Optical waveguides – With disengagable mechanical connector – Structure surrounding optical fiber-to-fiber connection
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-21
2001-05-22
Ullah, Akm E. (Department: 2874)
Optical waveguides
With disengagable mechanical connector
Structure surrounding optical fiber-to-fiber connection
Reexamination Certificate
active
06234681
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to optical fiber interconnections. More particularly, the invention relates to devices and methods for interconnecting multi-fiber arrays such as optical fiber ribbons.
2. Description of the Related Art
Although optical fibers are common in current communication systems, methods, systems and devices for interconnecting optical fibers continue to evolve. Optical fibers typically must be connected end to end, and with a precision sufficient to align fiber waveguide cores to within a few microns, and often within a fraction of a micron. This requirement is further complicated when multi-fiber arrangements such as linear arrays (or ribbon arrays) are employed.
One type of fiber array interconnection includes mechanical splicing, in which a sleeve or other splicing device aligns a fiber or array of fibers, e.g., using one or more fiber support grooves, and holds the aligned fibers in place, e.g., by bonding or clamping the fibers to one or more portions of the splicing device. For discussion of the use of v-groove fiber supports in optical fiber interconnection, see, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,603,870, 5,287,426 and 5,613,024, all of which are assigned to the assignee of this application.
Another type of fiber array interconnection includes terminating a first fiber or fiber array in a first connector, terminating a second fiber or fiber array in a second connector and then aligning and connecting the two connectors, e.g., by butt coupling. Connectors used in this manner typically are formed by mating upper and lower plates with fiber support grooves formed therein. Typically, the fiber arrays to be interconnected are cleaved, stripped and positioned between the plates, which then are mated and held together by some appropriate clamping device or bonding material. The excess fiber ends and the connector coupling surface are polished to enhance subsequent coupling with another fiber connector. For example, in one conventional arrangement, mechanical transfer (MT) connectors have polished fiber array and connector ends mated with the polished ends of corresponding MT or MT-compatible connectors. The connectors are aligned using, e.g., aligning pins, and are held together using, e.g., a sleeve, clamp, spring or other suitable connecting device or technique. See, e.g., the optical fiber connectors and connector housings in U.S. Pat. No. 5,082,346, which is assigned to the assignee of this application.
Because of the precision required in splicing and terminating optical fibers, particularly, multi-fiber arrangements, optical fiber interconnections performed in the field generally are not favored. Often, optical fibers and fiber arrays are aligned and terminated in a controlled environment, and the only function suitable for effectively performing in the field is the final connection of the pre-terminated connector plugs. Such plugs often have some type of spring-fit, snap-fit or other relatively basic mechanical configuration for connection with one another that allows consistent, repeatable connecting operations to be performed in the field.
What is needed is a system, device and/or method that allows more fiber interconnection functionality to be performed in the field in an accurate, consistent manner. For example, the ability to accurately terminate an optical fiber or fiber array in the field is desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention is embodied in an optical fiber connector that supports a linear array or ribbon array of optical fibers. The connector includes a pair of intermatable housing members that, when mated, define a connector having a front end suitable for butt coupling to other connectors or compatible connections, a back end for terminating an array of optical fibers, and a plurality of waveguides or optical fiber support grooves extending from the front end to the back end. According to embodiments of the invention, the second end has at least one feature that increases the opening formed by the housing members at the second end of the connector, thus making it easier to terminate an optical fiber or array of optical fibers in the second end that optically couples to the waveguide or optical fibers terminated in the first end. For example, one or both housing members includes a beveled or curvelinear portion, both of which increase the opening between the housing members at the back end of the connector.
An alternative embodiment of the invention includes a method for using an optical fiber connector in an optical fiber communication system. The method includes providing an optical fiber having a front end suitable for butt coupling to compatible connectors and a back end suitable for field termination of optical fiber arrays, and inserting an optical fiber array into the back end of the connector to optically couple the optical fiber array with the waveguides or optical fibers terminated in the front end of the connector. The back end of the connector includes a beveled or curvelinear region that increases the size of the opening and thus makes field termination easier than conventional arrangements.
Yet another embodiment of the invention includes a method for making an optical fiber connector that is suitable for field termination. The method includes providing intermatable housing members having a front end and a back end, and mating the housing members to define one or more waveguides or optical fiber support v-grooves extending from the front end to the back end. The back end of the connector includes a beveled or curvelinear region that increases the size of the opening and thus makes field termination easier.
Still another embodiment of the invention includes an optical waveguide system for transmitting optical energy. The system includes at least one source of optical energy, at least one receiver for receiving optical energy, and an optical energy transmission medium coupled between the source and the receiver for transmitting optical energy from the source to the receiver. The optical energy transmission medium includes a connector for terminating an array of optical fibers for optically coupling to a corresponding array of optical fibers within the optical energy transmission medium. The connector includes a pair of intermatable housing members defining a front end suitable for optically butt coupling with compatible connectors, a back end for terminating an array of optical fibers, and a plurality of waveguides or optical fiber support grooves extending from the front end to the back end. The back end includes a beveled region and/or a curvelinear region that makes it easier to terminate a fiber optic array therein that optically couples to the waveguides or optical fibers terminated in the front end.
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Harman John M.
Lucent Technologies - Inc.
Ullah Akm E.
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