Electrical and fiber-optic connector

Claim 2

A hybrid electrical and fiber-optic connector comprising: a plurality of bodies of substantially cylindrical configuration and of equal diameter, said plurality of bodies including at least one fiber-optic ferrule having extending centrally therethrough a single optical fiber, and at least one electrical contact having fixed thereto an electrically conductive wire; means abutting all peripheral ones of said plurality of bodies for exercising a radially compressive force on said plurality of bodies for urging said plurality of bodies into a configuration in which said plurality of bodies are coparallel and nested so as to form a stable bundle which in transverse section is substantially axisymmetrical, and retaining said plurality of bodies in said configuration; and alignment structure for angular positioning of said plurality of bodies in said connector in said transverse section about a nominal longitudinal axis of said bundle for registry with a second connector of complementary configuration in a transverse plane.

Claim 3

The connector in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for exercising a radially compressive force on said plurality of bodies and for retaining said plurality of bodies in said configuration comprises a sleeve disposed around and abutting said peripheral bodies.

Claim 4

The connector in accordance with claim 2, wherein said sleeve comprises a split-sleeve leaf spring exercising said radially compressive force on said plurality of bodies.

Claim 5

The connector in accordance with claim 2, wherein said sleeve comprises a shrink film sleeve exercising said radially compressive force on said plurality of bodies.

Claim 6

The connector in accordance with claim 2, wherein said means for retaining said plurality of bodies in said configuration further comprises a potting material for immobilizing at least a portion of said plurality of bodies.

Claim 7

The connector in accordance with claim 1, wherein said plurality of bodies comprises at least three bodies.

Claim 8

A hybrid electrical and fiber-optic connector assembly comprising: A first connector having a plurality of bodies of substantially cylindrical configuration and of equal diameter, said plurality of bodies including (i) at least one fiber-optic ferrule having extending centrally therethrough a single optical fiber, and (ii) at least one electrical contact having fixed thereto an electrically conductive wire; means abutting all peripheral ones of said plurality of bodies for exercising a radially compressive-force on said plurality of bodies for urging said plurality of bodies into a configuration in which said plurality of bodies are coparallel and nested so as to form a stable bundle which in transverse section is substantially axisymmetrical, and retaining said plurality of bodies in said configuration; alignment structure for angular positioning of said plurality of bodies in said first connector in said transverse section about a nominal longitudinal axis of said bundle for registry of said first connector with a second connector of complementary configuration in a second transverse plane; and an alignment sleeve adapted to receive and retain said first connector and said second connector in axial alignment and in abutting relationship.

Claim 9

A hybrid electrical and fiber-optic connector assembly comprising: A first connector having a plurality of bodies of substantially cylindrical configuration and of equal diameter, said plurality of bodies including (i) at least one fiber-optic ferrule having extending centrally therethrough a single optical fiber, and (ii) at least one electrical contact having fixed thereto an electrically conductive wire; means abutting all peripheral ones of said plurality of bodies for exercising a radially compressive-force on said plurality of bodies for urging said plurality of bodies into a configuration in which said plurality of bodies are coparallel and nested so as to form a stable bundle which in transverse section is substantially axisymmetrical, and retaining said plurality of bodies in said configuration; alignment structure for angular positioning of said plurality of bodies in said first connector in said transverse section about a nominal longitudinal axis of said bundle for registry of said first connector with a second connector of complementary configuration in a second transverse plane; and an alignment sleeve adapted to receive and retain said first connector and said second connector in axial alignment and in abutting relationship.

Claim 10

The connector assembly in accordance with claim 7 wherein: said alignment structure comprises a positioning ferrule of the same configuration and size as any of said plurality of bodies; said positioning ferrule extending from said first connector for engagement with a recess in said second connector, said recess in said second connector being of the same configuration and size as one of said plurality of bodies; said recess being adapted to receive said positioning ferrule in said second connector; and said positioning ferrule being disposed in said alignment sleeve when said first connector and said second connector are joined.

Claim 11

The connector assembly in accordance with claim 7, wherein: said alignment structure comprises precision rod means fixed to one of said first connector and said second connector and recess means in the other of said first connector and said second connector; and said recess means being adapted to receive said rod means, such that when said first connector and said second connector are joined in said alignment sleeve, said rod means extends from one of said first connector and said second connector into the other of said first connector and said second connector.

