公开(公告)号：US6035084A

公开(公告)日：2000-03-07

申请号：US969236

申请日：1997-11-13

申请人： John M. Haake ,  Matthew M. Thomas ,  Keith C. Schuette ,  James P Dunne ,  Jack H. Jacobs

发明人： John M. Haake ,  Matthew M. Thomas ,  Keith C. Schuette ,  James P Dunne ,  Jack H. Jacobs

IPC分类号： G02B6/32 ,  G02B6/30

CPC分类号： G02B6/32

摘要： A fiber optic connector for establishing an optical connection with an optical fiber embedded within a composite structure is provided. The fiber optic connector includes a first lens element, such as a metal sheathed graded index (GRIN) lens, that is attached to the portion of the edge surface of the composite structure to which the optical fiber extends. The fiber optic connector also includes an alignment tube and a second optical fiber, external to the composite structure, having an end portion disposed within one end of the alignment tube. By sliding the other end of the alignment tube over the first lens element, optical communication is established between the first optical fiber embedded within the composite structure and the second optical fiber external to the composite structure. The fiber optic connector also typically includes a ferrule mounted upon the end portion of the second optical fiber and inserted at least partially into one end of the alignment tube. In order to effectively couple the optical signals between the embedded optical fiber and the external optical fiber, the fiber optic connector also generally includes a second lens element, such as a second GRIN lens, disposed within a medial portion of the alignment tube for collimating the optical signals.

摘要翻译： 提供了一种用于与嵌入复合结构内的光纤建立光连接的光纤连接器。 光纤连接器包括附接到光纤延伸的复合结构的边缘表面部分的诸如金属护套分级折射率（GRIN）透镜的第一透镜元件。 光纤连接器还包括对准管和复合结构外部的第二光纤，其具有设置在对准管的一端内的端部。 通过将对准管的另一端滑过第一透镜元件，在复合结构中嵌入的第一光纤与复合结构外部的第二光纤之间建立光通信。 光纤连接器还通常包括安装在第二光纤的端部上并且至少部分地插入对准管的一端的套圈。 为了将嵌入式光纤和外部光纤之间的光信号有效耦合，光纤连接器还通常包括设置在对准管的中间部分内的第二透镜元件，例如第二GRIN透镜，用于准直 光信号。