is received within a first cavity
of the tube holder, and the collimating lens is received within a
second cavity of the tube holder such that the collimating lens is
separated from the first end of the alignment tube by a gap and a
centerline axis of the alignment tube is substantially aligned with
an optical axis of the collimated beam.
Inventors: |
FARNAN; Jerome; (Franklin,
MA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Winchester Interconnect Corporation |
Norwalk |
CT |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Winchester Interconnect
Corporation
Norwalk
CT
|
Family ID: |
70970206 |
Appl. No.: |
16/213456 |
Filed: |
December 7, 2018 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G02B 6/3874 20130101;
G02B 6/3853 20130101; G02B 6/3825 20130101; G02B 6/3849 20130101;
G02B 6/32 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G02B 6/38 20060101
G02B006/38 |
Claims
1. An expanded beam (EB) optical connector comprising: a body
comprising a first end, a second end, and a bore extending from the
first end to the second end; a tube holder received within the bore
of the body, the tube holder comprising a first end, a second end,
a first cavity opening from the first end of the tube holder, a
second cavity opening from the second end of the tube holder, and
an annular-shaped partition separating the first cavity from the
second cavity and surrounding a passage opening into the first and
second cavities; an alignment tube received within the bore of the
body, the alignment tube comprising a first end and a second end
and defining a centerline axis that extends from the first end to
the second end; and a collimator assembly received within the bore
of the body, the collimator assembly comprising an optical fiber
and a collimating lens for creating a substantially collimated
optical beam, wherein the first end of the alignment tube is
received within the first cavity of the tube holder, and the
collimating lens is received within the second cavity of the tube
holder such that the collimating lens is separated from the first
end of the alignment tube by a gap and the centerline axis of the
alignment tube is substantially aligned with an optical axis of the
collimated optical beam, the alignment tube defines a bore that
extends from the first end the alignment tube to the second end of
the alignment tube such that the tube is open at both of its ends,
and nothing but air is located within the bore of the alignment
tube.
2. The EB optical connector of claim 1, wherein the gap is defined
by at least the passage extending along the partition.
3. The EB optical connector of claim 1, wherein the collimating
lens is disposed between a terminating end of the optical fiber and
the first end of the alignment tube.
4. The EB optical connector of claim 1, wherein the body comprises
a neck projecting away from an interior surface of the body such
that the bore of the body includes a first region extending from a
front end of the neck to the first end of the body, a second region
extending between the front end and a back end of the neck, and a
third region extending from a back end of the neck to the second
end of the body.
5. The EB optical connector of claim 4, wherein the alignment tube
extends along the first region of the bore of the body and out of a
first opening disposed at the first end of the body.
6. The EB optical connector of claim 4, wherein the optical fiber
extends along the third region of the bore of the body and out of a
second opening disposed at the second end of the body.
7. The EB optical connector of claim 4, wherein the tube holder
comprises a head disposed proximate to the first end of the tube
holder and a sleeve extending from the head to the second end of
the tube holder.
8. The EB optical connector of claim 7, wherein the head of the
tube holder is disposed in the second region of the bore of the
body such that the head is held by the neck.
9. The EB optical connector of claim 7, wherein the head comprises
a flange projecting radially from the sleeve and a conical-shaped
nose projecting from the flange in a direction opposite to the
sleeve, the nose terminating at the first end of the tube
holder.
10. The EB optical connector of claim 7, wherein the first cavity
is disposed in the head of the tube holder, and the second cavity
is disposed in the sleeve of the tube holder.
11. The EB optical connector of claim 1, wherein the body comprises
a latch projecting from a top wall extending from the first end to
the second end of the body, and the latch includes a distal end
biased in a direction away from the top wall of the body.
