Fiber optic cable termination

• US 4,738,504 A
• Filed: 10/23/1986
• Issued: 04/19/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 10/09/1985
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: RCA Corporation
• Original Assignee: RCA Corporation
• Inventors: Jones, Theodore L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sikes, William L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Healy, Brian M.
• Application Number:
  US06/893,825
• Time in Patent Office: 544 Days
• Field of Search: 350/96.10, 350/96.15, 350/96.23, 350/96.20, 350/96.21, 350/96.22, 350/96.24, 350/96.17, 156/85, 156/86, 156/293, 250/227, 357/74
• US Class Current: 385/86
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4248 Feed-through connections for the hermetical passage of fibres through a package wall see provisionally also G02B6/4428
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4439 Auxiliary devices
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4471 Terminating devices demountable connectors G02B6/3807; Cable clamps
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4476 with heat-shrinkable elements
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4479 Manufacturing methods of optical cables

Abstract

A method is disclosed for making a termination between (a) a fiber optic cable having a centrally positioned optical fiber, a plurality of reinforcement strands positioned about the optical fiber, and a jacket positioned about the reinforcement strands; with (b) an electro-optic component housing having a tubular extension. In accordance with the method of this invention, in the initial step a predetermined length of the outer jacket is removed from the fiber optic cable to expose a length of optical fiber and reinforcement strands. The optical fiber is then inserted into and through a passage in the tubular extension to a point within the component housing and preferably fixed in place. The reinforcement strands are then positioned about the outer diameter surface of the tubular extension so that portions of the outer diameter of the tubular extension are covered with the reinforcement strands and other areas are left exposed. Then an adhesive is placed over the strands, the exposed areas of the tubular extension, and a portion of the jacket remaining on the fiber optic cable. A heat-shrinkable tubing is then positioned over the adhesive. The tubing is then heated causing it to shrink and make adhesive connection of the exposed area of the tubular member, the reinforcement strands, the jacket of the cable, and the heat-shrink tubing.

Claims

1. A termination of a fiber optic cable with an electro-optic component housing wherein:

the fiber optic cable includes an optical fiber and a plurality of reinforcement strands aligned about the length of the optical fiber and a jacket positioned about the reinforcement strands except at a terminal end wherein a portion of at least a predetermined length of the jacket is removed to provide an unjacketed length of the optical fiber and unjacketed lengths of reinforcement strands; and

the electro-optic component housing has an interior compartment and a tubular extension of said predetermined length having an internal passage in communication with the interior of the component housing and an outer diameter surface, reinforcement strand; and

said termination being comprised of the unjacketed length of fiber positioned within the tubular extension and extending to at least interior compartment of the component housing, the unjacketed reinforcement strands being positioned in at least two groups about the outer diameter of the tubular extension to extend the length of the tubular extension in the same direction as the unjacketed fiber so as to leave approximately two portions of the outer diameter of the tubular extension exposed, a layer of adhesive over the groups of unjacketed reinforcement strands, exposed portions of the tubular extension and a portion of the jacket of the fiber optic cable; and

, a length of shrink-fit tubing positioned about the layer of adhesive which tubing is in shrink-fit adhesive engagement with the unjacketed reinforcement strands, the exposed portions of the tubular extension and the portion of the jacket of the fiber optic cable.