Abstract:
Embodiments disclosed herein include ferrule assembly having a ferrule and a ferrule boot that is coupled to the ferrule. The ferrule boot is used for aligning an array of optical fibers in the desired arrangement when entering the ferrule. In one embodiment, the ferrule boot may have a two-piece construction that includes a fiber alignment portion that defines a first groove for a first row of optical fibers and a cover portion. Moreover, the ferrule boot may be configured to accommodate multiple rows of optical fibers. Other embodiments may use a bendable material for the ferrule boot and/or include color coding for aiding the craft with fiber positioning.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Field 
         [0002]    The present disclosure generally relates to systems and methods for a ferrule boot and, more specifically, to embodiments of a ferrule boot that properly aligns fibers. 
         [0003]    2. Technical Background 
         [0004]    Many current connectors include a predetermined number of optical fiber inputs such as optical fiber bores or the like. Ferrules for optical fiber and the optical fiber inputs may be arranged such that only properly aligned fibers will cause a connection with adequate data transmission quality. As an example, a multi-fiber connector may be configured with optical fiber inputs that are aligned in a linear fashion with a precise and tightly-spaced geometry. As such, many current solutions include gluing fibers into such a configuration. However, these current solutions often delaminate prior to installing the fiber into the ferrule, which increases processing time and difficulty. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    Embodiments disclosed herein include ferrule assembly. The ferrule assembly may include a ferrule and a ferrule boot that is coupled to the ferrule. The ferrule boot may include a fiber alignment portion that defines a first groove for a first row of optical fibers and a cover portion. Additionally, in other embodiments the ferrule boot may be configured to accommodate multiple rows of optical fibers. Still other embodiments may use a bendable material for the ferrule boot and/or include color coding for aiding the craft with fiber positioning. 
         [0006]    Embodiments also disclosed herein include a method for providing a ferrule boot. In some embodiments, the method includes inserting a first row of optical fibers into a first groove of a fiber alignment portion of a ferrule assembly and securing the first row of optical fibers within the first groove with a cover portion of the ferrule assembly. 
         [0007]    Additional features and advantages will be set forth in the detailed description which follows, and in part will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from that description or recognized by practicing the embodiments described herein, including the detailed description which follows, the claims, as well as the appended drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description describe various embodiments and are intended to provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and character of the claimed subject matter. The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the various embodiments, and are incorporated into and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate various embodiments described herein, and together with the description serve to explain the principles and operations of the claimed subject matter. 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  depicts an exploded view of a fiber optic connector, according to embodiments disclosed herein; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2A  depicts a C-shaped ferrule boot, such as may be used in a fiber optic connector, according to embodiments disclosed herein; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2B  depicts a cover portion for the C-shaped ferrule boot, according to embodiments disclosed here; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2C  depicts the C-shaped ferrule boot and cover portion, according to embodiments disclosed herein; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3A  depicts a ferrule boot, such as may be used in a fiber optic connector, according to embodiments disclosed herein; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3B  depicts a securing component for attaching to the ferrule boot, according to embodiments disclosed herein; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3C  depicts the ferrule boot, with fibers positioned within, according to embodiments disclosed herein; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3D  depicts the ferrule boot assembly, including the fiber boot and securing component, with fibers positioned within, according to embodiments disclosed herein; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4A  depicts a C-shaped ferrule boot with a bendable extension portion, according to embodiments disclosed herein; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4B  depicts a C-shaped ferrule boot with optical fibers inserted therein, according to embodiments disclosed herein; 
           [0019]      FIG. 4C  depicts a C-shaped ferrule boot with the cover portion bent to secure the optical fibers, according to embodiments disclosed herein; 
           [0020]      FIG. 5A  depicts an E-shaped ferrule boot with a bendable cover portion, according to embodiments disclosed herein; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5B  depicts an E-shaped ferrule boot with optical fibers inserted therein, according to embodiments disclosed herein; 
           [0022]      FIG. 5C  depicts an E-shaped ferrule boot with the cover portion bent to secure the optical fibers, according to embodiments disclosed herein; 
           [0023]      FIG. 6A  depicts an S-shaped ferrule boot, according to embodiments disclosed herein; 
           [0024]      FIG. 6B  depicts the S-shaped ferrule boot, with optical fibers secured, according to embodiments disclosed herein; 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  depicts the S-shaped ferrule boot, with alignment slots and a polarity indicator, according to embodiments disclosed herein; and 
           [0026]      FIG. 8  depicts an E-shaped ferrule boot with alignment features, according to embodiments disclosed herein; 
           [0027]      FIG. 9  depicts a flowchart for providing a ferrule boot, according to embodiments disclosed herein; and 
           [0028]      FIG. 10  depicts another flowchart for providing a ferrule boot, according to embodiments disclosed herein. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0029]    Referring initially to the drawings,  FIG. 1  depicts an exploded view of a fiber optic connector  100 , according to embodiments disclosed herein. More specifically, a fiber optic connector  100  includes fiber cable and/or plurality of optical fibers  102 , a spring push  104 , a spring  106 , cover portion  108 , a ferrule boot  110 , a multifiber ferrule  112 , and a housing portion  114 . Specifically, the multifiber ferrule  112  may include a ferrule body that is generally rectangular in lateral cross-section. Although an MT-style ferrule is illustrated and described herein, the multifiber ferrule  112  need not be an MT-type ferrule and may be any suitable multifiber ferrule. Regardless of the type, the multifiber ferrule  112  extends lengthwise within the fiber optic connector  100 . In addition, the ferrule body defines a plurality of bores opening through the end face. The bores are arranged in a laterally extending linear row for receiving the end portions of respective optical fibers. 
