Jerry M Anderson

US Patent:

6402390, Jun 11, 2002

Filed:

Dec 14, 1998

Appl. No.:

09/210923

Inventors:

Jerry M. Anderson - Austell GA
Muhammed A. Shahid - Snellville GA
Daniel L. Stephenson - Lilburn GA

Assignee:

Fitel USA Corp. - Norcross GA

International Classification:

G02B 638

US Classification:

385 71, 385 72

Abstract:

A V-groove adapter for interconnecting optical conductors includes V-grooves that are precisely aligned with respect to one another to provide a desired alignment of the respective cores of the optical conductors received within the respective V-grooves. By controlling the widths of the respective V-grooves and the axial alignment of the V-grooves with respect to one another, the cores of the optical conductors received within the respective V-grooves can be coaxially aligned or offset by predetermined distance with repeatable precision on the order of 1 m. The V-grooves are initially fabricated in a monocrystalline material. A metal layer is formed over the V-grooves in order to form an inverse replica of the V-grooves which is used as an insert in an injection mold so that the V-groove adapters can be mass produced using injection molding techniques.

US Patent:

6443627, Sep 3, 2002

Filed:

Jan 10, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/756698

Inventors:

Jerry Max Anderson - Austell GA
Liang Hwang - Old Bridge NJ
Steven Edward Sheldon - Norcross GA

Assignee:

Fitel USA Corp. - Norcross GA

International Classification:

G02B 638

US Classification:

385 56, 385 60

Abstract:

A high density optical connecting block is mounted in a relatively thin, flat panel and is constructed as an array of identical cells that are linked together as a one-piece unit. The cells have a front-to-back depth that is greater than ten millimeters for imparting flexural rigidity to the panel. The array includes at least twelve cells that are arranged in two or more rows and two or more columns. Each cell has a front side that is shaped to receive and interlock with a duplex optical connector and a back side that is shaped to receive and interlock with two simplex optical plugs The duplex connector is a unifying structure that yokes a pair of simplex optical plugs - - into a duplex configuration. The duplex connector includes a pair of side-by-side cavities - each having: (i) an opening at a back end that is shaped to receive a simplex optical plug; (ii) a tubular boss for holding a cylindrical ferrule or a plastic optical fiber, the boss projecting into and out of the cavity from a front-end wall of the cavity and having a central axis that is perpendicular to the front-end wall; and (iii) a retaining feature for holding each simplex plug within the cavity. Additionally, the duplex connector includes latching members - on its top and bottom sides that interlock with the cell.

US Patent:

6478472, Nov 12, 2002

Filed:

Jan 10, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/756715

Inventors:

Jerry Max Anderson - Austell GA
Steven Edward Sheldon - Norcross GA

Assignee:

Fitel USA Corp. - Norcross GA

International Classification:

G02B 636

US Classification:

385 53

Abstract:

A high density optical connecting block is mounted in a relatively thin, flat panel and is constructed as an array of identical cells that are linked together as a one-piece unit. The connecting block has a front-to-back depth that is greater than ten millimeters for imparting flexural rigidity to the panel. The array includes at least twelve cells that are arranged in two or more rows and two or more columns. Each cell has a front side that is shaped to receive and interlock with a duplex optical connector and a back side that is shaped to receive and interlock with two simplex optical plugs The duplex connector is a unifying structure that yokes a pair of simplex optical plugs - - into a duplex configuration. The duplex connector includes a pair of side-by-side cavities - each having: (i) an opening at a back end that is shaped to receive a simplex optical plug, (ii) a tubular boss for holding a cylindrical ferrule or a plastic optical fiber, the boss projecting into and out of the cavity from a front-end wall of the cavity and having a central axis that is perpendicular to the front-end wall, and (iii) a retaining feature for holding each simplex plug within the cavity. Additionally, the duplex connector includes latching members - on its top and bottom sides that interlock with the cell.

US Patent:

6688781, Feb 10, 2004

Filed:

Mar 11, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/094928

Inventors:

Jerry Max Anderson - Austell GA
James C. Bandy - Duluth GA
Gregory Alen Sandels - Buford GA
Daniel Lee Stephenson - Lilburn GA

Assignee:

Fitel USA Corp. - Norcross GA

International Classification:

G02B 636

US Classification:

385 76, 385 78

Abstract:

An adapter for an optical fiber connector has a switch mounted therein and an actuation lever contained therein for actuating the switch to turn optical power on. The lever has an enlarged rear portion separated from a front portion by a flexible web. The adapter has an opening therein for receiving a connector plug which is masked by the enlarged portion of the lever when in the operative position. When a plug is to be inserted, the enlarged portion is bent up to unmask the opening. After the plug is inserted, the rear portion is aligned with the front portion of the lever and the lever slid forward to actuate the switch. In the forward position, the enlarged portion prevents access to the latching arm of the connector plug so that it cannot be removed while the power is on. The lever must be slid to the rear, turning off the power, before the connector can be removed. Latches maintain the lever in its forward, or Power On position, which can be overcome to permit sliding the lever to the rear, or Power Off position, before access to the connector plug latching arm can be had.

