Backplane optical connectors and optical connections incorporating the same

Abstract

Backplane optical connectors and optical connections are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a backplane optical connector includes a ferrule element that includes a body portion having optical interface, at least two bores positioned through the body portion, at least two posts extending from the body portion, and a fiber inlet portion extending from the body portion. The fiber inlet portion includes a fiber receiving opening. The backplane optical connector further includes a magnet disposed within each bore of the at least two bores, and a bias member coupled to the at least two posts.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A backplane optical connector comprising:
 a ferrule element comprising:
 a body portion comprising an optical interface; 
 at least two bores positioned through the body portion; 
 at least two posts extending from the body portion; and 
 a fiber inlet portion extending from the body portion, the fiber inlet portion comprising a fiber receiving opening; 
   a magnet disposed within each bore of the at least two bores; and   a bias member coupled to the at least two posts.   
     
     
         2 . The backplane optical connector of  claim 1 , wherein the body portion comprises four non-parallel walls defining a trapezoidal shape. 
     
     
         3 . The backplane optical connector of  claim 1 , wherein the at least two bores comprises four bores with four magnets disposed in the four bores. 
     
     
         4 . The backplane optical connector of  claim 1 , wherein the at least two posts extend from a surface of the body portion that is opposite from the optical interface. 
     
     
         5 . The backplane optical connector of  claim 1 , wherein the fiber inlet portion extends from a surface of the body portion opposite from the optical interface. 
     
     
         6 . The backplane optical connector of  claim 1 , further comprising a fiber optic cable comprising a plurality of optical fibers, wherein the plurality of optical fibers is optically coupled to the optical interface. 
     
     
         7 . The backplane optical connector of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the bias member is a strip of a compliant material comprising a first end, a second end and a bent portion disposed between the first end and the second end;   the strip comprises a first opening at the first end, a second opening at the second end and a third opening at the bent portion;   the at least two posts comprises a first post and a second post; and   the first post is disposed through the first opening at the first end, the second post is disposed through the second opening at the second end, and the fiber inlet portion is disposed through the third opening at the bent portion.   
     
     
         8 . The backplane optical connector of  claim 1 , further comprising a bushing disposed about each of the at least two posts. 
     
     
         9 . The backplane optical connector of  claim 1 , further comprising a backplane comprising an opening for each of the at least two posts and the fiber inlet portion of the ferrule element, wherein the at least two posts and the fiber inlet portion of the ferrule element are disposed within the openings in the backplane such that the ferrule element is movable relative to the backplane. 
     
     
         10 . A backplane optical connector comprising:
 an outer housing comprising an outer housing opening;   an inner housing comprising a mating surface and an inner housing opening, wherein the inner housing is disposed within the outer housing opening;   at least two magnets disposed within the inner housing;   a ferrule element comprising an optical interface, wherein the ferrule element is disposed within the inner housing opening, and the ferrule element is movable relative to the inner housing; and   a cap portion comprising a cap opening, wherein the cap portion is coupled to the outer housing, and the inner housing is disposed within the cap opening.   
     
     
         11 . The backplane optical connector of  claim 10 , wherein the inner housing further comprises a first alignment post and a second alignment post at the mating surface. 
     
     
         12 . The backplane optical connector of  claim 10 , wherein the ferrule element further comprises a first alignment feature and a second alignment feature at the optical interface. 
     
     
         13 . The backplane optical connector of  claim 10 , wherein the ferrule element further comprises a fiber inlet opening operable to receive a plurality of optical fibers. 
     
     
         14 . The backplane optical connector of  claim 10 , further comprising at least one bias member disposed between the outer housing and the ferrule element, and at least one bias member disposed between the cap portion and the inner housing. 
     
     
         15 . The backplane optical connector of  claim 14 , wherein:
 the cap portion comprises a first bore and a second bore;   the at least one bias member disposed between the cap portion and the inner housing comprises a first spring disposed within the first bore and a second spring disposed within the second bore of the cap portion; and   the first spring and the second spring are coupled to the inner housing.   
     
     
         16 . The backplane optical connector of  claim 15 , wherein the inner housing further comprises a flange portion, and the first spring and the second spring are coupled to the flange portion. 
     
     
         17 . The backplane optical connector of  claim 10 , further comprising a fiber guide element operable to receive a plurality of optical fibers, wherein the fiber guide element is disposed within the outer housing opening and coupled to the outer housing, and the at least one bias member disposed between the outer housing and the ferrule element is coupled to the ferrule element and the fiber guide element. 
     
     
         18 . The backplane optical connector of  claim 10 , wherein the outer housing is coupled to a backplane, and the inner housing and the ferrule element are movable with respect to the backplane.