Fiber Systems International

Daniel C Roehrs

Kerry W Whitaker

Michael R Roehrs

Bryan D Cull

Vincent A Wouters

A fiber optic connector is provided having translating termini, such that the terminal end of the termini will extend out of the forward end of an insert cap to prevent mud or debris from becoming lodged within the bores of the insert and within alignment sleeves which are contained within the insert cap. The fiber optic cable connector preferably is provided with continuous ceramic sleeves to align the adjacent termini of optical fibers included within respective ones of the cables. The continuous ceramic sleeves have internal bores which are slightly larger than the outside diameter of the periphery of the termini, providing a clearance fit between the continuous ceramic sleeves and respective ones of the termini. The termini are independently gimbaled, with gimbal points being disposed distally from respective mating planes between opposing terminal ends of the termini. Floating seal assemblies extend around respective ones of the termini between the mating planes and the gimbal points, and seal between the respective ones of the termini and a connector housing. The floating seal assemblies each include an annular-shaped, floating collar having an aperture through which a respective one of the termini extends. The floating collar is free to move parallel to a longitudinal axis of the respective termini, and also transverse thereto. A first seal element seals between the aperture of the floating collar and the respective termini. The floating collar includes a face which extends transverse to the longitudinal axis of the respective termini. A second seal element extends around the longitudinal axis of the respective termini and is sealingly engaged between the face of the floating collar and a seal surface of a bore in the connector housing.

Fiber optic connector having translating termini

A fiber optic connector has a preterminated fiber mounted within a ferrule and a fiber guide tube for guiding a terminating fiber into the ferrule to optically coupled the terminating fiber to the preterminated fiber, with an index matching gel extending between the terminating fiber and the preterminated fiber. An index matching gel is initially disposed on an end face of the preterminated fiber and inside of the fiber guide tube. The index matching gel is placed on an end face of the terminating fiber by passing the terminating fiber through the fiber guide tube, with a portion of the gel being wiped free of the terminating fiber periphery as the fiber enters the ferrule. A window extends through a sidewall of the fiber guide tube for applying an adhesive to secure the terminating fiber to the connector. An light signal is applied to the preterminated fiber as the terminating fiber is being connected to the preterminated fiber, to provide a positive indication which verifies when the two fibers are optically connected.

Single terminus connector with preterminated fiber and fiber guide tube

A multi-channel fiber optic connector is provided having a plug connector half and a receptacle connector half. The plug and the receptacle have respective inserts that include exterior peripheries of a particular shape for mating with an interior profile of a housing of the receptacle. The peripheries of the inserts are preferably defined by cylindrical bodies having respective tabs which protrude outward from the outer diameters of the inserts. The interior profile of the receptacle housing defines a recess for receiving the tabs to both angularly align the insert associated with the receptacle and to angularly align the insert associated with the plug. The recess in the receptacle housing is defined by a groove which extends parallel to the longitudinal length of the receptacle housing, with the same groove receiving the protuberant tabs of both inserts to angularly align the inserts. The inserts have fiber optic termini mounted therein.

Fiber optic connector having receptacle housing for radially aligning mating inserts

A multi-channel fiber optic cable connector ( ) is provided for aligning the terminal ends ( ) of optical fibers ( ) of fiber optic cables for transmitting light signals therebetween. Termini ( ) are provided which include end portions defined by ferrules ( ) that extend around terminal ends ( ) of the optical fibers ( ). The termini ( ) are independently gimbaled, with gimbal points ( ) being disposed distally from respective mating planes ( ) defined by opposing terminal ends ( ) of the termini ( ). Alignment sleeves ( ) are provided to align the adjacent termini ( ) of optical fibers ( ) included within respective ones of the fiber optic cables. The alignment sleeves ( ) have internal bores ( ) that are slightly larger in size than the outside diameters of the peripheries ( ) of the termini ( ) defined by ferrules ( ), providing a clearance fit between the ceramic alignment sleeves ( ) and respective ones of the termini ( ). The tubular bodies ( ) of the alignment sleeves ( ) are preferably formed of ceramic and have continuous cross-sections in various sectioning planes.

Fiber optic connector having alignment sleeves of continuous cross sections

A fiber optic cable connector ( ) is provided for connecting the terminal ends ( ) of optical fibers ( ) of fiber optic cables. The terminal ends ( ) of the optical fibers ( ) are mounted within termini ( ) which are aligned for transmitting light signals therebetween. The connector ( ) includes a housing ( ) having bores ( ) within which the termini ( ) are mounted in a gimbaled arrangement, with gimbal points ( ) being disposed distally from respective mating planes ( ) between opposing terminal ends ( ) of the termini ( ) such that the termini ( ) are pivotally moveable about the gimbal points ( ). Floating seal assemblies ( ) extend around respective ones of the termini ( ) between the mating planes ( ) and the gimbal points ( ), and seal between the respective ones of the termini ( ) and the bores ( ) of the connector housing ( ). The floating seal assemblies ( ) each include an annular-shaped, floating collar ( ) having an aperture ( ) through which a respective one of the termini ( ) extends. The termini ( ) are free to move within respective ones of the apertures ( ) of the floating collars ( ), transverse to the longitudinal axes ( ) of respective ones of the termini ( ). The floating collars ( ) each include a seal surface ( ), which is preferably cylindrical and faces exteriorly of the collar ( ), and a seal face ( ), which preferably extends transverse to the longitudinal axis ( ) of the respective termini ( ). First seal elements ( ) sealingly engage between the cylindrically-shaped seal surfaces ( ) of the floating collars ( ) and the bores ( ) of the housing ( ) of the connector ( ). Second seal elements ( ) seal between respective ones of the seal faces ( ) of the floating collars ( ) and shoulders ( ) of the respective termini ( ).

Fiber optic connector having an annular-shaped floating seal assembly

A multi-channel fiber optic cable connector is provided for connecting the terminal ends of fiber optic cables utilizing continuous ceramic sleeves to align the adjacent termini of optical fibers included within respective ones of the cables. The continuous ceramic sleeves have internal bores which are slightly larger than the outside diameter of the periphery of the termini, providing a clearance fit between the continuous ceramic sleeves and respective ones of the termini. The termini are independently gimbaled, with gimbal points being disposed distally from respective mating planes between opposing terminal ends of the termini. Floating seal assemblies extend around respective ones of the termini between the mating planes and the gimbal points, and seal between the respective ones of the termini and a connector housing. The floating seal assemblies each include an annular-shaped, floating collar having an aperture through which a respective one of the termini extends. The floating collar is free to move parallel to a longitudinal axis of the respective termini, and also transverse thereto. A first seal element seals between the aperture of the floating collar and the respective termini. The floating collar includes a face which extends transverse to the longitudinal axis of the respective termini. A second seal element extends around the longitudinal axis of the respective termini and is sealingly engaged between the face of the floating collar and a seal surface of a bore in the connector housing.

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McKinney, TX, United States of America

Daniel C Roehrs