12. An optical connector adaptor comprising: a housing; two or more
ports including a first port opening from a first end of the
housing and a second port opening from a second end of the housing
and opposing the first port; and an alignment sleeve comprising a
first open end and a second open end, the alignment sleeve is
disposed between the first and second ports such that the first
open end of the alignment sleeve is disposed in the first port and
the second open end of the alignment sleeve is disposed in the
second port; wherein each port is configured to receive an EB
optical connector of claim 1 such that the EB optical connector is
removably coupled to the housing when received in a respective
port; wherein the first open end of the alignment sleeve is
configured to receive the second send of the alignment tube of a
first EB optical connector when received in the first port, and the
second open end of the alignment sleeve is configured to receive
the second end of the alignment tube of a second EB optical
connector when received in the second port such that alignment
sleeve substantially aligns the centerline axes of the alignment
tubes of the first and second EB optical connectors when received
in the first and second ports.
13. (canceled)
14. An expanded beam (EB) optical connector comprising: a body
comprising a first end, a second end, and a bore extending from the
first end to the second end; a tube holder received within the bore
of the body, the tube holder comprising a first end, a second end,
a first cavity opening from the first end of the tube holder, a
second cavity opening from the second end of the tube holder, and
an annular-shaped partition separating the first cavity from the
second cavity and surrounding a passage opening into the first and
second cavities; a hollow cylinder for aligning the EB optical
connector with a second EB optical connector, the hollow cylinder
being received within the bore of the body, and the hollow cylinder
comprising a first end and a second end and defining a centerline
axis that extends from the first end to the second end; and a
collimator assembly received within the bore of the body, the
collimator assembly comprising an optical fiber and a collimating
lens, wherein the first end of the hollow cylinder is received
within the first cavity of the tube holder, and the collimating
lens is received within the second cavity of the tube holder such
that the collimating lens is separated from the first end of the
hollow cylinder by a gap and the centerline axis of the hollow
cylinder is substantially aligned with an optical axis of the
collimating lens, and the hollow cylinder defines a bore that
extends from the first end the hollow cylinder to the second end of
the hollow cylinder such that the hollow cylinder is open at both
of its ends, and nothing hut air is located within the hollow
cylinder.
15. (canceled)
Description
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0001] This disclosure relates to expanded beam connectors for a
fiber optic cable.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Connectors that are used to align two optical fibers are
commonly referred to as optical connectors. The vast majority
optical connectors are of the "physical contact (PC)" type, and are
referred to as PC optical connectors. In a PC optical connector
that is used to connect two fibers, the two fibers are physically
touching under pressure. For single mode fibers, the glass optical
core of the fiber has to be aligned extremely accurately to ensure
a low loss connection. This small core means that a scratch or dust
on a fiber will cause the light to be greatly attenuated and
potentially for the communication link to be lost
[0003] Another type of optical connectors is the "expanded beam"
(EB) optical connector. An EB optical connector reduces the effect
of dust contamination or scratches by using a lens or a pair of
lenses to focus the light between the two optical fibers.
Typically, EB optical connectors use alignment inserts to align the
optical paths between opposing lenses of counterpart EB optical
connectors. These alignment inserts are typically machined from
metal blocks containing a number of cylindrical holes. Each lens is
placed in one end of a corresponding hole, and the fiber and
ferrule combination are placed into the other end of the
corresponding hole. The alignment method combines face alignment
with an alignment pin. These designs are common, and for example,
MIL-PRF-83526 describes this connector style. This type of EB
connector is also described in the following patents and published
applications: U.S. Pat. No. 8,824,841, U.S. Patent Pub. No.
2007/0211999, U.S. Pat. No. 7,722,261, and U.S. Pat. No. 8,556,521.
This type of EP optical connector may be known as an alignment
insert exposed lens EB connector.
[0004] Another type of EB connector uses a single lens and a
ferrule with the lens on one end of a tube and the fiber entering
the other end. This type of EB connector also uses an alignment
sleeve (commonly called split sleeve), in which the fiber, the
lens, the ferrule, and the alignment tube are generally concentric.
