18274294. OPTICAL CABLE ASSEMBLY WITH MISMATCHED FIBER LENGTH simplified abstract (3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY)

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OPTICAL CABLE ASSEMBLY WITH MISMATCHED FIBER LENGTH

Organization Name

3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY

Inventor(s)

Michael A. Haase of St. Paul MN (US)

OPTICAL CABLE ASSEMBLY WITH MISMATCHED FIBER LENGTH - A simplified explanation of the abstract

This abstract first appeared for US patent application 18274294 titled 'OPTICAL CABLE ASSEMBLY WITH MISMATCHED FIBER LENGTH

Simplified Explanation

The abstract describes an optical connector assembly with two connectors that rotate relative to their housings when mated together.

  • The first optical connector includes a housing, optical fibers, a cable retainer, and a light coupling unit.
  • The second optical connector also includes a housing, optical fibers, a cable retainer, and a light coupling unit.
  • The optical fiber lengths in each connector are different, causing the light coupling units to rotate when connected.
  • The rotation allows for proper alignment and mating of the connectors.

Potential Applications

This technology could be used in telecommunications, data centers, and other industries that require high-speed optical connections.

Problems Solved

This technology solves the problem of misalignment when connecting optical fibers, ensuring a secure and efficient connection every time.

Benefits

The rotating light coupling units improve the accuracy and reliability of optical connections, reducing the risk of signal loss or interference.

Potential Commercial Applications

Potential commercial applications include fiber optic networks, medical devices, and military communications systems.

Possible Prior Art

One possible prior art is the use of fixed light coupling units in optical connector assemblies, which may not provide the same level of alignment and mating accuracy as the rotating units described in this patent application.

Unanswered Questions

How does the rotation of the light coupling units affect the overall performance of the optical connection?

The rotation of the light coupling units ensures proper alignment and mating, but it is unclear how this movement impacts signal transmission and overall connection stability.

Are there any limitations to the rotation of the light coupling units in terms of connector size or compatibility with existing systems?

It is important to understand if there are any restrictions or constraints related to the rotating light coupling units that may affect their usability in different applications or environments.


Original Abstract Submitted

An optical connector assembly includes a first optical connector and a second optical connector. The first optical connector includes a first housing, a plurality of first optical fibers, a first cable retainer and a first light coupling unit attached to the plurality of first optical fibers and separated by a first optical fiber length L The second optical connector includes a second housing, a plurality of second optical fibers, a second cable retainer and a second light coupling unit attached to the plurality of second optical fibers and separated by a second optical fiber length L different from L The ratio of LL is such that, when the first optical connector is mated with the second optical connector, the first light coupling unit and the second light coupling unit rotate relative to the first housing and the second housing, respectively, and mate.