US5418876A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fiber optic connector with epoxy preform
Assignee: Alcoa Fujikura Ltd
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Filing: 1994-02-18
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Granted: 1995-05-23
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Expires: 2014-02-18
Abstract
Abstract A fiber optic connector with an epoxy preform is described that facilitates integration of an optical fiber with a connector body and a ferrule. In an illustrated embodiment, the epoxy preform is a cylindrical thermosetting epoxy element having a passage therethrough adapted to receive an optical fiber of a predetermined diameter. The passage through the preform is positively secured within a cavity within the connector body to precisely align the passage with an opening in an abutting ferrule.
Inventors
- 👤 Hsin Lee
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 05:41
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/36; G02B6/38; G02B6/3807; G02B6/3833; G02B6/3855; G02B6/3861; G02B6/3887; G02B6/3888; G02B6/3869
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
144 words
A fiber optic connector comprising: a connector body including a first end defining a first cavity having a predetermined diameter, a second end defining a second cavity having a predetermined diameter, and a bore therethrough connecting said first cavity to said second cavity, said bore having a diameter less than said diameter of said first cavity; an adhesive preform, having a passage therethrough, disposed within said first cavity proximate said bore, said adhesive preform having an outer diameter greater than said diameter of said bore and a passage diameter no less than said diameter of said bore, and said passage being aligned with said bore; and a ferrule having a first end disposed within said first cavity proximate said adhesive preform and a second end extending from said connector body, said ferrule having a passage therethrough aligned with said passage of said adhesive preform.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
144 words
A fiber optic connector comprising: a connector body including a first end defining a first cavity having a predetermined diameter, a second end defining a second cavity having a predetermined diameter, and a bore therethrough connecting said first cavity to said second cavity, said bore having a diameter less than said diameter of said first cavity; an adhesive preform, having a passage therethrough, disposed within said first cavity proximate said bore, said adhesive preform having an outer diameter greater than said diameter of said bore and a passage diameter no less than said diameter of said bore, and said passage being aligned with said bore; and a ferrule having a first end disposed within said first cavity proximate said adhesive preform and a second end extending from said connector body, said ferrule having a passage therethrough aligned with said passage of said adhesive preform.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The fiber optic connector of claim 1, wherein said second cavity has a diameter greater than said diameter of said bore.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The fiber optic connector of claim 2, wherein said connector body includes a frustroconical portion between said second cavity and said bore.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The fiber optic connector of claim 1, wherein said adhesive preform is an epoxy preform.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The fiber optic connector of claim 4, wherein said epoxy is a thermosetting epoxy preform.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The fiber optic connector of claim 5, wherein said thermosetting epoxy preform has a cylindrical configuration.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The fiber optic connector of claim 1, wherein said first end of said ferrule has a tapered inlet having an inlet entry diameter no less than said diameter of said bore.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
189 words
A fiber optic connector comprising: a connector body including a first end defining a first cavity having a predetermined diameter, a second end defining a second cavity having a predetermined diameter, and a bore therethrough connecting said first cavity to said second cavity, said first and said second cavity having a diameter greater than said diameter of said bore, and a frustroconical portion between said second cavity and said bore; a cylindrical, thermosetting epoxy preform, having a passage therethrough, disposed within said first cavity proximate said bore, said thermosetting epoxy preform having an outer diameter greater than said diameter of said bore and a passage diameter no less than said diameter of said bore, and said passage being aligned with said bore; and a ferrule having a first end disposed within said first cavity proximate said thermosetting epoxy preform and a second end extending from said connector body, said first end of said ferrule including a tapered inlet having an inlet entry diameter no less than said diameter of said bore leading to a passage through said ferrule that is aligned with said passage of said thermosetting epoxy preform.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
189 words
A fiber optic connector comprising: a connector body including a first end defining a first cavity having a predetermined diameter, a second end defining a second cavity having a predetermined diameter, and a bore therethrough connecting said first cavity to said second cavity, said first and said second cavity having a diameter greater than said diameter of said bore, and a frustroconical portion between said second cavity and said bore; a cylindrical, thermosetting epoxy preform, having a passage therethrough, disposed within said first cavity proximate said bore, said thermosetting epoxy preform having an outer diameter greater than said diameter of said bore and a passage diameter no less than said diameter of said bore, and said passage being aligned with said bore; and a ferrule having a first end disposed within said first cavity proximate said thermosetting epoxy preform and a second end extending from said connector body, said first end of said ferrule including a tapered inlet having an inlet entry diameter no less than said diameter of said bore leading to a passage through said ferrule that is aligned with said passage of said thermosetting epoxy preform.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
215 words
A method of providing a fiber optic connection between a fiber optic cable and a fiber optic connector, comprising the steps of: providing a fiber optic connector having, a connector body including a first end defining a first cavity having a predetermined diameter, a second end defining a second cavity having a predetermined diameter, and a bore therethrough connecting said first cavity to said second cavity, said bore having a diameter less than said diameter of said first cavity, a thermosetting epoxy preform, having a passage therethrough, disposed within said first cavity proximate said bore, said thermosetting epoxy preform having an outer diameter greater than said diameter of said bore and a passage diameter no less than said diameter of said bore, and said passage being aligned with said bore, and a ferrule having a first end disposed within said first cavity proximate said thermosetting epoxy preform and a second end extending from said connector body, said ferrule having a passage therethrough aligned with said passage of said thermosetting epoxy preform; preparing a fiber optic cable by exposing a length of optical fiber; inserting said optical fiber in turn through said second cavity, said bore, said thermosetting epoxy preform, and said ferrule; heating said fiber optic connector; and allowing said fiber optic connector to cool.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
215 words
A method of providing a fiber optic connection between a fiber optic cable and a fiber optic connector, comprising the steps of: providing a fiber optic connector having, a connector body including a first end defining a first cavity having a predetermined diameter, a second end defining a second cavity having a predetermined diameter, and a bore therethrough connecting said first cavity to said second cavity, said bore having a diameter less than said diameter of said first cavity, a thermosetting epoxy preform, having a passage therethrough, disposed within said first cavity proximate said bore, said thermosetting epoxy preform having an outer diameter greater than said diameter of said bore and a passage diameter no less than said diameter of said bore, and said passage being aligned with said bore, and a ferrule having a first end disposed within said first cavity proximate said thermosetting epoxy preform and a second end extending from said connector body, said ferrule having a passage therethrough aligned with said passage of said thermosetting epoxy preform; preparing a fiber optic cable by exposing a length of optical fiber; inserting said optical fiber in turn through said second cavity, said bore, said thermosetting epoxy preform, and said ferrule; heating said fiber optic connector; and allowing said fiber optic connector to cool.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 9, wherein said heating step is accomplished at approximately 150° C. for 20 to 30 minutes.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-05-22 | 1998-11-21 | 1999-05-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-05-22 | 2002-11-21 | 2003-05-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
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