Fiber optic connector with improved loss performance and method for
fabricating same
    1.
    发明授权
    Fiber optic connector with improved loss performance and method for fabricating same 失效
    具有改进的损耗性能的光纤连接器及其制造方法

    公开(公告)号:US5855503A

    公开(公告)日:1999-01-05

    申请号:US810115

    申请日:1997-02-25

    IPC分类号: B24B19/22 G02B6/38 B24B11/00

    摘要: An improved fiber optic cable connector is provided that exhibits a consistent return loss rating of -60 dB or better. The connector comprises matable connector housings that terminate the ends of respective optical cables to be joined. Within each housing, the optical fiber of the respective cable is secured within a ceramic ferrule that extends axially of the connector. The endface of each optical fiber is exposed at the end of its respective ferrule. The ends of the ferrules are ground and polished in such a way that the endfaces of the optical fibers exhibit a planar undercut with respect to the lip of the axial passageway in which the fibers are secured. When the ferrules are brought and pressed together end-to-end as the connectors are mated, the material of each ferrule compresses until the endfaces of the optical fibers engage each other with near null pressure. The result is the near elimination of pressure on the optical fiber itself, which avoids a density and index of refraction change at the junction and thus improves return loss performance. A method of fabricating such a fiber optic cable connector is also provided.

    摘要翻译: 提供了一种改进的光纤电缆连接器,其具有-60dB或更好的一致的回波损耗等级。 连接器包括可连接的连接器壳体,其终止待连接的相应光缆的端部。 在每个外壳内,各个电缆的光纤被固定在一个陶瓷套圈内,该陶瓷套圈沿连接器的轴向延伸。 每个光纤的端面在其相应的套圈的端部露出。 套圈的端部被研磨和抛光,使得光纤的端面相对于固定有纤维的轴向通道的唇缘呈现平面底切。 当套圈在连接器配合时端对端地被按压在一起,每个套圈的材料压缩直到光纤的端面彼此接近无效的压力。 结果是近乎消除了光纤本身的压力,这避免了结处的密度和折射率变化,从而提高了回波损耗性能。 还提供了制造这种光纤电缆连接器的方法。

    Segment detection system and method
    2.
    发明授权
    Segment detection system and method 失效
    段检测系统及方法

    公开(公告)号:US5923781A

    公开(公告)日:1999-07-13

    申请号:US577637

    申请日:1995-12-22

    IPC分类号: G06T5/00 G06K9/80

    摘要: A segment detection system automatically, contactlessly, rapidly, and precisely detects a segment along an edge, such as a boundary, of an object in a digitized image. The segment detection system includes an imager for capturing an image of an object and converting the image into an electrical signal. A computer is connected to the camera for receiving the electrical signal. A machine vision system is associated with the computer and is adapted to analyze the image. A segment detection program is disposed in the computer for driving the computer and the machine vision system in accordance with the present invention. The segment detection program includes an initialization subroutine and a matching subroutine. The initialization subroutine configures the program to search for a particular target polynomial equation. The matching subroutine derives a test polynomial equation that represents a test segment from a test edge of the object based upon an analysis of the image. Further, the matching subroutine determines whether the test segment matches the target segment by comparing corresponding coefficients of the test polynomial equation and the target polynomial equation.

    摘要翻译: 片段检测系统自动地,非接触地,快速地并且精确地检测沿着数字化图像中的物体的边缘(例如边界)的片段。 片段检测系统包括用于捕获对象的图像并将图像转换为电信号的成像器。 计算机连接到相机以接收电信号。 机器视觉系统与计算机相关联并且适于分析图像。 根据本发明,在计算机中设置段检测程序,用于驱动计算机和机器视觉系统。 段检测程序包括初始化子程序和匹配子例程。 初始化子程序配置程序以搜索特定的目标多项式方程。 匹配子程序基于对图像的分析,导出表示来自对象的测试边缘的测试段的测试多项式方程。 此外,匹配子程序通过比较测试多项式方程和目标多项式方程的对应系数来确定测试段是否与目标段匹配。

