Patent ID: 6758599
Filing Date: 2004-07-06
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
A rotatable optical fiber coupler for coupling a first fiber with a second fiber, comprising:a first essentially radially symmetric connector which is essentially hollow and has a threaded first end and a second end having a plurality of springy fingers extending therefrom essentially in the axial direction, the fingers having extensions directed essentially radially inward; a second essentially radially symmetric connector which is essentially hollow and has a threaded first end, the second connector also having a circumferential groove on the outer surface, the second connector detachably attached coaxially to the first connector by spring force pressing the finger extensions of the first connector into the groove of the second connector, whereby the second connector may rotate about the coaxial axis relative to the first connector; a first sleeve positioned over a length of the first optical fiber and received into an opening inside the threaded first end of the first connector; a second sleeve positioned over a length of the second optical fiber and received into an opening inside the threaded first end of the second connector; a first bushing which securely fits into a space in the second end of the first connector and which receives an end of the first fiber after the fiber jacket and a portion of the fiber cladding is stripped from said end, the first bushing having an inner lip against which the first fiber end presses; a second bushing which securely fits into a space in a second end of the second connector and which receives an end of the second fiber after the fiber jacket and a portion of the fiber cladding is stripped from said end, the second bushing having an inner lip against which the second fiber end presses; a first compression fitting including, a split ferrule ring which fits onto the first sleeve and is compressively held thereto, and a ferrule nut which accepts the split ferrule ring and threads onto the threaded first end of the first connector, whereby the first connector distributively compresses against the first sleeve and secures the first fiber end in the first connector, and a second compression fitting including, an insert having a flange which presses against the second sleeve, and a nut which accepts the flange of the insert and threads onto the threaded first end of the second connector, whereby the flange compresses against the second sleeve and secures the second fiber end in the second connector.