Multi-fiber optic cable connector and cable apparatus
AssigneeRockwell International Corporation
InventorRonald L. McCartney
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus for aligning and terminating at least one optical fiber of a fiber optic cable within the fiber optic connector assembly aong a predetermined axis. The fiber optic connector comprises a rigid tubular body having a bore dimensioned for receiving the fiber optic cable, a central axis concentric with the predetermined axis, a split alignment sleeve having an outer dimension greater in dimension than the bore of the rigid tubular body, and a threaded alignment sleeve holder having a central aperture dimension for receiving the rigid tubular body and the compressible split alignment sleeve. The apparatus further includes a compression pin which is inserted into the forward end of the fiber optic connector to concetrically align and separate the fibers of the fiber optic cable.
Claims30
An apparatus for aligning and terminating more than one optical fiber, having a compressible cover, of a first fiber optic cable to more than one optical fiber, having a compressible cover, of a second fiber optic cable along a predetermined axis comprising:
- first and second mateable rigid tubular body parts each respectively having an exterior surface and a cylindrical interior surface constructed to receive a first and a second fiber optic cable;
- a compressible split alignment sleeve having an inner diameter less than the diameter of said exterior surface;
- a threaded alignment sleeve holder having two ends and a central aperture dimensioned for receiving said compressible split alignment sleeve, said compressible split alignment sleeve being adapted for a forced insertion into said threaded alignment sleeve holder to firmly grip said first and second rigid tubular body parts to dispose optical fibers each respectively having a compressible cover, along said predetermined axis upon receipt of said first and said second mateable rigid tubular body parts within said compressible split alignment as held by said sleeve holder;
- means for mechanically securing said first and said second rigid tubular body parts together;
- and
- means for concentrically aligning more than one said optical fiber of said first fiber optic cable to more than one said optical fiber of said second fiber optic cable, said means for concentrically aligning including a compression pin constructed and arranged so as to engage said optical fibers to create an interference contact between each of said optical fibers, an interference contact between said compression pin and said fibers and interference contact between each of said fibers and said respective rigid tubular body parts.
An optical communication system comprising in combination:
- a multi-fiber optic cable having more than one optical fiber;
- a compressible covering surrounding each of said optic fibers in said multi-fiber optic cable;
- a crimping material surrounding said plurality of said compressibly covered optic fibers;
- an outer jacket surrounding said crimping material;
- a connector;
- and
- a means for concentrically aligning said multi-fiber optic cable within said connector, said means for concentrically aligning including a compression member constructed and arranged so as to create an interference contact between each of said covered fibers, to create an interference fit between said compression member and said compressible covering on each of said fibers and an interference fit between said compressible coverings on each of said fibers and said connector.
A method of interconnecting a plurality of optical fibers comprising:
- receiving a first plurality of optical fibers each having a compressible cover on said fiber's end portions allowing optical coupling;
- forcefully engaging said first plurality of optical fibers by the insertion of a compression pin in between said covered end portions, thereby causing the disposition of said covered end portions in a first predetermined configuration with respect to a first reference position;
- receiving a second plurality of optical fibers each having a compressible cover on said fiber's end portion allowing the optical coupling;
- forcefully engaging each of said second plurality of optical fibers by the insertion of a compression pin in between said covered end portions thereby causing the disposition of said covered end portions of said second plurality of optical fibers in a second predetermined configuration with respect to a second reference position;
- and
- interconnecting said first predetermined configuration of optical fibers with said second configuration of optical fibers using said first and second reference positions in such a manner that said covered end portion of at least one optical fiber of said first predetermined configuration is aligned and optically coupled to said covered end portion of at least one optical fiber of said second predetermined configuration.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.