Connector for Multiple Optical Fibers and Installation Apparatus

• US 20110033154A1
• Filed: 06/16/2008
• Published: 02/10/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/14/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Phasoptx
• Original Assignee: Phasoptx
• Inventors: Menu, Eric, Bergeron, Mathieu, Fraser, Alex, Zivojinovic, Patrick, Weynant, Eric
• Application Number:
  US12/664,525
• Publication Number:
  US 20110033154A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 385/62
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3802 Assembly tools, e.g. crimping tool or pressing bench splicing machines G02B6/2553
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3806 Semi-permanent connections, i.e. wherein the mechanical means keeping the fibres aligned allow for removal of the fibres dismountable connectors G02B6/3807
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3859 Ferrules characterised by use of shape memory material [SMM], e.g. heat recoverable polymers, Ti-Ni compounds chemical aspects of SMM see the relevant places under C08 and C22; SMM used for shaping by moulding B29C61/00; SMM for electrical coupling H01R4/01, H01R4/72, H01R12/856, H02G15/1806

Abstract

The present invention comprises a connector comprising shape memory material such as a shape memory alloy, an optical fiber conduit and an axial stress opening traversing the connector from the connector surface to the fiber conduit and along at least a portion of a longitudinal length of the connector. The fiber conduit is dimensioned for optical fibers and to secure two optical fibers in abutment alignment for light signal transmission from one fiber to the other, with minimal attenuation and for securing the fibers without crushing or other damage to the fibers. In another embodiment, the present invention relates to a method of bringing optical fibers in abutment connection for signal conduction using a connector as above, wherein a wedging force is applied to the stress opening, whereby the wedging force will induce separation of the side walls of the slot and expansion of the fiber conduit for insertion of optical fibers and their abutment connection and securing of the fibers in abutment connection, when the wedging force is removed. Alternatively, a force may be applied to either side of the stress opening to again expand the opening and fiber conduit for the purpose of placement of optical fibers within the fiber conduit. Removal of the force will allow retention of the fibers in abutment connection of the fibers. In a still further embodiment, the present invention relates to an apparatus which applies a wedging force to a stress opening for expansion of a fiber conduit and insertion of optical fibers and their retention, light transmission abutment and connection in a connector as above.

Claims

1. An optical fiber connector, for connection of the ends of two optical fibers for transmission of a light signal with minimum attenuation, comprising an optical fiber conduit and a stress opening traversing from a surface of said connector to said conduit.

5. A method for end-to-end optical connection of optical fibers comprising application of a force to a conduit stress opening of a connector as defined by claim 1, sufficient to force apart opposing faces of said stress opening, inserting one fiber into one end of a conduit and another fiber into the other end of said conduit, positioning the ends of said fibers into end-to-end light transmission connection, and releasing said force to secure said fibers in end-to-end connection.

6. An apparatus for end-to-end optical connection of optical fibers in an optical fiber connector as defined by claim 1, comprising connector holding means, stress opening wedge means and wedge displacement means for displacement of said stress opening wedge means.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 further comprising optical fiber clamp means and optical fiber micro-positioning means.

2. An optical fiber connector, for connection of the ends of two or more pairs of optical fibers for light signal transmission with minimum attenuation from one to the other fiber of each pair, comprising:

two or more optical fiber conduits, at least one conduit circumferential to an axis of said connector, a conduit stress opening associated with each said conduit, traversing from a surface of said connector to said conduit and when there are two or more conduit stress openings, one or more intermediate stress opening, each intermediate stress opening intermediate two conduit stress openings.

3. An optical fiber connector according to claim 2, wherein the diameter or cross-section of at least one conduit varies from a first end to a second end of said connector.

4. An optical fiber connector according to claim 2, wherein at least one perpendicular slot is associate with at least one of said stress opening.