Method and apparatus for terminating a fiber-optic cable without adhesive
AssigneeAMP Incorporated
InventorSoren Grinderslev
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An adhesiveless optical fiber termination employs an outer element (14, 76, 90) having a through passage (18, 80, 86) that receives an optical fiber (60, 72, 84). A tubular inner element (12, 78, 92) fits over the cable and telescopically seats in the passage of the outer element. An elastomeric compressive system (16, 74, 94) is seated within the passage substantially encircling the optical fiber and is radially inwardly deformed into secure engagement with the optical fiber therein in response to compressive engagement between the outer element and the inner element.
Claims24
Apparatus for terminating a fiber optic cable by mechanical engagement, said apparatus comprising
- A. a terminating element having a passage extending axially therethrough, said passage having a first forward section axially forward of and coaxial with a second rearward section, said passage being adapted for receiving an optical fiber extending axially therein with a forward portion of said optical fiber extending within said forward section,
- B. a compressive system disposed, within a forward portion of said second passage section, circumferentially about said forward portion of said optical fiber, said compressive system being compressible at least in part with substantially a linear relation between compressive force and deformation and being radially inwardly deformable into engagement with said optical fiber, and
- C. selectively movable actuating means movably seated relative to said terminating element and arranged for radially inwardly deforming said compressive system within said passage into engagement with said forward portion of said optical fiber.
Apparatus for terminating an fiber optic cable by mechanical engagement and comprising
- A. an inner element having an axially extending tubular passage therethrough concentrically with in a tubular outer surface, said inner passage being adapted for receiving a buffered optical fiber and having a compressively acting surface at a first forward end,
- B. an outer terminating element having an axially extending tubular passage therethrough with radial constriction means between a first forward passage section for receiving an optical fiber and a second passage section in which said inner element is telescopically movably received, and
- C. a compressive system disposed in said second passage section of said outer terminating element axially forward of said compressively-acting surface and encircling an optical fiber received in said passage of said inner terminating element, said compressive system being compressive at least in part with substantially a linear relation between compressive force and deformation, and deforming, upon compression between said constriction means and said compressively-acting surface, for compressively engaging the optical fiber.
A method for terminating a fiber optical cable comprising the step of compressively deforming a compressive system, that encircles a portion of the cable, by axially telescoping an inner terminating element, so as to mechanically compressively engage said portion of said cable, and wherein said compressive system is compressible at least in part with a linear relation between compressive force and deformation.
A method for terminating a fiber optic cable by mechanical engagement, said method comprising the steps of
- A. providing a terminating element having axially-forward wall means and having an axially extending tubular passage therethrough, and wherein said passage is arranged for receiving an optical fiber extending tubular passage therethrough, and wherein said passage is arranged for receiving an optical fiber extending axially therein with a portion of said fiber extending from within said passage at said forward wall means,
- B. providing a compressive system disposed with in said passage for substantially encircling said portion of said optical fiber closely adjacent the passage thereof through said forward wall means, said compressive system being radially inwardly deformable at least in part with a substantially linear relation between compression force and deformation,
- C. seating a buffered optical fiber extending axially within said passage with a portion of said optical fiber extending from within said passage through said forward wall means, and
- D. deforming said compressive system, using axially applied forces, radially inward into supporting and retaining engagement with said portion of said optical fiber closely adjacent to the passage thereof through said forward wall means.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.