    Automatic inspection system for contactlessly measuring an offset of a
central feature of an object
    3.
    发明授权
    Automatic inspection system for contactlessly measuring an offset of a central feature of an object 失效
    用于非接触地测量物体的中心特征的偏移的自动检查系统

    公开(公告)号:US5729622A

    公开(公告)日:1998-03-17

    申请号:US510226

    申请日:1995-08-02

    摘要: An automatic inspection system contactlessly measures the offset of a feature of an object from a theoretical ideal center of the object, and is particularly suited for measuring at an endface of an optical fiber termination the eccentricity of an optical fiber core relative to a theoretical ideal center of the termination. The core is extremely smaller (typically between about 50 and 500 times) in size than the termination boundary. An inspection system has a feature imager, one or more boundary segment imagers but preferably four in number, and a machine vision system connected to the foregoing imagers. The feature imager is positioned to capture an image of the feature (e.g., fiber core endface), and the one or more boundary segment imagers are positioned to capture an image of a corresponding boundary segment of the object (e.g., termination endface). The machine vision system determines the offset, or eccentricity, based upon the feature image and the one or more boundary segment images.

    摘要翻译: 自动检查系统非接触地测量物体的特征与物体的理论理想中心的偏移,特别适用于在光纤终端的端面处测量光纤芯相对于理论理想中心的偏心度 的终止。 核心尺寸比终端边界小得多(通常在大约50到500倍之间)。 检查系统具有特征成像器,一个或多个边界段成像器,但优选数量为四个,以及连接到前述成像器的机器视觉系统。 定位特征成像器以捕获特征(例如,光纤核心端面)的图像,并且定位一个或多个边界段成像器以捕获对象的对应边界段(例如,终止端面)的图像。 机器视觉系统基于特征图像和一个或多个边界段图像来确定偏移或偏心度。

    System and method for contactlessly and automatically determining the
return loss of an optical fiber connector
    4.
    发明授权
    System and method for contactlessly and automatically determining the return loss of an optical fiber connector 失效
    用于非接触和自动地确定光纤连接器的回波损耗的系统和方法

    公开(公告)号:US5671049A

    公开(公告)日:1997-09-23

    申请号:US668220

    申请日:1996-06-21

    IPC分类号: G02B6/38 G01B9/02

    CPC分类号: G02B6/3818 G02B6/3807

    摘要: A return loss determination system contactlessly and automatically determines a product-to-product return loss of an optical fiber connector having a domed optical fiber termination endface (i.e., an endface having an optical fiber and a surrounding support ferrule). The return loss determination system includes (a) an undercut/protrusion (U/P) inspection system for determining a U/P parameter corresponding with an offset of the fiber relative to a curvature of the ferrule along an axis of the fiber, (b) a dome polish eccentricity (DPE) inspection system for determining a DPE parameter corresponding with a displacement in a plane perpendicular to the axis between a curvature center of the curvature and a fiber center of the fiber, (c) a curvature radius (CR) inspection system for determining a CR parameter corresponding with a radius of the curvature relative to the curvature center, (d) a discontinuity inspection system for determining a discontinuity parameter to quantify surface discontinuities in the fiber, and (e) a return loss evaluation system for determining a return loss of the connector based upon the parameters.

    摘要翻译: 回波损耗测定系统非接触地且自动地确定具有圆顶光纤终端端面(即,具有光纤和周围的支撑套圈的端面)的光纤连接器的产品回收损耗。 返回损耗确定系统包括:(a)用于根据光纤的轴线确定对应于光纤相对于套圈的曲率的偏移的U / P参数的底切/突出(U / P)检测系统,(b )圆顶抛光偏心(DPE)检查系统,用于确定对应于垂直于曲率的曲率中心和纤维的纤维中心之间的轴的平面中的位移的DPE参数,(c)曲率半径(CR) 用于确定相对于曲率中心的曲率半径的CR参数的检查系统,(d)用于确定不连续参数以量化光纤中的表面不连续性的不连续性检查系统,以及(e)用于 基于参数确定连接器的回波损耗。

