The device includes a housing, an insert, a first ferrule, a second ferrule, a first ball lens, a second ball lens, a first contact pin, a second contact pin, a first contact socket, a second contact socket, an alignment pin, and an alignment socket. The housing has a first key and a second key. The insert is mounted in the housing. The first ferrule is mounted in the insert. The second ferrule is mounted in the insert. The first ball lens is mounted in the insert, and the first ball lens is in optical communication with the first ferrule. The second ball lens is mounted in the insert, and the first ball lens is in optical communication with the second ferrule. The first and second contact pins, and the first and second contact sockets are mounted in the insert.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention pertains to an opto-electric connector. The invention more particularly concerns an opto-electric connector having expanded light beam capabilities and a hermaphroditic interface.

2. Discussion of the Background

Expanded beam connectors are known in the art. Typically, an expanded beam connector includes a ball lens mounted in a housing. In one direction of light travel, light exits an optical fiber and enters the ball lens. As the light beam exits the ball lens, the cross section of the light beam is expanded several times. The expanded beam of light can then be associated with another expanded beam connector. In such a scenario, the expanded light beam enters a ball lens where it eventually leaves the ball lens and is focused at a particular location. The focused light then enters an optical fiber.

The use of expanded beam technology allows for some misalignment between the two connectors, and it also accommodates, to some degree, the intrusion of debris such as dust or sand. When debris is deposited between the two ball lenses, the debris blocks some of the optical power of the optical signal from reaching the second ball lens. However, the optical signal is successfully transmitted, albeit at a reduced optical power level. If a non-expanded beam connector was employed, the debris would have probably blocked the transmission of the optical signal in its entirety. An expanded beam connector is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,247,595. U.S. Pat. No. 5,247,595 is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

Opto-electric connectors are known in the art. An opto-electric connector provides for the transmission of both electrical signals and optical signals. A standard, ANSI/SMPTE 304M-1998 (where SMPTE stands for Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers), describes a connector's interface and performance requirements for an opto-electric single mode connector solution for use within the broadcast industry that employs butt joint (non-expanded beam) technology.

Hermaphroditic connectors are known in the art. Hermaphroditic connectors ease inventory concerns, and provide easy field coupling since the ends of the two connectors will always mate. U.S. Pat. No. 6,234,683 discloses a fiber optic hermaphroditic connector. Optical transmission of the optical signal disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,234,683 occurs by way of a butt joint when the connector is mated with another connector. U.S. Pat. No. 6,234,683 is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

It is desirable to provide a connector that incorporates the advantageous features of the different types of connectors.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide a device which has both optical and electrical connection features.

It is another object of the invention to provide a device which is hermaphroditic so that the device can attach to another device thus enabling the transmission of optical and electrical signals.

It is still yet another object of the invention to provide a device which employs expanded beam technology so that, when two devices are connected to each other, they enable the transmission of optical signals in harsh environments.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a device is easy to terminate in the field.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide a device is able to act as a temporary patch cord.

It is another object of the invention to provide a device is mountable to a bulkhead.

In one form of the invention the device is an opto-electric connector which includes a housing, an insert, a first ferrule, a second ferrule, a first ball lens, a second ball lens, a first contact pin, a second contact pin, a first contact socket, a second contact socket, an alignment pin, and an alignment socket. The housing has a first key and a second key. The insert is mounted in the housing. The first ferrule is mounted in the insert. The second ferrule is mounted in the insert. The first ball lens is mounted in the insert, and the first ball lens is in optical communication with the first ferrule. The second ball lens is mounted in the insert, and the first ball lens is in optical communication with the second ferrule. The first contact pin is mounted in the insert. The second contact pin is mounted in the insert. The first contact socket is mounted in the insert. The second contact socket is mounted in the insert. The alignment pin is mounted in the insert. The alignment socket is formed in the insert. The first key, the second key, the first ball lens, the second ball lens, the first contact pin, the first contact socket, the second contact pin, the second contact socket, the alignment pin, and the alignment socket are hermaphroditic with a first key, a second key, a first ball lens, a second ball lens, a first contact pin, a first contact socket, a second contact pin, a second contact socket, an alignment pin, and an alignment socket of another device. Additionally, the first ferrule has an end which is at an angle relative to a longitudinal length direction of the first ferrule, and the second ferrule has an end which is at an angle relative to a longitudinal direction of the second ferrule.

