Fiber optic cable and plug assembly

• US 20050281510A1
• Filed: 06/17/2004
• Published: 12/22/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Corning Optical Communications LLC (Corning Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Corning Cable Systems LLC (Corning Incorporated)
• Inventors: Vo, Chanh C., Tran, Hieu V., Castonguay, Guy
• Granted Patent: US 7,146,090 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 385/60
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3829 Bent or angled connectors G02B6/3827 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/387 Connector plugs comprising two complementary members, e.g. shells, caps, covers, locked together
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3875 Floatingly supported sleeves
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3888 Protection from over-extension or over-compression
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3889 using encapsulation for protection, e.g. adhesive, molding or casting resin
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/389 characterised by the method of fastening connecting plugs and sockets, e.g. screw- or nut-lock, snap-in, bayonet type
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3897 Connectors fixed to housings, casing, frames or circuit boards G02B6/44528 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4452 Distribution frames
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4471 Terminating devices demountable connectors G02B6/3807; Cable clamps
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4478 Bending relief means

Abstract

A fiber optic cable has a plug assembly that may be positioned and secured at any desired location along the length of the cable to engage a receptacle disposed within a connector port provided in a wall of a connection terminal. The plug assembly includes a shroud, a coupling nut, a heat shrink tube for sealing the cable and a boot for providing bending strain relief. At least a portion of the cable passes through the connector port for interconnection with optical fibers of a distribution cable or optical equipment. A method for routing a fiber optic cable into a connection terminal includes using a connector port provided in a wall of the terminal, determining a desired length of the cable, positioning and securing a plug assembly at a desired location along the length of the cable, and mating the plug assembly with a receptacle disposed within the connector port.

Claims

1. A plug assembly for a fiber optic cable, the plug assembly positioned and secured at a desired location along the length of the fiber optic cable and adapted to engage a receptacle disposed within a connector port, at least a portion of the fiber optic cable passing through the plug assembly and the connector port.

2. The plug assembly of claim 1, comprising:

a shroud secured to the fiber optic cable, the shroud having one or more extensions at a forward end thereof for aligning the plug assembly with the receptacle;

a coupling nut operable for securing the plug assembly within the receptacle;

a heat shrink tube for sealing between the shroud and the fiber optic cable, the heat shrink tube being disposed about a portion of the shroud and an outer portion of the fiber optic cable; and

a boot for providing bending strain relief to the fiber optic cable adjacent the plug assembly.

3. The plug assembly of claim 2, further comprising:

a crimp body defining two half-shells having a clamping portion for securing the fiber optic cable within the plug assembly, the crimp body being disposed between the fiber optic cable and the shroud; and

a crimp band disposed about the crimp body for holding the two half-shells together.

4. The plug assembly of claim 3, wherein the fiber optic cable comprises one or more strength components and wherein the crimp body is disposed about at least one of the strength components of the fiber optic cable.

5. The plug assembly of claim 2, wherein at least one of the shroud and the receptacle have alignment indicia for indicating a mating orientation.

6. The plug assembly of claim 2, wherein the shroud defines a recess and the shroud is secured to the fiber optic cable by an epoxy disposed within the recess.

7. The plug assembly of claim 1, wherein the fiber optic cable comprises an optical transmission component containing a plurality of light waveguides disposed within a cable jacket.

8. A method for routing a fiber optic cable into a connection terminal, comprising:

selecting a predetermined length of a fiber optic cable having a plug assembly positioned and secured at a desired location along the length of the fiber optic cable; and

mating the plug assembly with a receptacle disposed within a connector port provided in a wall of the connection terminal such that at least a portion of the fiber optic cable passes through the plug assembly and the connector port.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the plug assembly comprises:

a shroud secured to the fiber optic cable, the shroud having one or more extensions at a forward end thereof for aligning the plug assembly with the receptacle;

a coupling nut operable for securing the plug assembly within the receptacle;

a heat shrink tube for sealing between the shroud and the fiber optic cable, the heat shrink tube being disposed about a portion of the shroud and an outer portion of the fiber optic cable; and

a boot for providing bending strain relief to the fiber optic cable adjacent the plug assembly.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

a crimp body defining two half-shells having a clamping portion for securing the fiber optic cable within the plug assembly, the crimp body being disposed between the fiber optic cable and the shroud; and

a crimp band disposed about the crimp body for holding the two half-shells together.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the shroud defines a recess and the shroud is secured to the fiber optic cable by an epoxy disposed within the recess.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the fiber optic cable is a secondary distribution cable selected from the group consisting of an extended distribution cable, a branch cable and a drop cable.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein the fiber optic cable comprises an optical transmission component containing a plurality of light waveguides disposed within a cable jacket.

14. A fiber optic cable and plug assembly, comprising:

a fiber optic cable comprising a cable jacket and an optical transmission component disposed within the cable jacket; and

a plug assembly adapted to be positioned and secured at any desired location along the length of the fiber optic cable, the plug assembly comprising

a shroud disposed about the fiber optic cable at the desired location, the shroud having means for mating the plug assembly with a receptacle disposed within a connector port provided in a wall of a connection terminal; and

a coupling nut having a means for securing the plug assembly within the receptacle;

wherein at least a portion of the fiber optic cable passes through the plug assembly and the receptacle into the connection terminal.

15. The fiber optic cable and plug assembly of claim 14, wherein the plug assembly further comprises:

a heat shrink tube for sealing between the shroud and the fiber optic cable; and

a boot for providing bending strain relief to the fiber optic cable.

16. The fiber optic cable and plug assembly of claim 14, wherein the plug assembly further comprises:

a crimp body defining two half-shells having a clamping portion for securing the fiber optic cable within the plug assembly, the crimp body being disposed between the fiber optic cable and the shroud; and

a crimp band disposed about the crimp body for holding the two half-shells together.

17. The fiber optic cable and plug assembly of claim 16, wherein the fiber optic cable comprises one or more strength components and wherein the crimp body is disposed about at least one of the strength components of the fiber optic cable.

18. The fiber optic cable and plug assembly of claim 14, wherein at least one of the shroud and the receptacle have an alignment indicia for indicating a mating orientation.

19. The fiber optic cable and plug assembly of claim 14, wherein the shroud defines a recess and the shroud is secured to the fiber optic cable by an epoxy disposed within the recess.

20. The fiber optic cable and plug assembly of claim 14, wherein the fiber optic cable comprises an optical transmission component containing a plurality of light waveguides disposed within a cable jacket.