Optical connections and methods of forming optical connections

• US 7,118,285 B2
• Filed: 11/03/2004
• Issued: 10/10/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/03/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP (Hewlett-Packard Enterprise Company)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Luebs, Richard John, Wegher, Duane A., Yetter, Jeffrey D., Morris, Terrel L., Fenwick, David Martin
• Primary Examiner(s): Healy, Brian
• Assistant Examiner(s): LEPISTO, RYAN A
• Application Number:
  US10/980,746
• Publication Number:
  US 20060093273A1
• Time in Patent Office: 706 Days
• Field of Search: 385/57
• US Class Current: 385/57
• 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 6/3886 Magnetic means to align ferrule ends
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/389 characterised by the method of fastening connecting plugs and sockets, e.g. screw- or nut-lock, snap-in, bayonet type
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4226 Positioning means for moving the elements into alignment, e.g. alignment screws, deformation of the mount
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4292 the light guide being disconnectable from the opto-electronic element, e.g. mutually self aligning arrangements

Abstract

In one embodiment, fiber assemblies are provided. The fiber assemblies may have a first fiber and a second fiber. The first fiber may have at least one core having a length and first and second ends. The second end may have a first connector. The second fiber may have at least one core having a length and first and second ends. The second end may have a second connector having at least one magnet. The first connector may be engaged to the second connector, and the at least one magnet may be operated to engage the first connector to the second connector.

Claims

1. A fiber assembly, comprising:

a first connector coupled to one of the ends of a first optical fiber bundle; and

a second connector attached to one of the ends of a second optical fiber bundle, said second connector comprising a first hollow wire coil comprising a magnet;

wherein said magnet provides an attraction force to engage said first and second connectors so as to align said first and second fiber bundles, wherein said first connector comprises an alignment pin disposed to align with said first hollow wire coil, and wherein said first connector and said second connector may be engaged by inserting said alignment pin into said first hollow wire coil.

2. The fiber assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said second connector further comprises a planar member, and wherein said first connector passes through said planar member to engage said second connector.

3. The fiber assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said second connector comprises a second hollow wire coil comprising a magnet.

4. The fiber assembly as claimed in claim 3 wherein said first connector comprises a second alignment pin that may be magnetically attracted to align with said second hollow wire coil.

5. The fiber assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first connector comprises a MT style connector.

6. The fiber assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said second connector comprises a MT style connector.

7. The fiber assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first connector comprises a MT style connector, and wherein said second connector comprises a MT style connector.

8. The fiber assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said at least one magnet comprises an electromagnet.

9. The fiber assembly as claimed in claim 8 wherein said electromagnet may be operated to release said first fiber connector from said second fiber connector.

10. The fiber assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first connector further comprises at least one permanent magnet.

11. The fiber assembly as claimed in claim 10 wherein said at least one permanent magnet may operate to ensure static engagement of said first connector and said second connector.

12. A board assembly, comprising:

a first board comprising a first face;

a fiber bundle having a first end and a second end, wherein;

said fiber bundle comprises a plurality of fibers;

each of said plurality of fibers comprises a core having a length, a first end proximate to said first end of said fiber bundle, and a second end proximate to said second end of said fiber bundle;

each of said plurality of fibers may transmit light along said core; and

said second end of said fiber bundle comprises a first connector;

said first end of said fiber bundle is connected to said first board first face; and

a second board comprising a first face having a second connector comprising a first hollow wire coil comprising a magnet;

said first connector engaged to said second connector; and

said magnet operated to engage said first connector to said second connector, wherein said first connector comprises an alignment pin disposed to align with said first hollow wire coil, and wherein said first connector and said second connector are engaged by inserting said alignment pin into said first hollow wire coil.

13. The board assembly as claimed in claim 12 wherein said second connector comprises a second hollow wire coil with a second magnet.

14. The board assembly as claimed in claim 13 wherein said first connector comprises at least one permanent magnet.

15. The board assembly as claimed in claim 13 wherein said first connector comprises a second alignment pin for aligning with said second hollow wire coil.

16. The board assembly as claimed in claim 15 wherein said second connector comprises at least one permanent magnet.

17. The board assembly as claimed in claim 12 wherein said first end of said fiber bundle is connected to said first board via a connector portion.

18. The board assembly as claimed in claim 17 wherein said connector portion comprises at least one engagement member.

19. The board assembly as claimed in claim 18 wherein said at least one engagement member comprises at least one spring.

20. The board assembly as claimed in claim 18 wherein said at least one engagement member comprises at least one reversible magnet disposed such that an engagement and disengagement force may be provided to said first connector, wherein said engagement force may move said first connector toward said second connector and said disengagement force may move said first connector away from said second connector.

21. The board assembly as claimed in claim 12 wherein said second connector comprises a second hollow wire coil comprising another magnet.

22. The board assembly as claimed in claim 21 wherein said first connector comprises an alignment pin disposed to align with said second hollow wire coil.

