USH595H
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Field splice assembly for tactical fiber optic cable
Assignee: United States Department of the Air Force
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Filing: 1987-07-15
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Granted: 1989-03-07
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Expires: 2007-07-15
Abstract
Abstract An optical fiber connector assembly and method for splicing a broken fiber optic cable is described which includes first and second elements joinable in a mated condition along respective first and second mating surfaces; first and second grooves in the mating surfaces extending essentially the lengths of the surfaces and defining a channel of preselected size through the assembly in the mated condition for receiving the cable sheath within the assembly in the mated condition; a cavity in one of the mating surfaces for receiving the abutting optical fiber ends; an adhesive for holding the optical fiber ends in abutting relationship; an ambient temperature curing material sealing the mating surfaces from moisture and foreign substances and fixing the abutting optical fiber ends within the assembly; and a plurality of screws for assembling the elements.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald A. Lafaw
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 16:35
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/36; G02B6/38; G02B6/3801; G02B6/25; G02B6/3628; G02B6/3632; G02B6/3636
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
213 words
An assembly for splicing abutting ends of an optical fiber of a fiber optic cable having a sheath enclosing at least one said optical fiber comprising: (a) first and second elements having respective first and second mating surfaces, said first and second elements being joinable in a mated condition along said first and second mating surfaces; (b) means defining first and second grooves in respective said first and second mating surfaces, said first and second grooves extending lengthwise of said first and second mating surfaces and disposed on respective said first and second elements in configurating relationship to each other in said mated condition whereby a channel is defined through said assembly in said mated condition, said first and second grooves having preselected size corresponding to the size of said sheath of said cable for holding said sheath within said assembly in said mated condition; (c) means defining a cavity in one of said mating surfaces for receiving the abutting ends of said optical fiber; (d) adhesive means for holding said abutting ends of said optical fiber in abutting relationship; (e) a plurality of striations on the surfaces defining said grooves for gripping said sheath of said cable; and (f) means for joining said first and second mating elements in said mated condition.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
213 words
An assembly for splicing abutting ends of an optical fiber of a fiber optic cable having a sheath enclosing at least one said optical fiber comprising: (a) first and second elements having respective first and second mating surfaces, said first and second elements being joinable in a mated condition along said first and second mating surfaces; (b) means defining first and second grooves in respective said first and second mating surfaces, said first and second grooves extending lengthwise of said first and second mating surfaces and disposed on respective said first and second elements in configurating relationship to each other in said mated condition whereby a channel is defined through said assembly in said mated condition, said first and second grooves having preselected size corresponding to the size of said sheath of said cable for holding said sheath within said assembly in said mated condition; (c) means defining a cavity in one of said mating surfaces for receiving the abutting ends of said optical fiber; (d) adhesive means for holding said abutting ends of said optical fiber in abutting relationship; (e) a plurality of striations on the surfaces defining said grooves for gripping said sheath of said cable; and (f) means for joining said first and second mating elements in said mated condition.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The assembly of claim 1 further comprising ambient temperature curing material within said cavity for holding said abutting ends of said optical fiber within said assembly.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The assembly of claim 2 wherein said ambient temperature curing material is selected from the group consisting of silicone rubber sealant, RTV, and gasket compound.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein said first and second mating elements comprise a material selected from the group consisting of aluminum, plastic, epoxy, fiber glass, and nylon.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein said means for joining said first and second mating elements in said mated condition comprises a plurality of screws.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein said adhesive means includes an elastomeric sheath for receiving said abutting ends of said optical fiber and an adhesive at each end of said elastomeric sheath for holding said abutting ends in abutting relationship.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
254 words
A method for splicing abutting ends of an optical fiber of a fiber optic cable having a sheath enclosing at least one said optical fiber comprising: (a) providing an assembly including: (i) first and second elements having respective first and second mating surfaces, said first and second elements being joinable in a mated condition along said first and second mating surfaces; (ii) means defining first and second grooves in respective said first and second mating surfaces, said first and second grooves extending lengthwise of said first and second mating surfaces and disposed on respective said first and second elements in confronting relationship to each other in said mated condition whereby a channel is defined through said assembly in said mated condition, said first and second grooves having preselected size corresponding to the size of said sheath of said cable and further including a plurality of striations on the surfaces defining said grooves for holding said sheath within said assembly in said mated condition; and (iii) means defining a cavity in one of said mating surfaces for receiving the abutting ends of said optical fiber; (b) adhesively joining said abutting ends of said optical fiber in abutting relationship; (c) inserting the adhesively joined said abutting ends of said optical fiber into said cavity with the sheath of corresponding ends of said cable lying within the groove of said one of said first and second mating surfaces; (d) joining said first and second mating elements in said mated condition with said cable generally between said elements.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
254 words
A method for splicing abutting ends of an optical fiber of a fiber optic cable having a sheath enclosing at least one said optical fiber comprising: (a) providing an assembly including: (i) first and second elements having respective first and second mating surfaces, said first and second elements being joinable in a mated condition along said first and second mating surfaces; (ii) means defining first and second grooves in respective said first and second mating surfaces, said first and second grooves extending lengthwise of said first and second mating surfaces and disposed on respective said first and second elements in confronting relationship to each other in said mated condition whereby a channel is defined through said assembly in said mated condition, said first and second grooves having preselected size corresponding to the size of said sheath of said cable and further including a plurality of striations on the surfaces defining said grooves for holding said sheath within said assembly in said mated condition; and (iii) means defining a cavity in one of said mating surfaces for receiving the abutting ends of said optical fiber; (b) adhesively joining said abutting ends of said optical fiber in abutting relationship; (c) inserting the adhesively joined said abutting ends of said optical fiber into said cavity with the sheath of corresponding ends of said cable lying within the groove of said one of said first and second mating surfaces; (d) joining said first and second mating elements in said mated condition with said cable generally between said elements.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 7 further comprising the step of filling said cavity with ambient temperature curing material for holding said abutting ends of said optical fiber within said assembly.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said first and second mating elements comprise a material selected from the group consisting of aluminum, plastic, epoxy, fiber glass, and nylon.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said step of joining said first and second mating elements in said mated condition with said cable generally between said elements is performed utilizing a plurality of screws.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said ambient temperature curing material is selected from the group consisting of silicone rubber sealant, RTV, and gasket compound.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said step of adhesively joining said abutting ends of said optical fiber in abutting relationship is performed utilizing an elastomeric sheath for receiving said abutting ends of said optical fiber and an adhesive at each end of said elastomeric sheath for holding said abutting ends in abutting relationship.
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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) | 1992-03-06 | 1992-09-05 | 1993-03-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-03-06 | 1996-09-05 | 1997-03-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-03-06 | 2000-09-05 | 2001-03-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |