Opto-electro cable and related apparatus

• US 20060072880A1
• Filed: 10/06/2004
• Published: 04/06/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Tsung-Ming Cheng
• Original Assignee: Tsung-Ming Cheng
• Inventors: Cheng, Tsung-Ming
• Application Number:
  US10/959,840
• Publication Number:
  US 20060072880A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 385/88
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3817 containing optical and electrical conductors cables including electrical and optical conductors H01B11/22; G02B6/3816 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4292 the light guide being disconnectable from the opto-electronic element, e.g. mutually self aligning arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4416 Heterogeneous cables

Abstract

A composite cable assembly comprises optical fiber and metal wire, having a composite connector at each end of the cable. The connector houses the optical fiber at its core, with an elongated cylinder protruding from a protective grip forming an insertion guide and functioning as an electrical conductor. An opto-electro adaptor has an open passageway for connector insertion, an optical device at the end of the passageway, an elongated cylinder as insertion guide and electrical conductor, a sheet metal as electrically conductive element.

Claims

1. A composite cable for optical signal and electrical current transmission comprising:

a. an assembly of an optical fiber and at least one metal wire bonded together to form a single holding,

b. a connector at each end of the cable assembly having an elongated cylinder protruding from an insulated housing for insertion to a mating device,

c. said optical fiber extending from said cable assembly and situating inside said elongated cylinder in a ready position to engage in optical signal communication through the top opening of the cylinder,

d. said elongated cylinder comprising at least one electrically conductive layer connecting to the metal wire of said cable,

whereby said cable will transmit optical signal and electricity simultaneously from one end of the cable to another with one cable connection.

2. An opto-electro connector that combines an optical fiber and at least one metal wire into a single installation comprising:

a. an elongated cylinder with adequate magnitude to house said optical fiber at center, thereby positioning said optical fiber for proper engagement to a mating device for optical communication through the top opening of the cylinder,

b. said elongated cylinder comprising at least one electrically conductive layer connecting to said metal wire,

c. an insulated housing wrapping around the bottom portion of said elongated cylinder thereby anchoring connection to said metal wire and insertion of said optical fiber while providing a protective grip for convenient handling,

whereby connection to a mating device can be made for optical fiber and electric wire with one single connector.

3. The opto-electro connector of claim 2 further including a stabilizing mechanism comprising a convex point on said elongated cylinder that slidily locks into a corresponding concavity in said mating device when engages, whereby ensuring proper engagement of the connector and said mating device.

4. The opto-electro connector of claim 2 further including a stabilizing mechanism comprising a concavity on said elongated cylinder that slidily locks into a corresponding convex point in said mating device when engages, whereby ensuring proper engagement of the connector and said mating device.

5. An opto-electro adaptor for connection to a mating device that includes optical fiber and electrically conductive fitting, comprising:

a. a housing having passageway walls forming a passageway extending in front and rear directions;

b. an optical device situating in the rear wall of said passageway and facing toward the front direction of said passageway,

c. an elongated cylinder placing in said passageway with an open end aiming at said optical device and another open end pointing toward the front direction of said passageway for engaging with said mating device such that the optical fiber of said mating device being guided through said elongated cylinder for proper positioning to communicate with said optical device, and that the electrically conductive fitting of said mating device staying in contact with said elongated cylinder,

d. said elongated cylinder being made of electrically conductive material having contact pin extending through the passageway wall to outside of said housing for mounting onto a circuitry,

whereby connection to said mating device will be made for optical signal and electrical current transmission.

6. The opto-electro adaptor of claim 5 further including at least one sheet metal electrically conductive element affixing to an area of the passageway wall that presses against a designated electrically conductive contact of said mating device when engages, with contact pin extending through said passageway wall to outside of said housing for mounting onto a circuitry.