In another form of the invention, the device is a field installable opto-electric connector which includes a housing, an insert, a fiber optic connector, a second fiber optic connector, a contact pin, a second contact pin, a third contact pin, a fourth contact pin, and a cover. The first fiber optic connector is mounted in the insert. The second fiber optic connector is mounted in the insert. The first and second fiber optic connectors conform to the LC standard. The first contact pin is mounted in the insert. The second contact pin is mounted in the insert. The third contact pin is mounted in the insert. The fourth contact pin is mounted in the insert. The first, second, third, and fourth contact pins provide for electrical connections. The cover is attached to the housing, the cover has a key, and the cover is a male cover.

In still yet another form of the invention, the device is an opto-electric patch cord which includes a first housing, a first insert, a first ferrule, a second ferrule, a first ball lens, a second ball lens, a contact pin, a second contact pin, a first contact socket, a second contact socket, an alignment pin, and alignment socket, a second housing, a second insert, a first fiber optic connector, a second fiber optic connector, a third contact pin, a fourth contact pin, a fifth contact pin, a sixth contact pin, a cover, a first optical fiber, a second optical fiber, a first conductor, a second conductor, a third conductor, and a fourth conductor. The first housing has a first key, and a second key. The first insert is mounted in the first housing. The first ferrule is mounted in the first insert. The first ferrule having an end which is at an angle relative to a longitudinal length direction of the first ferrule. The second ferrule is mounted in the first insert. The second ferrule having an end which is at an angle relative to a longitudinal length direction of the second ferrule. The first ball lens is mounted in the first insert, and the first ball lens is in optical communication with the first ferrule. The second ball lens is mounted in the second insert, and the second ball lens is in optical communication with the second ferrule. The first contact pin is mounted in the first insert. The second contact pin is mounted in the first insert. The first contact socket is mounted in the first insert. The second contact socket is mounted in the first insert. The alignment pin is mounted in the first insert. The alignment pin socket is formed in the insert. The first key, the second key, the first ball lens, the second ball lens, the first contact pin, the first contact socket, the second contact pin, the second contact socket, the alignment pin, and the alignment socket are hermaphroditic with a first key, a second key, a first ball lens, a second ball lens, a first contact pin, a first contact socket, a second contact pin, a second contact socket, an alignment pin, and an alignment socket of another device. The second insert is mounted in the second housing. The first fiber optic connector mounted in the second insert. The second fiber optic connector mounted in the second insert. The third contact pin mounted in the second insert. The third contact pin mounted in the second insert. The fourth contact pin mounted in the second insert. The fifth contact pin mounted in the second insert. The sixth contact pin mounted in the second insert. The cover is attached to the second housing, and the cover has a third key. The first optical fiber is attached to the first ferrule and to the first fiber optic connector so that the first ferrule is in optical communication with the first fiber optic connector. The second optical fiber is attached to the second ferrule and to the second fiber optic connector so that the second ferrule is in optical communication with the second fiber optic connector. The first conductor is attached to the first contact pin and to the third contact pin so that the first contact pin is in electrical communication with the third contact pin. The second conductor is attached to the first contact socket and to the fourth contact pin so that the first contact socket is in electrical communication with the fourth contact pin. The third conductor is attached to the second contact pin and to the fifth contact pin so that the second contact pin is in electrical communication with the fifth contact pin. The fourth conductor is attached to the second contact socket and to the sixth contact pin so that the second contact socket is in electrical communication with the sixth contact pin.

