US3914015A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fiber optic connector and assembly method
Assignee: TDK Micronas GmbH
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Filing: 1974-10-15
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Granted: 1975-10-21
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Expires: 1994-10-15
Abstract
Abstract A connector for a single fiber optic bundle in which the fiber optic cable ends to be connected are each terminated in a shrinkable metal sleeve or pin. A shrinkable alloy, such as 50% nickel and 50% titanium alloy, is employed. The shrinkable pin has an inside axial bore of hexagonal cross-section and is applied to the fiber optic bundle cold. An applied heating process step shrinks the pin about the fiber optic bundle and applies a force sufficient to constrain the individual glass fibers into an optimum hexagonal pattern in which the ratio glass fiber cross-sectional area within the said hexagon to the effective cross-sectional area of intervening voids is high. After the heating process is complete, and the assembly cools to ambient temperature, there is some relief of the shrink compressive force, however, the fibers remain in their optimum hexagonal cross sectional configuration. Adhesives and resins such as epoxy are relied upon to mechanically fix the fibers of the cable within the termination pin.
Inventors
- 👤 Cartney Ronald L Mc
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 01:30
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/36; G02B6/40; G02B6/403
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
151 words
A fiber optic cable connector for single fiber bundles, conprising: first and second mateable body parts each containing a generally axial cavity for receiving a fiber optic cable with associated parts; first and second fiber optic cables each including a fiber optic bundle and an outer jacket; a hollow termination pin corresponding to each of said cables, each of said hollow pins including first and second axial bores having cross-sectional areas substantially only large enough to receive said fiber optic bundle and said outer jacket, respectively, of a corresponding fiber optic cable, said first axial bore having a polygonal configuration, said hollow pin being fabricated from shrinkable metal material whereby warming after assembly causes said hollow pins to shrink sufficient to arrange the fibers of said bundles to conform to the cross-sectional shape of said first axial bore as a consequence of the radially inwardly directed force resulting from said shrinking.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
151 words
A fiber optic cable connector for single fiber bundles, conprising: first and second mateable body parts each containing a generally axial cavity for receiving a fiber optic cable with associated parts; first and second fiber optic cables each including a fiber optic bundle and an outer jacket; a hollow termination pin corresponding to each of said cables, each of said hollow pins including first and second axial bores having cross-sectional areas substantially only large enough to receive said fiber optic bundle and said outer jacket, respectively, of a corresponding fiber optic cable, said first axial bore having a polygonal configuration, said hollow pin being fabricated from shrinkable metal material whereby warming after assembly causes said hollow pins to shrink sufficient to arrange the fibers of said bundles to conform to the cross-sectional shape of said first axial bore as a consequence of the radially inwardly directed force resulting from said shrinking.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the cross-sectional shape of said first bore is generally hexagonal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
94 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 in which said termination pins are defined as being fabricated of a metal which is relatively soft and low in tensile strength at a temperature below a predetermined minimum ambient temperature, said metal being capable of shrinking substantially in response to application of an above ambient range temperature, the subsequent relaxation of said metal at ambient temperature not being sufficient to disturb the hexagonal cross-section of the arrangement of said fibers even though said relaxation may be sufficient to eliminate any substantial axial mechanical restraint of said fiber bundles.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 in which said shrinkable metal is an alloy of nickel and titanium.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 in which said nickel and titanium percentages are approximately fifty percent each.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 in which said alloy is between forty and sixty percent nickel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
92 words
A fiber optic cable comprising: a fiber optic bundle; a hollow termination pin having an axial bore therein substantially only large enough to receive said fiber optic bundle, said bundle having an end portion mounted in said bore; said bore having a polygonal configuration; and said pin being fabricated from shrinkable metal material whereby warming after assembly causes said pin to shrink sufficiently to arrange the fibers of said bundle to conform to the crosssectional configuration of said bore as a consequence of the radially inwardly directed force resulting from said shrinking.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
92 words
A fiber optic cable comprising: a fiber optic bundle; a hollow termination pin having an axial bore therein substantially only large enough to receive said fiber optic bundle, said bundle having an end portion mounted in said bore; said bore having a polygonal configuration; and said pin being fabricated from shrinkable metal material whereby warming after assembly causes said pin to shrink sufficiently to arrange the fibers of said bundle to conform to the crosssectional configuration of said bore as a consequence of the radially inwardly directed force resulting from said shrinking.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
79 words
A fiber optic cable as set forth in claim 7 wherein: said pin has a second bore therein larger in cross-section than and axially aligned with said first-mentioned bore; a tapered surface joining said first and second bores; a jacket covering said fiber optic bundle behind said end portion thereof; and said second bore having a cross-sectional area substantially only large enough to receive said jacket-covered portion of said bundle, said jacket-covered portion being mounted in said second bore.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
A fiber optic cable as set forth in claim 8 wherein: the cross-sectional configuration of Said first bore is generally hexagonal.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3455625A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-10-20 | 1979-04-21 | 1979-10-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-10-20 | 1983-04-21 | 1983-10-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-10-20 | 1987-04-21 | 1987-10-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |