Fiber optic connector and bonded cover
AssigneeCorning Cable Systems LLC
InventorsRobert Elvin Barnette, Jr., David Lee Dean, Jr., Matthew Wade Smith, Wesley Allan Yates
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A fiber optic assembly includes a connector and a cover bonded to an end face of the connector. The connector includes a ferrule, where an optical fiber extends through the ferrule and to the end face of the connector. An end of the optical fiber is polished proximate to the end face. The cover is bonded directly to the end face of the connector, and overlays the polished end of the optical fiber such that the cover protects the optical fiber, limits access of dust to the end face of the connector, and draws loose particulates from the end face upon removal of the cover.
Claims17
A fiber optic assembly, comprising:
- a connector comprising a ferrule, wherein an optical fiber extends through the ferrule and to an end face of the connector, and wherein an end of the optical fiber is polished proximate to the end face of the connector;
- an adhesive cover attached to the end face of the connector, wherein the adhesive cover comprises a flexible polymeric substrate and an adhesive agent bonded to the substrate, wherein the adhesive cover overlays the polished end of the optical fiber, and wherein the adhesive agent is positioned between the substrate and the end face of the connector, whereby the adhesive agent bonds the adhesive cover to the connector;
- and
- an end cap positioned over a portion of the connector and the adhesive cover;
- wherein:
- the adhesive cover is bonded to an exterior side of the connector in addition to the end face of the connector,
- the adhesive cover includes a tab that is not bonded directly to the connector and that defines a terminal end of the adhesive cover, and
- the tab is exposed from an interface between the end cap and the connector such that the terminal end defined by the tab is accessible during removal of the adhesive cover from the connector.
A fiber optic assembly, comprising:
- a connector comprising a ferrule, wherein an optical fiber extends through the ferrule and to an end face of the connector, and wherein an end of the optical fiber is polished proximate to the end face of the connector;
- and
- an adhesive cover attached to the end face of the connector, wherein the adhesive cover comprises a flexible polymeric substrate and an adhesive agent bonded to the substrate, wherein the adhesive cover overlays the polished end of the optical fiber, and wherein the adhesive agent is positioned between the substrate and the end face of the connector, whereby the adhesive agent bonds the adhesive cover to the connector;
- wherein the adhesive cover is bonded to an exterior side of the connector in addition to the end face of the connector, wherein the adhesive cover includes a tab that is not bonded directly to the connector such that the tab provides a lifting surface for removal of the adhesive cover from the connector;
- and
- wherein the tab consists of two layers of the substrate with the adhesive agent therebetween.
A method of manufacturing a fiber optic assembly, comprising steps of:
- extending an optical fiber through a ferrule of a fiber optic connector and to an end face of the connector;
- polishing an end of the optical fiber;
- positioning the end of the optical fiber proximate to the end face of the connector;
- bonding an adhesive cover to the end face of a fiber optic connector, wherein the adhesive cover overlays the polished end of the optical fiber, wherein the adhesive cover comprises a flexible polymeric substrate and an adhesive agent bonded to the substrate, and wherein the adhesive agent is positioned between the substrate and the end face of the connector, whereby the adhesive agent bonds the adhesive cover to the connector,
- bonding the adhesive cover to an exterior side of the connector in addition to the end face of the connector, and
- positioning an end cap over a portion of the connector and the adhesive cover, wherein the adhesive cover includes a tab that is not bonded directly to the connector and that defines a terminal end of the adhesive cover, and further wherein the tab is exposed from an interface between the dust cap and the connector such that the terminal end defined by the tab is accessible during removal of the adhesive cover from the connector.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.