IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
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국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
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출원번호 |
US-0747584
(2000-12-21)
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발명자
/ 주소 |
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출원인 / 주소 |
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대리인 / 주소 |
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인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
8 인용 특허 :
6 |
초록
▼
The invention is directed to techniques for controlling access to an optical interface using a shutter that moves away (e.g., sideways) from the optical interface when exposing the optical interface. Such movement away form the optical interface avoids pushing dirt and debris toward the optical inte
The invention is directed to techniques for controlling access to an optical interface using a shutter that moves away (e.g., sideways) from the optical interface when exposing the optical interface. Such movement away form the optical interface avoids pushing dirt and debris toward the optical interface when the shutter exposes the optical interface to form an optical connection. Such operation keeps the optical interface clean as well as prevents light from inadvertently escaping from the optical interface that could otherwise cause eye injury (e.g., due to the light intensity). One arrangement is directed to an optical connection system having a first optical connector and a second optical connector. The first optical connector has a connector body, an optical interface disposed within the connector body, a shutter, and a shutter controller that attaches the shutter to the connector body and that permits the shutter to move between a first position that covers the optical interface and a second position that exposes the optical interface. The second optical connector has a connector body that defines an actuator. The actuator is configured to (i) move the shutter away from the optical interface such that the shutter moves from the first position that covers the optical interface to the second position that exposes the optical interface when the second optical connector connects with the first optical connector, and (ii) maintain the shutter in the second position when the second optical connector remains connected with the first optical connector. Since the shutter moves away from the optical interface rather than toward the optical interface, any dirt and debris on the shutter is drawn away from the optical interface. This operation is superior to that of the conventional hinged-cover adaptor approach in which dirt and debris on the adaptor covers is pushed into the adaptor cavity and toward the fiber end of a fiber optic connector.
대표청구항
▼
The invention is directed to techniques for controlling access to an optical interface using a shutter that moves away (e.g., sideways) from the optical interface when exposing the optical interface. Such movement away form the optical interface avoids pushing dirt and debris toward the optical inte
The invention is directed to techniques for controlling access to an optical interface using a shutter that moves away (e.g., sideways) from the optical interface when exposing the optical interface. Such movement away form the optical interface avoids pushing dirt and debris toward the optical interface when the shutter exposes the optical interface to form an optical connection. Such operation keeps the optical interface clean as well as prevents light from inadvertently escaping from the optical interface that could otherwise cause eye injury (e.g., due to the light intensity). One arrangement is directed to an optical connection system having a first optical connector and a second optical connector. The first optical connector has a connector body, an optical interface disposed within the connector body, a shutter, and a shutter controller that attaches the shutter to the connector body and that permits the shutter to move between a first position that covers the optical interface and a second position that exposes the optical interface. The second optical connector has a connector body that defines an actuator. The actuator is configured to (i) move the shutter away from the optical interface such that the shutter moves from the first position that covers the optical interface to the second position that exposes the optical interface when the second optical connector connects with the first optical connector, and (ii) maintain the shutter in the second position when the second optical connector remains connected with the first optical connector. Since the shutter moves away from the optical interface rather than toward the optical interface, any dirt and debris on the shutter is drawn away from the optical interface. This operation is superior to that of the conventional hinged-cover adaptor approach in which dirt and debris on the adaptor covers is pushed into the adaptor cavity and toward the fiber end of a fiber optic connector. 21 769, DE; 195 26 069, DE; 1987-118132, JP; 1994-002734, JP ly for retaining said two-part axle, and wherein each of said hubs includes throughbores for receiving said two-part axle therethrough. 6. The actuator of claim 5 wherein said two-part axle is spring-loaded by a spring means disposed between each part of said two-part axle for urging each part of said two-part axle against said first and second recesses. 7. A pneumatic rotary actuator comprising: a housing including an inner surface and defining a chamber; a rotary piston disposed within said housing, said piston characterized by a first position and a second position, whereby said piston is urged from said first position to said second position by fluid pressure; a shaft connected to said piston; a resilient spring including a first end and a second free end, said first end connected to said shaft, said second free end extending outwardly from said shaft and into said chamber; and a spring support member extending from said inner surface of said housing and including a distal end configured to support the resilient spring; wherein said second free end is biased against said distal end and is configured to move radially relative to said spring support member. 8. The actuator of claim 7 wherein an antifriction sleeve is mounted on said distal end, and wherein the spring is disposed against said antifriction sleeve. 9. The actuator of claim 8 wherein said distal end is rounded. 