Connecting system with cleaved fiber and crimp termination

• US 5,408,558 A
• Filed: 10/21/1993
• Issued: 04/18/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 10/21/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Litecom, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Litecom, Inc.
• Inventors: Fan, Robert J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Healy, Brian
• Application Number:
  US08/140,261
• Time in Patent Office: 544 Days
• Field of Search: 385/77, 385/78, 385/80, 385/81, 385/84, 385/85, 385/86, 385/87, 385/139
• US Class Current: 385/80
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/25 Preparing the ends of light guides for coupling, e.g. cutting
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3833 Details of mounting fibres in ferrules; Assembly methods; Manufacture
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3835 using discs, bushings or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3855 characterised by the method of anchoring or fixing the fibre within the ferrule G02B6/3854 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3857 Crimping, i.e. involving plastic deformation
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3861 Adhesive bonding adhesives in general C09J

Abstract

An optical fiber connecting means for positioning and securing an optical fiber such that the optical fiber may be joined with a mating optical fiber, the connecting means having an endface, the endface which may have a recess or counterbore provided to allow a controlled unsupported fiber length which will contribute to a superior optical fiber endface cleave when cleaving is the method of fiber termination. Cleaving may be accomplished with rotational or tangential scribing while the fiber periphery is under tension, the tension condition enhanced by the unsupported fiber length at the terminus endface. Polished fiber ends may also be used.

Claims

1. A terminus arrangement for terminating an optical fiber with cleaving (scoring the fiber periphery and applying either tension or bending to the fiber) of said optical fiber after first securing said optical fiber within a terminus or terminus sub-components, comprising;

a first part having a continuous sidewall enclosing an internal cavity which is secured to said optical fiber or to the buffered fiber coating of said optical fiber by means of mechanical crimping on the periphery of said first part which secures the inside diameter or other inside configuration of said first part to the periphery of said optical fiber or to said buffer coating;

a second part having a continuous sidewall enclosing an internal cavity with a relatively small internal diameter only slightly larger than the diameter of said optical fiber;

said second part having a recess or counterbore at the tip face to allow an unsupported portion of said optical fiber, enabling improved fiber cleaving endface quality.

2. A terminus arrangement as in claim 1 with the securing of said optical fiber, or said buffered fiber coating with a sealant of adhesive such as epoxy.

3. A terminus arrangement as in claim 1 with the securing of said optical fiber, or said buffered fiber coating with a sealant of ceramic.

4. A terminus arrangement as in claim 1 with the securing of said optical fiber, or said buffered fiber coating with a sealant of glass.

5. A terminus arrangement as in claim 1 with the securing of said optical fiber, or said buffered fiber coating with a sealant of low-melt temperature metallic material.

6. A terminus arrangement as in claim 1 in which said first part is secured to said optical fiber after said second part is secured to said first part, with the final operation of termination being the severing of said optical fiber by means of cleaving, where said second part has an oversized opening at the exit of said optical fiber allowing both access to said optical fiber to allow selective location of said optical fiber cleaving and allowing freedom of said optical fiber to yield from axial position during said fiber cleaving which is known to enhance the quality of a cleaved fiber end for purposes of optical signal transmission.

7. A terminus arrangement as in claim 6 with securing of said optical fiber, or said buffered fiber coating to said first part with a sealant of adhesive such as epoxy.

8. A terminus arrangement as in claim 6 with securing of said optical fiber, or said buffered fiber coating to said first part with a sealant of ceramic.

9. A terminus arrangement as in claim 6 with securing of said optical fiber, or said buffered fiber coating to said first part with a sealant of glass.

10. A terminus arrangement as in claim 6 with securing of said optical fiber, or said buffered fiber coating to said first part with a sealant of low-melt temperature metallic material.

11. A terminus arrangement as in claim 1 in which said first part is secured to said optical fiber prior to the securing of said second part to said first part;

whereby a fiber end may be prepared by cleaving prior to securing said second part to said first part.

12. A terminus arrangement as in claim 11 with securing of said optical fiber, or said buffered fiber coating to said first part with a sealant of adhesive such as epoxy.

13. A terminus arrangement as in claim 11 with securing of said optical fiber, or said buffered fiber coating to said first part with a sealant of ceramic.

14. A terminus arrangement as in claim 11 with securing of said optical fiber, or said buffered fiber coating to said first part with a sealant of glass.

15. A terminus arrangement as in claim 11 with securing of said optical fiber, or said buffered fiber coating to said first part with a sealant of low-melt temperature metallic material.

16. A terminus arrangement as in claim 11 in which said fiber end is prepared by polishing prior to securing said second part to said first part.

17. A terminus arrangement as in claim 16 with securing of said optical fiber, or said buffered fiber coating to said first part with a sealant of adhesive such as epoxy.

18. A terminus arrangement as in claim 16 with securing of said optical fiber, or said buffered fiber coating to said first part with a sealant of ceramic.

19. A terminus arrangement as in claim 16 with securing of said optical fiber, or said buffered fiber coating to said first part with a sealant of glass.

20. A terminus arrangement as in claim 16 with securing of said optical fiber, or said buffered fiber coating to said first part with a sealant of low-melt temperature metallic material.

21. A terminus arrangement as in claim 1 in which tension is applied axially to said optical fiber as it is cleaved by a cleaving point, edge or other tool.

22. A terminus arrangement as in claim 6 in which tension is applied axially to said optical fiber as it is cleaved by a cleaving point, edge or other tool.

23. A terminus arrangement as in claim 11 in which tension is applied axially to the fiber as it is cleaved by a cleaving point, edge or other tool.

24. A terminus arrangement as in claim 1 in which a relief hole is provided to enable using an alternative entry point for introducing adhesive to said first part.

25. A terminus arrangement as in claim 1 in which said second part is secured to said first part by means of an interference fit.

26. A terminus arrangement as in claim 1 in which said second part is secured to said first part by means of an adhesive bonding material such as epoxy in liquid state.

27. A terminus arrangement as in claim 26 with a preform, heat actuated adhesive bond.

28. A terminus arrangement as in claim 1 in which said second part is secured to said first part by means of a low-melt metallic material applied in melted, liquid form.

29. A terminus arrangement as in claim 28 with a preform, heat actuated low melt metallic adhesive bond.

30. A terminus arrangement as in claim 1 in which said optical fiber is secured within said second part by means of liquid adhesive.

31. A terminus arrangement as in claim 30 with a preform, heat actuated adhesive bond.

32. A terminus arrangement as in claim 1 in which said optical fiber is secured within said second part with a preform low melt metallic adhesive bond in liquid form.

33. A terminus arrangement as in claim 32 with a preform, heat actuated low-melt metallic adhesive bond.