         [0030]    Although the embodiments of the multifiber ferrule  112  may include total of twelve bores such that the multifiber ferrule  112  can be mounted upon the end portions of twelve individual optical fibers, the end face may define any number of bores, such as 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 or more. In addition, the multifiber ferrule  112  may include more than a single linear row of bores. Further, the bores need not be arranged in one or more laterally extending linear rows. For example, any number of bores may be arranged in any predetermined pattern on the end face of the multifiber ferrule  112 . 
         [0031]    The multifiber ferrule  112  may also define one or more elongated guide pin holes. The guide pin holes open through the end face and are adapted to receive a respective guide pin to align the multifiber ferrule  112  with an opposing ferrule of a mating connector in a known manner. The guide pin holes defined by the ferrule body in turn define a longitudinal axis extending through the center of the guide pin hole. The multifiber ferrule  112  may be manufactured such that the longitudinal axis of each guide pin hole is substantially parallel to the bores extending lengthwise through the ferrule body and perpendicular to the end face. 
         [0032]    As also illustrated, the cover portion  108  and the ferrule boot  110  of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  are positioned adjacent the rear face of the multifiber ferrule  112 , between the multifiber ferrule  112  and the spring  106 . An opening that extends lengthwise through the spring  106  permits the end portions of the optical fibers  102  to pass through the spring  106  to the cover portion  108  and ferrule boot  110  and on to the multifiber ferrule  112 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 2A  depicts a C-shaped ferrule boot  110 , such as may be used in a fiber optic connector, according to embodiments disclosed herein. As illustrated, the ferrule boot may include a plurality of extension portions  220 ,  226 , and a connection portion  234  there between, which create a fiber alignment portion that help to define a substantially C-shaped cross section of the ferrule boot  110  as well as a first groove for receiving a first row of optical fibers. The extension portions  220 ,  226 , further define an alignment groove  232  for receiving a first row of optical fibers. Additionally, the ferrule boot  110  may have a thickness  242  of a predetermined length. 
         [0034]      FIG. 2B  depicts a cover portion  108  for the C-shaped ferrule boot, according to embodiments disclosed here. As illustrated, the cover portion  108  may also have a C-shaped cross section, and may include a cover securing portion  246  and a base securing portion  244 , which define a ferrule boot receiving area  243 . The ferrule boot receiving area  243  may have a length  250  that is slightly greater than the thickness  242  for removably securing the ferrule boot  110 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 2C  depicts the C-shaped ferrule boot and cover portion, according to embodiments disclosed herein. As illustrated, the ferrule boot may receive a first row of optical fibers in the alignment groove  232 . Additionally, the cover portion  108  may be attached to the ferrule boot to secure the fibers therein. 
         [0036]      FIG. 3A  depicts a ferrule boot  110 , such as may be used in the fiber optic connector  100 , according to embodiments disclosed herein. As illustrated, the ferrule boot  110  may include three extension portions, including a base extension portion  320  (which includes a base distal end  322  and a base proximal end  324 ), a cover extension portion  326  (which includes a cover distal end  328  and a cover proximal end  330 ), and a support extension portion  332  (which includes a distal support end and a proximal support end). The base extension portion  320 , the cover extension portion  326 , and the support extension portion  332  may be coupled together into a substantially E-shaped cross section, with a cover connection portion  334  facilitating the connection between the cover extension portion  326  and the support extension portion  332  on the cover distal end  328  and a base connection portion  336  facilitating a connection between the support extension portion  332  and the base extension portion  320  on the base distal end  322 . As illustrated, the base connection portion  336  couples to the base distal end  322  of the base extension portion  320 . Similarly, the cover connection portion  334  couples to the cover distal end  328  of the cover extension portion  326 . Depending on the particular embodiment, the cover connection portion  334  and the base connection portion  336  may be configured as a single component (as in  FIG. 3A ), while in other embodiments the two portions may be separate and distinct. 
