Patent attributes
A fiber optic connector uses an expanded light beam design in a universal receptacle that couples to a single style of plug on the ends of all harnesses. A single, mirror image socket design is used on bulkhead receptacles or box connections, with which two harness plugs mate. The receptacle uses optical lenses for expanding, collimating, and focusing the beam from the plug terminii. The optical lens may comprise rod lenses, ball lenses, or any other optical component that accomplishes the desired beam manipulation with the required diameters and lengths. The optical components are captured in a sleeve that holds the components, establishes the distance between the plug terminii and the lenses, and provides the alignment needed between the plug ferrules and the optical components.
