Hybrid electro-optical connectors

• US 4,844,582 A
• Filed: 12/09/1987
• Issued: 07/04/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 12/09/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gabriel M. Giannini
• Original Assignee: Gabriel M. Giannini
• Inventors: Giannini, Gabriel M.
• Primary Examiner(s): GENSLER, PAUL L
• Application Number:
  US07/130,468
• Time in Patent Office: 573 Days
• Field of Search: 439/38, 439/577, 350/96.16, 350/96.21
• US Class Current: 385/57
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3817 containing optical and electrical conductors cables including electrical and optical conductors H01B11/22; G02B6/3816 takes precedence
• 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 6/3894 Screw-lock type
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4292 the light guide being disconnectable from the opto-electronic element, e.g. mutually self aligning arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4448 Electro-optic
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6205 Two-part coupling devices held in engagement by a magnet

Abstract

A pair of hybrid electro-optical connectors which allow for the grouping of a mixture of electrical and optical connections in a versatile housing where clusters of terminal-holding channels are arranged in a beehive configuration. Automatic alignment of the terminals is achieved by means of magnets of opposite polarity occupying some of these channels. The connectors are particularly adapted to underwater applications or to any other severe environment and hard-to-reach locations where manipulation is limited due to the use of diving suits or robotics. The frustro-conical configuration of sections of the channels and the terminals provides for the use of the connectors as part of bulkheads between two areas with very high differential pressure. The frustro-conical configuration prevents the movement of terminals within the channel toward the low pressure area. The terminal configurations provide for wiping action of mating electrical terminals and precise juxtaposition of lenses used in the optical connections.

Claims

1. A pair of mating connectors for transferring electrical signals from at least a first electrical wire to a second electrical wire and for transferring optical signals from at least one fiber-optic cable to another optical device which comprises:

each of said connectors having a mating interface shaped and dimensioned to intimately contact the mating interface of the other connector;

means, for transferring said electrical signals, comprising a pair of electrical terminals each of said terminals being connected to one of said wires and being shaped and dimensioned to axially slide against the other terminal when said mating interfaces are brought together;

means, for transferring said optical signals, comprising at least one optical terminal in optical alignment with said cable and with said other optical device when said mating interfaces are brought together;

a plurality of channels in each of said connectors opening into said interface, each of said channels having a frustro-conical area tapering toward said mating interface, wherein each of said terminals occupies one of said channels;

each of said terminals having a corresponding frustro-conical section to intimately rest within said channel frustro-conical area; and

means, for automatically aligning said electrical terminals and said optical terminal when said mating interfaces are brought together.

2. The connectors claimed in claim 1, wherein said means for automatically aligning comprise at least one pair of magnets, one of said magnets being housed in one of the channels of said first connector and the other magnet being housed in one channel of the other connector.

3. The connectors claimed in claim 2, wherein said magnets are positioned in said channels to place ends of opposite polarity in the respective interfaces of said connectors.

4. The connectors claimed in claim 3, wherein a first of said electrical terminals is shaped to extend beyond the interface of said first connector and to engage the other electrical terminal within the other connector when said interfaces are brought together.

5. The connectors claimed in claim 4, wherein said optical terminal comprises a spherical lens in two half sections;

said sections being housed in two opposite channels of said connectors so that the two half sections abut each other in a complete spherical lens configuration when said mating interfaces are brought together.

6. The connectors claimed in claim 4, wherein each of said channels has an hexagonal, radial cross-section.

7. The connectors claimed in claim 6, wherein said channels are grouped in a generally cylindrical cluster about the mating axes of said connectors.

8. A pair of mating connectors for transferring electrical signals from at least a first electrical wire to a second electrical wire and for transferring optical signals from at least one fiber-optic cable to another optical device which comprises:

each of said connectors having a mating interface shaped and dimensioned to intimately contact the mating interface of the other connector;

means, for transferring said electrical signals, comprising a pair of electrical terminals each of said terminals being connected to one of said wires and being shaped and dimensioned to axially slide against the other terminal when said mating interfaces are brought together;

means, for transferring said optical signals, comprising at least one optical terminal in optical alignment with said cable and with said other optical device when said mating interfaces are brought together;

means, for automatically aligning said electrical terminals and said optical terminal when said mating interfaces are brought together;

wherein a first of said connectors has a plurality of similar and parallel channels opening into the interface of said connector;

the other connector has a plurality of similar channels axially lined with the channels of said first connector when the two interfaces are brought together;

each of said terminals occupies one of said channels;

wherein said means for automatically aligning comprise at least one pair of magnets, one of said magnets being housing in one of the channels of said first connector and the other magnet being housed in one channel of the other connector;

wherein said magnets are positioned in said channels to place ends of opposite polarity in the respective interfaces of said connectors;

wherein a first of said electrical terminals is shaped to extend beyond the interface of said first connector and to engage the other electrical terminal within the other connector when said interfaces are brought together; and

wherein the magnet in said first connector is movable within a channel and is resiliently biased to extend beyond the interface of the first connector to a distance commensurate with the length of extension of said first electrical terminal.

9. The connectors claimed in claim 8, wherein each of said channels has a frustro-conical area tapering toward said interfaces;

and

each of said terminals has a corresponding frustro-conical sections dimensioned to intimately rest within said frustro-conical area and to prevent any axial movement of said terminal toward said interfaces.

10. The connectors claimed in claim 9, wherein said mating interfaces comprise means for mechanically interlocking said connectors together.