The light beam may or may not be concentric. Examples of these EB
connectors are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,244,084, 7,775,725,
8,827,567. This type of EB optical connector may be known as an
alignment sleeve exposed lens EB connector.
SUMMARY
[0005] EB optical connectors using alignment inserts are
characterized by small beam sizes, short working distances, and
complex construction, often resulting in misalignment between the
optical axis of the lens on the first connector and the second
mating connector. This is due to the mechanical alignment face of
the insert or alignment pin becoming damaged, incorrect assembly
methods, or mechanical shock or vibration. EB optical connectors
using alignment sleeves with exposed lenses have lenses located
adjacent to the tip of the alignment sleeve, and consequently, may
become damaged from unintended contact. The lens can never be
larger than the alignment tube and so beam size is limited. There
is no control over the optical axis of the light beam so the
optical quality relies on mechanical tolerances of all components
being controlled very tightly, at the limits of current state of
the art. Also if an angle is introduced into the beam path, the
beam will be offset from the mechanical axis, causing difficulty in
alignment
EB Optical Connectors
[0006] Accordingly, there is a need for an improved EB optical
connector that reliably maintains proper alignment between the
alignment tube and a collimating lens of a collimating assembly.
Moreover, there is a need for an improved EB optical connector that
increases the separation distance between the collimating lens and
the end of the alignment tube while still allowing light to be
properly transmitted along the centerline axis of the alignment
tubes and to the corresponding collimating lens in the mating
connector.
[0007] The present disclosure describes various examples of an EB
optical connector for coupling to an optical cable. In accordance
with one embodiment, the EB optical connector may comprise: a body
comprising a first end, a second end, and a bore extending from the
first end to the second end; a tube holder received within the bore
of the body, the tube holder comprising a first end, a second end,
a first cavity opening from the first end of the tube holder, a
second cavity opening from the second end of the tube holder, and
an annular-shaped partition separating the first cavity from the
second cavity and surrounding a passage opening into the first and
second cavities; an alignment tube received within the bore of the
body, the alignment tube comprising a first end and a second end
and defining a centerline axis that extends from the first end to
the second end; and a collimator assembly received within the bore
of the body, the collimator assembly comprising an optical fiber
and a collimating lens defining a substantially collimated optical
beam. In various embodiments, the first end of the alignment tube
is received within the first cavity of the tube holder, and the
collimating lens is received within the second cavity of the tube
holder such that the collimating lens is separated from the first
end of the alignment tube by a gap and the centerline axis of the
alignment tube is substantially aligned with an optical axis of the
collimated optical beam exiting the collimating lens.
[0008] The present disclosure describes various examples of an
optical connector adaptor for coupling to an optical cable. In
accordance with one embodiment, the optical connector adaptor may
comprise: a housing; two or more ports including a first port
opening from a first end of the housing and a second port opening
from a second end of the housing and opposing the first port; and
an alignment sleeve comprising a first open end and a second open
end, the alignment sleeve is disposed between the first and second
ports such that the first open end of the alignment sleeve is
disposed in the first port and the second open end of the alignment
sleeve is disposed in the second port. In various embodiments, each
port is configured to receive an EB optical connector of such that
the EB optical connector is removably coupled to the housing when
received in a respective port. In various embodiments, the first
open end of the alignment sleeve is configured to receive the
second send of the alignment tube of a first EB optical connector
when received in the first port, and the second open end of the
alignment sleeve is configured to receive the second end of the
alignment tube of a second EB optical connector when received in
the second port such that alignment sleeve substantially aligns the
centerline axes of the alignment tubes of the first and second EB
optical connectors when received in the first and second ports.
[0009] Other features and characteristics of the subject matter of
this disclosure, as well as the methods of operation, functions of
related elements of structure and the combination of parts, and
economies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon
consideration of the following description and the appended claims
with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which form a
part of this specification, wherein like reference numerals
designate corresponding parts in the various figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and
form part of the specification, illustrate various embodiments of
the subject matter of this disclosure. In the drawings, like
reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar
elements.
