Optical waveguides – With disengagable mechanical connector – Optical fiber/optical fiber cable termination structure
Reexamination Certificate
2001-09-28
2003-06-17
Juba, John (Department: 2872)
Optical waveguides
With disengagable mechanical connector
Optical fiber/optical fiber cable termination structure
C385S077000, C385S055000, C385S084000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06579014
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to assemblies for interconnecting or otherwise terminating optical fibers, and, more particularly, to receptacles for receiving corresponding fiber optic plugs.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Optical fibers are used in an increasing number and variety of applications, such as a wide variety of telecommunications and data transmission applications. As a result, fiber optic networks must include an ever increasing number of enclosures in which one or more of the optical fibers are interconnected or otherwise terminated. For example, fiber optic networks, such as cable television (CATV) networks, may include a number of optical network units (ONUs) in which the optical signals propagating along the optical fibers are converted to respective electrical signals. In addition, telephone and CATV networks can include a number of network interface devices (NIDs); each NID is associated with a particular subscriber. Upon receiving the incoming optical signals, the NID splits and routes the signals to predetermined locations, such as to various telephone or CATV outlets. Like an ONU, the NID can also convert the incoming optical signals to electrical signals, if necessary. Fiber optic networks can also include a number of other closures, including splice closures, in which various ones of the optical fibers are spliced or optically connected. Regardless of the type, these enclosures provide protection, such as from moisture or other forms of environmental degradation, for the optical fibers and, more particularly, the point at which the optical fibers are spliced or are otherwise optically connected.
These enclosures, such as ONUs, NIDs, and other closures, typically include one or more receptacles in which the individual optical fibers of a fiber optic cable are connected to respective optical fibers within the enclosure. The optical fibers within the enclosure can then be interconnected or otherwise terminated as desired. Conventionally, receptacles have included a receptacle housing defining an internal cavity and an adapter sleeve disposed in a fixed position within the internal cavity defined by the receptacle housing. The adapter sleeve is designed to receive a pair of ferrules, each of which is mounted upon the end portions of a plurality of optical fibers. One of the ferrules is attached to the end of optical fibers extending from a cable, ribbon, or optical fiber device that extends into or is located in the interior of the enclosure to facilitate splicing or other interconnection or termination of the optical fibers. As described below, the other ferrule is mounted upon optical fibers extending from a cable, ribbon, or optical fiber device that extends outside or is located outside of the enclosure, such as the optical fibers of a fiber optic cable. The adapter sleeve assents in gross alignment of the ferrules, and ferrule guide pins or other alignment means assent in detailed alignment of the optical fibers mounted on the end faces of each ferrule.
In order to mate with the receptacle of a conventional enclosure, a fiber optic plug is mounted upon the end portion of a fiber optic cable. Typically, the plug includes a generally cylindrical plug body and a fiber optic connector including a plug ferrule disposed within the cylindrical plug body. In order to protect the plug ferrule, the cylindrical plug body may partially or completely surround the lateral sides of the fiber optic connector. While the end of the cylindrical plug body is open such that the ferrule is accessible, the end of the cylindrical plug body does extend slightly beyond the ferrule to provide further protection. The ferrule is mounted upon a plurality of optical fibers of the fiber optic cable such that mating of the plug and the receptacle will align or connect the optical fibers of the fiber optic cable with respective optical fibers within the enclosure.
In the process of mating the plug and the receptacle, the plug ferrule is inserted into one end of the adapter sleeve of the receptacle. The adapter sleeve therefore aligns the plug ferrule with a receptacle ferrule that is attached to the end portions of optical fibers from a cable, ribbon, or optical fiber device that extends into or is located in the interior of the enclosure. As a result of the construction of a conventional fiber optic plug, one end of the adapter sleeve is received within the open end of the plug body as the plug ferrule is inserted into the adapter sleeve. In addition, in order to retain the plug ferrule within the adapter sleeve, the fiber optic connector of the fiber optic plug and the adapter sleeve are designed to be mechanically coupled, such as by means of a pair of latches. While the latches effectively couple the plug ferrule and the adapter sleeve, the mechanical coupling of the fiber optic connector and the adapter sleeve disadvantageously limit float between the plug ferrule and the adapter sleeve.
Several different types of conventional fiber optic connectors have been developed. Examples of some well-known connectors include an MTP connector, an MTRJ connector, an SC-DC connector, a Unicam™ connector, an SC connector, a DC connector, and an LC connector. The size, shape, and latching mechanism of each of these conventional connectors are somewhat different. Correspondingly, the size and shape of the adapter sleeve of the fiber optic receptacle designed to receive a fiber optic connector, including the above-mentioned different types of conventional connectors, are also different. As such, according to conventional practice, different fiber optic receptacles are generally utilized in conjunction with the different types of fiber optic connectors. In this regard, the fiber optic receptacles generally define differently sized internal cavities corresponding to the sizes of the adapter sleeve and, in turn, according to a ferrule of the fiber optic connector to be inserted within the adapter sleeve. Accordingly, a technician typically has to maintain several different types of fiber optic receptacles in inventory so that the proper type of fiber optic receptacle can be installed depending upon the type of fiber optic connector to be inserted into the receptacle. As will be apparent, maintaining a number of different types of fiber optic receptacles in inventory is not only somewhat cumbersome for the technician, but also increases the overall costs associated with the inventory.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An improved fiber optic receptacle is therefore provided according to this invention that addresses many of the shortcomings of conventional fiber optic receptacles. In one embodiment of this invention, the fiber optic receptacle includes an adapter sleeve for receiving and aligning a plurality of connector types wherein the adapter sleeve defines a lengthwise longitudinally extending passageway through opposed first and second ends, a receptacle housing comprising an interior surface and an exterior surface, and a bias member disposed within the receptacle housing. The adapter sleeve has a first end that is adapted to receive a plug ferrule of a fiber optic connector contained or partially contained within a fiber optic plug and a second end is adapted to receive a receptacle ferrule from a second fiber optic connector, optical device, or the like. Further, the receptacle housing includes opposed first end and second end, wherein the first end of the receptacle housing is adapted to receive the adapter sleeve and wherein the second end of the receptacle housing is adapted to receive the receptacle ferrule. Still further, the bias member operably engages the adapter sleeve so as to urge the adapter sleeve towards the first end of the receptacle housing, and, thereby the bias member is configured to floatingly align the plug ferrule with the receptacle ferrule engaged in the adapter sleeve.
Typically, the receptacle provides access to an enclosure or the like such that optical fibers extending from a fiber optic cable may be aligned with and optically interconnected
Childers Darrell R.
Melton Stuart R.
Tran Hieu V.
Boutsikaris Leo
Corning Cable Systems LLC
Juba John
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