In yet another form of the invention, the device is an opto-electric patch cord having similar connectors on each end, the device includes a first housing, a first insert, a first fiber optic connector, a second fiber optic connector, a first contact pin, a second contact pin, a third contact pin, a fourth contact pin, a first cover, a second housing, a second insert, a third fiber optic connector, a fourth fiber optic connector, a fifth contact pin, a sixth contact pin, a seventh contact pin, an eighth contact pin, a second cover, a first optical fiber, a second optical fiber, a first conductor, a second conductor, a third conductor, and a fourth conductor. The first housing is mounted in the first insert. The first fiber optic connector is mounted in the first insert. The second fiber optic connector is mounted in the first insert. The first contact pin is mounted in the first insert. The second contact pin is mounted in the first insert. The third contact pin is mounted in the first insert. The fourth contact pin is mounted in the first insert. The first cover is attached to the first housing, and the first cover has a first key. The second insert is mounted in the second housing. The third fiber optic connector mounted in the second insert. The fourth fiber optic connector mounted in the insert. The fifth contact pin mounted in the second insert. The sixth contact pin mounted in the second insert. The seventh contact pin mounted in the second insert. The eighth contact pin mounted in the second insert. The second cover is attached to the second housing, and the second cover has a second key. The first optical fiber is attached to the first fiber optic connector and to the third fiber optic connector so that the first fiber optic connector is in optical communication with the third fiber optic connector. The second optical fiber is attached to the second fiber optic connector and to the fourth fiber optic connector so that the second fiber optic connector is in optical communication with the fourth fiber optic connector. The first conductor is attached to the first contact pin and to the fifth contact pin so that the first contact pin is in electrical communication with the fifth contact pin. The second conductor is attached to the second contact pin and to the sixth contact pin so that the second contact pin is in electrical communication with the sixth contact pin. The third conductor is attached to the third contact pin and to the seventh contact pin so that the third contact pin is in electrical communication with the seventh contact pin. The fourth conductor is attached to the fourth contact pin and to the eighth contact pin so that the fourth contact pin is in electrical communication with the eighth contact pin. Additionally, the first cover is a male cover, and the second cover is a male cover.

Thus, the invention achieves the objectives set forth above. The invention provides a device which, in one embodiment, is an opto-electric connector, in a second embodiment, is a field repairable opto-electric connector, in a third embodiment, is an opto-electric patch cord having two geometrically different connectors, and in a fourth embodiment, is an opto-electric connector having two identical connectors.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and more particularly toFIGS. 1-13thereof, embodiments of the present invention is displayed therein.

FIG. 1is a side view of the opto-electric connector or device10which is a first embodiment of the invention. The opto-electric connector10includes a housing12, a shell14, a strain relief boot16, and a cable17. The housing12includes a first key18, and a second key20. The first key18includes a thread form3, and the second key20includes a thread form5. The cable17includes two optical fibers and four electrical conductors.

FIG. 2is a partial end view of the device10ofFIG. 1. As shown inFIG. 2, the device10further includes an insert40. The insert40houses an alignment pin22, an alignment pin socket24, a first fiber optic connector26, a second fiber optic connector28, an auxiliary electrical contact socket30, an auxiliary electrical contact pin32, a low voltage contact socket33, and a low voltage contact pin34. The first fiber optic connector26and the second fiber optic connector28transmit and/or receive light signals. The low voltage contact socket33and the low voltage contact pin34conduct electricity utilized with transmitting information signals. The auxiliary electrical contact socket30and the auxiliary electrical contact pin32conduct electricity utilized with power components. Optical fibers associated with the first fiber optic connector26and the second fiber optic connector28can be either multi-mode or single mode optical fibers.

FIG. 2also discloses more features of the first key18and the second key20of the housing12. The first key18has one end17and another end19. The second key20has one end21and another end23. Also defined is a line100which lies on the center points of the alignment pin22and the alignment pin socket24. A line101is defined as intersecting line100at a right angle and is positioned equal distant between the alignment pin22and the alignment pin socket24. The intersection of line100and line101is defined as point102. The alignment pin22and the alignment pin socket24lie on line100and are located at a pitch circle diameter of approximately ten millimeters with the center located at point102. Thus the alignment pin22is approximately five millimeters away from the point102, and the alignment socket24is approximately five millimeters away from the point102.

