Optical fiber splitter module and fiber optic array therefor

摘要

An optical fiber splitter has a higher density fiber optic array that allows for smaller packaging. The optical fibers that extend from the optical fiber splitter have one end connectorized and their spacing at the other end reduced, thereby eliminating components that were heretofore required. A method of making the fiber optic array includes interleaving the optical fibers to reduce the overall dimensions of the fiber optic array and the fiber optic splitter. A tool is used to reduce the spacing of the optical fibers in the fiber optic array.

主权项

1. A method of assembling an interleaved fiber array having at least two pluralities of optical fibers, the optical fibers having a diameter, the method comprising:
providing a first plurality of optical fibers, each of the optical fibers having a first end and a second end and each of the optical fibers having a coating at the first end such that the diameter of the optical fibers at the first end is at least 3.5 times the diameter of the optical fibers at the second end, and the optical fibers generally being aligned in a first plane at the first end; providing a second plurality of optical fibers, each of the optical fibers having a first end and a second end and each of the optical fibers having a coating at the first end such that the diameter of the optical fibers at the first end is at least 3.5 times the diameter of the optical fibers at the second end, and such that the diameter of the optical fibers at at least one portion between the first end and the second end is less than the diameter of the optical fibers at the first end and is greater than the diameter of the optical fibers at the second end, and the optical fibers generally being aligned in a second plane at the first end; aligning the first and second plurality of optical fibers relative to one another at the first end of the optical fibers such that each of the optical fibers of the first and second plurality of optical fibers is aligned in a plane orthogonal to the first and second planes and each of the orthogonal planes for each the optical fibers in the first and second pluralities of optical fibers are different from one another; and interleaving the second ends of the optical fibers from the first and second pluralities of optical fibers into a third plane wherein an optical fiber from one plurality of optical fibers is not adjacent to another optical fiber from the same plurality of optical fibers, and wherein at least one of the optical fibers from the first plurality of optical fibers is adjacent to two optical fibers from the second plurality of optical fibers.