| 摘要 |
An alignment sleeve for precisely aligning a pair of ferrules, such as a pair of multiple optical fiber ferrules, includes a sleeve member (32) defining a lengthwise extending cavity (36) opening through opposed ends thereof. The sleeve member (32) can also define at least one window (38) and, more commonly, a plurality of windows (38) opening into the cavity (36). The alignment sleeve also includes a guide pin (40) extending lengthwise through the cavity (38) defined by the sleeve member (32). The guide pin engagement member (42) is bonded, such as by welding, to the pin (40) such that the guide pin (40) is retained in a floating relationship within the sleeve member (32). The sleeve member (32) can also define an expansion window to accommodate expansion of the guide pin that is creating during welding of the guide pin. By retaining the guide pin (40) in a floating relationship within the sleeve member (32), the alignment sleeve aligns the ferrules with increased precision since the precision of the alignment is dictated, not by the precision with which the alignment sleeve is fabricated, but by the precision with which the closely toleranced ferrules are formed. |