[0011] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of an EB LC connector according
to one example.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a body according to one
example.
[0013] FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of the body taken
along line A-A in FIG. 2 according to one example.
[0014] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a tube holder according to
one example.
[0015] FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view of the tube holder
taken along line B-B in FIG. 4 according to one example.
[0016] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an optical cable according
to one example.
[0017] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of collimator assembly
according one example.
[0018] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the EB LC connector
according to one example.
[0019] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the EB LC connector
taken along line C-C in FIG. 8 according to one example.
[0020] FIG. 10 is a detailed cross-sectional view of the EB LC
connector.
[0021] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an optical connector
adaptor according to one example.
[0022] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view the optical connector
adaptor taken along line D-D in FIG. 11 according to one
example.
[0023] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an alignment sleeve
according to one example.
[0024] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the optical connector
adaptor coupled to connectors according to one example.
[0025] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the optical connector
adaptor coupled to two connectors according to one example.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0026] While aspects of the subject matter of the present
disclosure may be embodied in a variety of forms, the following
description and accompanying drawings are merely intended to
disclose some of these forms as specific examples of the subject
matter. Accordingly, the subject matter of this disclosure is not
intended to be limited to the forms or embodiments so described and
illustrated.
[0027] Unless defined otherwise, all terms of art, notations and
other technical terms or terminology used herein have the same
meaning as is commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the
art to which this disclosure belongs. All patents, applications,
published applications and other publications referred to herein
are incorporated by reference in their entirety. If a definition
set forth in this section is contrary to or otherwise inconsistent
with a definition set forth in the patents, applications, published
applications, and other publications that are herein incorporated
by reference, the definition set forth in this section prevails
over the definition that is incorporated herein by reference.
[0028] Unless otherwise indicated or the context suggests
otherwise, as used herein, "a" or "an" means "at least one" or "one
or more."
[0029] The use of the term "about" applies to all numeric values
specified herein, whether or not explicitly indicated. This term
generally refers to a range of numbers that one of ordinary skill
in the art would consider as a reasonable amount of deviation to
the recited numeric values (i.e., having the equivalent function or
result) in the context of the present disclosure. For example, and
not intended to be limiting, this term can be construed as
including a deviation of .+-.10 percent of the given numeric value
provided such a deviation does not alter the end function or result
of the value. Therefore, under some circumstances as would be
appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art a value of about 1%
can be construed to be a range from 0.9% to 1.1%.
[0030] As used herein, the terms "substantially" and "substantial"
refer to a considerable degree or extent. When used in conjunction
with, for example, an event, circumstance, characteristic, or
property, the terms can refer to instances in which the event,
circumstance, characteristic, or property occurs precisely as well
as instances in which the event, circumstance, characteristic, or
property occurs to a close approximation, such as accounting for
typical tolerance levels or variability of the embodiments
described herein.
[0031] FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of an expanded beam (EB)
lucent connector (LC) 100 according to an embodiment. The EB LC
connector 100 comprises a body 110, a tube holder 120, an alignment
tube 130, an epoxy sleeve 140, and a collimator assembly 150 for a
fiber optic cable. The collimator assembly 150 comprises a lens
holder 151, a collimating lens 152, a ferrule 153, a cable jacket
154, and an optical fiber 155 that is in optical communication with
the collimating lens 152. In various embodiments, the tube holder
120 is housed in the body 110 and coupled to the alignment tube 130
and the optical assembly 150 to align an optical axis of the
collimating lens 152 with a centerline (e.g. central longitudinal)
axis of the alignment tube 130, such that the connector 100 may
securely maintain optical communication between the alignment tube
130 and the optical collimator assembly 150.
