公开(公告)号：US11880072B2

公开(公告)日：2024-01-23

申请号：US17693991

申请日：2022-03-14

Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY

Inventor： Michael A. Haase ,  Terry L. Smith ,  Bing Hao ,  Changbao Ma

IPC: G02B6/36 ,  G02B6/38

CPC classification number: G02B6/3861 ,  G02B6/382 ,  G02B6/3839 ,  G02B6/3853 ,  G02B6/3885 ,  G02B6/3652 ,  G02B6/3838

Abstract: An optical ferrule includes at least one light affecting element configured to affect one or more characteristics of light from an optical waveguide as the light propagates in the optical ferrule, the light affecting element having an input surface. At least one receiving element receives and secures the optical waveguide to the ferrule so that an output surface of the waveguide is optically coupled to the input surface of the light affecting element. A waveguide stop limits movement of the waveguide toward the input surface of the light affecting element when the optical waveguide is installed in the receiving element. A space between the output surface of the optical waveguide and the input surface of the light affecting element is inaccessible to the optical waveguide when the optical waveguide is installed in the receiving element.

公开(公告)号：US11726265B2

公开(公告)日：2023-08-15

申请号：US17250174

申请日：2019-06-25

Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY

Inventor： Bing Hao ,  Michael A. Haase ,  Terry L. Smith

IPC: G02B6/30 ,  G02B6/34 ,  G02B6/124

CPC classification number: G02B6/305 ,  G02B6/124 ,  G02B6/34

Abstract: An optical waveguide propagates an optical mode at a first wavelength along a length of the waveguide. The optical waveguide has an optical core with a substantially polygonal cross-section in a plane substantially perpendicular to the length of the waveguide. The optical core has an index of refraction n1 at the first wavelength. A first optical cladding is disposed adjacent the optical core and has an index of refraction n2 at the first wavelength, n2

公开(公告)号：US11215764B2

公开(公告)日：2022-01-04

申请号：US16808442

申请日：2020-03-04

Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY

Inventor： Terry L. Smith ,  Michael A. Haase ,  James M. Nelson ,  Alexander R. Mathews

IPC: G02B6/38 ,  H01R13/514

Abstract: A modular optical connector includes a plurality of coupled optical ferrule support modules. Each optical ferrule support module comprises module connecting features configured to couple each ferrule support module with one or more neighboring ferrule support modules of the plurality of ferrule support modules. One or more optical ferrules are disposed and configured to rotate within the ferrule support module. Each optical ferrule includes a first attachment area configured to attach to one or more optical waveguides. One or more passageways are disposed within the ferrule support module. Each passageway is configured to receive the one or more optical waveguides. The passageway comprises a second attachment area configured to attach to the optical waveguides that are attached to the optical ferrule at the first attachment area. The passageway is dimensioned to constrain the optical waveguides to bend within the housing between the first attachment area and the second attachment area.

公开(公告)号：US20210389527A1

公开(公告)日：2021-12-16

申请号：US17458736

申请日：2021-08-27

Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY

Inventor： Daniel F. Cronch ,  Sergio D. Carranza ,  Boon K. Lee ,  Michael A. Haase ,  Terry L. Smith

IPC: G02B6/38

Abstract: Each optical cable includes an array of at least one optical waveguide and at least one optical ferrule attached to the array of optical waveguides. The housing includes a first housing portion and a second housing portion engaged with the first housing portion. The second housing portion comprises at least one carrier and one frame. The carrier and frame of the second housing portion are configured to support the one or more optical cables. The first housing portion and the second housing portion are configured such that mechanical engagement of the first housing portion with the second housing portion moves the carrier relative to the frame. Movement of the carrier relative to the frame causes a bend in each optical waveguide and rotation of each ferrule. The bend provides a predetermined spring force of the optical waveguides at a predetermined angle of the ferrule.

公开(公告)号：US20210294047A1

公开(公告)日：2021-09-23

申请号：US17303729

申请日：2021-06-07

Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY

Inventor： Michael A. Haase ,  Alexander R. Mathews ,  Terry L. Smith

IPC: G02B6/38

Abstract: An optical ferrule adapted to receive and transmit light is described. The optical ferrule includes first and second alignment features for mating with corresponding alignment features of a mating optical ferrule. One of the first and second alignment features may be compressible or expandable.