Claim 12

The connector assembly in accordance with claim 7, wherein said alignment structure comprises a key extending radially inwardly from an inside wall of said alignment sleeve to engage said plurality of bodies at two contact points, interlocking said plurality of bodies into a selected angular attitude in said transverse section.

Claim 13

The connector assembly in accordance with claim 10, wherein said plurality of bodies engages said inside wall of said alignment sleeve at two further contact points.

Claim 14

The connector assembly in accordance with claim 7, wherein: said azimuthal alignment structure comprises a ring of ferrule-like rods fixed to the inside wall of said alignment sleeve and abutting each other side-by-side; and said rods defining a central area in said alignment sleeve adapted to receive said first and second connectors having a selected number of said bodies disposed at a selected angular attitude in said transverse section.

Claim 15

A hybrid electrical and fiber-optic connector assembly comprising: a first connector having a plurality of bodies of substantially cylindrical configuration and of equal diameter, said plurality of bodies including (i) at least one fiber-optic ferrule having extending centrally therethrough a single optical fiber, and (ii) at least one electrical contact having fixed thereto on an electrically conductive wire; a sleeve surrounding said bodies, abutting all peripheral ones of said plurality of bodies for exercising a radially compressive force on said plurality of bodies for urging said plurality of bodies into a configuration in which said plurality of bodies are coparallel and nested so as to form a stable bundle which in transverse section is substantially axisymmetrical, said sleeve retaining said plurality of bodies in said configuration; alignment structure for angular positioning of said plurality of bodies in said first connector in said transverse section about a nominal longitudinal axis of said bundle for registry of said first connector with a second connector of complementary configuration; and an alignment sleeve adapted to receive and retain said first connector and said second connector in axial alignment and in abutting relationship.

Claim 16

A hybrid electrical and fiber-optic connector assembly comprising: a first connector having a plurality of bodies of substantially cylindrical configuration and of equal diameter, said plurality of bodies including (i) at least one fiber-optic ferrule having extending centrally therethrough a single optical fiber, and (ii) at least one electrical contact having fixed thereto on an electrically conductive wire; a sleeve surrounding said bodies, abutting all peripheral ones of said plurality of bodies for exercising a radially compressive force on said plurality of bodies for urging said plurality of bodies into a configuration in which said plurality of bodies are coparallel and nested so as to form a stable bundle which in transverse section is substantially axisymmetrical, said sleeve retaining said plurality of bodies in said configuration; alignment structure for angular positioning of said plurality of bodies in said first connector in said transverse section about a nominal longitudinal axis of said bundle for registry of said first connector with a second connector of complementary configuration; and an alignment sleeve adapted to receive and retain said first connector and said second connector in axial alignment and in abutting relationship.

Claim 17

The connector assembly in accordance with claim 13, wherein said alignment structure comprises a projection extending from said first connector and a complementary recess in said second connector for receiving said projection.

Claim 18

A hybrid electrical and fiber-optic connector comprising: a plurality of bodies of substantially cylindrical configuration and of equal diameter, said plurality of bodies including (i) at least one fiber-optic ferrule having extending centrally therethrough a single optical fiber, and (ii) at least one electrical contact having fixed thereto an electrically conductive wire; means for engaging all peripheral ones of said plurality of bodies for exercising a radially compressive force on said plurality of bodies for urging said plurality of bodies into a configuration in which said plurality of bodies are coparallel and nested so as to form a stable bundle which in transverse section is substantially axisymmetrical; means for retaining said plurality of bodies in said configuration; and alignment structure for angular positioning of said plurality of bodies in said connector in said transverse section about a nominal longitudinal axis of said bundle for registry of said connector with a second connector of complementary configuration through a transverse plane thereof.

Claim 19

A hybrid electrical and fiber-optic connector comprising: a plurality of bodies of substantially cylindrical configuration and of equal diameter, said plurality of bodies including (i) at least one fiber-optic ferrule having extending centrally therethrough a single optical fiber, and (ii) at least one electrical contact having fixed thereto an electrically conductive wire; means for engaging all peripheral ones of said plurality of bodies for exercising a radially compressive force on said plurality of bodies for urging said plurality of bodies into a configuration in which said plurality of bodies are coparallel and nested so as to form a stable bundle which in transverse section is substantially axisymmetrical; means for retaining said plurality of bodies in said configuration; and alignment structure for angular positioning of said plurality of bodies in said connector in said transverse section about a nominal longitudinal axis of said bundle for registry of said connector with a second connector of complementary configuration through a transverse plane thereof.

