Optical waveguides – With disengagable mechanical connector – Optical fiber to a nonfiber optical device connector
Reexamination Certificate
2001-10-05
2003-04-01
Palmer, Phan T. H. (Department: 2874)
Optical waveguides
With disengagable mechanical connector
Optical fiber to a nonfiber optical device connector
C385S056000, C385S059000, C385S088000, C361S816000, C264S001100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06540414
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an integrated optical coupler and housing arrangement, and in particular, to a housing and integrated optical coupler arrangement that is used to optically couple and align a light emitter or light detector with an optical fiber connector.
2. Background Information
Computer and communication systems are now being developed in which optical devices, such as optical fibers, are used as a conduit (also known as a wave guide) for modulated light waves to transmit information. These systems typically include a light emitter or a light detector optically connected to the optical fibers. A typical light emitter may be a so-called edge emitter, or a surface emitter, such as a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL). A typical light detector may be a photodiode. A generic term of either a light emitter or a light detector is an “optoelectronic transducer.” The optical fibers, which collectively form a fiber-optic cable or ribbon, are typically coupled to the respective light detector and the light emitter, so that optical signals can be transmitted back and forth, for example.
As an example, optoelectronic transducers convert electrical signals to or from the optical signals; the optical signals carry data to a receiver (light detector) from a transmitter (light emitter) via the fiber-optic ribbon at very high speeds. Typically, the optical signals are converted into, or converted from, the associated electrical signals using known circuitry. Such optoelectronic transducers are often used in devices, such as computers, in which data must be transmitted at high rates of speed.
The conventional light emitter allows for integrated two-dimensional array configurations. For example, the active regions (i.e., the region that transmits or receives the optical signals) of a conventional VCSEL can be arranged in a linear array, for instance 12 active regions spaced about 250 microns apart, or in area arrays, for example, 16×16 arrays or 8×8 arrays. Of course, other arrangements of the arrays are also possible. Nevertheless, linear arrays are typically considered to be preferable for use with optoelectronic transducers, since it is generally considered easier to align the optical fibers that collect the light emitted from the VCSELs in a linear array, than in an area array. Moreover, it is also possible to utilize the active regions singly, i.e., without being arranged in an array.
The optoelectronic transducers are normally located on either input/output cards or port cards that are connected to an input/output card. Moreover, in a computer system, for example, the input/output card (with the optoelectronic transducer attached thereto) is typically connected to a circuit board, for example a mother board. The assembly may then be positioned within a chassis, which is a frame fixed within a computer housing. The chassis serves to hold the assembly within the computer housing.
Typically, each optical fiber of the fiber-optic ribbon is associated with a respective active region. Further, it is conventional for the ends of the optical fibers of the fiber-optic ribbon to terminate in a fiber connector. Such fiber connectors usually have an industry standard configuration, such as the MTP® fiber connectors manufactured by US Conec, Ltd. of Hickory, N.C. However, fiber connectors having the industry standard configuration are not suitable for connecting directly with the sensitive active regions of the typical light emitters or light detectors. Should direct contact occur between the respective active regions and the fiber connector, the fiber connector would likely damage the active regions, causing the light emitter or light detector to become inoperative. It is thus conventional to space the fiber connector away from the active regions. However, as will be appreciated, by providing a space, it thus becomes desirable to provide a way of optically coupling the active regions with the spaced apart fiber connector, so that the optical signals can be accurately and efficiently transmitted therebetween.
One conventional manner of optically coupling the active regions with the fiber connector is to provide a lens assembly in the space therebetween. However, lens assemblies tend to be complicated and expensive. Thus, it is also known to provide a fiber optic coupler between the active regions and the fiber connector. However, the conventional fiber optic coupler has a limited length, due to manufacturing constraints. Thus, the known fiber connectors must be positioned relatively close to the active regions, which may limit design options.
Moreover, it is important to ensure that most of the light emitted from the active regions of the light emitter reaches the respective optical fibers, and that most of the light emitted from the optical fibers reaches the respective active regions of the light detector. It is thus desirable to ensure that the fiber optic coupler is precisely aligned with the respective active regions and the fiber ends disposed within the fiber connector.
It is also known to dispose the optical coupler within a housing, which is adapted to receive the optical connector in a manner that automatically aligns the optical fibers terminating at the optical connector with the optical coupler. The housing also allows the optical coupler to be fixed relative to the light emitter and/or light detector. That is, after the optical coupler is aligned with the respective active regions, the optical coupler may be fixed to the housing using a bonding agent, for example. However, the application of the bonding agent requires further steps during the manufacturing of the arrangement, thus increasing assembly time. Moreover, the bonding agent could inadvertently be applied to the optical face of the optical coupler, or to the active regions, thus damaging the assembly.
Thus, there is a need for an optical coupler/housing arrangement that allows the optical coupler to be fixed relative to the housing without requiring an extra bonding step, or a separate bonding agent.
Furthermore, the conventional optical coupler is typically freely positionable within the housing, prior to the application of the conventional bonding agent. For example, the housing may be provided with a channel, with the optical coupler being disposed in the channel. In order to ensure that the optical coupler can be positioned within the housing, the outer periphery of the optical coupler is made slightly smaller than an inner periphery of the channel, so that the optical coupler fits within the channel with a clearance fit. However, it must also be ensured that when the optical connector is connected to the housing, the optical coupler is aligned with the optical fibers that terminate at the optical connector. Thus, both the channel within the housing, and the optical coupler must be manufactured using relatively strict tolerances. That is, if the optical coupler is made as large as the tolerances allow, and the channel is made as narrow as the tolerances allow, the optical coupler must still be capable of fitting within the channel with a clearance fit. Moreover, once received within the channel, there cannot be too much free play, or the optical coupler may not be properly aligned with the optical fibers terminating at the optical connector. Manufacturing these components while maintaining the required tolerances is expensive and time consuming. Thus, there is a need for an optical coupler and housing arrangement that can be manufactured without regard to the tolerances discussed above.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is, therefore, a principle object of this invention to provide an integrated optical coupler and housing arrangement.
It is another object of the invention to provide an integrated optical coupler and housing arrangement that solves the above mentioned problems.
These and other objects of the present invention are accomplished by the integrated optical coupler and housing arrangement disclosed herein.
According to one
Brezina Johnny Roy
Kerrigan Brian Michael
Malagrino Jr. Gerald Daniel
Moon James Robert
Zumbrunnen Michael Lynn
Berdo, Jr. Robert H.
Palmer Phan T. H.
Rabin & Berdo PC
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