Unitary Fiber Optic Ferrule and Adapter Therefor

• US 20100135618A1
• Filed: 08/12/2009
• Published: 06/03/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/28/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: US Conec Limited (Corning Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: US Conec Limited (Corning Incorporated)
• Inventors: Granger, Russell J., Howard, Joseph P., Childers, Darrell R.
• Granted Patent: US 8,985,865 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 385/79
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/36 Mechanical coupling means G02B6/255, G02B6/42 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3825 with an intermediate part, e.g. adapter, receptacle, linking two plugs
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3829 Bent or angled connectors G02B6/3827 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3845 ferrules comprising functional elements, e.g. filters
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3853 Lens inside the ferrule lensed connectors G02B6/32
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3882 using rods, pins or balls to align a pair of ferrule ends
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3885 Multicore or multichannel optical connectors, i.e. one single ferrule containing more than one fibre, e.g. ribbon type optical ribbon cable G02B6/4403, G02B6/448
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3893 Push-pull type, e.g. snap-in, push-on
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4212 the intermediate optical element being a coupling medium interposed therebetween, e.g. epoxy resin, refractive index matching material, index grease, matching liquid or gel
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4214 the intermediate optical element having redirecting reflective means, e.g. mirrors, prisms for deflecting the radiation from horizontal to down- or upward direction toward a device G02B6/4246 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4231 with intermediate elements, e.g. rods and balls, between the elements
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4292 the light guide being disconnectable from the opto-electronic element, e.g. mutually self aligning arrangements

Abstract

A unitary fiber optic ferrule reflects light off an interior lens and through the fiber optic ferrule. Optical fibers can be easily secured in the unitary fiber optic ferrule. An adapter to secure the unitary fiber optic ferrule to a optical component assembly is also presented. The adapter provides a sealing function for the lenses and to provide routing for optical fibers from other assemblies of unitary fiber optic ferrules and adapters.

Claims

1. A unitary fiber optic ferrule comprising:

a main body having a front end, a back end, and a middle portion disposed between the front end and back end;

a first opening extending between the back end and the middle portion, the first opening configured to receive at least two optical fibers and having a front wall;

a plurality of lenses in optical alignment with the front wall, each of the plurality of lenses having at least one surface exposed to air; and

at least two alignment features to align the unitary fiber optic ferrule.

2. The unitary fiber optic ferrule according to claim 1, further comprising at least one opening in an upper surface of the main body to allow access to optical fibers inserted into the first opening.

3. The unitary fiber optic ferrule according to claim 1, further comprising a pocket in an upper surface of the main body adjacent the plurality of lenses, the plurality of lenses disposed in the pocket and below the upper surface of the main body.

4. The unitary fiber optic ferrule according to claim 1, further comprising an optical surface on a bottom surface of the main body, the optical surface in optical alignment with the plurality of lenses.

5. The unitary fiber optic ferrule according to claim 1, further comprising:

an optical surface on a bottom surface of the main body, the optical surface consists of a plurality of lenses.

6. The unitary fiber optic ferrule according to claim 1, further comprising:

an optical surface on a bottom surface of the main body, wherein the optical surface is recessed compared to the bottom surface.

7. The unitary fiber optic ferrule according to claim 1, further comprising:

a second opening disposed in the middle portion and adjacent the first opening and having a second front wall; and

a second plurality of lenses in optical alignment with the second front wall, each of the plurality of lenses have at least one surface exposed to air.

8. The unitary fiber optic ferrule according to claim 1, wherein the main body is molded from an optically clear material.

9. The unitary fiber optic ferrule according to claim 1, wherein the at least two optical fibers are in an optical fiber ribbon.

10. The unitary fiber optic ferrule according to claim 1, wherein the at least two optical fibers comprise twelve optical fibers.

11. The unitary fiber optic ferrule according to claim 1, wherein the alignment features are disposed on a bottom surface of the main body to align the main body with an optical component.

