Massive parallel optical interconnect system

• US 6,276,840 B1
• Filed: 01/31/2000
• Issued: 08/21/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Stratos International Incorporated (Emerson Electric Company)
• Original Assignee: Stratos Lightwave LLC
• Inventors: Weiss, Roger E., Vladic, Daniel P., Schofield, Philip W.
• Primary Examiner(s): NGO, HUNG NHAT
• Application Number:
  US09/494,820
• Time in Patent Office: 568 Days
• Field of Search: 385/56-69, 385/83, 385/78
• US Class Current: 385/59
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3825 with an intermediate part, e.g. adapter, receptacle, linking two plugs
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3831 comprising a keying element on the plug or adapter, e.g. to forbid wrong connection keying element on the ferrule G02B6/3851; keying element for electrical coupling H01R13/64
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3839 for a plurality of light guides
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3861 Adhesive bonding adhesives in general C09J
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3865 fabricated by using moulding techniques shaping techniques of plastic materials in general B29C; producing plastic optical fiber connectors B29D11/0075
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3874 using tubes, sleeves to align ferrules
• 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

Abstract

A massive parallel (MP) connector is provided which includes a fiber optic connector having a polymer female having multiple fibers mounted in V-grooves of the ferrule and beveled edges of the ferrule providing for alignment of the ferrule when the MP fiber optic connector is mated to a receptacle having an alignment assembly and an alignment member mounted within the alignment assembly to provide for precision alignment. A receptacle assembly is provided having a first receptacle half for receiving a fiber optic connector having a first form factor and a second receptacle half for receiving a fiber optic connector having a second form factor. A fiber optical ferrule is also provided having a pair of mutually opposing ferrule halves that join to define a fiber optical support region that receives optical fibers, where at least one of the ferrule halves includes a vertically aligned wall that protrudes towards the opposing ferrule half, and the ferrule half contains a beveled edge for aligning the fiber optical ferrule within a receptacle for optical connection with another connector.

Claims

1. An optical connector comprising:

a plug body including a mating end and a cable entry end, the plug body includes an aperture through the plug body extending from the mating end to the cable entry end, and wherein the plug body is made of a polymer material, and wherein the aperture has a generally rectangular shape;

a ferrule having multiple fibers and the ferrule mounted within the aperture of the plug body, the ferrule being generally rectangular, and wherein the ferrule is made of a polymer material, and wherein the multiple fibers of the ferrule include at least two optical fibers, and wherein the at least two optical fibers of the ferrule are substantially parallel to each other;

a resilient member mounted in the plug body for providing axial resiliency of the ferrule;

a polarizing member attached to at least one of the plug body and the ferrule, and wherein the polarizing member is made of a polymer material;

a release sleeve slidingly mounted on the plug body, and wherein the release sleeve is made of a polymer material, and wherein the release sleeve includes a ribbed surface; and

a rear holder connected to the plug body, and wherein the resilient member is retained between the rear holder and the plug body, and wherein

in a latched position, the plug body engages a locking projection of a latch arm upon applying a first force to the optical connector, and wherein

in an unlatched position, the plug body disengages the locking projection of the latch arm upon applying a second force to the release sleeve, and wherein

the optical connector has a beveled edge and upon orientation of the optical connector to the latched position the beveled edge aids in aligning the optical connector in order to engage the locking projection of the latch arm.

2. An optical connector comprising:

a plug body including a mating end and a cable entry end, the plug body includes an aperture through the plug body extending from the mating end to the cable entry end, and wherein the plug body is made of a polymer material, and wherein the aperture has a generally rectangular shape;

a ferrule having multiple fibers and the ferrule mounted within the aperture of the plug body, the ferrule being generally rectangular, and wherein the ferrule is made of a polymer material, and wherein the multiple fibers of the ferrule include at least two optical fibers, and wherein the at least two optical fibers of the ferrule are substantially parallel to each other;

a resilient member mounted in the plug body for providing axial resiliency of the ferrule;

a polarizing member attached to at least one of the plug body and the ferrule, and wherein the polarizing member is made of a polymer material;

a release sleeve slidingly mounted on the plug body, and wherein the release sleeve is made of a polymer material, and wherein the release sleeve includes a ribbed surface; and

a rear holder connected to the plug body, and wherein the resilient member is retained between the rear holder and the plug body, and wherein

the optical connector substantially dimensionally conforms to an SC style fiber optic connector form factor profile and wherein the optical connector is insertable within a rectangular shaped receptacle conforming substantially to an SC style receptacle form factor, and wherein

in a latched position, the plug body engages a locking projection of a latch arm upon applying a first force to the optical connector, and wherein

in an unlatched position, the plug body disengages the locking projection of the latch arm upon applying a second force to the release sleeve.