23. The board assembly as claimed in claim 12 wherein said first board is parallel to said second board.

24. The board assembly as claimed in claim 23 wherein said first face of said first board face said second face of said first board.

25. The board assembly as claimed in claim 12 wherein said first connector comprises a plurality of first array positions, and wherein said second connector comprises a plurality of second array positions.

26. The board assembly as claimed in claim 25 wherein said plurality of first array positions correspond to positions of said plurality of fibers.

27. The board assembly as claimed in claim 25 wherein said first connector may be connected to said second connector such that said at least one of said plurality of first array positions is aligned with at least one of said plurality of second array positions.

28. The board assembly as claimed in claim 12 wherein said first connector is connected to at least one emitter, and wherein said second connector is connected to at least one receiver.

29. The board assembly as claimed in claim 12 wherein said first connector is connected to at least one receiver, and wherein said second connector is connected to at least one emitter.

30. A method of connecting fibers, comprising:

providing a first fiber, wherein;

said first fiber comprises at least one core having a length, a first end, and a second end;

said core may transmit light; and

said second end comprises a first connector;

providing a second fiber, wherein;

said second fiber comprises at least one core having a length, a first end, and a second end;

said core may transmit light; and

said second end comprises a second connector having a first wire coil with an iron core and a hollow area comprising as least one magnet;

operating said at least one magnet such that said first connector moves toward said second connector and said first connector engages said second connector, wherein said first connector comprises an alignment pin disposed to align with said first wire coil having said iron core, and wherein said first connector and said second connector may be engaged by inserting said alignment pin into said hollow area of said iron core.

31. The method as claimed in claim 30 wherein said step of operating said at least one magnet comprises operating said at least one magnet electromagnetically.

32. The method as claimed in claim 31 wherein said step of operating said at least one magnet further comprises turning off an electromagnet after said first connector and said second connector are engaged.

33. The method as claimed in claim 30 further comprising operating said at least one magnet such that said first connector and said second connector are statically engaged.

34. The method as claimed in claim 30 further comprising operating said at least one magnet such that said first connector and said second connector disengage.

35. The method as claimed in claim 30 further comprising operating said at least one magnet such that the polarity of said at least one magnet is reversed such that said first connector and said second connector disengage.

36. A method of connecting boards, comprising:

connecting a first end of a fiber bundle to a first face of a first board, wherein;

said fiber bundle has a first end and a second end;

said fiber bundle comprises a plurality of fibers;

each of said plurality of fibers comprises a core having a length, a first end proximate to said first end of said fiber bundle, and a second end proximate to said second end of said fiber bundle;

each of said plurality of fibers may transmit light along said core; and

said second end of said fiber bundle comprises a first connector;

aligning said first connector with a second connector on a first face of a second board, said second connector having a first hollow wire coil with at least one magnet; and

operating said at least one magnet such that said first connector and said second connector are engaged, wherein said first connector comprises an alignment pin disposed to align with said first wire coil having said iron core, and wherein said first connector and said second connector engage by inserting said alignment pin into said hollow area of said iron core.

37. The method as claimed in claim 36 wherein said step of operating said at least one magnet comprises operating said at least one magnet electromagnetically.

38. The method as claimed in claim 36 wherein said step of operating said at least one magnet further comprises turning off an electromagnet after said first connector and said second connector are engaged.

39. The method as claimed in claim 36 wherein said step of operating said at least one magnet comprises operating an electromagnet in an AC fashion such that said first connector and said second connector are engaged.

40. The method as claimed in claim 39 further comprising operating an electromagnet in a DC fashion after said first connector and said second connector are engaged.

41. The method as claimed in claim 36 further comprising operating said at least one magnet such that said first connector and said second connector disengage after said first connector is engaged to said second connector.

42. The method as claimed in claim 36 further comprising operating said at least one magnet such that the polarity of said at least one magnet is reversed such that said first connector and said second connector disengaged.

43. A system, comprising:

a plurality of electronic circuit boards;

at least one optical fiber in optical communication with at least one of said plurality of electronic circuit boards, wherein said at least one optical fiber comprises at least one core having at least one end, and wherein the at least one end comprises a first connector with an alignment pin that may be engaged by a second connector having a hollow wire coil comprising a magnet and being on said at least one of said plurality of electronic circuit boards, wherein said alignment pin aligns with said hollow wire coil when said first connector and said second connector are engaged by inserting said alignment pin into said hollow wire coil.

44. The system as claimed in claim 43 wherein said at least one optical fiber comprises a plurality of said cores.

45. The system as claimed in claim 43 wherein said at least one optical fiber is in optical communication with more than one of said plurality of electronic circuit boards.

46. The system as claimed in claim 43 wherein said at least one optical fiber is in optical communication with two of said plurality of electronic circuit boards.

47. The system as claimed in claim 43 wherein said system comprises a plurality of said optical fibers.