Multi-fiber optic receptacle and plug assembly

A multi-fiber fiber optic receptacle and plug assembly, comprising:

• a fiber optic receptacle defining a first alignment and keying feature, the receptacle comprising:
• a receptacle housing defining an internal cavity;
• a ferrule retainer secured to the receptacle housing;
• a receptacle ferrule at least partially disposed within the internal cavity of the receptacle housing and at least partially disposed within the ferrule retainer;
• a biasing spring for biasing the receptacle ferrule in the direction of the receptacle housing;
• and
• a fiber optic plug adapted to be mated with the receptacle and defining a complimentary second alignment and keying feature, the plug comprising;
• a plug outer housing defining a passageway;
• a plug sub-assenably disposed within the passageway and comprising an inner housing, a plug ferrule and a biasing spring, the plug ferrule a least partially disposed within the inner housing:
• and
• an alignment sleeve disposed adjacent a forward end of the inner housing, the plug ferrule at least partially disposed within the alignment sleeve;
• and
• wherein the second alignment and keying feature of the plug operatively engages the first alignment and keying feature of the receptacle when the plug is inserted into the receptacle to properly align the receptacle ferrule and the plug ferrule in opposing relation;
• and
• wherein the receptacle and the plug each further comprise a ferrule boot for engaging the rear of the receptacle ferrule and the plug ferrule, respectively, and a spring centering cuff for engaging the rear surface of the corresponding ferrule boot, and wherein the biasing spring, the spring centering cuff and the ferrule boot of the receptacle and the plug operatively engage the rear of the receptacle ferrule and the plug ferrule, respectively, to substantially center a spring biasing force on the center of an end face of the receptacle ferrule and plug ferrule, respectively.

A fiber optic receptacle and plug comprising:

• a fiber optic receptacle defining an internal cavity and a first alignment and keying feature disposed within the internal cavity;
• a multi-fiber receptacle ferrule disposed within the internal cavity;
• a fiber optic plug comprising a plug outer housing defining a passageway;
• an alignment sleeve disposed at least partially within the receptacle end at least partially within the plug when the plug is inserted into the receptacle;
• and
• a multi-fiber plug ferrule at least partially disposed within the aliguxoent sleeve and at least partially disposed within the outer housing;
• wherein the outer housing and the alignment sleeve defining a second complimentary alignment and keying feature for engaging the first alignment and keying feature of the receptacle when the plug is mated with the receptacle to ensure that the receptacle ferrule is aligned with the plug ferrule in a predetermined orientation;
• wherein the receptacle and the plug each further comprise a biasing member assembly for urging the receptacle ferrule and the opposing plug ferrule toward one another when the plug is inserted into the receptacle;
• and
• wherein the at least one biasing member assembly comprises a round biasing spring, a spring centering cuff and a ferrule boot, and wherein the round biasing spring engages a rear surface of the spring centering cuff;
• a generally concave forward surface of the spring centering cuff engages a generally convex rear surface of the ferrule boot engages a rear surface of the receptacle ferrule and the plug ferrule, respectively, to center a spring biasing force generated by the round biasing spring substantially on the center of the end face of the receptacle ferrule and the plug ferrule, respectively.