FIG. 3is the partial end view of the device10ofFIG. 2showing the geometry of the first key18and the second key20of the housing12. The one end21of the second key20is separated from the one end19of the first key18by an arc length A which is substantially equal to seventy-five degrees. The other end23of the second key20is separated from the other end17of the first key18by an arc length B which is substantially equal to one-hundred-six degrees. The end17of the first key18and the end21of the second key20substantially lie along or are parallel to line101.

FIG. 4is the partial end view of the device10ofFIG. 2showing the layout of the interface elements. The first fiber optic connector26is separated from line101by an arc length C which is substantially equal to thirty degrees. The second fiber optic connector28is separated from line101by an arc length D which is substantially equal to thirty degrees. The first fiber optic connector26and the second fiber optic connector28are located at a pitch circle diameter of approximately ten millimeters with the center located at point102. Thus the first fiber optic connector26is approximately five millimeters away from the point102, and the second fiber optic connector28is approximately five millimeters away from the point102. The low voltage contact pin34is separated from line100by an arc length H which is substantially equal to ten degrees. The low voltage contact pin socket33is separated from line100by an arc length E which is substantially equal to ten degrees. The low voltage contact pin34and the low voltage contact pin socket33are located at a pitch circle diameter of four and one-fifths millimeters with the center located at point102. Thus the low voltage contact pin34is approximately two and one-tenth millimeters away from the point102, and the low voltage contact pin socket33is approximately two and one-tenth millimeters away from the point102. The auxiliary electrical contact socket30is separated from line100by an arc length G which is substantially equal to fifty-five degrees. The auxiliary electrical contact pin32is separated from line100by an arc length F which is substantially equal to fifty-five degrees. The auxiliary electrical contact pin32and the auxiliary electrical contact pin socket30are located at a pitch circle diameter often millimeters with the center located at point102. Thus the auxiliary electrical contact pin32is approximately five millimeters away from the point102, and the auxiliary contact pin socket30is approximately five millimeters away from the point102.

FIG. 5is a partial cross-sectional side view of the connector10and a bulkhead mountable connector which has the hermaphroditic features of the connector10. The cross-section displays the alignment pin22and the alignment pin socket24. The housing12is mounted in the shell14. The insert40is mounted in the housing12. The alignment pin22is mounted in the insert40. The alignment pin socket24is formed in the insert. The bulkhead mountable connector includes a shell14′, a housing12′, an insert40′, an alignment pin22′, and an alignment pin socket24′. The alignment pin socket24′ is complimentary to the alignment pin22, and the alignment pin22′ is complimentary to the alignment pin socket24. The alignment pin22may be mounted in the insert40by well known methods such as a press, interference, or friction fit, or use of an adhesive, overmolding, snap rings, or other fastening methods. Likewise, the insert40is mounted in the housing12by way of components and methods known to one skilled in the art. To make the connector10more reliable in the field, O-rings are present between the insert40and the housing12, and the on the shell14. Also, plugs are present in the insert40at the alignment pin socket24and below the alignment pin22so as to prevent external environmental matter from being introduced inside the connector10.

FIG. 6is a partial cross-sectional side view of the connector10and a bulkhead mountable connector which has the hermaphroditic features of the connector10. The cross-section displays the auxiliary electrical contact pin socket30and the auxiliary electrical contact pin32. The auxiliary electrical contact pin socket30is mounted in a socket holder44. The socket holder44is mounted in the insert40. The auxiliary electrical contact pin32is mounted in a pin holder42. The pin holder42is mounted in the insert40. The bulkhead has an auxiliary electrical contact pin32′ that is complimentary to the auxiliary electrical contact pin socket30, and an auxiliary electrical contact pin socket30′ that is complimentary to the auxiliary electrical contact pin32. The mounting of the auxiliary electrical contact pin32in pin holder42, the auxiliary electrical contact pin socket30in the socket holder44, the pin holder42in the insert40, and the socket holder44in the insert40are accomplished by components and methods known to one skilled in the art. The auxiliary electrical contact pin socket30, and the auxiliary electrical contact pin32are made of electrically conductive material. A first conductor which is electrically conductive is electrically associated with the auxiliary electrical contact pin socket30. A second conductor which is electrically conductive is electrically associated with the auxiliary electrical contact pin32.

