Single-piece cable retention housing for hardened outside plant connector

• US 7,621,675 B1
• Filed: 02/13/2009
• Issued: 11/24/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/13/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: OFS Fitel LLC (Furukawa Electric Company Limited)
• Original Assignee: OFS Fitel LLC (Furukawa Electric Company Limited)
• Inventors: Bradley, Kelvin B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Font; Frank G
• Assistant Examiner(s): Mooney; Michael P
• Application Number:
  US12/371,037
• Time in Patent Office: 284 Days
• Field of Search: 385 55- 56, 385/58, 385/62, 385/66, 385 69- 70, 385 76- 78, 385/81, 385/86
• US Class Current: 385/81
• 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

Abstract

According to an example embodiment of the invention a one-piece retention housing is utilized for terminating an optical fiber cable. The retention housing attaches to strength members within the cable, providing tensile strength and a means for further mating with components of an optical fiber connector assembly. The retention housing is used as part of a kit for terminating and securing the optical fiber cable connector to a complementary receptacle or terminal for drop-cable deployments in optical access networks and outside plant applications.

Claims

1. A one-piece retention housing for use in terminating a cable, the cable having at least one strength member and at least one optical waveguide;

the retention housing comprising;

an elongated body having a longitudinal axis extending from a first end to a second end, the body defining;

at least one waveguide bore extending from the first end to the second end and configured to receive the optical waveguide;

at least one strength member bore extending from the first end toward the second end and configured to secure the at least one strength member to the housing;

a crimping region disposed along at least a portion of a length of the strength member bore extending from approximate the first end towards the second end; and

a connector bore disposed approximate the second end and configured to receive an optical connector sub-assembly that terminates the optical waveguide.

2. The retention housing of claim 1, wherein the body defines an outer surface, and wherein the body further defines a clip bore extending radially from the longitudinal axis and in communication with the outer surface, wherein the clip bore is configured to receive a clip for securing the optical connector sub-assembly.

3. The retention housing of claim 1, wherein the body defines an outer surface and wherein the body further defines at least one epoxy bore extending from the outer surface to the at least one strength member bore.

4. The retention housing of claim 1, comprising at least two strength member bores, wherein the strength member bores are symmetrically disposed about the waveguide bore.

5. The retention housing of claim 1, wherein the body is deformable in at least the crimping region.

6. The retention housing of claim 1, wherein the at least one strength member bore terminates prior to second end.

7. The retention housing of claim 1, wherein the body is metallic.

8. The retention housing of claim 1, wherein the waveguide bore is in communication with the connector bore.

9. The retention housing of claim 1, wherein the body defines a surface, and wherein the surface is an anodized surface.

10. The retention housing of claim 1, wherein the body defines a keyed retaining collar adjacent to the second end.

11. A connector plug assembly kit for terminating a cable, the cable having at least one strength member and at least one optical waveguide;

the connector plug assembly kit further comprising;

an optical connector sub-assembly that terminates the optical waveguide, the optical connector sub-assembly comprising a retention flange;

a one-piece retention housing comprising an elongated body having a longitudinal axis extending from a first end to a second end, the body defining;

at least one waveguide bore extending from the first end to the second end and configured to receive the optical waveguide;

at least one strength member bore extending from the first end toward the second end and configured to secure the at least one strength member to the housing;

a crimping section disposed along at least a portion of a length of the strength member bore extending from approximate the first end towards the second end; and

a connector bore disposed approximate the second end and configured to receive the optical connector sub-assembly.

12. The connector plug assembly kit of claim 11, wherein the retention housing defines an outer surface, and wherein the retention housing further defines a clip bore extending radially from the longitudinal axis and in communication with the outer surface and the connector bore of the retention housing, and further comprising a clip configured to be received in the clip bore to secure the optical connector sub-assembly by engaging the retention flange.

13. The connector plug assembly kit of claim 11, further comprising an outer housing assembly including a shroud configured to receive the one-piece retention housing, the shroud comprising a shroud outer collar, and further comprising a shroud inner shoulder operable to engage and retain the one-piece retention housing.

14. The connector plug assembly kit of claim 13, further comprising a coupling nut configured to engage the shroud outer collar to secure the shroud, the one-piece retention housing, and the optical connector sub-assembly to a complementary receptacle.

15. The connector plug assembly kit of claim 13, wherein the body of the one-piece retention housing defines a keyed retaining collar adjacent to the second end operable to engage with the shoulder of the shroud of the outer housing to longitudinally retain and to restrict rotation of the one-piece retention housing about the longitudinal axis.

16. A method for terminating an optical fiber cable, the method comprising:

preparing the optical cable to expose at least one strength member and optical fiber;

providing a one-piece retention housing, the retention housing comprising;

an elongated body having a longitudinal axis extending from a first end to a second end, the body defining;

at least one waveguide bore extending from the first end to the second end and configured to receive the optical waveguide;

at least one strength member bore extending from the first end toward the second end and configured to secure the at least one strength member to the housing;

a crimping section disposed along at least a portion of a length of the strength member bore extending from approximate the first end towards the second end;

a connector bore disposed approximate the second end and configured to receive an optical connector sub-assembly that terminates the optical waveguide;

inserting the optical cable into the first end of the one-piece retention housing, wherein the at least one exposed strength member is inserted into the at least one strength member bore and the at least one exposed optical fiber is inserted into the waveguide bore so that a portion of the optical fiber extends past the second end;

inserting the portion of the optical fiber extending past the second end into a connector sub-assembly;

inserting and securing the connector sub-assembly into the one-piece retention housing;

securing optical fiber and strength members within one-piece retention housing; and

inserting one-piece retention housing into an outer housing shroud.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprises inserting a buffer tubing, approximately three centimeters in length, into the connector sub assembly, to support the optical fiber and ease insertion.

18. The method of claim 16 wherein securing the strength members within the one-piece retention housing comprises crimping the one-piece retention housing within the crimping section.

19. The method of claim 16, further comprises applying epoxy to a portion of the strength members within the strength member bores.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the epoxy is heated to facilitate wicking and curing of the epoxy along the strength members.