Hardened Fiber Optic Connection System with Multiple Configurations

• US 20100266242A1
• Filed: 06/28/2010
• Published: 10/21/2010
• 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 8,202,008 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 385/53
• 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 6/3888 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 6/3893 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. 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.

2. The fiber optic connectorization product line of claim 1, further comprising a second converter for making the ruggedized fiber optic connector backward compatible with a second ruggedized fiber optic adapter.

3. The fiber optic connectorization product line of claim 1, 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.