Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company

Joseph A Paparella

James B Carpenter

An optical fiber connector having strain relief insert means to engage the buffered coating of the optical fiber cable upon the crimping of a crimp ring to cause the insert to flow in a direction toward the connector and the fiber to move toward the connector.

Strain relief for a coated optical fiber in a connector

A tool adapted for use in cleaving an optical fiber installed in a ferrule connector, which can also act as an acutation cap for the connector. The tool comprises a body having a cavity for receiving the ferrule of the connector, and a floor at the extreme end of the cavity which contacts the ferrule end face when the ferrule is fully inserted into the cavity, there further being a hole in this floor, positioned to receive a portion of the optical fiber which has been inserted in the ferrule and protrudes from the end face. When the fiber passes through the hole and beyond the floor, it may be scored and subsequently cleaved. The thickness of the floor is controlled to precisely locate the score with respect to the ferrule end face, to present an optimal length of fiber stub for polishing. Scoring the fiber in this manner allows the buffered portion of the fiber to be secured to the strain relief element of the connector, and any clamping element of the connector secured, prior to scoring and cleaving.

Growing community of inventors

Canyon Lake, TX, United States of America

Joseph A Paparella