US 11,719,890 B2
Passive optical couplers having passive optical activity indicators and methods of operating the same
John Valdez, Copper Canyon, TX (US); Steven Smith, Keller, TX (US); and Erwin Wardojo, McKinney, TX (US)
Assigned to FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, LLC, Norwalk, CT (US)
Filed by FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, LLC, Norwalk, CT (US)
Filed on Jun. 16, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/842,175.
Application 17/842,175 is a continuation of application No. 17/524,361, filed on Nov. 11, 2021, granted, now 11,391,894.
Prior Publication US 2023/0141514 A1, May 11, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. G02B 6/38 (2006.01)
CPC G02B 6/385 (2013.01) 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A passive optical coupler for passively coupling first and second optical fibers, the passive optical coupler comprising:
a housing including:
a first port configured to receive an end of a first optical fiber, and
a second port configured to receive an end of a second optical fiber; and
a passive optical activity indicator that comprises a flat plane of optical material (i) positioned at least partially within the housing substantially perpendicular to an axis of the first and second optical fibers when received in the respective first and second ports and (ii) extending through and beyond a surface of the housing, wherein a first portion of the passive optical activity indicator is exposed through the housing, and wherein the passive optical activity indicator is configured to passively illuminate in response to (a) first light propagating in the first optical fiber when the end of the first optical fiber is received in the first port, and (b) second light propagating in the second optical fiber when the end of the second optical fiber is received in the second port.