US Patent:

6932514, Aug 23, 2005

Filed:

Jan 21, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/349389

Inventors:

Jerry M. Anderson - Austell GA, US
Scott R. Andrews - Dacula GA, US
Sean L. Jones - Clarkson GA, US
Norman R. Lampert - Norcross GA, US
Gregory A. Sandels - Buford GA, US

Assignee:

Furukawa Electric North America, Inc. - Atlanta GA

International Classification:

G02B006/38

US Classification:

385 59, 385 56, 385 58, 385 60

Abstract:

A high density panel mounting assembly has a first connector housing having first and second arrays of channels for receiving modified connectors, separated by a shelf. An adapter assembly for receiving the ferrules of the connectors has an interior wall having first and second arrays of bored projections forming sleeves for receiving the connector ferrules. The adapter assembly has a second connector housing substantially identical with the first connector housing mounted to or integral with the rear of the adapter housing for receiving individual connectors. Each of the connector housings has an array of apertures along the top and bottom surfaces for latching the connectors in place. Each of the connectors has a resilient latching arm having a distal end having a latching surface thereon which bears against the end of its corresponding aperture to latch the connector in place within the connector housing. The first and second connector housings each receives the connectors in an aperture, the width of which is substantially equal to the sum of the widths o the connectors so that the connectors, when in place, bear against each other to prevent lateral displacement thereof.

US Patent:

57209073, Feb 24, 1998

Filed:

Apr 24, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/428804

Inventors:

Jerry Max Anderson - Austell GA
Norman Roger Lampert - Norcross GA
George John Shevchuk - Old Bridge GA

Assignee:

Lucent Technologies Inc. - Murray Hill NJ

International Classification:

B29D 1100

US Classification:

264 125

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for manufacturing an optical connector subassembly provide an improved device at lower cost. The optical connector includes a plastic base member 150 which is overmolded onto a cylindrical ferrule 140 having an axial passageway 145 which extends from one end face 141 of the ferrule to the other 142. A mold 900 includes two parts 910, 960 which are joined together before heated and pressurized thermoplastic material is injected. The ferrule is held within a first channel 914 of the mold and a spring-loaded core pin 950 is held within a second channel 964 of the mold. These channels are coaxially aligned when the mold parts are joined together. The core pin includes a conical point 951 at one end which enters the axial passageway of the ferrule before the thermoplastic material is injected. A third channel 912, 962 receives the thermoplastic material and routes it into the first and second channels. Moreover, a brake 970 is applied to the core pin when thermoplastic material enters a fourth channel 913 so that the conical point will remain in contact with end face 141 of the ferrule during molding.

US Patent:

58976795, Apr 27, 1999

Filed:

Aug 27, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/921648

Inventors:

Jerry Max Anderson - Austell GA
Aza E. Mishkevich - Bridgewater NJ
Eliezer M. Rabinovich - Berkeley Heights NJ

Assignee:

Lucent Technologies Inc. - Murray Hill NJ

International Classification:

C03B 23047

US Classification:

65382

Abstract:

The specification describes techniques for chemically machining extruded glass preforms used to draw glass ferrules for optical fiber connectors. Using the chemical machining technique the dimensions of the preform, including OD, ID, and the OD to ID ratio can be adjusted so that the dimensions of drawn ferrules meet strict dimensional standards. The technique is especially useful for adjusting the dimensions of extruded preforms that have an inherent bow along in the length of the preform. The technique allows adjustment in dimensions while preserving a desired OD to ID ratio. Also described are techniques for reducing eccentricity and/or ellipticity of hollow bore glass preforms.

US Patent:

55984967, Jan 28, 1997

Filed:

Dec 14, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/572359

Inventors:

Jerry M. Anderson - Austell GA
Robert W. Filas - Bridgewater NJ
David W. Johnson - Bedminster NJ
Norman R. Lampert - Norcross GA
Eliezer M. Rabinovich - Berkeley Heights NJ
David N. Ridgway - Conyers GA

Assignee:

Lucent Technologies Inc. - Murray Hill NJ

International Classification:

G02B 600
G02B 636

US Classification:

385 84

Abstract:

The inventive optical fiber connector comprises a glass ferrule that is strengthened by etching of the outer surface of the ferrule, followed by deposition thereon of a protective layer. Exemplarily, the ferrule is a vitreous silica ferrule drawn from a preform that was made by a sol-gel process. The ferrule is etched in buffered HF, and the protective layer is electroless deposited Ni, with a thin layer of Au thereon. Significant strength increases, exceeding 200%, are obtainable, with the strength being relatively unchanged after even a severe abrasion test.