[0032] As shown in FIG. 2, the body 110 comprises a first end 202,
a second end 204, a top wall 206, a bottom wall 208, and a pair
opposed side walls 210, 212, in which the top wall 206, the bottom
wall 208, and the side walls 210, 212 extend from the first end 202
to the second end 204. The body 110 comprises a latch 230
projecting from the top wall 206 and comprising a distal end 232
that is biased in a direction away from the top wall 206. In some
embodiments, the latch 230 is comprised of a resilient
material.
[0033] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the ends 202, 204 and the walls
206-212 of the body 110 define a bore 302 that extends along a
central longitudinal axis of the body 110. A circular-shaped first
opening 214 is disposed along the first end 202 and opens into the
bore 302 of the body 110. The body 110 comprises an interior
surface 304 that extends from the first opening 214 at the first
end 202 toward a second opening 306 disposed at the second end 204.
The body 110 houses a cable holder 220 disposed in the bore 302 of
the body 110 and projecting through the second opening 306 of the
body 110. As shown in FIG. 3, the cable holder 220 is secured
against the interior surface 304 of the body 110 and defines a
passage 320 that opens into the bore 302 of the body 110.
[0034] The body 110 comprises a neck 310 projecting away from the
interior surface 304 and terminating before reaching the central
longitudinal axis of the body 110 such that the neck 310 divides
the bore 302 into a first region 312 extending from a front end of
the neck 310 to the first end 202 of the body 110, a second region
313 extending from the front end of the neck 310 to a back end of
the neck 310, and a third region 314 extending from the back end of
the neck 310 to the second end 204 of the body 110. In the
illustrated embodiment, each of the first, second, and third
regions 312-314 include a transverse dimension A-C (e.g., diameter
of the bore 302 at the corresponding location along the body 110),
in which the transverse dimension B of the second region 313 is
less than the transverse dimension A of the first region 312 and
less than the transverse dimension C of the third region 314.
[0035] As shown in FIG. 3, the body 110 houses a spring 340
disposed in the third region 314 of the bore 302. The spring 340 is
secured between the back end of the neck 310 and a shoulder 332
projecting from an interior surface 330 of the cable holder
220.
[0036] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the tube holder 120 comprises a
head 410 disposed proximate to a first end 402 of the tube holder
120 and a sleeve 420 extending away from the head 410 in a first
direction and terminating along a second end 404 of the tube holder
120. In the example shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the head 410 comprises
a hexagonal-shaped flange 412 projecting radially from the sleeve
420, where the sleeve 420 extends from a back end 515 of the flange
412. The flange 412 comprises six faces 414 disposed along the side
of the head 410. The head 410 further comprises a conical-shaped
nose 416 projecting from a front of the flange 412 in a second
direction, opposite to the first direction, and terminating along
the first end 402 of the tube holder 120.
[0037] As shown in FIG. 5, the tube holder 120 comprises a first
cavity 502 extending from the opening 418 at the first end 402 and
into the head 410, a second cavity 504 opening from the second end
404 of the tube holder 120 and extending along the sleeve 420, and
an annular-shaped partition 506 projecting from an interior surface
501 of the tube holder 120 and defining a passage 508 that opens
into both the first cavity 502 and the second cavity 504. The
opening 418 at the first end 402 In some embodiments, the first
cavity 502 comprises a first transverse dimension 503 (e.g.,
diameter of the first cavity 502), and the second cavity 504
comprises a second transverse dimension 505 (e.g., diameter of the
second cavity 504), in which the first transverse dimension 503 is
less than the second transverse dimension 505. In some embodiments,
the passage 508 comprises a third transverse dimension 509 (i.e.
diameter of the passage 508) that is less than the first transverse
dimension 503 and less than the second transverse dimension
505.
[0038] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the tube holder 120 comprises an
opening 418 disposed at the first end 402 that opens into the first
cavity 502 and an opening 510 disposed at the second end 404 that
opens into the second cavity 504. In various embodiments, the
opening 418 and the first cavity 502 are shaped to receive the
alignment tube 130. In various embodiments, the opening 510 and the
second cavity 504 are shaped to receive the lens holder 151 holding
the collimating lens 152 and the ferrule 153 of the collimator
assembly 150. In various embodiments, the sleeve 420 comprises one
or more slots 422 disposed along the peripheral edge of the sleeve
420 that open into the second cavity 504.
