Patent ID: 7207725
Filing Date: 2007-04-24
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
1. A method for connecting a first fiber optic element to a second fiber optic element, the method comprising the steps of: providing a rigid elongated body having a cone-shaped end and an opposite circular and planar base end; coating outer surfaces of the body other than the base end with a layer of mold making wax; separating the body from the wax to provide a hollow wax housing having a cone-shaped end and an open base end; providing a hole in an apex of the housing cone-shaped end; inserting a first fiber optic element comprising a single fiber optic strand through the hole in a first direction into the wax housing to position a free end of the single fiber optic strand in the housing; applying a sealant to the single strand at the housing apex hole; inserting the second fiber optic element comprising a plurality of fiber optic strands into the wax housing through the open-base end from a direction generally opposite to the first direction to position free ends of the plurality of fiber optic strands in the housing and proximate the single fiber optic strand free end, the positions to which the free ends of said first and second element strands are inserted being spaced apart by a distance to allow a sufficient extent of diffusion of light in the optical grade epoxy resin therebetween to couple light between the strand of the first fiber optic element and each strand of the second of the fiber optic elements; filling the wax housing with optical grade epoxy resin and permitting the resin to cure; whereby to effect physical and optical connection between the first and second fiber optic elements; and removing the wax housing from the resin.