Claim 20

The connector in accordance with claim 15, wherein said means for exercising a radially compressive force and said means for retaining said bodies in said configuration are one-in-the-same, which one-in-the-same means comprises a sleeve abutting said peripheral bodies.

Claim 21

A hybrid electrical and fiber-optic connector assembly comprising: A first connector having a plurality of bodies of substantially cylindrical configuration and of equal diameter, said plurality of bodies including (i) at least one fiber-optic ferrule having extending centrally therethrough a single optical fiber, and (ii) at least one electrical contact having fixed thereto an electrically conductive wire; a sleeve surrounding said bodies and abutting all peripheral ones of said bodies for exercising a radially compressive force on said plurality of bodies for urging said plurality of bodies into a configuration in which said plurality of bodies are coparallel and nested so as to form a stable bundle which in transverse section is substantially axisymmetrical; means for retaining said plurality of bodies in said configuration; alignment structure for angular positioning of said plurality of bodies in said connector in said transverse section about a nominal longitudinal axis of said bundle for registry of said first connector with a second connector of complementary configuration; and an alignment sleeve adapted to receive and retain said first connector and said second connector in axial alignment and in abutting relationship.

Claim 22

A hybrid electrical and fiber-optic connector assembly comprising: A first connector having a plurality of bodies of substantially cylindrical configuration and of equal diameter, said plurality of bodies including (i) at least one fiber-optic ferrule having extending centrally therethrough a single optical fiber, and (ii) at least one electrical contact having fixed thereto an electrically conductive wire; a sleeve surrounding said bodies and abutting all peripheral ones of said bodies for exercising a radially compressive force on said plurality of bodies for urging said plurality of bodies into a configuration in which said plurality of bodies are coparallel and nested so as to form a stable bundle which in transverse section is substantially axisymmetrical; means for retaining said plurality of bodies in said configuration; alignment structure for angular positioning of said plurality of bodies in said connector in said transverse section about a nominal longitudinal axis of said bundle for registry of said first connector with a second connector of complementary configuration; and an alignment sleeve adapted to receive and retain said first connector and said second connector in axial alignment and in abutting relationship.

Claim 23

A hybrid electrical and fiber-optic connector comprising: a plurality of bodies of substantially cylindrical configuration and of equal diameter, said plurality of bodies including (i) at least one fiber-optic ferrule having extending centrally therethrough a single optical fiber, and (ii) at least one electrical contact having fixed thereto an electrically conductive wire; said bodies being compacted together by means bearing against all peripheral ones of said plurality of bodies into a configuration in which said plurality of bodies are coparallel and nested so as to form a stable bundle which in transverse section is substantially axisymmetrical; means for retaining said ferrules in said configuration; and alignment structure for angular positioning of said plurality of bodies in said connector in said transverse section about a nominal longitudinal axis of said bundle for registry of said connector with a second connector.

Claim 24

A hybrid electrical and fiber-optic connector comprising: a plurality of bodies of substantially cylindrical configuration and of equal diameter, said plurality of bodies including (i) at least one fiber-optic ferrule having extending centrally therethrough a single optical fiber, and (ii) at least one electrical contact having fixed thereto an electrically conductive wire; said bodies being compacted together by means bearing against all peripheral ones of said plurality of bodies into a configuration in which said plurality of bodies are coparallel and nested so as to form a stable bundle which in transverse section is substantially axisymmetrical; means for retaining said ferrules in said configuration; and alignment structure for angular positioning of said plurality of bodies in said connector in said transverse section about a nominal longitudinal axis of said bundle for registry of said connector with a second connector.

Claim 25

The connector in accordance with claim 18, wherein said plurality of bodies includes at least three bodies, and said bodies are of equal diameter.

Claim 26

The connector in accordance with claim 19, wherein said means for retaining said plurality of bodies comprises sleeve means.

Claim 27

The connector in accordance with claim 19, wherein said means for retaining said plurality of bodies comprises potting material binding said plurality of bodies together.