FIG. 7is a partial cross-sectional side view of the connector10and a bulkhead mountable connector which has the hermaphroditic features of the connector10. The cross-section displays the low voltage contact pin socket33and the low voltage contact pin34. The low voltage contact pin socket33is mounted in a socket holder35. The socket holder35is mounted in the insert40. The low voltage contact pin34is mounted in a pin holder37. The pin holder37is mounted in the insert40. The bulkhead connector has a low voltage contact pin socket33′ which is complimentary to the low voltage contact pin34, and a low voltage contact pin34′ which is complimentary to the low voltage contact pin socket33. The mounting of the low voltage contact pin34in pin holder37, the auxiliary electrical contact pin socket33in the socket holder35, the pin holder37in the insert40, and the socket holder35in the insert40are accomplished by components and methods known to one skilled in the art. A third conductor which is electrically conductive is electrically associated with the low voltage contact pin socket33. A fourth conductor which is electrically conductive is electrically associated with the low voltage contact pin34.

FIG. 8is a partial cross-sectional side view of the connector10and a bulkhead mountable connector which has the hermaphroditic features of the connector10. The cross-section displays the first optical connector26and the second optical connector28. The first optical connector26includes a ferrule52, a ferrule holder54, a ball lens50, and a transparent cover56. The second optical connector28includes a ferrule, ferrule holder, ball lens, and a transparent cover. The bulkhead connector includes an optical connector28′ which is complementary to the first optical connector26, and another optical connector26′ which complementary to the second optical connector28. The ferrule52is mounted in the ferrule holder54. The ferrule holder54is mounted in the insert40. The ball lens50is mounted in the insert40. The transparent cover56is mounted to the insert40. The second optical connector28is constructed similarly. An optical fiber is terminated in the ferrule52of the first optical connector26and another optical fiber is terminated in the ferrule of the second optical fiber28. Thus, the ball lens50is in optical communication with the ferrule52, and, hence, the ball lens50is in optical communication with the optical fiber. In turn, the transparent cover56is in optical communication with the ball lens50. The elements of the second optical connector28are similarly associated with one another. The mounting of the ferrule52in the ferrule holder54, and of the ferrule holder54, the ball lens50, and the transparent cover56of the first optical connector26in or on the insert40, and of the ferrule holder, the ball lens, and the transparent cover of the second optical connector28in or on the insert40are accomplished by components and methods known to one skilled in the art. The ferrule52can have its end nearest the ball lens50formed at an angle relative to a longitudinal direction of the ferrule52so as to reduce back reflection.

The shell14, the housing12, the insert40, the ferrule54, the ferrule holder54, the low voltage contact pin34, the pin holder37, the low voltage contact pin socket33, the socket holder35, the auxiliary electrical contact pin32, the pin holder42, the auxiliary electrical contact pin socket30, the socket holder44, and the alignment pin22are made of suitable engineering materials. Typically the housing12is made of a metallic material, and the insert40is made of a metallic material such as ARCAP. Since the insert40is made of a metallic material, the pin holder37, the socket holder35, the pin holder42, and the socket holder44are made of an insulative material. However, if the insert40is made of an insulative material, then the pin holder37, the socket holder35, the pin holder42, and the socket holder44can be eliminated from the assembly.