    Fiber optic connector with improved return loss performance
    5.
    发明授权
    Fiber optic connector with improved return loss performance 失效
    具有改善回波损耗性能的光纤连接器

    公开(公告)号:US5887099A

    公开(公告)日:1999-03-23

    申请号:US942966

    申请日:1997-10-03

    IPC分类号: G02B6/38 G02B6/36

    摘要: An improved fiber optic cable connector is provided that exhibits a consistent return loss rating of 60 dB or better. The connector comprises matable connector housings that terminate the ends of respective optical cables to be joined. Within each housing, the optical fiber of the respective cable is secured within a ceramic ferrule that extends axially of the connector. The endface of each optical fiber is exposed at the end of its respective ferrule. The ends of the ferrules are ground and polished in such a way that the endfaces of the optical fibers exhibit a planar undercut with respect to the lip of the axial passageway in which the fibers are secured. When the ferrules are brought and pressed together end-to-end as the connectors are mated, the material of each ferrule compresses until the endfaces of the optical fibers engage each other with near null pressure. The result is the near elimination of pressure on the optical fiber itself, which avoids a density and index of refraction change at the junction and thus improves return loss performance.

    摘要翻译: 提供了一种改进的光缆连接器,其具有60dB或更好的一致的回波损耗等级。 连接器包括可连接的连接器壳体,其终止待连接的相应光缆的端部。 在每个外壳内,各个电缆的光纤被固定在一个陶瓷套圈内,该陶瓷套圈沿连接器的轴向延伸。 每个光纤的端面在其相应的套圈的端部露出。 套圈的端部被研磨和抛光,使得光纤的端面相对于固定有纤维的轴向通道的唇缘呈现平面底切。 当套圈在连接器配合时端对端地被按压在一起,每个套圈的材料压缩直到光纤的端面彼此接近无效的压力。 结果是近乎消除了光纤本身的压力,这避免了结处的密度和折射率变化,从而提高了回波损耗性能。

    Eccentricity determination system and method for accurately computing an
offset of a central feature of an object
    6.
    发明授权
    Eccentricity determination system and method for accurately computing an offset of a central feature of an object 失效
    偏心确定系统和方法,用于准确计算物体中心特征的偏移

    公开(公告)号:US5854852A

    公开(公告)日:1998-12-29

    申请号:US510225

    申请日:1995-08-02

    摘要: An offset determination system and method permit accurate calculation of an offset of a central feature of an object. The offset determination system and method are particularly suited for, but not limited to, an automatic inspection system for determining the eccentricity of an optical fiber core relative to a theoretical ideal center of an optical fiber termination. The core is extremely smaller (typically between about 50 and 500 times) in size than the termination boundary. An inspection system has a feature imager, one or more boundary segment imagers but preferably four in number, and a machine vision system connected to the foregoing imagers. The feature imager is positioned to capture an image of the feature (e.g., fiber core endface), and the one or more boundary segment imagers are positioned to capture an image of a corresponding boundary segment of the object (e.g., termination endface). The machine vision system determines the offset, or eccentricity, based upon the feature image, the one or more boundary segment images, and the offset determination system and method.

    摘要翻译: 偏移确定系统和方法允许精确计算物体的中心特征的偏移。 偏移确定系统和方法特别适用于但不限于用于确定光纤芯相对于光纤终端的理论理想中心的偏心度的自动检查系统。 核心尺寸比终端边界小得多(通常在大约50到500倍之间)。 检查系统具有特征成像器,一个或多个边界段成像器,但优选数量为四个,以及连接到前述成像器的机器视觉系统。 定位特征成像器以捕获特征(例如,光纤核心端面)的图像,并且定位一个或多个边界段成像器以捕获对象的对应边界段(例如,终止端面)的图像。 机器视觉系统基于特征图像,一个或多个边界段图像以及偏移确定系统和方法来确定偏移或偏心度。