[0039] In various embodiments, the collimator assembly 150 secures
a terminating end 702 of the optical fiber 155 proximate to the
collimating lens 152 such that light waves transmitted along the
optical fiber 155 may be emitted by the lens 152 and incoming light
waves received by the lens 152 may be transmitted to the optical
fiber 155. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the optical
fiber 155 extends through the cable jacket 154, where the cable
jacket 154 is pressed against a proximal end 602 of the ferrule
153. The optical fiber 155 protrudes through an opening of the
cable jacket 154, and the terminating end 702 of the optical fiber
155 is received in the ferrule 153.
[0040] In the embodiment shown, the lens holder 151 is a tube
(e.g., a glass tube) open at both a first end 704 and a second end
706 thereof. Referring to FIG. 7, a distal end 710 of the ferrule
153 is inserted through the first end 704 of the lens holder 151
and a first end 720 of the collimating lens 152 is inserted through
the second end 706 of the lens holder 151, such that the distal end
710 of the ferrule 153 and the terminating end 702 of the optical
fiber 155 are disposed proximate to the first end 720 of the
collimating lens 152. A second end 722 of the collimating lens 152
is disposed outside the lens holder 151, where the collimating lens
152 protrudes out of the second end 706 of the lens holder 151.
[0041] In various embodiments, the lens holder 151 comprises an
internal diameter that corresponds to the diameter of the ferrule
153 and the diameter of the collimating lens 152, such that the
ferrule 153 and the collimating lens 152 are securely engaged
against the interior surface 708 of the lens holder 151.
[0042] In the illustrative embodiment, the collimating lens 152 is
generally cylindrical in shape and having a diameter (or width) in
the range of 0.5 to 5mm. In some embodiments, the collimating lens
152 is a gradient-index (GRIN) lens (e.g., a GRIN cylindrical
lens). In other embodiments, collimating lens may be a ball lens
(e.g., a 3 mm ball lens).
[0043] FIGS. 8-10 show various views of a non-limiting embodiment
of the EB connector 100 configured to introduce light waves
transmitted from the collimating assembly 150 through the alignment
tube 130 to other optical cable connectors or receive light waves
through the alignment tube 130 to the collimating assembly 150. As
shown in FIG. 10, the EB connector 100 establishes optical
communication between the collimating assembly 150 and the
alignment tube 130 by maintaining alignment between the optical
axis D of the collimating lens 152 and the centerline axis E of the
alignment tube 130.
[0044] Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, the tube holder 120 is received
in the bore 302 of the body 110, where the head 410 is disposed in
the second region 313 defined along the neck 310. The faces 414 of
the collar 412 are engaged against an interior surface of the neck
310. The spring 340 is received around the sleeve 420 of the tube
holder 120 and secured against the back end 413 of the head 410 and
the shoulder 332 of the cable holder 220, thereby biasing the tube
holder 120 toward the first end 202 of the body 110. The neck 310
includes a shoulder 311 protruding toward the central longitudinal
axis of the body 110. As the spring 340 biases the tube holder 120
toward the first end 202 of the body 110, the shoulder 311 of the
neck 310 engages the nose 416 of the head 410, thereby limiting
movement of tube holder 120 along the central longitudinal axis of
the body 110.
