Hardened Fiber Optic Connection System with Multiple Configurations

• US 20090148101A1
• Filed: 09/03/2008
• Published: 06/11/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CommScope Technologies, LLC (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: ADC Telecommunications Incorporated (TE Connectivity Limited)
• Inventors: Reagan, Randy, Lu, Yu, Standish, Craig M.
• Granted Patent: US 7,744,286 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 385/56
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3816 for use under water, high pressure connectors provisionally see G02B6/4428
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3821 with axial spring biasing or loading means G02B6/3847 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3825 with an intermediate part, e.g. adapter, receptacle, linking two plugs
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3826 characterised by form or shape
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3849 using mechanical protective elements, e.g. caps, hoods, sealing membranes G02B6/3816 takes precedence; provisionally see H01R13/44
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3877 Split sleeves
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3887 Anchoring optical cables to connector housings, e.g. strain relief features
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3893 Push-pull type, e.g. snap-in, push-on
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3894 Screw-lock type
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4433 Double reinforcement laying in straight line with optical transmission element

Abstract

A fiber optic connection system includes a ruggedized fiber optic adapter and a ruggedized fiber optic connector and can further include a standard fiber optic connector (e.g., an SC connector), a pre-existing ruggedized fiber optic adapter, a first converter for converting the standard fiber optic connector to be compatible with the ruggedized fiber optic adapter, a second converter for converting the ruggedized fiber optic connector to be compatible with the pre-existing ruggedized fiber optic adapter, and a standard fiber optic adapter (e.g., an SC adapter). The ruggedized fiber optic connector is compatible with the ruggedized fiber optic adapter and with the standard fiber optic adapter. To retain the various connectors within the various adapters, various retention members and features (e.g. threaded retention members and latches) can be included in the fiber optic connection system. The first converter includes a converter housing that is sized to fit over a connector body of the standard fiber optic connector and retention shoulders of the connector body engage the converter housing.

Claims

1. An optical fiber connection system comprising:

a ruggedized fiber optic adapter;

a ruggedized fiber optic connector that is compatible with the ruggedized fiber optic adapter;

a first converter for making a standard fiber optic connector compatible with the ruggedized fiber optic adapter; and

a second converter for making the ruggedized fiber optic connector compatible with a pre-existing ruggedized fiber optic adapter.

2. The optical fiber connection system of claim 1, wherein the ruggedized fiber optic connector is also compatible with a non-ruggedized fiber optic adapter.

3. The optical fiber connection system of claim 2, wherein the non-ruggedized fiber optic adapter includes an SC adapter.

4. The optical fiber connection system of claim 2, wherein the ruggedized fiber optic connector includes a threaded member that engages threads of the ruggedized fiber optic adapter to retain the ruggedized fiber optic connector within the ruggedized fiber optic adapter, wherein the non-ruggedized fiber optic adapter does not have threads for receiving the threaded member.

5. The optical fiber connection system of claim 4, further comprising a locking member for locking the ruggedized fiber optic connector within the non-ruggedized fiber optic adapter, wherein the locking member threads onto the threaded member of the ruggedized fiber optic connector.

6. The optical fiber connection system of claim 5, wherein the non-ruggedized fiber optic adapter includes retaining latches that engage catches provided on the ruggedized fiber optic connector, wherein the non-ruggedized fiber optic adapter includes open spaces positioned adjacent the retaining latches, and wherein the locking member includes paddles that slide into the open spaces to limit movement of the retaining latches.

7. The optical fiber connection system of claim 1, wherein the standard fiber optic connector includes an SC connector body, wherein the first converter includes a generally rectangular converter housing sized to fit over the SC connector body, the converter housing including opposing first and second side walls interconnected by a third wall that extends between the first and second side walls, the first and second side walls being configured to receive retention shoulders of the SC connector body such that the converter housing is axially fixed relative to the SC connector body.

8. The optical fiber connection system of claim 7, wherein the converter housing includes an open side located between the first and second side walls at a position opposite the third wall, the open side being configured to allow the converter housing to be laterally inserted over the SC connector body.

9. The optical fiber connection system of claim 7, wherein the first converter also includes a threaded fastening member for securing the SC connector body to the ruggedized fiber optic adapter.

10. The optical fiber connection system of claim 7, wherein the first and second side walls define slots that receive the retention shoulders of the SC connector body.

11. The optical fiber connection system of claim 7, wherein the third wall includes at least one projection that engages a latch of the ruggedized fiber optic adapter when the SC connector body with the converter housing mounted thereon is inserted into the ruggedized fiber optic adapter.

