Ruggedized fiber optic connectors and connection systems

A fiber optic connection arrangement extending from a front end to a rear end, the fiber optic connection arrangement comprising:

• a connector body;
• a protective outer shell disposed around the connector body, the protective outer shell being movable relative to the connector body;
• and
• a fastener mounted over the protective outer shell at a rear end of the protective outer shell, the fastener being configured to axially compress a seal between the fastener and the protective outer shell.

A fiber optic port arrangement comprising:

• a surface defining a port;
• a receptacle defining a cavity extending between an open end and a pass-through end, the receptacle mounted at the port so that the open end is disposed at the surface, the pass-through end defining an aperture;
• and
• a cable having an end terminated by a connector, the cable extending through the aperture so that the connector is disposed within the cavity, the cable having a stop axially spaced a length from the connector, wherein the length is sufficiently long to enable the connector to move axially through the open end of the receptacle.

A fiber optic connection system comprising:

• an elongate connector core including a core housing that extends from a front end defining a plug portion to a rear end defining a cable anchoring location, the core housing at least partially enclosing a ferrule at the front end, wherein a cable is anchored to the elongate connector core at the cable anchoring location, wherein the ferrule supports an optical fiber of the cable;
• a ruggedized exterior shroud having a forward end and a rearward end, the forward end being configured to mate with a mating component;
• and
• a seal mounted on an exterior of the elongate connector core for providing sealing between the elongate connector core and the shroud when the shroud is mounted over the elongate connector core, the seal being positioned rearward of a longitudinal midpoint of the elongate connector core, the seal being positioned within a circumferential groove defined around the exterior of the elongate connector core, the seal being radially compressed between the exterior of the elongate connector core and an interior of the shroud when the shroud is mounted over the elongate connector core, and wherein the front end of the elongate connector core is inserted through the rearward end of the shroud to mount the shroud over the elongate connector core.

A fiber optic connector, comprising:

• a connector body having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end at least partially forming a plug portion of the fiber optic connector;
• a release sleeve mounted over the connector body and movable relative to the connector body along a lengthwise axis of the connector body up to a limited range of slidable movement relative to the connector body along the lengthwise axis, the release sleeve including ramp surfaces configured to push outward a component configured to lock the fiber optic connector to a receptacle when the release sleeve is pulled along the lengthwise axis toward the proximal end, the release sleeve forming an elongated handle that extends proximally beyond the proximal end of the connector body, at least a portion of the release sleeve being generally cylindrical and including a smaller diameter portion separated from a larger diameter portion by a radial step;
• a seal that extends around an exterior of the connector body and is positioned between the connector body and the release sleeve, the seal being positioned within a circumferential groove of the connector body;
• and
• a boot mounted adjacent the proximal end of the connector body.