[0045] The alignment tube 130 is inserted through the first opening
214 at the first end 202 of the body 110, where a first end 902 of
the alignment tube 130 is received in the first cavity 502 defined
by the head 410 of the tube holder 120 and the second end 904 of
the alignment tube 130 is disposed outside of the body 110. The
first transverse dimension 503 of the first cavity 502 corresponds
to the outer diameter of the alignment tube 130 so that the
exterior surface of the alignment tube 130 engages the interior
surface 501 of the tube holder 120. In some embodiments, the
outside diameter of the alignment tube 130 ranges from about 1.25
mm to about 2.5 mm. In some embodiments, the inside diameter of the
alignment tube 130 ranges from about 0.2 mm to about 2 mm. In some
embodiments, a length of the alignment tube 130 ranges from about 5
mm to about 10 mm. Once the first end 902 of the alignment tube 130
is secured in the first cavity 502 of the tube holder 120, the
centerline axis E of the alignment tube 130 is substantially
aligned with the passage 508 defined along the partition 506 of the
tube holder 120.
[0046] Referring to FIG. 9, the lens holder 151 holding the
collimating lens 152 and the ferrule 153 is inserted through the
cable holder 220 and received in the second cavity 504 defined by
the sleeve 420 of the tube holder 120. The cable jacket 154 and the
corresponding portion of the optical fiber 155 extend through the
third region 314 of the bore 302 and the passage 320 of the cable
holder 220.
[0047] In the illustrated embodiment, the lens holder 151 is
secured to the tube holder 120 by injecting and curing an epoxy
sleeve 140 disposed between an interior surface 501 of the tube
holder 120 and an exterior surface of the lens holder 151. The
epoxy sleeve 140 extends through the slots 422 of the sleeve 420 to
promote adhesive contact with the sleeve 420 of the tube holder
120. In some embodiments, the slots 422 provide access for a nozzle
to inject the epoxy material to be injected between the exterior
surface of the lens holder 151 and the interior surface 501 of the
tube holder 120 and permit the transmission of UV rays to cure the
epoxy material. In other embodiments, the lens holder 151 may be
securely attached to the tube holder 120 by other processes, such
as laser welding or soldering.
[0048] After inserting the alignment tube 130 and the lens holder
151 into the tube holder 120, but before securely attaching the
lens holder 151 to the tube holder 120, the lens holder 151 and the
alignment tube 130 are positioned such that the optical axis D of
the collimating lens 152 is substantially aligned with the
centerline axis E of the alignment tube 130. In some embodiments,
the alignment process includes adjusting the position of the lens
holder 151 within the tube holder 120 until a light beam exiting
collimating lens 152 in a direction toward the alignment tube 130
will pass through and exit the alignment tube 103 substantially
unattenuated, that is, experiencing not more than a loss of about 2
dB.
[0049] As shown in FIG. 10, once the lens holder 151 is secured
attached in the tube holder 120, the second end 722 of the
collimating lens 152 is separated from the first end 902 of the
alignment tube 130 by a gap F. In some embodiments, the gap F
ranges from about 0.01 mm to about 5 mm. In some embodiments, the
second end 722 of the collimating lens 152 is spatially separated
from the partition 506 and does not protrude through the passage
508 defined along the partition 506. In some embodiments, the first
end 902 of the alignment tube 130 is spatially separated from the
partition 506 and does abut against the partition 506. Accordingly,
in some embodiments, the gap F extending between the first end 902
of the alignment tube 130 and the second end 722 of the collimating
lens 152 may be longer than the length of the passage 508 defined
along the partition 506 of the tube holder 120.
[0050] FIGS. 11-15 illustrate various views of an optical connector
adaptor 1100 configured to align and mate two or more EB LC
connectors 100 such that light beams may be introduced from one of
the EB LC connectors 100 and received from the other one of the EB
LC connectors 100. As shown in FIG. 11, the optical connector
adaptor 1100 comprises a housing 1102 that includes a first end
1106, a second end 1108, and two or more ports 1104. Each port 1104
opens from one of the ends 1106, 1108 of the housing 1102 and is
configured to receive and mate with one of the EB LC connectors
100.