    Fiber optic connector with improved return loss performance

    公开(公告)号:US5796894A

    公开(公告)日:1998-08-18

    申请号:US754948

    申请日:1996-11-21

    IPC分类号: G02B6/38

    摘要: An improved fiber optic cable connector is provided that exhibits a consistent return loss rating of 60 dB or better. The connector comprises matable connector housings that terminate the ends of respective optical cables to be joined. Within each housing, the optical fiber of the respective cable is secured within a ceramic ferrule that extends axially of the connector. The endface of each optical fiber is exposed at the end of its respective ferrule. The ends of the ferrules are ground and polished in such a way that the endfaces of the optical fibers exhibit a planar undercut with respect to the lip of the axial passageway in which the fibers are secured. When the ferrules are brought and pressed together end-to-end as the connectors are mated, the material of each ferrule compresses until the endfaces of the optical fibers engage each other with near null pressure. The result is the near elimination of pressure on the optical fiber itself, which avoids a density and index of refraction change at the junction and thus improves return loss performance.

    Automatic inspection method for contactlessly measuring an offset of a
central feature of an object
    8.
    发明授权
    Automatic inspection method for contactlessly measuring an offset of a central feature of an object 失效
    用于非接触地测量物体的中心特征的偏移的自动检查方法

    公开(公告)号:US5768409A

    公开(公告)日:1998-06-16

    申请号:US510228

    申请日:1995-08-02

    摘要: An automatic inspection method contactlessly measures the offset of a feature of an object from a theoretical ideal center of the object, and is particularly suited for measuring at an endface of an optical fiber termination the eccentricity of an optical fiber core relative to a theoretical ideal center of the termination. The core is extremely smaller (typically between about 50 and 500 times) in size than the termination boundary. An inspection system for implementing the novel inspection method has a feature imager, one or more boundary segment imagers but preferably four in number, and a machine vision system connected to the foregoing imagers. The feature imager is positioned to capture an image of the feature (e.g., fiber core endface), and the one or more boundary segment imagers are positioned to capture an image of a corresponding boundary segment of the object (e.g., termination endface). The machine vision system determines the offset, or eccentricity, based upon the feature image and the one or more boundary segment images.

    摘要翻译: 一种自动检查方法,非接触地测量物体的特征偏离物体的理论理想中心,特别适用于在光纤终端的端面处测量光纤芯相对于理论理想中心的偏心度 的终止。 核心尺寸比终端边界小得多(通常在大约50到500倍之间)。 用于实施新型检查方法的检查系统具有特征成像器,一个或多个边界段成像器,但优选数量为四个,以及连接到前述成像器的机器视觉系统。 定位特征成像器以捕获特征(例如,光纤核心端面)的图像,并且定位一个或多个边界段成像器以捕获对象的对应边界段(例如,终止端面)的图像。 机器视觉系统基于特征图像和一个或多个边界段图像来确定偏移或偏心度。

    Balanced focus system and method for achieving optimal focus of
different areas of an object that are concurrently imaged
    9.
    发明授权
    Balanced focus system and method for achieving optimal focus of different areas of an object that are concurrently imaged 失效
    平衡聚焦系统和方法,用于实现同时成像的物体的不同区域的最佳焦点

    公开(公告)号:US5768401A

    公开(公告)日:1998-06-16

    申请号:US510219

    申请日:1995-08-02

    摘要: A balanced focus system and method achieve optimal focus of different areas of an object that are concurrently imaged and then combined to form a combined image. The balanced focus method is particularly suited for, but not limited to, use with an automatic inspection system for contactlessly measuring at an endface of an optical fiber termination the eccentricity of an optical fiber core relative to a theoretical ideal center of an alignment surface of the termination. The inspection system has an imaging system with a feature imager and one or more boundary segment imagers but preferably four in number, a focus adjustment mechanism (FAM) for adjusting the position of the imagers relative to the imaged object along an optical axis, and a machine vision system for receiving image data from the foregoing imagers and configured to control the FAM. The feature imager is positioned to capture an image of the feature (e.g., fiber core endface), and the one or more boundary segment imagers are positioned to capture an image of a corresponding boundary segment of the object (e.g., termination endface). The machine vision system determines the eccentricity based upon the feature image and the one or more boundary segment images. Significantly, the machine vision system employs the balanced focus system and method to achieve an optimal focus position for the imaging system based upon a series of combined images and a statistic S that is computed for each of the sampling locations.