         [0037]    Accordingly, the ferrule boot  110  defines a first alignment portion  338 , which defines a first groove between the base extension portion  320  and the support extension portion  332 . The first alignment portion  338  may define a fiber receiving length, which may extend from the base connection portion  336  to the base proximal end  324  of the base extension portion  320 . Depending on the particular embodiment, the fiber receiving length may be approximately the total width of a predetermined number of fibers being received in the first alignment portion  338 . Similarly, the ferrule boot  110  defines a second fiber alignment portion  340 , which defines a second groove between the support extension portion  332  and the cover extension portion  326 . The second fiber alignment portion  340  may also include a fiber receiving length that extends from the cover connection portion  334  to the cover proximal end  330  of the cover extension portion  326 . Depending on the particular embodiment, this fiber receiving length may be approximately the total width of a predetermined number of fibers being received in the second fiber alignment portion  340 . In these areas, the optical fibers  102  may be inserted and secured for alignment with the multifiber ferrule  112 . The ferrule boot  110  may define an exterior thickness  342 , measured as a distance between an exterior portion of the base extension portion  320  and the cover extension portion  326 . 
         [0038]      FIG. 3B  depicts a cover portion  108  for attaching to the ferrule boot  110 , according to embodiments disclosed herein. As illustrated, the cover portion  108  includes a base securing portion  344  and a cover securing portion  346 , which are coupled together by a securing connection portion  348 . As illustrated, the cover portion  108  may take the form of a “C” configuration and may define a ferrule boot receiving area  343  that has an interior thickness  350 , which is a distance measured from an inner portion of the base securing portion  344  to an inner portion of the cover securing portion  346 . In some embodiments, the interior thickness  350  is substantially the same as the exterior thickness  342  such that the cover portion  108  can fit around the ferrule boot  110 , such that the cover portion  108  is removably secured to the ferrule boot  110 . 
         [0039]      FIG. 3C  depicts the ferrule boot  110 , with optical fibers  102  positioned within, according to embodiments disclosed herein. As illustrated, the optical fibers  102  are inserted into the second fiber alignment portion  340 . By placing the optical fibers  102  into the second fiber alignment portion  340 , the fibers may be aligned for coupling with the multifiber ferrule  112 . Additionally, in some embodiments, one or more fibers may be inserted into the first alignment portion  338  to provide a second (or different) layer of fiber alignment. Depending on the particular embodiment, the optical fibers  102  may be laterally received (e.g. received at the base proximal end  324  and moved toward the base distal end  322 ) in the first alignment portion  338  and/or second fiber alignment portion  340 . In some embodiments, the fibers may be received longitudinally. 
         [0040]      FIG. 3D  depicts the ferrule boot  110  and cover portion  108 , with optical fibers  102  positioned within, according to embodiments disclosed herein. As illustrated, in addition to optical fibers  102  being inserted into the second fiber alignment portion  340 , optical fibers  102  may also be inserted into the first alignment portion  338 . Additionally, the cover portion  108  may be coupled with the ferrule boot  110 . As discussed above, the cover portion  108  has an interior thickness  350  that is substantially the same as the exterior thickness  342 , such that the cover portion  108  is removably secured with a frictional connection around the ferrule boot  110 . 
         [0041]    It should be understood that, while the embodiments of  FIGS. 3A-3D  include two fiber receiving areas (e.g., the first alignment portion  338  and the second fiber alignment portion  340 ), this is merely an example. More specifically, at least one additional receiving area may be defined by at least one additional extension portions and additional connection portions, which may be configured substantially similarly as depicted in  FIGS. 3A-3D . In such embodiments, multiple rows of optical fibers may be housed. Some embodiments may include a plurality of additional fiber receiving areas. 
         [0042]      FIG. 4A  depicts a C-shaped ferrule boot  410  with a bendable extension portion, according to embodiments disclosed herein. As illustrated, the ferrule boot  410  may have a substantially C-shaped cross section and may include a first extension portion  420  and a second extension portion  426 . The first extension portion  420  and the second extension portion  426  define a fiber alignment portion  432  for receiving a row of optical fibers. Also included in the embodiment of  FIG. 4A  is a cover portion  450 , which may be constructed of a bendable material for bending toward the second extension portion. 