3. An optical connector comprising:

a plug body including a mating end and a cable entry end, the plug body includes an aperture through the plug body extending from the mating end to the cable entry end, and wherein the plug body is made of a polymer material, and wherein the aperture has a generally rectangular shape;

a ferrule having multiple fibers and the ferrule mounted within the aperture of the plug body, the ferrule being generally rectangular, and wherein the ferrule is made of a polymer material, and wherein the multiple fibers of the ferrule include at least two optical fibers, and wherein the at least two optical fibers of the ferrule are substantially parallel to each other;

a resilient member mounted in the plug body for providing axial resiliency of the ferrule;

a polarizing member attached to at least one of the plug body and the ferrule, and wherein the polarizing member is made of a polymer material;

a release sleeve slidingly mounted on the plug body, and wherein the release sleeve is made of a polymer material, and wherein the release sleeve includes a ribbed surface; and

a rear holder connected to the plug body, and wherein the resilient member is retained between the rear holder and the plug body, and wherein

the optical connector is compatible with an SC style fiber optic receptacle form factor, and wherein

in a latched position, the plug body engages a locking projection of a latch arm upon applying a first force to the optical connector, and wherein

in an unlatched position, the plug body disengages the locking projection of the latch arm upon applying a second force to the release sleeve.

4. A massive parallel optical interconnect system comprising:

a) a plug connector body including;

a plug body including a mating end and a cable entry end, the plug body includes an aperture through the plug body extending from the mating end to the cable entry end, and wherein the plug body is made of a polymer material, and wherein the aperture has a generally rectangular shape,

a ferrule having multiple fibers and the ferrule mounted within the aperture of the plug body, the ferrule being generally rectangular, and wherein the ferrule is made of a polymer material, and wherein the multiple fibers of the ferrule includes at least two optical fibers, and wherein the at least two optical fibers of the ferrule are substantially parallel to each other,

a resilient member mounted in the plug body for providing axial resiliency of the ferrule,

a polarizing member attached to at least one of the plug body and the ferrule, and wherein the polarizing member is made of a polymer material,

a release sleeve slidingly mounted on the plug body, and wherein the release sleeve is made of a polymer material, and wherein the release sleeve includes a ribbed surface, and

a rear holder connected to the plug body, and wherein the resilient member is retained between the rear holder and the plug body, and wherein

the plug connector has a beveled edge; and

b) a receptacle for receiving the plug connector body, and wherein

the massive parallel interconnect system further includes alignment members to aid in the engagement of the plug connector body, and wherein

in a latched position, the plug body engages a locking projection of a latch arm upon applying a first force to the plug connector body, and wherein

in an unlatched position, the plug body disengages the locking projection of the latch arm upon applying a second force to the release sleeve.

5. An optical connector comprising:

a plug body including a mating end and a cable entry end, the plug body includes an aperture through the plug body extending from the mating end to the cable entry end, and wherein the plug body is made of a polymer material, and wherein the aperture has a generally rectangular shape;

a ferrule having multiple fibers and the ferrule mounted within the aperture of the plug body, the ferrule being generally rectangular, and wherein the ferrule is made of a polymer material, and wherein the multiple fibers of the ferrule include at least two optical fibers, and wherein the at least two optical fibers of the ferrule are substantially parallel to each other;

a resilient member mounted in the plug body for providing axial resiliency of the ferrule;

a polarizing member attached to at least one of the plug body and the ferrule, and wherein the polarizing member is made of a polymer material;

a release sleeve slidingly mounted on the plug body, and wherein the release sleeve is made of a polymer material, and wherein the release sleeve includes a ribbed surface; and

a rear holder connected to the plug body, the rear holder having a strain relief portion, and wherein the resilient member is retained between the rear holder and the plug body.

6. The optical connector according to claim 5 wherein the optical connector has an end face dimension of less than 9.0 mm×

7.4 mm.

