Expanded beam, single fiber, fiber optic connector

Abstract

The expanded beam, single fiber, fiber optic connector includes a lens holder, a lens, and a ferrule. The lens holder retains the lens, and the lens holder accommodates the ferrule. The lens is in optical communication with an optical fiber retained in the ferrule. The lens holder has an outside diameter that is substantially the same as the outside diameter of a ferrule of a physical contact, single fiber, fiber optic connector, such as one of an LC, SC, FC, and ST style or standard fiber optic connectors.

1 . A device comprising:
 a lens holder having an outside diameter which conforms to an industrial standard selected from the group consisting of LC, SC, FC, and ST industrial standards;   a lens mounted within the lens holder, and wherein the lens is a spherical ball lens; and   a ferrule mountable within the lens holder.   
   
   
       2 . A device according to  claim 1  wherein the lens has an outside diameter that is less than the outside diameter of the lens holder. 
   
   
       3 . A device according to  claim 2  wherein the ferrule has an outside diameter that is less than the outside diameter of the lens. 
   
   
       4 . A device according to  claim 3  wherein the lens holder has a first aperture, a second aperture, and a third aperture, the first aperture has an inside diameter, the second aperture has an inside diameter, the third aperture has an inside diameter, the first aperture is substantially co-linear with the second aperture, and the second aperture is substantially co-linear with the third aperture, the inside diameter of the first aperture is greater than the inside diameter of the second aperture, the inside diameter of the first aperture is greater than the inside diameter of the third aperture, the inside diameter of the third aperture is greater than the inside diameter of the second aperture. 
   
   
       5 . A device according to  claim 4  wherein the outside diameter of the lens is less than the inside diameter of the first aperture of the lens holder. 
   
   
       6 . A device according to  claim 5  wherein the outside diameter of the ferrule is less than the inside diameter of the second aperture of the lens holder. 
   
   
       7 . A device according to  claim 6 , further comprising a ferrule holder mounted within the lens holder, and wherein the lens holder has an outside diameter and an inside diameter. 
   
   
       8 . A device according to  claim 7  wherein the outside diameter of the ferrule holder is less than the inside diameter of the third aperture of the lens holder. 
   
   
       9 . A device according to  claim 8  wherein the inside diameter of the ferrule holder is greater than the outside diameter of the ferrule. 
   
   
       10 . A device comprising:
 a body;   a lens holder having an outside diameter, a first aperture, a second aperture, and a third aperture, the first aperture has an inside diameter, the second aperture has an inside diameter, the third aperture has an inside diameter, the first aperture is substantially co-linear with the second aperture, and the second aperture is substantially co-linear with the third aperture, the inside diameter of the first aperture is greater than the inside diameter of the second aperture, the inside diameter of the first aperture is greater than the inside diameter of the third aperture, and the inside diameter of the third aperture is greater than the inside diameter of the second aperture;   a lens mounted within the lens holder, the lens is a spherical ball lens, the lens has an outside diameter, and wherein the inside diameter of the first aperture of the lens holder is greater than the outside diameter of the lens;   a ferrule mountable within the lens holder, the ferrule having an outside diameter, and wherein the inside diameter of the second aperture of the lens holder is greater than the outside diameter of the ferrule;   a ferrule holder moveably mounted to the body, and the ferrule holder mountable to the lens holder and to the ferrule, the ferrule holder having an outside diameter and an inside diameter, the ferrule holder having a spring seat, and wherein the inside diameter of the third aperture of the lens holder is greater than the outside diameter of the ferrule holder, and wherein the inside diameter of the ferrule holder is greater that the outside diameter of the ferrule;   an optical cable holder having a spring seat;   a snap ring mounted to the optical holder so as to retain the optical holder to the body; and   a spring mounted between the spring seat of the ferrule holder and the spring seat of the optical cable holder, the spring is a compression spring.