Micro Splice Protector

Abstract

A micro splice protector for a fusion connection between a pair of optical fibers takes the form of a cylindrical sleeve of dimensions similar to that of the fusion splice itself, with an epoxy material used to encase the fusion splice within the sleeve. The sleeve is formed to exhibit an inner diameter only slightly greater than the outer diameter of the fibers, with the length of the sleeve typically formed to be only slightly longer than the stripped end terminations of the pair of fibers being spliced together. The cylindrical sleeve is formed of a rigid (but lightweight) material. An epoxy is injected into the configuration to fill any gaps between the fusion connection and the inner surface of the sleeve. The result is a relatively stiff fusion splice protector that is small in size and well-suited for use in optical packages where space is at a minimum.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 15 / 215,705, filed Jul. 21, 2016, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62 / 217,689, filed Sep. 11, 2015 and herein incorporated by reference.TECHNICAL FIELD[0002]The present invention relates to the utilization of fusion splices in optical fiber connections and, more particularly, to a fusion splice protector in the form of a cylindrical sleeve of rigid material with epoxy used to affix the splice in place within the sleeve, where the diameter of the sleeve is only slight larger than the fibers themselves.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]In the continuing development of optical communication systems, components such as optical amplifiers need to fit into smaller and smaller enclosures (e.g., common form-factor pluggable packages such as CFP, CFP2, CFP4 transceivers and the like). There is limited space for optics and mechanics within these enclosures,...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The micro splice protector effectively maintains the mechanical strength and environmental integrity of fusion splices, reducing signal loss and maintaining low insertion loss even under temperature cycling and bending conditions, making it suitable for advanced packaging applications.

Problems solved by technology

There is limited space for optics and mechanics within these enclosures, thus requiring the included components to be reduced in size as much as possible.

Splice protectors serve to shield the fusion splice from bending and experiencing stress, which may introduce signal loss and ultimately cause the splice to be compromised over time.

While these commercially available splice protectors have been useful in the past, they are too large in diameter and length to be readily accommodated into the current CFP package designs (and, accordingly, any future enclosures that may be even smaller).

However, these polymer coatings do not necessarily provide adequate mechanical protection and high reliability, especially for small bend conditions as associated with the CFP enclosures.

These aforementioned solutions, especially commercial splice protectors, have been used in the telecommunications industry for many years, but are not adequate for evolving applications.

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