7. The optical connector according to claim 5 wherein the optical connector has an end face dimensioned so as to conform to a receptacle having an opening, wherein the opening has dimensions of less than 9.0 mm×

7.4 mm.

8. The optical connector according to claim 5 wherein the optical connector is compatible with an SC style fiber optic receptacle form factor.

9. The optical connector according to claim 5 wherein the resilient member has a rectangular shape which corresponds to the generally rectangular shape of the aperture.

10. The optical connector according to claim 5 wherein the optical connector has a beveled edge.

11. An optical connector comprising:

a plug body including a mating end and a cable entry end, the plug body includes an aperture through the plug body extending from the mating end to the cable entry end, and wherein the plug body is made of a polymer material, and wherein the aperture has a generally rectangular shape;

a ferrule having multiple fibers and the ferrule mounted within the aperture of the plug body, the ferrule being generally rectangular, and wherein the ferrule is made of a polymer material, and wherein the multiple fibers of the ferrule include at least two optical fibers, and wherein the at least two optical fibers of the ferrule are substantially parallel to each other;

a resilient member mounted in the plug body for providing axial resiliency of the ferrule;

a polarizing member attached to at least one of the plug body and the ferrule, and wherein the polarizing member is made of a polymer material;

a release sleeve slidingly mounted on the plug body, and wherein the release sleeve is made of a polymer material, and wherein the release sleeve includes a ribbed surface; and

a rear holder connected to the plug body, the rear holder having a strain relief portion, and wherein the resilient member is retained between the rear holder and the plug body, and wherein

the optical connector dimensionally conforms to an SC style fiber optic connector form factor profile.

12. The optical connector according to claim 11 wherein the optical connector has an end face dimension of substantially 8.99 mm×

7.39 mm.

13. The optical connector according to claim 11 wherein the optical connector has an end face dimension of less than 9.0 mm×

7.4 mm.

14. The optical connector according to claim 11 wherein the optical connector has an end face dimensioned so as to conform to a receptacle having an opening, wherein the opening has dimensions of substantially 9.0 mm×

7.4 mm.

15. The optical connector according to claim 11 wherein the optical connector has an end face dimensioned so as to conform to a receptacle having an opening, wherein the opening has dimensions of less than 9.0 mm×

7.4 mm.

16. The optical connector according to claim 11 wherein the ribbed surface is substantially adjacent the cable entry end of the plug body.

17. The optical connector according to claim 11 wherein the optical connector is compatible with an SC style fiber optic receptacle form factor.

18. The optical connector according to claim 11 wherein the resilient member has a rectangular shape which corresponds to the generally rectangular shape of the aperture.

19. The optical connector according to claim 11 wherein the optical connector has a beveled edge.

20. An optical connector comprising:

a plug body including a mating end and a cable entry end, the plug body includes an aperture through the plug body extending from the mating, end to the cable entry end, and wherein the plug body is made of a polymer material, and wherein the aperture has a generally rectangular shape;

a ferrule having multiple fibers and the ferrule mounted within the aperture of the plug body, the ferrule being generally rectangular, and wherein the ferrule is made of a polymer material, and wherein the multiple fibers of the ferrule include at least two optical fibers, and wherein the at least two optical fibers of the ferrule are substantially parallel to each other;

a resilient member mounted in the plug body for providing axial resiliency of the ferrule;

a polarizing member attached to at least one of the plug body and the ferrule, and wherein the polarizing member is made of a polymer material;

a release sleeve slidingly mounted on the plug body, and wherein the release sleeve is made of a polymer material, and wherein the release sleeve includes a ribbed surface; and

a rear holder connected to the plug body, the rear holder having a strain relief portion, and wherein the resilient member is retained between the rear holder and the plug body, and wherein

the optical connector is compatible with an SC style fiber optic receptacle form factor.

21. The optical connector according to claim 20 wherein the optical connector has an end face dimension of substantially 8.99 mm×

7.39 mm.

22. The optical connector according to claim 20 wherein the optical connector has an end face dimension of less than 9.0 mm×

7.4 mm.

23. The optical connector according to claim 20 wherein the optical connector has an end face dimensioned so as to conform to a receptacle having an opening, wherein the opening has dimensions of substantially 9.0 mm×

7.4 mm.

