Fiber optic receptacle and plug assemblies with alignment and keying features

• US 20060045430A1
• Filed: 02/25/2005
• Published: 03/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/24/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Corning Optical Communications LLC (Corning Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Corning Cable Systems LLC (Corning Incorporated)
• Inventors: Theuerkorn, Thomas, Norris, Martin E.
• Granted Patent: US 7,137,742 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 385/53
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3831 comprising a keying element on the plug or adapter, e.g. to forbid wrong connection keying element on the ferrule G02B6/3851; keying element for electrical coupling H01R13/64
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3847 with means preventing fibre end damage, e.g. recessed fibre surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3879 Linking of individual connector plugs to an overconnector, e.g. using clamps, clips, common housings comprising several individual connector plugs
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3888 Protection from over-extension or over-compression
• 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 6/545 Pulling eyes G02B6/475 takes precedence

Abstract

A fiber optic receptacle and plug assembly comprising a fiber optic receptacle adapted to be mounted within a connector port of a network connection terminal and a fiber optic plug mounted upon an end of a fiber optic cable, wherein the fiber optic receptacle and the fiber optic plug comprise complimentary alignment and keying features that allow the fiber optic receptacle to receive only a fiber optic plug of like ferrule configuration. The fiber optic plug comprises an alignment sleeve operable for receiving and optically connecting at least one plug ferrule and at least one receptacle ferrule. The receptacle is suitable for use in enclosures requiring a minimal receptacle penetration depth, wherein the fiber optic receptacle comprises a shoulder that is secured against an inner wall of the enclosure to provide strain relief against cable pulling forces of up to about 600 lbs.

Claims

1. A fiber optic receptacle and plug assembly, comprising:

a fiber optic receptacle adapted to be mounted within an opening through a wall of a connection terminal, the receptacle defining an alignment and keying feature comprising one of a key and a key slot;

a fiber optic plug mounted upon an end of a fiber optic cable and defining a first complimentary alignment and keying feature comprising the other of the key and the key slot for ensuring that the plug is mated to the receptacle in a predetermined orientation; and

an alignment sleeve disposed within the plug defining at least one passageway.

2. The fiber optic receptacle and plug assembly of claim 1 wherein the alignment sleeve comprises a second complimentary alignment and keying feature comprising the other of the key and the key slot.

3. The fiber optic receptacle and plug assembly of claim 2 wherein the plug comprises an outer housing defining the first complimentary alignment and keying feature.

4. The fiber optic receptacle and plug assembly of claim 3 wherein the alignment and keying feature of the receptacle is a key and wherein the first and second complimentary alignment and keying features of the outer housing and the alignment sleeve are each a key slot.

5. The fiber optic receptacle and plug assembly of claim 1, wherein the receptacle comprises a housing defining a first end, a second end, a shoulder portion medially between the first end and the second end, and a threaded portion at least partially between the first end and the shoulder and wherein the plug comprises a threaded coupling nut for engaging the threaded portion of the receptacle to secure the shoulder against an inner surface of the wall of the connection terminal.

6. The fiber optic receptacle and plug assembly of claim 1, wherein the alignment and keying feature of the receptacle ensures alignment of at least one receptacle ferrule opposite at least one plug ferrule within the passageway defined by the alignment sleeve.

7. The fiber optic receptacle and plug assembly of claim 6, wherein the receptacle ferrule and the plug ferrule are each selected from the group consisting of SC, LC, MTRJ, MTP and SC-DC ferrules and wherein the receptacle ferrule and the plug ferrule have a like configuration.

8. The fiber optic receptacle and plug assembly of claim 7, wherein the receptacle ferule and the plug ferrule are each Angled Physical Contact (APC) ferrules and wherein the alignment and keying feature of the receptacle ensures mating of the plug and the receptacle with proper alignment of the opposing APC receptacle ferrule and APC plug ferrule.

9. A fiber optic receptacle and plug assembly, comprising:

a fiber optic receptacle adapted to be mounted within an opening formed through a wall of a connection terminal, the receptacle comprising;

a receptacle housing defining an internal cavity opening through opposed first and second ends, the housing comprising an alignment and keying feature and a shoulder operable for securing the receptacle against an inner surface of the wall of the connection terminal; and

a ferrule retainer for retaining at least one receptacle ferrule within the internal cavity of the housing; and

a fiber optic plug adapted to be mated with the receptacle, the plug comprising;

a plug inner housing;

a plug outer housing disposed about the inner housing and defining a first complimentary alignment and keying feature for engaging the alignment and keying feature of the receptacle when the plug is mated with the receptacle; and

an alignment sleeve operable for retaining at least one plug ferrule within the plug outer housing, the alignment sleeve defining a second complimentary alignment and keying feature for engaging the alignment and keying feature of the receptacle when the plug is mated with the receptacle.

10. The fiber optic receptacle and plug assembly of claim 9, wherein the receptacle further comprises at least one bias member that operably engages the ferrule retainer to urge the at least one receptacle ferrule toward the first end of the receptacle housing.

11. The fiber optic receptacle and plug assembly of claim 9, wherein the alignment and keying feature of the receptacle is one of a key and a key slot and wherein the first and second complimentary alignment and keying features of the outer housing and the alignment sleeve are the other of the key and the key slot.

12. The fiber optic receptacle and plug assembly of claim 9, wherein the receptacle housing comprises a threaded portion at least partially between the first end and the shoulder and wherein the plug comprises a threaded coupling nut for engaging the threaded portion of the receptacle to secure the shoulder against the inner surface of the wall of the connection terminal.

13. The fiber optic receptacle and plug assembly of claim 9, wherein the alignment and keying feature of the receptacle ensures alignment of the least one receptacle ferrule opposite the least one plug ferrule within the passageway defined by the alignment sleeve.

14. The fiber optic receptacle and plug assembly of claim 13, wherein the receptacle ferrule and the plug ferrule are each selected from the group consisting of SC, LC, MTRJ, MTP and SC-DC ferrules and wherein the receptacle ferrule and the plug ferrule have a like configuration.

15. The fiber optic receptacle and plug assembly of claim 14, wherein the receptacle ferule and the plug ferrule are each Angled Physical Contact (APC) ferrules and wherein the alignment and keying feature of the receptacle ensures mating of the plug and the receptacle with proper alignment of the opposing APC receptacle ferrule and APC plug ferrule.

16. An optical connector comprising:

a fiber optic receptacle defining an internal cavity and an alignment and keying feature disposed within the internal cavity, the receptacle comprising at least one receptacle ferrule retained within the internal cavity;

a fiber optic plug comprising a plug housing defining a first complimentary alignment and keying feature for engaging the alignment and keying feature of the receptacle when the plug is mated with the receptacle; and

an alignment sleeve disposed within the plug housing and defining at least one passageway for receiving at least one plug ferrule.

17. The optical connector of claim 16, wherein the alignment sleeve defines a second complimentary alignment and keying feature for engaging the alignment and keying feature of the receptacle when the plug is mated with the receptacle.

18. The optical connector of claim 16, wherein the receptacle further comprises at least one bias member for operably engaging a ferrule retainer to urge the at least one receptacle ferrule toward the at least one plug ferrule when the plug is mated with the receptacle.

19. The optical connector of claim 16, wherein the alignment and keying feature of the receptacle is one of a key and a key slot and wherein the first and second complimentary alignment and keying features of the plug housing and the alignment sleeve are the other of the key and the key slot.

20. The optical connector of claim 16, wherein the alignment and keying feature of the receptacle ensures alignment of the least one receptacle ferrule opposite the least one plug ferrule within the passageway defined by the alignment sleeve.