Optical fiber connector
AssigneeClearfield, Inc.
InventorsJohn P. Hill, Walter E. Power, II, Yuki Nishiguchi
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An optical fiber connector and method for assembly and use are disclosed. The optical fiber connector is configured to have a small footprint so that the connector may be pushable or pullable through a conduit if use of a conduit may be needed. The connector may include a first number of connector components configured to fit through a conduit, and a second number of connector components that are configured to be installed to the first components, for example, after the connector is pushed or pulled through a conduit.
Claims26
A terminal end assembly for an optical fiber cable, the assembly comprising:
- at least one ferrule for receiving and terminating an optical fiber of the optical fiber cable;
- a protective tube arranged around the at least one ferrule, the protective tube having a first end and a second end, the first end being retained on a pre-terminated end of the optical fiber cable;
- and
- a pulling eye having a first end and a second end, the first end being retained on the pre-terminated end of the optical fiber cable, at least a portion of the second end of the pulling eye being positioned external to the second end of the protective tube.
A method of manufacturing a terminal end assembly for an optical fiber cable, the method comprising:
- providing at least one ferrule for receiving and terminating an optical fiber of the optical fiber cable;
- arranging a protective tube around the at least one ferrule, the protective tube having a first end and a second end;
- retaining the first end of the protective tube on a pre-terminated end of the optical fiber cable;
- and
- providing a pulling eye having a first end and a second end, the first end being retained on the pre-terminated end of the optical fiber cable and the second end being configured to receive a pull string, at least a portion of the second end of the pulling eye being positioned external to the second end of the protective tube.
A method for installation of an optical fiber, the method comprising:
- progressing a pre-terminated terminal end assembly through a conduit via at least one of pushing and pulling, the pre-terminated terminal end assembly comprising:
- at least one ferrule for receiving and terminating an optical fiber of the optical fiber cable,
- a protective tube arranged around the at least one ferrule, the protective tube having a first end and a second end, the first end being retained on a pre-terminated end of the optical fiber cable, and
- a pulling eye having a first end and a second end, the first end being retained on the pre-terminated end of the optical fiber cable, at least a portion of the second end of the pulling eye being positioned external to the second end of the protective tube removing the protective tube to expose the at least one ferrule;
- removing the pulling eye;
- installing the at least one ferrule within a connector body.
A terminal end assembly for an optical fiber cable configured to connect with an LC-type duplex adapter, the assembly comprising:
- two ferrules for receiving and terminating optical fibers of the optical fiber cable;
- two biasing members, each of the two biasing members being arranged around one of the two ferrules;
- a protective cap configured to retain ends of the two ferrules to hold the ferrules together;
- a protective tube arranged around the two ferrules, the protective tube having a first end and a second end, the first end being retained on a pre-terminated end of the optical fiber cable via a friction fit and the second end being open and arranged opposite the first end;
- and
- a pulling eye having a first end and a second end, the first end being retained on the pre-terminated end of the optical fiber cable and the second end being configured to receive a pull string, at least a portion of the second end of the pulling eye being positioned external to the second end of the protective tube,
- wherein the terminal end assembly has a maximum cross-sectional dimension of about 5 mm.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.