公开(公告)号：US20210263230A1

公开(公告)日：2021-08-26

申请号：US17315819

申请日：2021-05-10

Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY

Inventor： Terry L. Smith ,  Barry S. Carpenter ,  Takayuki Hayauchi

IPC: G02B6/38 ,  G02B6/26

Abstract: An optical connector includes a first attachment area for receiving and permanently attaching to an optical waveguide. A light coupling unit is disposed and configured to move translationally and not rotationally within the housing of the connector. The light coupling unit includes a second attachment area for receiving and permanently attaching to an optical waveguide received and permanently attached at the first attachment area. The light coupling unit also includes light redirecting surface. The light redirecting surface is configured such that when an optical waveguide is received and permanently attached at the first and second attachment areas, the light redirecting surface receives and redirects light from the optical waveguide. The optical waveguide limits, but does not prevent, a movement of the light coupling unit within the housing.

公开(公告)号：US20210255397A1

公开(公告)日：2021-08-19

申请号：US17250174

申请日：2019-06-25

Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY

Inventor： Bing Hao ,  Michael A. Haase ,  Terry L. Smith

IPC: G02B6/30 ,  G02B6/34

Abstract: An optical waveguide propagates an optical mode at a first wavelength along a length of the waveguide. The optical waveguide has an optical core with a substantially polygonal cross-section in a plane substantially perpendicular to the length of the waveguide. The optical core has an index of refraction n1 at the first wavelength. A first optical cladding is disposed adjacent the optical core and has an index of refraction n2 at the first wavelength, n2

公开(公告)号：US20210215884A1

公开(公告)日：2021-07-15

申请号：US17250101

申请日：2019-06-25

Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY

Inventor： Michael A. Haase ,  Bing Hao ,  Changbao Ma ,  Terry L. Smith

IPC: G02B6/36

Abstract: A light coupling element including a groove and a light redirecting member is described. The groove is for receiving and aligning an optical waveguide and incudes an open front end and a back end. The light redirecting member includes an input side for receiving light from an optical waveguide received and supported in the groove and a light redirecting side for changing a direction of light received from the input side. The groove may include a bottom surface extending between the front and back ends of the groove and including a raised bottom surface portion raised upwardly relative to an unraised bottom surface portion. The unraised bottom surface portion of the bottom surface may be disposed between the raised bottom surface portion of the bottom surface and the input side of the light redirecting member. Optical coupling assemblies including the light coupling element and an optical waveguide are described.

公开(公告)号：US11009653B2

公开(公告)日：2021-05-18

申请号：US15929594

申请日：2020-05-12

Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company

Inventor： William J. Clatanoff ,  Daniel J. Treadwell ,  Phillip E. Tuma ,  Terry L. Smith ,  Donald K. Larson ,  Barry J. Koch

IPC: F21V8/00 ,  G02B6/38 ,  G02B6/42

Abstract: An optical system including first and second optical elements for guiding light therein. For each optical element, the propagating light enters or exits the optical element through a coupling surface of the optical element. The coupling surfaces of the optical elements face, and align with, each other so that light propagating in one of the optical elements exits the optical element through the coupling surface of the optical element and enters the other optical element through the coupling surface of the other optical element. The coupling surfaces are separated from each other and define a region therebetween. The region is filled with a coolant, the coolant substantially surrounding at least one of the first and second optical elements.

公开(公告)号：US10921537B2

公开(公告)日：2021-02-16

申请号：US15929650

申请日：2020-05-14

Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY

Inventor： Terry L. Smith ,  Barry J. Koch ,  Michael A. Haase ,  Alexander R. Mathews

IPC: G02B6/42 ,  G02B6/38 ,  G02B6/32 ,  G02B6/34 ,  H04B10/40

Abstract: An optical communication subassembly includes one or more optoelectronic devices, one or more optical elements, and a transceiver light coupling unit. Each optical element is configured to change a divergence of the outgoing light relative to a divergence of the incoming light and is spaced apart from and optically aligned with a corresponding optoelectronic device. The transceiver light coupling unit has a mating surface configured for mating with a connector light coupling unit attached to an optical waveguide. A mating direction of the optical light coupling unit forms an angle with the mating surface of the transceiver light coupling unit such that when the connector light coupling unit mates with the transceiver light coupling unit, the angle between the mating direction of the connector light coupling unit and the mating surface of the transceiver light coupling unit causes the optical waveguide to bend.