US5923803A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of fabricating a fiber optic connector ferrule
Assignee: Molex LLC
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Filing: 1997-07-28
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Granted: 1999-07-13
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Expires: 2017-07-28
Abstract
Abstract A method is disclosed for fabricating a connector ferrule for a fiber optic ribbon cable which includes a plurality of generally parallel optical fibers in a line. A ferrule body is provided with a fiber passage which is elongated in cross-section to receive the line of optical fibers. A jacket is removed from an end portion of the fiber optic ribbon cable to expose the line of optical fibers. The ferrule body is placed in a fixture. The cable is placed in the ferrule body with the exposed line of optical fibers located in the fiber passage, and with distal ends of the exposed fibers projecting outwardly of the ferrule body. The exposed distal ends of the fibers are located on the fixture to precisely align the fibers relative to each other in the fiber passage. A filler adhesive is applied in the fiber passage about the exposed fibers to fix the fibers in the fiber passage while the fibers are held by the fixture in their precise alignment.
Inventors
- 👤 Gregory Bunin
- 👤 Igor Grois
- 👤 Ilya Makhlin
- 👤 Mark Margolin
- 👤 Richard F. Roth
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 00:23
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/36; G02B6/38; G02B6/3807; G02B6/3833; G02B6/3855; G02B6/3861; G02B6/3873; G02B6/3885
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
173 words
A method of fabricating a connector ferrule for a fiber optic ribbon cable which includes a plurality of generally parallel optical fibers in a line, comprising the steps of: providing a ferrule body with a fiber passage which is elongated in cross-section to receive the line of optical fibers; removing the jacket at an end portion of the fiber optic ribbon cable to expose the line of optical fibers at said end portion; placing the ferrule body in a fixture; placing the cable in the ferrule body with the exposed line of optical fibers located in the fiber passage, and with distal ends of the exposed fibers projecting outwardly of the ferrule body; locating the exposed distal ends of the line of optical fibers on the fixture to precisely align the fibers relative to each other in the fiber passage; and applying a filler adhesive in the fiber passage about the exposed fibers to fix the fibers in the fiber passage while the fibers are held by the fixture in their precise alignment.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
173 words
A method of fabricating a connector ferrule for a fiber optic ribbon cable which includes a plurality of generally parallel optical fibers in a line, comprising the steps of: providing a ferrule body with a fiber passage which is elongated in cross-section to receive the line of optical fibers; removing the jacket at an end portion of the fiber optic ribbon cable to expose the line of optical fibers at said end portion; placing the ferrule body in a fixture; placing the cable in the ferrule body with the exposed line of optical fibers located in the fiber passage, and with distal ends of the exposed fibers projecting outwardly of the ferrule body; locating the exposed distal ends of the line of optical fibers on the fixture to precisely align the fibers relative to each other in the fiber passage; and applying a filler adhesive in the fiber passage about the exposed fibers to fix the fibers in the fiber passage while the fibers are held by the fixture in their precise alignment.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 1, including the step of providing the ferrule body with a pin passage spaced from the fiber passage for receiving an alignment pin projecting from the ferrule body to align the body with an appropriate complementary connecting device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 2, including the step of inserting an alignment bushing in said pin passage for receiving the alignment pin.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said pin passage is larger than the alignment bushing, and including the step of applying a filler adhesive between the bushing and the inside of the pin passage.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 4 wherein said alignment bushing is precisely located in the pin passage by said fixture prior to applying the filler adhesive.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 4, including providing one of said pin passages and alignment bushings spaced outwardly from each end of the elongated fiber passage.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the cable is placed in the ferrule body prior to placing the ferrule body in the fixture.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the cable is placed in the ferrule body after the ferrule body is placed in the fixture.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
230 words
A method of fabricating a connector ferrule for a fiber optic ribbon cable which includes a plurality of generally parallel optical fibers in a line, comprising the steps of: providing a ferrule body with a fiber passage which is elongated in cross-section to receive the line of optical fibers and a pin passage spaced from the fiber passage for receiving an alignment pin projecting from the ferrule body to align the body with an appropriate complementary connecting device; removing the jacket at an end portion of the fiber optic ribbon cable to expose the line of optical fibers at said end portion; placing the ferrule body in a fixture; placing the cable in the ferrule body with the exposed line of optical fibers located in the fiber passage, and with distal ends of the exposed fibers projecting outwardly of the ferrule body; locating the exposed distal ends of the line of optical fibers on the fixture to precisely align the fibers relative to each other in the fiber passage; inserting an alignment bushing in said pin passage for receiving the alignment pin; and applying a filler adhesive in the fiber passage about the exposed fibers and in engagement with the bushing to fix the fibers in the fiber passage while the fibers are held by the fixture in their precise alignment and to fix the bushing in the pin passage.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