12. The unitary fiber optic ferrule according to claim 1, wherein the alignment features are selected from the group including guide pins, holes, and a combination of guide pins and holes.

13. The unitary fiber optic ferrule according to claim 1, wherein the main body has at least one recessed portion configured to align the main body with an adapter.

14. The unitary fiber optic ferrule according to claim 1, wherein the front wall functions as a physical stop for the at least two optical fibers.

15. The unitary fiber optic ferrule according to claim 1, wherein the main body has an upper surface and a bottom surface, the upper surface and bottom surface being nonparallel to one another.

16. The unitary fiber optic ferrule according to claim 14, wherein the upper surface is tilted at an angle of about 9°

relative to the bottom surface.

17. The unitary fiber optic ferrule according to claim 1, further comprising openings in the main body to optically align the at least two optical fibers with the plurality of lenses.

23. The adapter according to claim 16, wherein the cover portion has an inclined surface and an upwardly extending rail on opposing sides to guide optical fibers from adjacent adapters when installed.

18. An adapter to hold and align a unitary fiber optic ferrule comprising:

a main body having a front end, a back end, and an opening extending therebetween;

a first projection extending downward from the front end and orthogonal to the opening;

a second projection extending downward from the back end and orthogonal to the opening; and

a cover portion extending between the front end and back end and partially defining the opening, the cover portion disposed to cover at least one opening in the unitary fiber optic ferrule.

19. The adapter according to claim 18, wherein the first and second projections comprise a latching mechanism to attach the adapter to a portion of an optical component.

20. The adapter according to claim 18, wherein the first and second projections have dimensions that are different from one another to act as a key.

21. The adapter according to claim 18, wherein a leading edge of the first and second projections include a chamfered portion.

24. A fiber optic connector assembly comprising:

a unitary fiber optic ferrule comprising;

a main body having a front end, a back end, and a middle portion disposed between the front end and back end;

a first opening extending between the back end and the middle portion, the first opening configured to receive at least two optical fibers and having a front wall;

a plurality of lenses in optical alignment with the front wall, each of the plurality of lenses having at least one surface exposed to air; and

at least two alignment features to align the unitary fiber optic ferrule; and

an adapter to hold and align the unitary fiber optic ferrule, the adapter comprising;

a main body having a front end, a back end, and an opening extending therebetween;

a first projection extending downward from the front end and orthogonal to the opening;

a second projection extending downward from the back end and orthogonal to the opening; and

a cover portion extending between the front end and back end and partially defining the opening, the cover portion disposed to cover at least one opening in the unitary fiber optic ferrule.

25. The fiber optic connector assembly of claim 24, wherein the ferrule is smaller than the opening in the adapter in at least one dimension to allow for relative movement between the ferrule and the adapter.

26. An optical component assembly comprising:

a main body having a top surface and at least two sides;

two openings disposed in the top surface of the main body and configured to receive a portion of and align an optical ferrule therewith;

a optical opening to allow light to pass between an optical component and the optical ferrule; and

latch retaining members disposed on at least two of the at least two sides to receive a latch engaging member associated with an adapter in which the optical ferrule is disposed, the latch retaining members having different configurations to allow the adapter to be attached in only one orientation.

27. The optical component assembly according to claim 26, further comprising latch guiding members, the latch guiding members guiding the latch engaging members to the latch retaining members.

28. A method of connectorizing an optical ferrule for attaching to an optical component comprising the steps of:

providing an optical ferrule having at plurality of optical lenses therein to direct light;

securing at least two optical fibers in the optical ferrule with the at least two optical fibers being in optical communication with respective ones of the plurality of optical lenses; and

attaching an adapter to the optical ferrule, the adapter configured to mate with the optical component without removing the optical ferrule.

29. The method of connectorizing an optical ferrule according to claim 28, wherein the adapter is attached to the optical ferrule after the at least two optical fibers are secured therein.

30. The method of connectorizing an optical ferrule according to claim 28, wherein the adapter is attached to the optical ferrule before the at least two optical fibers are secured therein.