Optical waveguides – With disengagable mechanical connector
Reexamination Certificate
2001-03-20
2002-09-24
Patel, Tulsidas (Department: 2839)
Optical waveguides
With disengagable mechanical connector
C439S577000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06454462
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In the broadcast and video industries, coaxial, twinaxial, and triaxial cables have been relied upon heavily for transmission purposes, particular at bandwidths up to around 750 MHz. These cables could be terminated in a conventional manner with a wide range of connectors that were available from many manufacturers. One particular connector is called a “Tri-Loc®” connector, available from Kings Electronics (http://www.kingselectronics.com). However, with the move towards high definition television (HDTV) and other applications that require higher signal transmission rates compared to the conventional transmission rates, the broadcast and video industries are, in many applications, replacing coaxial, twinaxial, and triaxial cables with a hybrid cable that comprises a combination of electrical conductors and single-mode optical fibers. These hybrid cables permit digital signal transmissions at increased transmission rates over longer distances when compared to the conventional cables. Hybrid cables are available from many manufacturers, such as Commscope (http://www.commscope.com). To keep up with the changes in the cable construction, these industries also require a connector to suitably connect these hybrid cables.
For conventional power and signal wires, typically a plug and socket arrangement is provided for connecting the wires, which are usually copper wires. Many applications require a minimal contacting relationship in order to sufficiently transfer the signal. Connection beyond the minimal contacting relationship is not necessary, because the connection is made through the circumference of the respective plug and socket. Optical fibers, however, require special connections in order to properly transfer signals.
Fiber optic cables and connectors have been used for some time in the telecommunications and broadcast industries. In fact, fiber optic cables have become the standard transmission line through which information is sent. Many different types of fiber optic cables and connectors are present in the market place. A common method of making a connection between two optical fibers is to align the fibers such that the faces of the fibers oppose one another in an abutting relationship. This relationship enables the light pulses or signal transmissions travelling along the optical fibers to be transferred across the splice. If the face of one fiber is misaligned relative to the adjacent face of the other fiber, however, light is lost and quality of transmission is affected. It is therefore extremely important for fiber optic cables to have a low-tolerance fitting between splices.
A typical hybrid cable connector and technique uses several non-reusable components and urethane potting materials to isolate, secure, and protect the optical fibers and electrical conductors within the respective male and female bodies of the connector. The problem with such a connector and technique is that the potting compound is required to make the connection structurally sound, electrically insulated, and waterproof. As a result, the potting compound has to be poured or coated over the respective lines and cured before the connection can be tested, which requires a significant amount of time. If the connection needs to be redone, however, the components that are coated with the potting compound must be thrown away and the process must start from the beginning. This can be a time consuming and wasteful exercise, particular if the connection between the optical fibers is difficult to achieve and must be repeated multiple times.
Another problem with conventional hybrid connectors and techniques is that these connectors are not serviceable in the field. More specifically, conventional hybrid connectors do not provide a method of repairing damaged optical fibers except by a machine polishing technique that typically must be performed by the manufacturer. This is particularly troublesome to the equipment operator working in an unpredictable environment. For example, if an HDTV camera operator is transmitting from an outside sporting event, and the cable connecting the camera to the transmission source is severed or damaged, conventional connectors and techniques require the operator to disconnect the hybrid cable and install a new cable. Thus, an operator is required to carry spare or backup cables in case of the above-mentioned occurrences, which adds cost and bulk to the operator's assignment. In addition, the camera operator is required to send the severed or damaged cable (with attached connectors) to the manufacturer so that the manufacturer can repair the cable. Disadvantageously, this further adds expense and time to the operator's activities.
Accordingly, there is a need to provide a hybrid cable connector that can be adjusted and repaired in the field without having to be completely replaced or without wasting many components. There is also a need to provide a hybrid cable connector that is easy to connect to a hybrid cable and that provides structural integrity, electrical insulation, and protection against water without the use of potting compounds.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
These and other needs are provided, according to the present invention, by a hybrid cable connector capable of connecting two hybrid cables having optical fibers and electrical wires. Advantageously, the hybrid cable connector of the present invention is field serviceable, thus allowing an operator to repair a damaged or broken hybrid cable in the field of operation instead of requiring the operator to disconnect the cable and send it back to the manufacturer for repair. Specifically, the hybrid cable connector and associated technique allows for the optical fibers to be prepared and repaired by the operator using hand tools while in the field. In addition, the hybrid cable connector of the present invention provides a unique insulator lock that provides structural integrity, electrical insulation, and waterproof protection to the optical fibers and electrical wires. Thus, the hybrid cable connector of the present invention does not require the use of potting compounds or other materials which add cost, time, and complexity to the connector and associated repair methods.
In particular, the hybrid cable connector of the present invention comprises male and female portions that cooperate to connect two hybrid cables. Each portion includes an outer housing defining a passage extending axially therethrough for receiving an end of a cable. Each portion also includes an insulator device having proximal and distal ends secured within the passage of the outer housing. In one embodiment, the housing comprises a strong metallic material, although non-metallic materials may also be used. The insulator device defines six channels therethrough for receiving two optical fibers or lines, two power lines, and two audio lines. Each line is attached to a respective connection contact, such as a contact pin or ferrule. The insulator lock slidably engages the insulator device, such as by a removable snapping action, for restricting the movement of the contacts within the insulator device. A spacer is provided for further structural integrity within the housing of the male and female portions of the connector. The housings of the male and female portions include a keying feature that resembles a tongue and groove configuration. In this regard, the male and female portions are prevented from rotating relative to one another.
To connect the hybrid cable to the connector of the present invention, the power and audio lines are terminated to the respective contacts by crimping or soldering. In one embodiment, the contacts for the power and audio lines comprise a conductive material, such as beryllium copper. In one embodiment, the optical fibers or lines are terminated pursuant to assembly instructions provided by Alcoa Fujikura Telecommunications. In particular, an Alcoa Fujikura field connection kit including a publication entitled “Assembly Instructions For AFL Field Master™ ST Connectors Using Locti
Bateman Steve
Kennedy Jim
Nguyen Hiep V.
Alston & Bird LLP
Hyeon Hae Moon
Kings Electronics Co., Inc.
Patel Tulsidas
LandOfFree
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