US 6,685,361 B1 · Fiber optic cable connectors for downhole applications

Abstract

A connector for joining a first fiber optic cable end and a second fiber optic end includes first and second connector ends adapted to receive the first and second fiber optic cable ends. Each connector end houses a plurality of termini for terminating the fiber optic cable ends. The connector also includes a first alignment feature and a second alignment feature. The first alignment feature includes a plurality of flanges formed on the first connector end to define a plurality of key openings and a plurality of key protrusions formed on the second connector end adapted to fit into the plurality of key openings to ensure proper alignment of the first and second connector ends. The second alignment includes a plurality of termini keys with each termini key being disposed on each of the termini and fitting into a key termnini slot formed in the first and second connector ends for receiving the termini. The first and second alignment features ensure that the first connector end is properly aligned with respect to the second connector end and that each termini disposed in the first connector end is properly aligned with each termini disposed in the second connector end.

Claims30

Dependent claims

A connector assembly for joining a plurality of first fiber optic cable ends with a plurality of second fiber optic cable ends, comprising:

a plurality of first termini comprising angled tips, each first termini optically coupled to one of the plurality of first fiber optic cable ends;
a plurality of second termini comprising angled tips, each second termini optically coupled to one of the plurality of second fiber optic cable ends;
a key coupled to each of the first and second termini;
a first housing comprising at least one connector key and a plurality of first termini key slots adapted to receive the keys of the first termini therein;
and
a second housing comprising at least one connector key opening adapted to receive the connector key therein and a plurality of second termini key slots adapted to receive the keys of the second termini therein, wherein the keys of the first and second termini and the termini key slots of the first and second housings together with the connector key slot and the connector key opening define a predefined and fixed relative angular orientation between the respective angled tips of the first and second termini and position corresponding first and second termini in optical communication.

3 more elements

A method for constructing a connector assembly for joining a plurality of first fiber optic cable ends with a plurality of second fiber optic cable ends, comprising:

coupling each of the first fiber optic cable ends to first termini, each of the first termini comprising a first key coupled to its outer surface and angled tips;
coupling each of the second fiber optic cable ends to second termini, each of the second termini comprising a second key coupled to its outer surface and angled tips;
positioning the first termini within a first housing comprising a plurality of first key slots for receiving the first keys and aligning the first termini with respect to the first housing, whereby relative angular movement between the first termini and the first housing is prevented;
positioning the second termini within a second housing comprising a plurality of second key slots for receiving the second keys and aligning the
second termini with respect to the second housing, whereby relative angular movement between the second termini and the second housing is prevented;
forming at least one connector key on the first housing;
and
forming at least one connector key opening on the second housing for receiving the at least one connector key, aligning the first housing with respect to the second housing and preventing relative angular movement between the first housing and second housing;
whereby a registration of the keys and key slots and a registration of the connector key and the connector key opening ensures a predefined and fixed relative angular orientation between the respective angled tips of the first and second termini.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Fiber optic cable connectors for downhole applications

Life of this patent

Fiber optic cable connectors for downhole applications

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims30