Hermetically sealed connectors and feed-throughs for fiber optic cables and method for effecting hermetic seals for such cables

Abstract

A hermetically sealed fiber optic connector or feed through, the connector for connecting at least two fiber optic cables and including a center member having two extensions, with each of the extensions being cylindrical and coaxial. Each of the extensions includes a first engagement means and a first sealing means, with the center member defining a channel axially disposed relative to the extensions. A first connector includes a backshell, with the backshell including a second engagement means in complementary relationship with the first engagement means of a first one of the extensions, and a second sealing means in complimentary relationship with the first sealing means of the first one of the extensions. The first connector includes a ferrule seat and a ferrule joined to the ferrule seat, and includes a cylindrical crimp socket joined to the ferrule seat. The crimp socket defines an axial channel for receiving a first fiber optic cable. The ferrule seat defines a bore placing the ferrule in communication with the axial channel. The bore receives the optical fiber of the first fiber optic cable and places the ferrule in optical communication with the first optical fiber. The feed through of the present invention seals onto a fiber optic cable.