         [0043]      FIG. 4B  depicts a C-shaped ferrule boot  410  with a row of optical fibers  102  inserted therein, according to embodiments disclosed herein. More specifically, the row of optical fibers  102  may be placed in the fiber alignment portion  432  for alignment. 
         [0044]      FIG. 4C  depicts a C-shaped ferrule boot  410  with the cover portion  450  bent to secure the optical fibers, according to embodiments disclosed herein. As illustrated, the cover portion  450  may be bent toward the second extension portion  426  to cover the fiber alignment portion  432 . This allows the row of optical fibers  102  to be aligned and secured within the ferrule boot  410 . 
         [0045]      FIG. 5A  depicts an E-shaped ferrule boot  510  with a bendable cover portion  550 , according to embodiments disclosed herein. As illustrated, the ferrule boot  510  may be configured with a substantially E-shaped cross section. As such, the ferrule boot  510  may include a first extension portion  522 , a second extension portion  526 , and a third extension portion  540 . The extension portions  522 ,  526 , and  540  may define fiber alignment portions  532  and  538 . Additionally included is a cover portion  550 , which may be integral with the extension portion  522  and may be constructed of a bendable material to be bent toward the second extension portion  526 . 
         [0046]      FIG. 5B  depicts an E-shaped ferrule boot  510  with optical fibers  102  inserted therein, according to embodiments disclosed herein. As illustrated, a first row of optical fibers  102  and a second row of optical fibers  102  may be inserted into the fiber alignment portions  532 ,  538  for alignment and securing. 
         [0047]      FIG. 5C  depicts an E-shaped ferrule boot  510  with the cover portion  550  bent to secure the optical fibers  102 , according to embodiments disclosed herein. As illustrated, the cover portion  550  may be bent toward the second extension portion  532  to cover the fiber alignment portions  532 ,  538 , thereby securing the first row of optical fibers  102  and the second row of optical fibers  102 . 
         [0048]    It should be understood that while the embodiments of  FIGS. 2A-5C  depict ferrule boots with three or less extension portions, these are merely examples. More specifically, some embodiments may include a ferrule boot that defines includes a plurality of additional extension portions (e.g., more than 3 extension portions), defining a plurality of additional fiber alignment portions (e.g., more than two fiber alignment portions) and thus a plurality of additional grooves (e.g., more than two grooves) for receiving rows of optical fibers, while still defining an substantially E-shaped cross section. 
         [0049]      FIG. 6A  depicts another embodiment of the ferrule boot  610 , according to embodiments disclosed herein. As illustrated, the ferrule boot  610  may include a substantially S-shaped cross section and may include a plurality of extension portions, including a base extension portion  630 , a support extension portion  632 , and a cover extension portion  626 . The base extension portion  630  may be coupled to a base connection portion  636 , which is coupled to the support extension portion  632 . Similarly, the cover extension portion may be coupled to a cover connection portion  634 , which is also coupled to the support extension portion. Additionally, the base extension portion  630  may include an extension portion  652  that extends beyond the cover connection portion  634 . Similarly, the cover extension portion  626  may include a distal connection end, a proximal connection end, and an extension portion  650  that extends beyond the base connection portion  636 . 
         [0050]    As such, the embodiment of  FIG. 6A  is structured as an “S” configuration, which defines a base fiber receiving area  638  with a fiber receiving length from the base connection portion  636  to distal support end  646  and a cover fiber receiving area  640  with a fiber receiving length from the cover connection portion  634  to a proximal support end  644  for receiving fibers. 
         [0051]    Accordingly, at least a portion of the ferrule boots  110 ,  410 ,  510 , and  610  may be constructed of a flexible material for bending the cover extension portion  626  and the base extension portion  630  toward the support extension portion  632  to secure fibers within the cover fiber receiving area  640  and the base fiber receiving area  638 , respectively. Additionally, in some embodiments, the extension portions  650 ,  652  may extend beyond the support extension portion  632 . This may allow the portions of the base extension portion  630  and the cover extension portion  626  that extend beyond the ends of the support extension portion  632  to be bent around the base connection portion  636  and the cover connection portion  634 , respectively. This may serve to further secure the optical fibers  102  within the base fiber receiving area  638  and the cover fiber receiving area  640 . 
         [0052]    It should be understood that, depending on the particular embodiment, the ferrule boot  610  from  FIG. 6A  may be utilized in a fiber optic connector, similar to that illustrated in  FIG. 1 . Regardless of the type of fiber optic connector, the ferrule boot  610  may be utilized to align fibers for introduction to a ferrule, such as the multifiber ferrule  112 , from  FIG. 1 . 
