IP Library › Granted Patent US 12663599
Granted Patent B2
US 12663599 · App. 18/109,498 · Granted Jun 23, 2026

Dual duplex belly-to-belly little connector (BBLC) based optical connectors

Inventor: Long Nguyen (San Jose, CA)
Assignee: II-VI DELAWARE, INC.
G02B6/4284G02B6/4251G02B6/4269G02B6/4277
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12663599
App. No.
18/109,498
Granted
Jun 23, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for dual duplex Belly-to-Belly Little Connector (BBLC) based optical connectors.

Claims (35)

1 . A Belly-to-Belly Little Connector (BBLC) block for use in optical connectors, the BBLC block comprising:

a plurality of optical receptacle slots; and

a plurality of removable components or parts configured to engage and secure each optical receptacle installed into a corresponding one of the plurality of optical receptacle slots;

wherein the BBLC block is configured for engaging and/or installation into a housing of an optical connector;

wherein the plurality of removable components or parts comprises, for each one optical receptacle slot of the plurality of optical receptacle slots, a corresponding one or more dedicated removable components or parts used for only the one optical receptacle slot;

wherein the one or more dedicated removable components or parts are configured to enable removing and/or replacing an optical receptacle in each optical receptacle slot individually and/or separately from other optical receptacles in remaining ones of the plurality of optical receptacle slots;

wherein each optical receptacle slot comprises at least one feature configured to engage an installation feature in an optical receptacle during installation within the optical receptacle slot, when the optical receptacle is in a first position; and

wherein the plurality of removable components or parts are configured to engage the installation feature, to retain the optical receptacle in place once installed, when the optical receptacle is changed to a second, different position.

2 . The Belly-to-Belly Little Connector (BBLC) block of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of removable components or parts comprises at least one O-ring configured to insulate an optical receptacle once installed within a corresponding one of the plurality of optical receptacle slots.

3 . The Belly-to-Belly Little Connector (BBLC) block of claim 2 , wherein the O-ring comprises an electromagnetic interference (EMI)O-ring.

4 . The Belly-to-Belly Little Connector (BBLC) block of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of removable components or parts comprises at least one retainer configured to retain the optical receptacle in place once installed.

5 . The Belly-to-Belly Little Connector (BBLC) block of claim 4 , wherein the retainer is configured to engage the installation feature in the optical receptacle.

6 . The Belly-to-Belly Little Connector (BBLC) block of claim 4 , wherein the retainer is configured to engage and secure the optical receptacle based on movement of the optical receptacle within the corresponding one of the plurality of optical receptacle slots into the second position.

7 . The Belly-to-Belly Little Connector (BBLC) block of claim 1 , further comprising a shielding gasket configured for providing electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding when the BBLC is installed into the optical connector.

8 . The Belly-to-Belly Little Connector (BBLC) block of claim 1 , further comprising one or more securing features for securing the BBLC block once installed into the housing.

9 . The Belly-to-Belly Little Connector (BBLC) block of claim 8 , wherein the one or more securing features comprise at least one pin hole configured to engage a corresponding pin.

10 . The Belly-to-Belly Little Connector (BBLC) block of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of optical receptacle slots is arranged in pairs.

11 . An optical connector configured for optical communication, the optical connector comprising:

one or more housing components configured to enclose other components of the optical connector;

a latching component configured for engaging a corresponding optical port; and

a Belly-to-Belly Little Connector (BBLC) block configured for housing optical receptacles, the BBLC block comprising:

a plurality of optical receptacle slots; and

a plurality of removable components or parts configured to engage and secure each optical receptacle installed into a corresponding one of the plurality of optical receptacle slots;

wherein the BBLC block is configured for engaging and/or installation into at least one of the one or more housing components;

wherein the plurality of removable components or parts comprises, for each one optical receptacle slot of the plurality of optical receptacle slots, a corresponding one or more dedicated removable components or parts used for only the one optical receptacle slot;

wherein the one or more dedicated removable components or parts are configured to enable removing and/or replacing an optical receptacle in each optical receptacle slot individually and/or separately from other optical receptacles in remaining ones of the plurality of optical receptacle slots;

wherein each optical receptacle slot comprises at least one feature configured to engage an installation feature in an optical receptacle during installation within the optical receptacle slot, when the optical receptacle is in a first position; and

wherein the plurality of removable components or parts are configured to engage the installation feature, to retain the optical receptacle in place once installed, when the optical receptacle is changed to a second, different position.

12 . The optical connector of claim 11 , wherein the plurality of optical receptacle slots of the BBLC block is arranged in pairs.

13 . The optical connector of claim 11 , wherein the BBLC block further comprises one or more securing features configured for securing the BBLC block once installed into the at least one of the one or more housing components.

14 . The optical connector of claim 13 , wherein the one or more securing features comprise at least one pin hole configured to engage a corresponding pin.

15 . The optical connector of claim 11 , wherein the plurality of removable components or parts comprises at least one O-ring configured to insulate the optical receptacle once installed within a corresponding one of the plurality of optical receptacle slots.

16 . The optical connector of claim 11 , wherein the plurality of removable components or parts comprises at least one retainer configured to retain the optical receptacle in place once installed.

17 . The optical connector of claim 11 , further comprising a core assembly that comprises an optical transceiver configured for driving optical receptacles installed in the BBLC block.

18 . The optical connector of claim 11 , further comprising a heat sink incorporated into at least one of the one or more housing components.