    摘要翻译: 平衡对焦系统和方法实现了被同时成像并被组合以形成组合图像的物体的不同区域的最佳焦点。 平衡聚焦方法特别适用于但不限于使用自动检查系统,用于在光纤终端的端面处非接触地测量光纤芯相对于对准表面的理论理想中心的偏心度 终止。 检查系统具有成像系统,具有特征成像器和一个或多个边界段成像器,但优选数量为四个,用于沿光轴调节成像器相对于成像对象的位置的焦点调节机构(FAM),以及 机器视觉系统,用于从上述成像器接收图像数据并被配置为控制FAM。 定位特征成像器以捕获特征(例如,光纤核心端面)的图像,并且定位一个或多个边界段成像器以捕获对象的对应边界段(例如,终止端面)的图像。 机器视觉系统基于特征图像和一个或多个边界段图像来确定偏心度。 重要的是,机器视觉系统采用平衡聚焦系统和方法,以基于一系列组合图像和针对每个采样位置计算的统计量S来为成像系统实现最佳聚焦位置。

    Alignment and lighting system and method for aligning and lighting an
object for an inspection system that contactlessly measures an offset
of a central feature of the object
    10.
    发明授权
    Alignment and lighting system and method for aligning and lighting an object for an inspection system that contactlessly measures an offset of a central feature of the object 失效
    对准和照明系统和方法,用于对准和照明用于检查系统的物体,其非接触地测量物体的中心特征的偏移

    公开(公告)号:US5657131A

    公开(公告)日:1997-08-12

    申请号:US510205

    申请日:1995-08-02

    摘要: An alignment and lighting system aligns and lights an optical fiber termination so that an inspection system can measure the eccentricity of an optical fiber core relative to the termination. The inspection system has an imaging system comprising a feature imager and one or more boundary segment imagers but preferably four in number, a machine vision system connected to the imaging system, and an alignment and lighting system for aligning the termination with the imaging system and lighting the termination without having to launch light therethrough. The feature imager is positioned to capture an image of the fiber core endface, and the one or more boundary segment imagers are positioned to capture an image of a corresponding boundary segment of the termination endface. The machine vision system determines the offset, or eccentricity, based upon the feature image and the one or more boundary segment images. The alignment and lighting system includes an alignment apparatus and a unique lighting scheme. The alignment apparatus has a plurality of alignment arms that are spaced apart via spacings to form a cross-shaped aperture that is engaged with the termination endface. Light is projected toward the exposed regions at a light projection angle that is outside the light acceptance angle associated with the fiber core. As a result, light is not generally received by the core, and light is scattered within and reflects out from the fiber cladding and the termination support material surrounding the cladding.

    摘要翻译: 对准和照明系统对准和点亮光纤终端,使得检查系统可以测量光纤芯相对于终端的偏心率。 检查系统具有成像系统,该成像系统包括特征成像器和一个或多个边界段成像器,但优选数量为四个,连接到成像系统的机器视觉系统,以及用于将终端对准成像系统和照明的对准和照明系统 终止而不必发射光。 特征成像器定位成捕获光纤核心端面的图像,并且一个或多个边界段成像器被定位成捕获终止端面的相应边界段的图像。 机器视觉系统基于特征图像和一个或多个边界段图像来确定偏移或偏心度。 对准和照明系统包括对准装置和独特的照明方案。 对准装置具有多个对准臂,其通过间隔间隔开以形成与终端端面接合的十字形孔。 光以与光纤芯相关联的光接收角之外的光投射角投射到曝光区域。 结果,光通常不被芯接收,并且光被散射在光纤包层和围绕包层的端接支撑材料内并从其中反射出来。