         [0053]      FIG. 6B  depicts another embodiment of the ferrule boot  610 , with optical fibers secured, according to embodiments disclosed herein. As illustrated, the ferrule boot  610  may receive optical fibers  102  in the fiber receiving areas  638 ,  640 . Additionally, the extension portions  650 ,  652  may be bent toward the connection portions  634 ,  626  to secure the optical fibers  102  in place and aligned in a predetermined arrangement. 
         [0054]      FIG. 7  depicts another embodiment of a ferrule boot  710 , with alignment slots  714   a ,  714   b  and a polarity indicator  712 , according to embodiments disclosed herein. As illustrated, the ferrule boot  710  may be configured with a polarity indicator  713 . As an example, a “U” shaped (or other shaped) symbol may be positioned and aligned to indicate a predetermined polarity of the optical fibers  102  that are supported in the ferrule boot  710 . Additionally, in some embodiments, the ferrule boot  710  may include a plurality of alignment slots  714   a ,  714   b  for receiving the optical fibers  102 . More specifically, the plurality of alignment slots  714   a ,  714   b  may be configured as indentations in the base fiber receiving area  738  and/or in the cover fiber receiving area  740  to secure the optical fibers  102 . The plurality of alignment slots  714   a ,  714   b  may be any number but may be configured to match with the bores of the ferrule and may be utilized to ensure that the optical fibers  102  do not become misaligned and/or out of order. Additionally, the plurality of alignment slots  714   a ,  714   b  may be color coded to further indicate the order that the optical fibers  102  are to be placed in the ferrule boot  710 . As an example, a first alignment slot (e.g., the alignment slot  714   a ) may be yellow, while a second alignment slot (e.g., the alignment slot  714   b ) may be green. The other alignment slots may similarly be of different colors, textures, etc. Similarly, in some embodiments, the alignment slots  714  may be numbered to indicate this order. Other identification may also be provided. 
         [0055]      FIG. 8  depicts an E-shaped ferrule boot  810  with alignment features  860 ,  862 , according to embodiments disclosed herein. As illustrated, the ferrule boot  810  may be configured with a substantially E-shaped cross section and may include extension portions  820 ,  826 , and  832 , as described above. However, in this embodiment, the ferrule boot  810  also includes a first alignment feature  860  and a second alignment feature  862 . The first alignment feature  860  may be configured as portion that extends from an exterior surface of the ferrule boot  810 . The alignment feature  860  may be integral to the fiber alignment portion of the ferrule boot  810  and may extend from the ferrule boot  810  such that the profile of the cover portion  808  is smaller than the alignment feature  860 . Thus, when the ferrule boot  810  is coupled with the multifiber ferrule  112  ( FIG. 1 ), the alignment feature  860  is positioned to abut to an external portion of the multifiber ferrule  112 . This allows the ferrule boot  810  to easily couple with the multifiber ferrule  112 , without the cover portion  808  intruding on that coupling. 
         [0056]    Similarly, the alignment feature  862  may be configured as one or more features that extend from the extension portions. The alignment features  862  may be integral to the fiber alignment portion and may extend from the fiber alignment portion to abut with an interior surface of the multifiber ferrule  112  to further secure the ferrule boot  810  inside the ferrule. Additionally, the alignment features  862  may have a profile equal to or beyond the profile of the cover portion  808 . 
         [0057]      FIG. 9  depicts a flowchart for providing a ferrule boot  110 ,  310 , according to embodiments disclosed herein. As illustrated in block  960 , a first fiber may be laterally received at a base fiber receiving area of a ferrule boot. In some embodiments, the base fiber receiving area includes a first area between a base extension portion and a support extension portion. In block  963 , a second fiber may be laterally received at a cover fiber receiving area of the ferrule boot. In some embodiments, the cover fiber receiving area includes a second area between a cover extension portion and the support extension portion. In block  964 , the first fiber may be secured within the base fiber receiving area and the second fiber within the cover fiber receiving area. 
         [0058]      FIG. 10  depicts another flowchart for providing a ferrule boot, according to embodiments disclosed herein. As illustrated in block  1060 , a first row of optical fibers may be inserted into a first groove of a fiber alignment portion of a ferrule assembly. In block  1062 , the first row of optical fibers may be secured within the first groove with a cover portion of the ferrule assembly. 
         [0059]    It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the embodiments described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter. Thus, it is intended that the specification cover the modifications and variations of the various embodiments described herein provided such modification and variations come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.