[0051] Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, the housing 1102 comprises a
first wall 1110 extending laterally along the center of the housing
1102 and a second wall 1112 extending longitudinally along the
center of the housing 1102. The first wall 1110 intersects with the
second wall 1112 to define four ports 1104 in the housing 1102, in
which each port 1104 is opposed and aligned with a counterpart port
1104 disposed on an opposite side of the first wall 1110.
[0052] Each port 1104 includes a pair of opposing side walls 1116
that define an opening 1118 formed through an end 1120 of the
housing 1102. A pair of opposing guide bars 1122 project from the
pair of the side walls 1116 to align the body 110 of the connector
100 into the opening 1118 of a respective port 1104. Each port 1104
includes a tab 1119 formed along an upper edge of the opening 1118
that is configured to engage the latch 230 of the body 110 when a
connector 100 is inserted into the port 1104 such that the
connector 100 becomes removably coupled to the housing 1102.
[0053] As shown in FIG. 12, for each pair of opposed ports 1104, a
sleeve holder 1202 extends through the first wall 1110, where a
first end 1203 of the sleeve holder 1202 is disposed in one of the
opposing ports 1104 and a second end 1204 of the sleeve holder 1302
is disposed in the other one of the opposing ports 1104. In the
illustrated embodiment, the sleeve holder 1202 is tubular shaped
and configured to be disposed in the first opening 214 of the body
110 when the connector 100 is inserted into the port 1104.
[0054] Referring to FIGS. 13 and 15, an alignment sleeve 1300 is
disposed in the sleeve holder 1202 such that the alignment sleeve
1300 is coaxially aligned with the tube holder 1202. In the
illustrated embodiment shown in FIG. 13, the alignment sleeve 1300
is tubular-shaped and includes a pair of open ends 1302 and a slot
1304 that extends along the length of the sleeve 1400. In some
embodiments, the alignment sleeve 1300 is comprised of a ceramic or
a resilient metal material.
[0055] As shown in FIG. 15, the alignment sleeve 1300 is configured
to receive the second end 904 of a respective alignment tube 130
when the connector 100 is inserted into the port 1104. When the
second end 904 of the respective alignment tube 130 is inserted
into the open end 1302 of the alignment sleeve 1300, the alignment
sleeve 1300 expands and retracts radially to grasp the alignment
tube 130, thereby providing an interference fit between the
alignment sleeve 1300 and the alignment tube 130.
[0056] Referring to FIGS. 14 and 15, two connectors 100 are mated
in the optical connector adaptor 1100 such each one of the opposing
ports 1104 receives a respective connector 100. As the connector
100 is received in the port 1104, the second end 904 of the
alignment tube 130 is inserted through one of the open ends 1302 of
the alignment sleeve 1300 and is disposed proximate to the second
end 904 of the alignment tube 130 of the counterpart connector 100.
Once each connector 100 is coupled to its associated port 1104 of
the optical connector adapter 1100, the centerline axes of the
alignment tubes 130 held in the alignment sleeve 1300 become
substantially aligned, thereby establishing an optical path between
the collimating lens 152 of the mated connectors 100. Accordingly,
each connector 100 may transmit light beams to or from the
counterpart connector 100 via the optical path defined along the
alignment sleeves 130 held in the alignment sleeve 1300.
[0057] According to the various embodiments described above, the EB
LC connector may implemented with a fiber optic LC connector
interface. All dimensions described above may be adjusted or
altered accordingly for a fiber optic LC connector interface.
[0058] While the subject matter of this disclosure has been
described and shown in considerable detail with reference to
certain illustrative embodiments, including various combinations
and sub-combinations of features, those skilled in the art will
readily appreciate other embodiments and variations and
modifications thereof as encompassed within the scope of the
present disclosure. Moreover, the descriptions of such embodiments,
combinations, and sub-combinations is not intended to convey that
the claimed subject matter requires features or combinations of
features other than those expressly recited in the claims.
Accordingly, the scope of this disclosure is intended to include
all modifications and variations encompassed within the spirit and
scope of the following appended claims.
* * * * *