Patent ID: 6511229
Filing Date: 2003-01-28
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
An optical connection system, comprising:a first optical connector having: a connector body which defines an alignment hole and a connector body surface, an optical interface disposed within the connector body, and having an end which is substantially flush with the connector body surface defined by the connector body, the connector body surface and the end of the optical interface forming a substantially planar interface surface, a shutter, and a shutter controller that attaches the shutter to the connector body and that permits the shutter to move between a first position that covers the substantially planar interface surface formed by the connector body surface and the end of the optical interface and a second position that exposes the substantially planar interface surface formed by the connector body surface and the end of the optical interface; and a second optical connector having a connector body that defines an actuator, and a corresponding substantially planar interface surface which is configured to contact the substantially planar interface surface formed by the connector body surface and the end of the optical interface, wherein the actuator is configured to move the shutter away from the optical interface such that the shutter moves from the first position to the second position when the second optical connector connects with the first optical connector, and wherein the connector body of the first optical connector defines the alignment hole such that the alignment hole receives the actuator when the actuator moves the shutter from the first position to the second position.