Expanded Beam Connector Concepts

摘要

A terminus for a fiber optic cable includes a ferrule. In one embodiment, an optical fiber of the cable passes through a central bore of the ferrule and is attached to a lens seated in a conical or cylindrical seat formed in an end surface of the ferrule by an epoxy. In a second embodiment, an optical fiber of the cable passes through the central bore of the ferrule. Next, a cap sleeve with a lens therein is slid over and attached to the ferrule such that the lens abuts or is attached to the optical fiber. In either embodiment, an inspection slot may optionally be formed in the ferrule and/or the cap sleeve to allow a technician to inspect the state of the attachment and/or abutment and/or spacing of the optical fiber and the lens.

主权项

1. A fiber optic cable apparatus comprising:
a ferrule formed as a single substantially-uniform diameter cylinder from a first end to a second end, and having a bore passing from the first end to the second end; an optical fiber passing through said bore of said ferrule, said optical fiber having a termination end proximate said second end of said ferrule; a cap sleeve sized to fit over said second end of said ferrule and directly contact said ferrule for attachment thereto; a lens within said cap sleeve, wherein said lens resides proximate said second end of said ferrule when said cap sleeve is attached to said ferrule, wherein said lens is a barrel lens; and an optical epoxy connecting said termination end of said optical fiber to said barrel lens, such that light exiting said termination end of said optical fiber passes through said optical epoxy prior to entering into said barrel lens.