Corning Cable Systems

Corning Optical Communications LLC

Matthew Wade Smith

Wesley Allan Yates

David Lee Dean, Jr

Tory Allen Klavuhn

Robert Elvin Barnette, Jr

Terry Lee Cooke

Timothy Scott Cline

Ronald Alan Leonard

A fiber optic assembly includes a connector and a cover received over an end face of the connector. The connector includes a ferrule through which an optical fiber extends to the end face of the connector. An end of the optical fiber is polished proximate to the end face. The cover the cover includes a rigid end cap and a form-fitting material within the end cap overlaying the polished end of the optical fiber. The cover is configured to limit access of particulates to the end face of the connector and draw loose particulates of dust and debris from the end face of the connector upon removal from the connector.

Fiber optic connector cover and fiber optic assembly including same

A fiber optic assembly includes a connector and a cover bonded to an end face of the connector. The connector includes a ferrule, where an optical fiber extends through the ferrule and to the end face of the connector. An end of the optical fiber is polished proximate to the end face. The cover is bonded directly to the end face of the connector, and overlays the polished end of the optical fiber such that the cover protects the optical fiber, limits access of dust to the end face of the connector, and draws loose particulates from the end face upon removal of the cover.

Fiber optic connector and bonded cover

A combination of a pulling grip assembly and a fiber optic cable assembly for installing the fiber optic cable, including: A method of using the pulling grip assembly and a quick release pulling grip kit for installing fiber optic cable, as defined herein, are also disclosed.

Cable pulling grip having toolless removal

Furcating fiber optic cables without direct coupling of optical fibers to strength members are disclosed. Related methods and assemblies are also disclosed. The furcation includes shrink tube(s) securing optical fiber(s) to their fiber sub-unit jacket(s). The shrink tube(s) is secured inside a cable jacket of the fiber optic cable to secure fiber sub-unit(s) and their optical fiber(s) as part of the furcation. The strength member(s) of the fiber optic cable is also secured to the cable jacket as part of the furcation. The shrink tube(s) prevents direct coupling of the optical fiber(s) to the strength member(s) in the furcation. By not directly coupling the optical fiber(s) to the strength member(s), cable strain can be directed to the cable jacket and the fiber sub-unit jacket(s). The shrink tube(s) can also prevent or reduce micro-bubbles from forming around the optical fiber(s) in the furcation which may cause attenuation from optical fiber micro-bending.

Furcating fiber optic cables without direct coupling of optical fibers to strength members, and related assemblies and methods

Overmolded ferrule assemblies and methods for making the same are disclosed. Some embodiments include positioning a first plurality of fibers in an alignment fixture in a predetermined arrangement such that a predetermined length of the first plurality of fibers extends beyond an end of the alignment fixture. Similarly, some embodiments include positioning a cover portion of the alignment fixture onto the first plurality of fibers, such that corresponding cover recesses on the cover portion align with the corresponding base recesses on the base portion. One method includes the steps of injecting a flowable material into a port on the alignment fixture, waiting a predetermined time for the flowable material to cure, and after the predetermined time, separating the base portion and the cover portion from the first plurality of fibers and the flowable material to create the overmolded ferrule boot.

Overmolded ferrule boot and methods for making the same

Methods of preparing strength member pulling members in fiber optic cable furcations and related components, assemblies, and fiber optic cables are disclosed. To allow fiber optic cables to be pulled without damaging optical fiber(s) disposed therein, a strength member pulling loop is formed from a strength member disposed inside the fiber optic cable. A pulling cord can be disposed in the strength member pulling loop to pull the fiber optic cable. The pulling load applied to the pulling cord is translated to the strength member pulling loop, which is translated to the strength member disposed inside the fiber optic cable. In this manner, when the fiber optic cable is pulled, the pulling load is translated to the strength member disposed inside the fiber optic cable to prevent or avoid damaging the optical fiber(s) disposed inside the fiber optic cable.

Methods of preparing strength member pulling members in fiber optic cable furcations and related components, assemblies, and fiber optic cables

A ferrule assembly includes a ferrule comprising a ferrule boot insertion end and a ferrule boot. The ferrule boot includes a lower component and an upper component. The lower component of the ferrule boot includes a first grooved surface that includes a plurality of first grooves that are dimensioned to receive a plurality of optical fibers. The upper component includes a second grooved surface that includes a plurality of second grooves that are dimensioned to receive the plurality of optical fibers. In one embodiment, the lower component is coupled to the upper component such that individual ones of the plurality of first grooves are substantially aligned with individual ones of the plurality of second grooves. The lower component and the upper component also define a fiber insertion end and a ferrule insertion end of the ferrule boot. The ferrule insertion end of the ferrule boot is at least partially positioned within the ferrule at the ferrule boot insertion end.

Optical fiber assemblies, optical fiber organizers and methods of fabricating optical fiber assemblies

A fiber optic connector assembly and method employing one or more fiber movement supports. The one or more fiber movement supports are each disposed around one or more optical fibers and are configured to inhibit kinks or sharp bends from occurring in the one or more optical fibers. The fiber movement support is more rigid than an optical fiber. Thus, when a force is exerted on an optical fiber in a direction angled to the axis of the optical fiber, the force is directed to the fiber movement support. The fiber movement support translates the non-axial force in a direction toward the axis of the optical fiber. This causes the optical fiber to be pushed back towards the fiber optic cable instead of the kinking or bending the optical fiber, thus avoiding or reducing high insertion losses resulting from bending of the optical fiber.

Growing community of inventors

Lenoir, NC, United States of America

Matthew Wade Smith