Granted Patent B2

US 6,955,479 · App. 10/637,751 · Granted Oct 18, 2005

Abstract

Claims (22)

1. A method of assembling an optical fiber connector having an angled polished comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a ferrule sub-assembly comprising a ferrule having a front end and a fiber secured therein and a positioning member having a front surface,

(b) positioning said ferrule sub-assembly in a front housing adapted to receive said positioning member in a plurality of predetermined radial positions, said ferrule sub-assembly being urged forward into said front housing to hold said position member in one of said plurality of predetermined radial positions;

(c) preparing said front end such that said fiber is suitable for optical coupling with a mating device;

(d) accessing said front surface through the front housing to rotate the ferrule sub-assembly to at least a portion of said plurality of predetermined radial positions within the front housing while measuring the power loss associated with each radial position to determine the optimal radial position; and

(e) angle polishing the end of the ferrule into the desired configuration after the optimum radial position is determined.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein step (a) comprises bonding a fiber within said ferrule and incorporating said ferrule into said ferrule sub-assembly.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein step (c) is performed after step (b).

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein step (d) comprises:

inserting a tool into the front of said front housing and engaging said ferrule sub-assembly;

urging said ferrule sub-assembly backward with said tool relative to said front housing such that said positioning member disengages from said front housing thereby allowing said ferrule sub-assembly to be rotated within said connector;

rotating said ferrule sub-assembly within said connector from a first radial position to a second radial position; and

withdrawing said tool from said front of said front housing thereby allowing said ferrule sub-assembly to urge forward such that said positioning member engages said front housing to maintain the radial position of said ferrule sub-assembly relative to said front housing.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein, in step (d), said tool comprises at least two prongs which are received in mating slots in a front surface of said ferrule sub-assembly.

6. A connector comprising:

(a) a ferrule sub-assembly comprising a ferrule containing an optical fiber having a front face, and a positioning member, said positioning member configured for one of at least two different connector types, a first connector type in which said positioning member comprises a first-type tab and a second connector type in which said positioning member comprises a second-type tab;

(b) a front housing adapted to receive said positioning member in a plurality of predetermined radial positions, said front housing comprising a plurality of slots, at least two slots adapted to receive said tab; said front housing has at least two different slot configurations, a first slot configuration for receiving either a first-type tab or a second-type tab and a second slot configuration for receiving only said second-type tab;

(c) a resilient member to urge said ferrule sub-assembly forward such that said positioning member engages said front housing to maintain the radial position of said ferrule sub-assembly relative to said front housing; and

(d) a rear body to provide a back stop for said resilient member.

7. The connector of claim 6 , wherein said first connector type is a polarization-maintaining connector.

8. The connector of claim 6 , wherein said first-type tabs are larger than said second-type tabs.

9. The connector of claim 6 , wherein the number of predetermined radial positions is two for said first connector type and four for said second connector type.

Assignments (13)