Optical fiber cable connector

Inventors

Gaal, Christopher • Altshuler, Gregory • Kozlov, Valery

Assignees

IPG Photonics Corp

Abstract

A laser light energy coupling with a male launch connecter. The male launch connector having a body portion with the fiber optic line terminating at an optical connection component including a male ferrule. The optical connection component being elongate and generally cylindrical with a central circumferential band. The body portion defining a cavity form fit and spaced about the optical connection component. An elastomeric support engaging the optical connection portion provides compliancy when the coupling is made and provides centration before the coupling is made. The elastomeric support positioned rearward of the optical connection component. The elastomeric support may clamp the fiber optic line therein. A forward facing annular surface displaced rearwardly of a forwardmost portion of the male ferrule provides a stop surface when the coupling is made and provides heat transfer means to dissipate heat from the male ferrule through into a receiving coupling.

Core Innovation

The invention relates to a laser medical-device launch optical fiber connector that couples a laser radiation source to a device. The launch connector has a forward end, a rearward end and an axis, with a body portion and an optical fiber extending into the body portion at the rearward end. The launch connector includes a mechanical connection portion and an optical connection portion comprising a male ferrule connected to the optical fiber, where the optical fiber has a forwardly exposed facet at a forward end of the ferrule.

A block of compliant elastomeric material is centrally positioned within the body portion about the launch connector axis. The block is configured as a cup with a central aperture that receives a rearward end of the optical connection portion and abuts a rearward facing surface of the optical connection portion, including embodiments where the fiber is clamped within the elastomeric block to provide axial compliancy. The compliant cup centrally positions and allows controlled movement by constrained engagement with the optical connection portion.

To control movement and improve heat-transfer, the launch connector includes a forward nose piece with a tubular portion containing the optical connection portion and structures that define constrained gaps and form fit. The nose piece has a cavity form fit to the optical connection portion but with a gap between the optical connection portion and the nose piece, so the optical connection piece has constrained movement therein, and axially confronting/engaged annular surfaces provide a heat dissipation pathway to a receiving connector or laser generator housing acting as a heat sink.

Multiple structural embodiments are described, including elastomeric block or cup clamping, cavity form-fit limiting ferrule freedom while allowing multi-directional compliance, and a forward tubular nose-piece arrangement with stop surfaces and annular gaps that constrain movement. Mechanical assembly approaches include clam-shell polymer housing and threaded or bayonet-type connections, with an O-ring positioned between a nose piece and a grasping portion and an assembly that provides a primary heat path through a sleeve or annular member to the receiving connector or housing.

Claims Coverage

The partial claim set includes three independent claims defining an optical fiber connector coupling for connecting a laser radiation source to a device, with shared core inventive structure centered on a male ferrule, a compliant elastomeric cup block, and constrained optical connection movement using nose-piece cavity and gap structures, and in one claim, sealing features.

Across the independent claims, the inventive coverage centers on connecting a laser radiation source to a device using a launch connector with a male ferrule and a centrally positioned compliant elastomeric cup block that receives and abuts the optical connection portion. The claims further cover axial compliancy by clamping within the elastomeric block, constrained movement using a forward nose-piece tubular cavity with a cavity form fit and a gap, and in one embodiment sealing using a seated flange in an annular groove with an O-ring between the nose piece and grasping portion.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications

No documented applications found