Claim 28

A hybrid electrical and fiber-optic connector assembly comprising: a first connector having a plurality of bodies of substantially cylindrical configuration and of equal diameter, said plurality of bodies including (i) at least one fiber-optic ferrule having extending centrally therethrough a single optical fiber, and (ii) at least one electrical contact having fixed thereto an electrically conductive wire; peripheral ones of said bodies being engaged by and compacted together by a compressive force means into a configuration in which said plurality of bodies are coparallel and nested so as to form a stable bundle which in transverse section is substantially axisymmetrical; means for retaining said ferrules in said configuration; alignment structure for angular positioning of said plurality of bodies in said connector in said transverse section about a nominal longitudinal axis of said bundle for azimuthal registry of said connector with corresponding bodies in a second connector of like configuration; and an alignment sleeve adapted to receive and retain said first connector and said second connector in axial alignment and in abutting relationship.

Claim 29

A hybrid electrical and fiber-optic connector assembly comprising: a first connector having a plurality of bodies of substantially cylindrical configuration and of equal diameter, said plurality of bodies including (i) at least one fiber-optic ferrule having extending centrally therethrough a single optical fiber, and (ii) at least one electrical contact having fixed thereto an electrically conductive wire; peripheral ones of said bodies being engaged by and compacted together by a compressive force means into a configuration in which said plurality of bodies are coparallel and nested so as to form a stable bundle which in transverse section is substantially axisymmetrical; means for retaining said ferrules in said configuration; alignment structure for angular positioning of said plurality of bodies in said connector in said transverse section about a nominal longitudinal axis of said bundle for azimuthal registry of said connector with corresponding bodies in a second connector of like configuration; and an alignment sleeve adapted to receive and retain said first connector and said second connector in axial alignment and in abutting relationship.

Claim 30

A hybrid electrical and fiber-optic connector assembly comprising: a first connector having a plurality of bodies of substantially cylindrical configuration and of equal diameter, said plurality of bodies including at least one fiber-optic ferrule having extending centrally therethrough a single optical fiber, and at least one electrical contact having fixed thereto an electrically conductive wire; peripheral ones of said bodies being engaged by and compacted together by a compressive member into a configuration in which said plurality of bodies are coparallel and nested so as to form a stable bundle which in transverse section is 9f substantially axisymmetrical configuration; means for retaining said plurality of bodies in said configuration; at least one of said electrical contacts extending from said first connector; and a second connector complementary to said first connector and having therein a recess for receiving said electrical contact extending from said first connector.

Claim 31

A hybrid electrical and fiber-optic connector assembly comprising: a first connector having a plurality of bodies of substantially cylindrical configuration and of equal diameter, said plurality of bodies including at least one fiber-optic ferrule having extending centrally therethrough a single optical fiber, and at least one electrical contact having fixed thereto an electrically conductive wire; peripheral ones of said bodies being engaged by and compacted together by a compressive member into a configuration in which said plurality of bodies are coparallel and nested so as to form a stable bundle which in transverse section is 9f substantially axisymmetrical configuration; means for retaining said plurality of bodies in said configuration; at least one of said electrical contacts extending from said first connector; and a second connector complementary to said first connector and having therein a recess for receiving said electrical contact extending from said first connector.

Claim 32

The connector assembly in accordance with claim 23, wherein: said electrical contact extending from said first connector is disposed centrally of said first connector; and said first connector further comprises alignment structure for axial alignment of said first connector with said second connector.

Claim 33

The connector assembly in accordance with claim 23, wherein: said electrical contact extending from said first connector is disposed at a point removed from the center of said first connector; and said electrical contact serves as alignment structure for angular positioning of said plurality of bodies in said connector in said transverse section about a nominal longitudinal axis of said bundle for registry of said first and second connectors.

Claim 36

The method in accordance with claim 26, and including the additional steps of: inserting an optical fiber in each of said ferrule tubes; fixing said optical fibers in said tubes; removing portions of said fibers extending from a face portion of each of said ferrules; and fixing an electrically conductive wire to each of said contacts.

Claim 37

The method in accordance with claim 27, and including the further step of simultaneously polishing said face portions of said plurality of bodies for precision abutment with faces of bodies of said second connector.

Claim 38

The method in accordance with claim 28 wherein said electrical contacts are each provided with a central threaded recess extending from a face portion thereof, and including the further step of threadably fixing a contact pin in said recess.