Managed fiber connectivity systems

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10983285-B2
Application number	US-201916674062-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 5, 2019
Priority date	Feb 12, 2010
Publication date	Apr 20, 2021
Grant date	Apr 20, 2021

Abstract

A communications connection system includes an adapter module defining at least first and second ports and at least one media reading interface mounted at one of the ports. The first adapter module is configured to receive a fiber optic connector at each port. Some type of connectors may be formed as duplex connector arrangements. Some types of adapters may include ports without media reading interfaces. Some types of media reading interfaces include contact members having three contact sections.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A fiber optic connector comprising:
a connector body configured to terminate at least one optical fiber, the connector body defining a cavity, the cavity including an outer ledge, the outer ledge defining a plurality of depressions;
a storage device installed within the cavity of the connector body, the storage device having a first end seated on the outer ledge within the cavity and an opposite second end facing away from the outer ledge, the storage device including memory configured to store physical layer information, the storage device also including at least one contact member disposed on the second end, the at least one contact member being electrically connected to the memory; and
adhesive disposed at the depressions in the outer ledge, the adhesive holding the storage device to the outer ledge.

2. The fiber optic connector of claim 1 , wherein the at least one contact member is flush with an adjacent section of the connector body when the storage device is installed within the cavity.

3. The fiber optic connector of claim 1 , wherein the memory is positioned at the first end of the storage device and the at least one contact member is positioned at the second end of the storage device.

4. The fiber optic connector of claim 1 , wherein the storage device includes a printed circuit board to which the memory and the at least one contact member are coupled.

5. The fiber optic connector of claim 1 , wherein the memory is an EEPROM chip that is accommodated within the cavity.

6. The fiber optic connector of claim 1 , wherein the at least one contact member is one of a plurality of contact members provided at the second end of the storage device, each contact member being electrically connected to the memory.

7. The fiber optic connector of claim 6 , wherein the plurality of contact members include least three contact members.

8. The fiber optic connector of claim 7 , wherein the plurality of contact members includes four contact members.

9. The fiber optic connector of claim 6 , wherein the plurality of contact members are staggered.

10. The fiber optic connector of claim 6 , wherein the plurality of contact members have at least two different lengths.

11. The fiber optic connector of claim 1 , wherein the storage device includes a circumferential edge extending between the first and second ends, and wherein part of the circumferential edge is accessible from an exterior of the connector body.

12. The fiber optic connector of claim 6 , wherein the plurality of contact members have portions extending in parallel strips.

13. The fiber optic connector of claim 1 , wherein the cavity is defined through a region of the connector body that defines a rotational key.

14. The fiber optic connector of claim 11 , wherein the at least one contact member curves over the part of the circumferential edge.

15. The fiber optic connector of claim 1 , wherein the connector body defines an LC connector.

16. The fiber optic connector of claim 1 , wherein the connector body defines an MPO connector that is configured to terminate a plurality of optical fibers.

17. The fiber optic connector of claim 1 , wherein the connector body is coupled to a second connector body using a non-removable clip to form a duplex connector arrangement.

18. The fiber optic connector of claim 1 , further comprising:
a ferrule disposed within the connector body; and
an optical fiber having a first end held by the ferrule.

19. The fiber optic connector of claim 18 , wherein the optical fiber is one of a plurality of optical fibers each having a respective first end held by the ferrule.

20. The fiber optic connector of claim 1 , wherein the depressions in the outer ledge form a crenelated pattern.

Assignees

• Commscope Technologies Llc

Inventors

• Anderson John
• Brandt Steven J
• Coffey Joseph C
• Patel Kamlesh G
• Petersen Cyle D
• Schroeder Michael D
• Stasny John

Classifications

• G02B6/3897

  Connectors fixed to housings, casing, frames or circuit boards (G02B6/44528 takes precedence) · CPC title

• G02B6/3895

  identification of connection, e.g. right plug to the right socket or full engagement of the mating parts (keying element on the plug or adapter G02B6/3831; keying element on the ferrule G02B6/3851; keying element for electrical connection H01R13/64) · CPC title

• G02B6/3825 Primary

  with an intermediate part, e.g. adapter, receptacle, linking two plugs · CPC title

• G02B6/3893

  Push-pull type, e.g. snap-in, push-on · CPC title

• G02B6/3879

  Linking of individual connector plugs to an overconnector, e.g. using clamps, clips, common housings comprising several individual connector plugs · CPC title