Multi-channel fiber optic connector having captive alignment sleeve and single sealing means

A fiber optic cable connector for coupling to a mating fiber optic connector to align terminal ends of optical fibers of two fiber optic cables for transmitting light signals therebetween, the connector comprising:

• a termini mounted to and including a terminal end portion of an optical fiber of a fiber optic cable, the termini having a longitudinal axis and end portions which extend around the terminal end of the optical fiber;
• a housing having an interior passage disposed therein for receiving the termini, the housing having a shoulder disposed to extend into the interior passage, substantially transverse to a longitudinal axis of the interior passage for retaining the termini within the passage;
• an alignment sleeve having an interior bore for receiving a first end portion of the termini which fits within the interior bore of the alignment sleeve, the alignment sleeve operable for aligning the termini of the housing with a corresponding termini of a housing of a second connector to align terminal ends of the optical fibers for transmitting light signals therebetween;
• and
• means disposed within the interior passage for retaining the alignment sleeve therein.

A fiber optic cable connector for connecting the terminal ends of two fiber optic cables having termini of an optical fiber included within each cable, the connector comprising:

• a housing having an insert body with an interior passage disposed therein for receiving a termini of the optical fiber of one of the cables;
• at least one mating plane for aligning with a second at least one mating plane of a second housing for transmitting light signals therebetween;
• a shoulder disposed to extend substantially transverse to a longitudinal axis of the interior passage for retaining the termini within the interior passage;
• a floating collar extending around the termini with a clearance fit between the floating collar and the termini such that the floating collar is free to move parallel to the longitudinal axis of the termini;
• a single seal element disposed within a seal gland, and sealingly engaging between the floating collar and a surface of the interior passage and sealingly engaging between the floating collar and the termini;
• the floating collar having a first seal face extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the termini and a second seal face extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the termini to define the seal gland;
• and
• biasing means to energize the seal element.

A method of making a fiber optic connector operable for joining two fiber optic cables for transmitting light signals therebetween, the method comprising:

• providing a first connector housing having an interior passage for receiving a first termini of the optical fiber of the fiber optic cable, the interior passage operably aligned for registering with an interior passage of a second connector housing;
• mounting a floating collar around the first termini, the floating collar mounted to the first termini, slidable in a longitudinal direction relative to the first termini;
• disposing a single seal element between the floating collar and the first termini and between the floating collar and the interior passage of the connector, sealingly engaging between the floating collar and a surface of the interior passage and sealingly engaging between the floating collar and the termini,
• biasing the floating collar into a forward position wherein the forward end of the floating collar is pressed against the single seal element to energize the single seal element to sealingly engage between the floating collar and the termini;
• and
• mounting the termini within the interior passage of the first connector housing, with the single seal element sealingly engaging between the floating collar and the interior passage of the first connector housing.