A second embodiment of the invention is shown inFIGS. 9 and 10.FIG. 9is a perspective view of an opto-electric connector60not having expanded beam capabilities. The connector60includes a housing62, a cover63, and a key65in the cover63. Field repairs of an expanded beam connector, similar to the connector10shown inFIG. 1, are difficult to perform. So, assuming a connector similar to the connector10shown inFIG. 1fails, then the cable17can be cut so as to expose the two optical fibers and the four conductors.

FIG. 10is a partial exploded view of the connector60ofFIG. 9. Disclosed are the cable17, termination elements32,66,68, and an insert64. The cable17includes a first optical fiber110, a second optical fiber111, a first conductor112, a second conductor113, a third conductor114, and a forth conductor115. The cable17is thread through the housing62. Then the first optical fiber110is terminated in a first optical connector66, the second optical fiber111is terminated in the second optical connector68, the first conductor112is terminated in the first contact pin32, and the remaining three conductors113,114,115, are terminated in the respective remaining three contact pins. The first optical connector66, and the second optical connector68conform to the LC standard. Next, the contact pins32, the first optical connector66, and the second optical connector68are mounted into the insert64. Then the cover63is added to the assembly so that the finish device appears as shown inFIG. 9. The insert64is made of an insulative material. The device60can then be connected to a temporary patch cord as will be described next.

A third embodiment of the invention is shown inFIG. 11.FIG. 11is a perspective view of an opto-electric patch cord120having an expanded beam connector10at one end and a non-expanded beam connector70at the other end. The connector10is as described in regard toFIG. 1. The connector70includes a first electrical contact socket75, a second electrical contact socket76, a third electrical contact socket77, a fourth electrical contact socket75, a first fiber optic socket73, and a second fiber optic socket74. The cover71includes a key72. The connector70is complimentary to the connector60shown inFIG. 9. Thus, once the cable has been terminated with the field installed connector60, the patch cord120is used to attach its connector70to the connector60. Now the expanded beam connector10can be used to connect to other devices until the cable17ofFIG. 10is properly terminated. The two optical connectors at the interface nearest connector70are connected to the two optical connectors associated with the connector10by lengths of respective optical fibers. Likewise, the four electrically conductive members associated with the connector70are connected to the four electrically conductive members associated with connector10by lengths of respective conductors.

A fourth embodiment of the invention is shown inFIG. 12.FIG. 12is a perspective view of a bulkhead mountable opto-electric connector80. As shown, one end of the device80includes a the interface geometry of connector10as shown inFIG. 1, including the housing12and insert, and at its other end the device80includes a housing73and the interface geometry of the cover71ofFIG. 11. Attached to a housing73is a bulkhead plate82for mounting to a bulkhead. The two optical connectors at the interface nearest the housing12are connected to the two optical connectors associated with the cover71by short lengths of respective optical fibers. Likewise, the four electrically conductive members associated with the housing12are connected to the four electrically conductive members associated with the cover71by short lengths of respective conductors. Thus, one end12of the device80has expanded beam capabilities, and the other end71of the device80does not have expanded beam capabilities.

A fifth embodiment of the invention is shown inFIG. 13.FIG. 13is a perspective view of a patch cord140. As shown, the device140includes a cable17, at one end of which the device140includes a connector70that conforms to the design set forth inFIG. 11, and the other end of the device140also includes a connector70. The two optical connectors at the interface nearest the first connector70are connected to the two optical connectors associated with the second connector70by lengths of respective optical fibers. Likewise, the four electrically conductive members associated with the first connector70are connected to the four electrically conductive members associated with the second connector70by lengths of respective conductors. The device140can be used as midstream temporary patch cord where to different cables having connectors10failed in the field.

Thus the interface geometry of the expanded beam connectors provides two optical access locations (26,28), two electrical signal access locations (33,34), and two electrical power access locations (30,32). The performance of the expanded beam connectors meet the performance requirements set forth in ANSI/SMPTE 304M-1998. Therefore, the expanded beam connectors provide an expanded beam replacement solution to the butt joint (non-expanded beam) connectors specified in ANSI/SMPTE 304M-1998.