Optical waveguides – With disengagable mechanical connector – Structure surrounding optical fiber-to-fiber connection
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-30
2001-10-30
Ullah, Akm E. (Department: 2874)
Optical waveguides
With disengagable mechanical connector
Structure surrounding optical fiber-to-fiber connection
C385S075000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06309111
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Minimal external dimensions are considered a desirable characteristic in many contemporary electronic devices. One commonly-used approach to achieving such minimization involves increasing the density in which the internal components of the device are packaged, i.e., placing the internal components in closer proximity to adjacent components and structures within the device.
Increases in component-packaging density typically necessitate a corresponding reduction in the area occupied by the wiring or cabling that interconnects the components. Such reductions are particularly difficult to achieve with fiber-optic cabling. These difficulties arise from the need to avoid any sharp bends in fiber-optic cables. More specifically, a fiber-optic cable cannot be routed in a manner that imposes a curvature which exceeds the minimum bending radius of the cable. Violation of this limit may impair the integrity of the signal transmission, and can damage the cable.
Fiber-optic cables are often joined through the use of adapters. More particularly, adapters are used to support and couple two or more fiber-optic connectors, thereby forming a junction between the cables attached to the connectors. The adapter is frequently disposed on some type of mounting structure, e.g., a backplane. Adapters that are disposed in this manner are commonly known as “backplane adapters.” Backplane adapters are typically mounted in a manner that causes the adapter (and the corresponding connectors) to protrude from both sides of the mounting structure.
FIG. 1
illustrates a backplane adapter
10
installed on a backplane
11
in the above-noted manner. A first connector
12
and second connector
13
are disposed within the adapter
12
. A fiber-optic cable
14
and a fiber-optic cable
15
are attached to the connectors
12
and
13
, respectively. The cable
14
has a minimum bending radius
16
and the connector
12
has a length
17
. The adapter
10
straddles the backplane
11
, thereby causing the connector
12
and the cable
14
to protrude from a rear surface
11
a
of the backplane
11
. More specifically, the connector
12
and the cable
14
protrude in a direction normal to the surface
11
a
by a distance
18
.
A curvature is imposed on the cable
14
as it exits the connector
12
. The curvature equals the minimum bending radius
16
, and extends through an arc of about 90 degrees. Hence, the protrusion distance
18
is equal to the connector length
17
plus the minimum bending radius
16
. Reducing the protrusion distance
18
, without decreasing the connector length
17
, would require imposing a curvature on the cable
14
that exceeds the minimum bending radius
16
. Hence, the noted value represents the lowest level to which the protrusion distance
18
can be reduced using this particular mounting configuration.
The cable
14
is shown in
FIG. 1
as being routed between the backplane surface
11
a
and an adjacent structure
19
, e.g., a panel of the electronic device in which the backplane
11
resides, or another circuit substrate. As is evident from the figure, the protrusion distance
18
represents the minimum required clearance between the backplane
11
and the structure
19
. Hence, any reduction in the protrusion distance
18
will allow the backplane
11
to be positioned closer to other components such as the exemplary structure
19
. Reducing the spacing requirements for the backplane
11
will facilitate increased component-packaging densities in electronic devices in which the backplane
11
is utilized. The present invention seeks to achieve this goal.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is used in conjunction with a fiber-optic cable being routed from a mounting structure. The invention provides a system and a method for minimizing a protrusion of the cable from the mounting structure. More particularly, the invention allows the cable protrusion distance to be approximately, or less than, the minimum bending radius of the cable. This relatively short cable protrusion distance is achieved without compromising the structural and functional integrity of the cable. The invention can be used to minimize the required spacing between the mounting structure and another structure located adjacent to the mounting structure.
The system comprises a fiber-optic connector, an adapter for a fiber-optic connector, and a standoff. The connector is supported and retained by the adapter. The adapter is coupled to an end of the standoff. An opposite end of the standoff is coupled to a mounting surface on the mounting structure. The standoff thus positions the adapter and the connector at a fixed distance from the mounting surface. In the exemplary embodiment, the standoff comprises two column-like supports and the mounting surface is a front surface of a backplane. A fiber-optic cable is fixed to the connector. The cable is routed from the connector through a penetration that extends between the front and rear surfaces of the backplane. The cable thus protrudes from the rear surface of the backplane. The system mates with a second fiber-optic connector for transmitting signals therebetween.
The length of the standoff determines the positions of the adapter and the connector in relation to the rear surface of the backplane. The standoff could have a length chosen so as to ensure that the connector does not protrude from the backplane rear surface. A curvature can thus be imposed on the cable as it exits the rear surface. By imposing a curvature equal to the minimum bending radius of the cable, and extending this curvature through an arc of 90 degrees, the protrusion of the cable in a direction normal to the rear surface can be minimized. Specifically, the protrusion distance can be approximately, or less than, the minimum bending radius of the cable. This value represents the lowest level to which the cable protrusion can be reduced without compromising the structural and functional integrity of the cable. Minimizing the cable protrusion in this manner minimizes the required clearance between the backplane rear surface and an adjacent structure.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4272141 (1981-06-01), McKeen et al.
patent: 4432604 (1984-02-01), Schwab
patent: 4845592 (1989-07-01), Himes, Jr. et al.
patent: 4863232 (1989-09-01), Kwa
patent: 5142597 (1992-08-01), Mulholland et al.
patent: 5261827 (1993-11-01), Lenzi et al.
patent: 5285007 (1994-02-01), Deluca et al.
patent: 5530783 (1996-06-01), Belopolsky et al.
patent: 5548676 (1996-08-01), Savage, Jr.
Demangone Drew A.
Trostle Brian S.
Connelly-Cushwa Michelle R.
FCI Americas Technology Inc.
Ullah Akm E.
Woodcock Washburn Kurtz Mackiewicz & Norris LLP
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