Fiber optic cable termination

Abstract

A method is disclosed for making a termination between (a) a fiber optic cable having an optical fiber, a plurality of reinforcement strands positioned about the optical fiber, and a jacket positioned about the reinforcement strands; with (b) an electro-optic component housing having a tubular extension. In accordance with the method of this invention, in the initial step, a predetermined length of the outer jacket is removed from the fiber optic cable to expose a length of optical fiber and reinforcement strands. A rigid sleeve is then slideably placed onto the optical fiber until it extends a distance under the jacket and is retained thereby. The optical fiber is then hermetically sealed to the sleeve, suitably by solder introduced through one or more holes in the wall of the sleeve. The seal and the integrity of the fiber can be tested at this point, a decided advantage. The rigid sleeve is inserted into and through the tubular extension and sealed therein so that the optical fiber may be coupled to a device within the housing. A layer of adhesive is applied to the tubular extension and the exposed portion of the rigid sleeve. The reinforcement strands are positioned about the outer diameter surface of the tubular extension and a layer of protective material is bonded thereover. A preferred protective material is heat-shrink tubing.