RUGGEDIZED FIBER OPTIC CONNECTORS AND CONNECTION SYSTEMS

• US 20160209599A1
• Filed: 08/24/2014
• Published: 07/21/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 08/24/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Commscope Connectivity Belgium BVBA (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Tyco Electronics Raychem GmbH (TE Connectivity Ltd. (United Kingdom))
• Inventors: DIEPSTRATEN, Patrick Jacques Ann, VAN BAELEN, David Jan Irma, COENEGRACHT, Philippe
• Granted Patent: US 9,733,436 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3825 with an intermediate part, e.g. adapter, receptacle, linking two plugs
• 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 6/3849 using mechanical protective elements, e.g. caps, hoods, sealing membranes G02B6/3816 takes precedence; provisionally see H01R13/44
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/387 Connector plugs comprising two complementary members, e.g. shells, caps, covers, locked together
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3871 Ferrule rotatable with respect to plug body, e.g. for setting rotational position adjusting fibre within the ferrule, G02B6/3843; Fixation of ferrules after rotation
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3897 Connectors fixed to housings, casing, frames or circuit boards G02B6/44528 takes precedence

Abstract

Example fiber optic connector systems have rugged, robust designs that are environmentally sealed and that are relatively easy to install and uninstall in the field. Some connector systems can be configured in the field to be compatible with different styles of fiber optic adapters. Some connectors include a first seal (90) on a release sleeve; and a second seal (88) between the release sleeve and a connector body. Other connectors include a seal (139) and a flexible latch (136) on a connector. Other connectors include a protective structure (228, 328, 428) that mounts over the fiber optic connector. Other connectors include a protective outer shell (528, 860) and a sealing and attachment insert (570, 570A, 876). Other connectors include a protective outer shell (728) and a fastener (780).

Claims

1. A fiber optic connector system comprising:

an elongate connector core including a front end defining a plug portion and rear end defining a cable anchoring location;

a first ruggedized exterior assembly configured to be mounted over the elongate connector core, the first ruggedized exterior assembly including a first shroud configured to be mounted in sealed relation over the elongate connector core the first shroud having a forward end that includes a first keying arrangement for rotationally keying the first shroud relative to a first ruggedized fiber optic adapter, the first ruggedized exterior assembly also including a first ruggedized fastening element for securing the first ruggedized exterior assembly to the first ruggedized fiber optic adapter;

a second ruggedized exterior assembly configured to be mounted over the elongate connector core the second ruggedized exterior assembly including a second shroud configured to be mounted in sealed relation over the elongate connector core the second shroud having a forward end that includes a second keying arrangement for rotationally keying the second shroud relative to a second ruggedized fiber optic adapter, the first keying arrangement having a different keying configuration than the second keying arrangement, the second ruggedized exterior assembly also including a second ruggedized fastening element for securing the second ruggedized exterior assembly to the second ruggedized fiber optic adapter, the first ruggedized fastening element having a different fastening configuration than the second ruggedized fastening element;

wherein the first ruggedized exterior assembly is usable in combination with the elongated connector core to make the fiber optic connector system compatible with the first ruggedized fiber optic adapter and the second ruggedized exterior assembly is usable in combination with the elongated connector core to make the fiber optic connector system compatible with the second ruggedized fiber optic adapter.

2. The fiber optic connector system of claim 1, wherein the first keying arrangement includes paddles and the second keying arrangement includes an open ended slot.

3. The fiber optic connector system of claim 1, wherein the first ruggedized fastening element includes a threaded coupling nut and the second ruggedized fastening element includes a bayonet-style fastening sleeve.

4. The fiber optic connector system of claim 1, further comprising a shroud retainer mounted on the elongate connector core for use in selectively securing the first and second ruggedized exterior assemblies to the elongate core.

5. The fiber optic connector system of claim 4, further comprising a tapered, strain relief boot for providing cable strain relief and bend radius protection adjacent the rear end of the elongate connector core wherein the shroud retainer is integrated with the strain relief boot.

6. The fiber optic connector system of claim 5, wherein the shroud retainer includes threads.

7. The fiber optic connector system of claim 6, wherein the threads are provided within the strain relief boot adjacent a front end of the strain relief boot.

8. The fiber optic connector system of claim 5, wherein a cable is anchored to the rear end of the elongate connector core, wherein an optical fiber of the cable is supported by a ferrule mounted at the plug portion of the elongate connector core, and wherein a shape-memory, heat shrink sleeve is positioned under the strain relief boot, and wherein the heat shrink sleeve provides a seal between the cable and the elongate connector core.

9. The fiber optic connector system of claim 1, wherein a seal is mounted on an exterior of the elongate connector core for providing sealing between the elongate connector core and the first and second ruggedized exterior assemblies.

10. The fiber optic connector system of claim 1, wherein a cable is anchored to the rear end of the elongate connector core and wherein an optical fiber of the cable is supported by a ferrule mounted at the plug portion of the elongate connector core.

11. The fiber optic connector system of claim 10, wherein the elongate connector core includes a core housing that extends from the front end to the rear end, and wherein a rotational orientation of the ferrule about its longitudinal axis can be adjusted relative to the core housing to tune the fiber optic connector by orienting a core offset of the fiber within the ferrule at a desired rotational orientation relative to the core housing.

12. The fiber optic connector system of claim 1, wherein the first and second ruggedized exterior assemblies can be individually installed on the elongate connector core by inserting the first and second shrouds in a front to rear direction over the front end of the elongate connector core and rearwardly onto the elongate connector core.

13. The fiber optic connector system of claim 9, wherein the seal on the elongate connector core is not configured to engage with a corresponding ruggedized adapter.

14. The fiber optic connector system of claim 1, wherein the shroud retainer is not configured to engage with a corresponding ruggedized fiber optic adapter.

15. The fiber optic connector system of claim 9, wherein the seal on the elongate connector core is positioned rearward of a longitudinal midpoint of the elongate connector core.

16. (canceled)