Advanced fiber-optic contact and method
First Claim
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1. An opto-electronic contact, comprising:
- an active opto-electronic converter including a converter length extending between opposing first and second ends to define a converter axis and said first end including a ferrule that is configured for removable optical engagement with an opposing contact, the ferrule including a ferrule tip;
a precision alignment sleeve defining a passage for receiving the ferrule such that the ferrule tip is received within the passage; and
a barrel housing defining an interior cavity having an elongated length extending between opposing first and second barrel openings to define an elongation axis and having said opto-electronic converter captured in the interior cavity for external optical engagement of the ferrule to the opposing contact via the first barrel opening for movement of the active opto-electronic converter, including said ferrule and said precision alignment sleeve, relative to the barrel housing such that the converter axis is movable at least oblique to the elongation axis to accommodate mating tolerances responsive to engaging the opposing contact and to protect at least the precision alignment sleeve from damage responsive to the relative movement.
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Abstract
An opto-electronic contact, method and connection system can utilize an active opto-electronic converter configured for removable optical engagement with an opposing contact. A barrel housing defines an interior cavity to capture the converter in the interior cavity for external optical engagement to the opposing contact via the first barrel opening for relative movement of the converter axis along the elongation axis, transverse thereto, and oblique thereto to accommodate mating tolerances responsive to engaging the opposing contact. A flexible circuit board assembly can be used to externally electrically interface the converter.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. An opto-electronic contact, comprising:
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an active opto-electronic converter including a converter length extending between opposing first and second ends to define a converter axis and said first end including a ferrule that is configured for removable optical engagement with an opposing contact, the ferrule including a ferrule tip; a precision alignment sleeve defining a passage for receiving the ferrule such that the ferrule tip is received within the passage; and a barrel housing defining an interior cavity having an elongated length extending between opposing first and second barrel openings to define an elongation axis and having said opto-electronic converter captured in the interior cavity for external optical engagement of the ferrule to the opposing contact via the first barrel opening for movement of the active opto-electronic converter, including said ferrule and said precision alignment sleeve, relative to the barrel housing such that the converter axis is movable at least oblique to the elongation axis to accommodate mating tolerances responsive to engaging the opposing contact and to protect at least the precision alignment sleeve from damage responsive to the relative movement. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification