Patent ID: 8768116
Filing Date: 2014-07-01
Classification: G02B,Y10T

Abstract:
1. An optical cross-connect assembly comprising: a first stack of first multi-optical fiber connector modules, each of the first connector modules including a first module housing in which ends of a plurality of first optical fibers are held in fixed positions, each of the first module housings having a plurality of first lenses disposed in respective first openings formed in a wall of the first module housing, wherein the first openings extend through the wall and through a front surface of the first module housing, the ends of the first optical fibers being positioned adjacent the respective openings such that light is coupled between the respective first lenses and the respective ends of the first optical fibers; and a second stack of second multi-optical fiber connector modules orthogonally mechanically coupled to the first stack of first multi-optical fiber connector modules, each of the second connector modules including a second module housing in which ends of a plurality of second optical fibers are held in fixed positions, each of the second module housings having a plurality of second lenses disposed in respective second openings formed in a wall of the second module housing, wherein the second openings extend through the wall of the second module housing and through a front surface of the second module housing, the ends of the second optical fibers being positioned adjacent the respective second openings such that light is coupled between the respective second lenses and the respective ends of the second optical fibers, and wherein the orthogonal mechanical coupling of the first and second stacks is such that respective first openings of each of the first module housings are optically aligned with respective second openings of all of the second module housings and such that respective second openings of each of the second module housings are optically aligned with respective first openings of all of the first module housings.