10. The actuator of claim 8 or 9 wherein said shaft includes lever arms for imparting kinetic energy from said piston to said spring means, said lever arms disposed against said interior surface of said piston. 11. The actuator of claim 10 wherein said shaft comprises a two-part construction, each part having a hub with a lever arm extending from said hub and each part rotatable about an axle. 12. The actuator of claim 11 wherein said axle is a two-part axle. 13. The actuator of claim 12 wherein said piston further includes opposing first and second interior surfaces having opposing first and second recesses respectively for retaining said two-part axle, and wherein each of said hubs includes throughbores for receiving said two-part axle therethrough. 14. The actuator of claim 13 wherein said two-part axle is spring-loaded by a spring means disposed between each part of said two-part axle for urging each part of said two-part axle against said first and second recesses. 15. A pneumatic actuator comprising: a housing having an inner wall and a groove, said groove being recessed into said inner wall; a rotary piston having an exterior surface and disposed within said housing; a shaft connected to said piston; and a seal simultaneously engaging each of said exterior surface of said piston, said inner surface of said housing, and said shaft, and defining first and second chambers within said housing, said seal being disposed within said groove. 16. The actuator of claim 15 wherein said first chamber is substantially isolated from said second chamber. 17. The actuator of claim 16 wherein said seal further includes aperture means for receiving said shaft. 18. A pneumatic actuator comprising: a housing having an inner surface; a rotary piston having exterior and interior surfaces and being disposed within said housing, said piston having a first position and a second position, whereby said piston is urged from said first position to said second position by fluid pressure; a shaft connected to said piston; spring means having a first end and a second end, said first end abutting against said inner surface of said housing and said second end fixedly connected to said shaft, for urging said piston from said second position to said first position wherein said first end comprises a roller disposed against said inner surface of said housing. 19. The actuator of claim 18 wherein said shaft includes lever arms for imparting kinetic energy from said piston to said spring means, said lever arms being disposed against said interior surface of said piston. 20. The actuator of claim 19 wherein said shaft comprises a two-part construction, each part having a hub with a lever arm extending from said hub and each part being rotatable about an axle. 21. The actuator of claim 20 wherein said axle is a two-part axle. 22. The actuator of claim 21 wherein said piston further includes opposing first and second interior surfaces having opposing first and second recesses respectively for retaining said two-part axle, and wherein each of said hubs includes throughbores for receiving said two-part axle therethrough. 23. The actuator of claim 22 wherein said two-part axle is spring-loaded by a spring disposed between each part of said two-part axle for urging each part of said two-part axle against said first and second recesses. 24. A pneumatic actuator comprising: a housing having an inner wall and a groove, said groove being recessed into said inner wall; a rotary piston having an exterior surface and being disposed within said housing; a shaft having a perimeter and extending from said exterior surface of said piston for imparting movement to a further device; a means to introduce fluid pressure into said housing to effect movement of said piston; and a seal, disposed within said housing, simultaneously engaging each of said exterior surfaces of said piston, said inner surface of said housing, and said shaft, and for effecting sealing between: (i) said piston and said housing, and (ii) said shaft and said housing, and thereby defining a first chamber and a second chamber, wherein said seal is securely restrained in said groove. 25. The actuator of claim 24 wherein said seal includes an aperture for receiving said shaft therethrough and engaging said shaft about said perimeter. 26. The actuator of claim 25 wherein said seal further includes a first end engaging said exterior surface of said piston and a second opposite end secured by said groove, such that said seal undergoes elastic deformation in a direction substantially perpendicular to said exterior surface of said piston in response to fluid forces acting on said seal remote from said second end. 27. The actuator of claim 26 wherein said second end if frictionally restrained from escaping said groove. 28. The actuator of claim 27 wherein a portion of said groove is defined by a shoulder and wherein said seal seats on said shoulder. 29. The actuator of claim 28 wherein said groove comprises: a first portion defined by sidewalls and being recessed into said inner wall in a substantially perpendicular direction relative to said inner wall; and first and second appendages defined by sidewalls extending in opposite directions from said first portion and in a substantially perpendicular direction relative to said first portion; and wherein said second end of said seal resides within said first portion and said first and second appendages. 30. The actuator of claim 29 wherein said first end has a surface exposed to fluid pressure within said first chamber, said fluid pressure acting upon said surface to effect substantially fluid tight engagement between said seal and said exterior surface of said piston. 31. The actuator of claim 30 wherein said surface of said first end of said seal is other than perpendicular, relative to an axis defined by said exterior surface of said piston. 32. A valve operatively connected to the actuator of claim 24. 33. A housing having an inner wall and a groove defining a keyway, said groove being recessed into said inner wall; a rotary piston having an exterior surface and being disposed within said housing; and a seal including an outer sealing ring and an inner sealing ring, said outer sealing ring being keyed, locked, or anchored into said keyway, and said inner sealing ring engaging said exterior surface of said piston. 34. The actuator of claim 33, wherein said seal further includes a first end engaging said exterior surface of said piston and a second opposite end secured by
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