230 words
A method of fabricating a connector ferrule for a fiber optic ribbon cable which includes a plurality of generally parallel optical fibers in a line, comprising the steps of: providing a ferrule body with a fiber passage which is elongated in cross-section to receive the line of optical fibers and a pin passage spaced from the fiber passage for receiving an alignment pin projecting from the ferrule body to align the body with an appropriate complementary connecting device; removing the jacket at an end portion of the fiber optic ribbon cable to expose the line of optical fibers at said end portion; placing the ferrule body in a fixture; placing the cable in the ferrule body with the exposed line of optical fibers located in the fiber passage, and with distal ends of the exposed fibers projecting outwardly of the ferrule body; locating the exposed distal ends of the line of optical fibers on the fixture to precisely align the fibers relative to each other in the fiber passage; inserting an alignment bushing in said pin passage for receiving the alignment pin; and applying a filler adhesive in the fiber passage about the exposed fibers and in engagement with the bushing to fix the fibers in the fiber passage while the fibers are held by the fixture in their precise alignment and to fix the bushing in the pin passage.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 9 wherein said pin passage is larger than the alignment bushing, and the filler adhesive is applied between the bushing and the inside of the pin passage.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 10 wherein said alignment bushing is precisely located in the pin passage by said fixture prior to applying the filler adhesive.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 9, including providing one of said pin passages and alignment bushings spaced outwardly from each end of the elongated fiber passage.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
164 words
A method of fabricating a connector ferrule for a multi-fiber optic cable which includes a plurality of generally parallel optical fibers, comprising the steps of: providing a ferrule body with a fiber passage which is enlarged in cross-section to receive all of the plurality of optical fibers; removing the jacket from an end portion of the multi-fiber optic cable to expose the optical fibers at said end portion; placing the ferrule body in a fixture; placing the cable in the ferrule body with the exposed optical fibers located in the fiber passage, and with distal ends of the exposed fibers projecting outwardly of the ferrule body; locating the exposed distal ends of the optical fibers on the fixture to precisely align the fibers relative to each other in the fiber passage; and applying a filler adhesive in the fiber passage about the exposed fibers to fix the fibers in the fiber passage while the fibers are held by the fixture in their precise alignment.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
164 words
A method of fabricating a connector ferrule for a multi-fiber optic cable which includes a plurality of generally parallel optical fibers, comprising the steps of: providing a ferrule body with a fiber passage which is enlarged in cross-section to receive all of the plurality of optical fibers; removing the jacket from an end portion of the multi-fiber optic cable to expose the optical fibers at said end portion; placing the ferrule body in a fixture; placing the cable in the ferrule body with the exposed optical fibers located in the fiber passage, and with distal ends of the exposed fibers projecting outwardly of the ferrule body; locating the exposed distal ends of the optical fibers on the fixture to precisely align the fibers relative to each other in the fiber passage; and applying a filler adhesive in the fiber passage about the exposed fibers to fix the fibers in the fiber passage while the fibers are held by the fixture in their precise alignment.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
58 words
The method of claim 13 wherein said ferrule body is provided with a pin passage spaced from the fiber passage for receiving an alignment pin projecting from the ferrule body to align the body with an appropriate complementary connecting device, and including the step of inserting an alignment bushing in the pin passage for receiving the alignment pin.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 14 wherein said pin passage is larger than the alignment bushing, and including the step of applying a filler adhesive between the bushing and the inside of the pin passage.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 15 wherein said alignment bushing is precisely located in the pin passage by said fixture prior to applying the filler adhesive.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 13 wherein the cable is placed in the ferrule body prior to placing the ferrule body in the fixture.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 13 wherein the cable is placed in the ferrule body after the ferrule body is placed in the fixture.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-07-12 | 2003-01-11 | 2003-07-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-07-12 | 2007-01-11 | 2007-07-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-07-12 | 2011-01-11 | 2011-07-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |