Ruggedized fiber optic connector assembly

• US 20080044137A1
• Filed: 08/15/2006
• Published: 02/21/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/15/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Corning Optical Communications LLC (Corning Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Corning Cable Systems LLC (Corning Incorporated)
• Inventors: Liu, Xin, Luther, James P., Theuerkorn, Thomas
• Granted Patent: US 7,568,844 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 385/60
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3869 Mounting ferrules to connector body, i.e. plugs
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3889 using encapsulation for protection, e.g. adhesive, molding or casting resin

Abstract

A ruggedized fiber optic connector assembly includes a substantially hollow plug housing; and a glue body disposed within the substantially hollow plug housing; wherein the glue body includes a first portion that is configured to engage and retain an optical cable comprising an optical fiber and one or more strength members; wherein the glue body includes a second portion that is configured to engage and retain a connector sub-assembly comprising an optical ferrule; wherein the second portion of the glue body includes a pair of opposed snap hooks that are configured to engage a corresponding pair of opposed recesses of the connector sub-assembly; and wherein the optical fiber and the optical ferrule are optically coupled.

Claims

1. A ruggedized fiber optic connector assembly, comprising:

a substantially hollow plug housing; and

a retention body disposed within the substantially hollow plug housing;

wherein the retention body comprises a first portion that is configured to engage and retain an optical cable comprising at least one optical fiber and one or more strength members;

wherein the retention body comprises a second portion that is configured to engage and retain a connector sub-assembly comprising at least one optical ferrule; and

wherein the at least one optical fiber and the at least one optical ferrule are optically coupled.

2. The ruggedized fiber optic connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the retention body defines a central bore that is configured to receive the at least one optical fiber at the first portion and the connector sub-assembly at the second portion.

3. The ruggedized fiber optic connector assembly of claim 2, wherein the central bore is configured to receive a shaft of the connector sub-assembly at the second portion.

4. The ruggedized fiber optic connector assembly of claim 3, the retention body further comprising a crimp member disposed within the second portion of the central bore, wherein the crimp member is configured to retain the shaft of the connector sub-assembly.

5. The ruggedized fiber optic connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the second portion of the retention body comprises a pair of opposed snap hooks that are configured to engage a corresponding pair of opposed recesses of the connector sub-assembly.

6. The ruggedized fiber optic connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the connector sub-assembly rotates up to about 5 degrees in either a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction with respect to the retention body.

7. The ruggedized fiber optic connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the retention body defines one or more edge channels that are configured to receive the one or more strength members.

8. The ruggedized fiber optic connector assembly of claim 7, wherein the retention body comprises a glue body.

9. The ruggedized fiber optic connector assembly of claim 8, wherein the one or more edge channels of the glue body are at least partially filled with an adhesive that retains the one or more strength members.

10. The ruggedized fiber optic connector assembly of claim 9, wherein the adhesive comprises an adhesive selected from the group consisting of an epoxy, a visible light curable epoxy, an ultraviolet light curable glue, and a heat curable glue.

11. The ruggedized fiber optic connector assembly of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the retention body is optically transparent.

12. The ruggedized fiber optic connector assembly of claim 7, wherein the one or more edge channels of the retention body comprise one or more wedge members disposed therein that retain the one or more strength members.

13. The ruggedized fiber optic connector assembly of claim 1, wherein an interior surface of the substantially hollow plug housing comprises one or more protrusions and an exterior surface of the retention body comprises one or more corresponding recesses, the one or more protrusions and the one or more corresponding recesses securing the retention body within the substantially hollow plug housing in a preferred orientation.

14. A ruggedized fiber optic connector assembly, comprising:

a substantially hollow plug housing; and

a retention body disposed within the substantially hollow plug housing;

wherein the retention body is configured to engage and retain at least a portion of an optical cable therein; and

wherein the at least a portion of an optical cable is retained within the retention body using an adhesive selected from the group consisting of an epoxy, a visible light curable epoxy, an ultraviolet light curable glue, and a heat curable glue epoxy.

15. The ruggedized fiber optic connector assembly of claim 14, wherein the retention body defines a bore that is configured to receive at least one optical fiber.

16. The ruggedized fiber optic connector assembly of claim 14, wherein the retention body defines one or more bores for receiving at least one strength member of the optical cable.

17. The ruggedized fiber optic connector assembly of claim 14, wherein the retention body is ultimately coupled to a connector sub-assembly.

18. The ruggedized fiber optic connector assembly of claim 14, wherein at least a portion of the retention body is optically transparent.

19. The ruggedized fiber optic connector assembly of claim 14, wherein an interior surface of the substantially hollow plug housing comprises one or more protrusions and an exterior surface of the retention body comprises one or more corresponding recesses, the one or more protrusions and the one or more corresponding recesses securing the retention body within the substantially hollow plug housing in a preferred orientation.

20. A ruggedized fiber optic connector assembly, comprising:

a substantially hollow plug housing; and

a connector sub-assembly disposed within the substantially hollow plug housing;

wherein the connector sub-assembly is capable of rotating less than about 45 degrees about a longitudinal axis of the plug housing.

21. The ruggedized fiber optic connector assembly of claim 20, further comprising a retention body disposed within the substantially hollow plug housing, wherein the retention body is configured to engage and retain at least a portion of an optical cable therein and wherein the at least a portion of an optical cable is retained within the retention body using an adhesive selected from the group consisting of an epoxy, a visible light curable epoxy, an ultraviolet light curable glue, and a heat curable glue epoxy.

22. The ruggedized fiber optic connector assembly of claim 21, wherein the retention body is configured to engage and retain a connector sub-assembly.

23. The ruggedized fiber optic connector assembly of claim 21, wherein at least a portion of the retention body is optically transparent.