24. The optical connector according to claim 20 wherein the optical connector has an end face dimensioned so as to conform to a receptacle having an opening, wherein the opening has dimensions of less than 9.0 mm×

7.4 mm.

25. The optical connector according to claim 20 wherein the ribbed surface is substantially adjacent the cable entry end of the plug body.

26. The optical connector according to claim 20 wherein the resilient member has a rectangular shape which corresponds to the generally rectangular shape of the aperture.

27. The optical connector according to claim 20 wherein the optical connector has a beveled edge.

28. An optical connector comprising:

a plug body including a mating end and a cable entry end, the plug body includes an aperture through the plug body extending from the mating end to the cable entry end, and wherein the plug body is made of a polymer material;

a ferrule having multiple fibers and the ferrule mounted within the aperture of the plug body, the ferrule having beveled edges, and wherein the ferrule is made of a polymer material, and wherein the multiple fibers of the ferrule include at least two optical fibers, and wherein the at least two optical fibers of the ferrule are substantially parallel to each other;

a polarizing member attached to at least one of the plug body and the ferrule, and wherein the polarizing member is made of a polymer material; and

a release sleeve slidingly mounted on the plug body, and wherein the release sleeve is made of a polymer material.

29. The optical connector according to claim 28 wherein the optical connector has an end face dimension of substantially 8.99 mm×

7.39 mm.

30. The optical connector according to claim 28 wherein the optical connector has an end face dimension of less than 9.0 mm×

7.4 mm.

31. The optical connector according to claim 28 wherein the optical connector has an end face dimensioned so as to conform to a receptacle having an opening, wherein the opening has dimensions of substantially 9.0 mm×

7.4 mm.

32. The optical connector according to claim 28 wherein the optical connector has an end face dimensioned so as to conform to a receptacle having an opening, wherein the opening has dimensions of less than 9.0 mm×

7.4 mm.

33. The optical connector according to claim 28 wherein the optical connector is compatible with an SC style fiber optic receptacle form factor.

34. A massive parallel optical interconnect system comprising:

a) a plug connector body including;

a plug body including a mating end arid a cable entry end, the plug body includes an aperture through the plug body extending from the mating end to the cable entry end, and wherein the plug body is made of a polymer material, and wherein the aperture has a generally rectangular shape,

a ferrule having multiple fibers and the ferrule mounted within the aperture of the plug body, the ferrule being generally rectangular, and wherein the ferrule is made of a polymer material, and wherein the multiple fibers of the ferrule include at least two optical fibers, and wherein the at least two optical fibers of the ferrule are substantially parallel to each other,

a resilient member mounted in the plug body for providing axial resiliency of the ferrule,

a polarizing member attached to at least one of the plug body and the ferrule, and wherein the polarizing member is made of a polymer material,

a release sleeve slidingly mounted on the plug body, and wherein the release sleeve is made of a polymer material, and wherein the release sleeve includes a ribbed surface, and

a rear holder connected to the plug body, the rear holder having a strain relief portion, and wherein the resilient member is retained between the rear holder and the plug body; and

b) a mating member for mating with the plug connector body, and wherein the massive parallel interconnect system further includes alignment members.

35. The massive parallel optical interconnect system according to claim 34 wherein the plug connector body has an end face dimension of substantially 8.99 mm×

7.39 mm.

36. The massive parallel optical interconnect system according to claim 34 wherein the plug connector body has an end face dimension of less than 9.0 mm×

7.4 mm.

37. The massive parallel optical interconnect system according to claim 34 wherein the plug connector body has an end face dimensioned so as to conform to a receptacle having an opening, wherein the opening has dimensions of substantially 9.0 mm×

7.4 mm.

38. The massive parallel optical interconnect system according to claim 34 wherein the plug connector body has an end face dimensioned so as to conform to a receptacle having an opening, wherein the opening has dimensions of less than 9.0 mm×

7.4 mm.

39. The massive parallel optical interconnect system according to claim 34 wherein the ribbed surface is substantially adjacent the cable entry end of the plug body.

40. The massive parallel optical interconnect system according to claim 34 wherein the plug connector body is compatible with an SC style fiber optic receptacle form factor.

41. The massive parallel optical interconnect system according to claim 34 wherein the resilient member has a rectangular shape which corresponds to the generally rectangular shape of the aperture.

42. The massive parallel optical interconnect system according to claim 34 wherein the plug connector body has a beveled edge.