Nested Eccentric Ferrules for Fiber Core Alignment

The patent employs nested ferrule structures where an inner ferrule is positioned within an outer ferrule, both having eccentric bores. This nesting arrangement allows the object to be constrained by multiple concentric cylindrical surfaces, progressively refining the alignment precision while maintaining a relatively compact and integrated device structure.

The patent introduces an intermediary optical imaging system that captures images of alignment targets on the ferrule surfaces. This intermediary imaging mechanism enables precise measurement and calculation of alignment parameters without requiring direct physical contact or complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms, thereby improving measurement precision while controlling device complexity.

The patent replaces manual mechanical centering operations with an automated optical imaging and computational system. The optical imaging system captures images of alignment targets, and a computing device performs vector analysis to calculate precise rotational adjustments. This substitution of mechanical manual operations with optical and computational methods achieves high centering accuracy while maintaining ease of operation through automated control.

The nested ferrule structure with alignment targets enables the system to self-align through optical imaging and computational analysis. The alignment targets on the ferrule surfaces serve as self-indicating features that allow the system to determine its own alignment status and required adjustments without external intervention, thereby achieving high precision while keeping operations simple.