12. The optical fiber connection system of claim 9, wherein the converter housing includes a stop for engaging the threaded fastening member.

13. The optical fiber connection system of claim 11, wherein the converter housing defines an axis that extends from a first end to an opposite second end of the converter housing, wherein the converter housing receives the retention shoulders of the SC connector body at slots located generally adjacent the first end, wherein the first end of the converter housing is configured to flex radially outwardly to allow the retention shoulders to be snapped into the slots of the converter housing when the SC connector body is inserted axially into the converter housing.

14. A converter for a fiber optic connector, the converter comprising:

a converter housing sized to fit over an SC connector body, the converter housing including opposing first and second side walls interconnected by a third wall that extends between the first and second side walls, the first and second side walls being configured to receive retention shoulders of the SC connector body such that the converter housing is axially fixed relative to the SC connector body.

15. The converter of claim 14, wherein the converter housing includes an open side located between the first and second side walls at a position opposite the third wall, the open side being configured to allow the converter housing to be laterally inserted over the SC connector body.

16. The converter of claim 14, further comprising a threaded fastening member for securing the SC connector body to a ruggedized fiber optic adapter.

17. The converter of claim 14, wherein the first and second side walls define slots that receive the retention shoulders of the SC connector body.

18. The converter of claim 14, wherein the third wall includes at least one projection adapted to engage a latch of a ruggedized fiber optic adapter when the SC connector body with the converter housing mounted thereon is inserted into the ruggedized fiber optic adapter.

19. The converter of claim 16, wherein the converter housing includes a stop for engaging the threaded fastening member.

20. The converter of claim 18, wherein the converter housing defines an axis that extends from a first end to an opposite second end of the converter housing, wherein the converter housing receives the retention shoulders of the SC connector body at slots located generally adjacent the first end, wherein the first end of the converter housing is configured to flex radially outwardly to allow the retention shoulders to be snapped into the slots of the converter housing when the SC connector body is inserted axially into the converter housing.

21. A fiber optic connector system comprising:

a fiber optic connector including a connector housing and a threaded member rotatably mounted about the connector housing, the connector housing including a first end positioned opposite from a second end, the fiber optic connector including a ferrule located at the first end;

a dust cap for covering the first end of the connector housing, the dust cap being retained at the first end of the connector housing by the threaded member; and

a strap that connects the dust cap to the fiber optic connector to prevent the dust cap from being separated from the fiber optic connector when the dust cap is not mounted at the first end of the connector housing, the strap having a first end connected to the dust cap and a second end connected to the fiber optic connector by a detachable and re-attachable connection.

22. The fiber optic connector system of claim 21, wherein the fiber optic connector includes a boot located at the second end of the connector housing, the boot defining a plurality of exterior slots, and the second end of the strap including at least a portion that fits within at least one of the slots.

23. The fiber optic connector system of claim 21, wherein the fiber optic connector includes a boot located at the second end of the connector housing, wherein the boot defines first and second exterior slot portions located on opposite sides of a central longitudinal axis of the boot, and wherein the second end of the strap includes portions that fit within the first and second exterior slot portions.

24. The fiber optic connector system of claim 23, wherein the second end of the strap includes a c-shaped configuration.

25. A fiber optic connectorization product line comprising:

a first ruggedized fiber optic adapter;

a non-ruggedized fiber optic adapter;

a ruggedized fiber optic connector that is compatible with both the first ruggedized fiber optic adapter and the non-ruggedized fiber optic adapter;

a non-ruggedized fiber optic connector that is compatible with the non-ruggedized fiber optic adapter;

a first converter for making the non-ruggedized fiber optic connector compatible with the first ruggedized fiber optic adapter.

26. The fiber optic connectorization product line of claim 25, further comprising a second converter for making the ruggedized fiber optic connector backward compatible with a second ruggedized fiber optic adapter.

27. The fiber optic connectorization product line of claim 25, wherein the first ruggedized fiber optic adapter includes first and second ports, wherein the non-ruggedized fiber optic adapter includes third and fourth ports, wherein the ruggedized fiber optic connector is connectable with at least the first port of the first ruggedized fiber optic adapter and the third and fourth ports of the non-ruggedized fiber optic adapter, wherein the non-ruggedized fiber optic connector is connectable with at least the second port of the first ruggedized fiber optic adapter and the third and fourth ports of the non-ruggedized fiber optic adapter, and wherein the non-ruggedized fiber optic connector is connectable with at least the first port of the first ruggedized fiber optic adapter when the non-ruggedized fiber optic connector is converted with the first converter.