Multi-fiber ferrule

Details Multi-fiber ferrule Multi-fiber ferrule

2002-04-19

2004-04-20

Patel, Tulsidas (Department: 2839)

Optical waveguides

With disengagable mechanical connector

Optical fiber/optical fiber cable termination structure

Reexamination Certificate

active

06722791

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a multi-fiber ferrule used in optical fiber connectors for aligning optical fibers for connection with other fiber optical devices.
2. Description of Related Art
Optical signals are commonly transmitted in optical fibers, which provide efficient light channels through which the optical signals can pass. Recently, optical fibers have been used in various fields, including telecommunications, where light passing through an optical fiber is used to convey either digital or analog information. Efficient connection of individual fibers is necessary in most optical processing systems or networks to achieve the desired routing of the signals.
An optical fiber connector for connecting an optical fiber to another optical fiber of a fiber optical device usually includes an alignment ferrule. The optical fiber connector typically utilizes the precise dimensions of the alignment ferrule to precisely align the optical fiber therein with the optical fiber of the mating fiber optical device. Moreover, optical fiber connectors for connecting multiple fibers are increasingly necessary as greater bandwidth applications are needed. Such connectors usually use a multi-fiber ferrule to align fibers.
In multi-fiber ferrules, an array of fibers is generally mounted in a plurality of v-grooves, which are etched in a silicon block, in order to provide precise positioning of the fibers. However, mounting the silicon block within a housing and ensuring the proper alignment of two silicon blocks in two housings when they are mated is difficult. Also, silicon is a hard, brittle material which is difficult to polish and which is easily broken. U.S. Pat. No. 5,602,951 discloses a precision-molded MT ferrule, which is used to align two groups of mating fibers. However, the MT ferrule is made of a plastic material using injection molding. It is difficult to precisely control the micro parameters of the ferrule during manufacture of the ferrule. Furthermore, it is difficult to polish an end face of this plastic material.
It is thus desirable to provide an improved multi-fiber ferrule which overcomes the above problems.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide an improved multi-fiber ferrule having a ceramic body.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a ceramic body for optical connectors which provides good precision and multi-fiber connection.
A multi-fiber ferrule comprises a ceramic body and a housing for incorporating with the ceramic body.
The ceramic body has a rectangular portion and two opposing latches extending therefrom. A plurality of through holes and a pair of guide pin channels are defined in the rectangular portion between the two opposing latches.
The housing is formed using insert molding. The housing defines a cavity, a passageway communicating with the cavity, and a pair of guide pin channels. A plurality of V-grooves are defined in a floor at bottom of the cavity.
In assembly, the ceramic body is fixed to a tailor-made mold, liquid plastic is inserted into the mold, and is thereafter cooled to form the housing integrally secured with the ceramic body. The plurality of V-grooves each corresponds to a through hole. The guide pin channels of the housing each align with a guide pin channel of the ceramic body.


REFERENCES:
patent: 5909526 (1999-06-01), Roth et al.
patent: 5915055 (1999-06-01), Bennett et al.
patent: 5920670 (1999-07-01), Lee et al.
patent: 6062740 (2000-05-01), Ohtsuka et al.
patent: 6173097 (2001-01-01), Throckmorton et al.
patent: 6386768 (2002-05-01), Yoon et al.
patent: 6398424 (2002-06-01), Jin et al.
patent: 6439780 (2002-08-01), Mudd et al.

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