Abstract: A fiber optic connector is described which has an alignment sleeve (70, FIG. 3) for surrounding fiber-holding ferrules (44, 68), wherein the sleeve can deflect to receive a slightly misaligned mating ferrule and wherein the assembly can be readily removed for cleaning. The sleeve is expandable in diameter and is contained in a hood (80) that surrounds the sleeve and that forms front and rear shoulders (82, 84). The hood loosely surrounds the sleeve and the hood is loosely contained in a connector housing passage (34), to facilitate reception of a slightly misaligned mating ferrule. A hood alignment sleeve assembly includes a front body (50) and a rear retention sleeve, or body, with a spring (56) spanning them, the front body being attached to the hood, and the hood shifting forward and rearward with the sleeve. The hood includes a front hood piece (152) forming the front sleeve-abutting shoulder and a rear hood piece (154) forming the rear shoulder.

Abstract: An optical fiber connector is described for holding the front ends of optical fibers and biasing them forwardly against the ends of mating optical fibers, which has an improved biasing arrangement. The front end of each optical fiber is held by a terminus arrangement that includes a terminus body (40, FIG. 3) that is mounted on a yoke (62) but which can shift forward and backward with respect to the yoke. The terminus body is biased forwardly (F) by a sheet metal leaf (92) with a forwardly-bowed middle (98) that abuts a forward shoulder (100) on the terminus body, and with opposite end parts (94, 96) that bear against a front surface (102) of the yoke. The bodies are installed by sliding them into slots 111-113 (FIG. 2) of the yoke.

Abstract: A method is described for sealing the buffer tube of an optical cable to the optical fiber to ready the cable for mounting in a terminus, which is relatively simple, avoids damage to the cable, and keeps the optical fiber centered on the buffer tube. The method includes placing a shrink tube (80, FIG. 2) around an end portion (72) of the buffer tube (16), and heating them to melt the end portion of the buffer tube and to shrink the shrink tube so it compresses the molten buffer tube against the outside of the optical fiber. The end portion (72A, FIG. 3) of the buffer tube which has been flowed closely around the optical fiber (14), seals the end of the buffer tube against the entrance of epoxy during termination to a terminus, prevents sliding of the optical fiber with respect to the buffer tube, and maintains the optical fiber centered on the end portion of the buffer tube.

Abstract: A relatively simple method is provided for terminating an optic cable to a terminus body, so the optical fiber, buffer, and outer jacket of the cable are all held securely to a terminus body with the end of the optical fiber closely held in position. The method includes forming the terminus body (14, FIG. 2) with a bore extending through its length, the bore including a front bore portion (30) that closely receives the optical fiber, a second bore portion (40) that closely surrounds the buffer, and a third bore portion (42) that closely surrounds a front outer jacket region (18). Adhesive (34) is placed in the second bore portion to fill most of it. The optic cable is positioned with the optical fiber (22) extending through the front bore portion and with the buffer (20) lying against the rear of the quantity of adhesive.

Abstract: An optic fiber connection apparatus and method are provided which enables positioning of a lens or bead at the end of an optic fiber at a selected distance from the end of the contact or terminus while maintaining a closely controlled lateral position of the bead. The contact has a hole extending along its axis, with a cylindrical front portion of a diameter to closely surround the lens at the end of the optic fiber. In addition or alternatively, the hole that receives the fiber may have a diameter to closely surround the fiber, and a shoulder intermediate the contact front and rear end. The optic fiber can be slid within the contact to extend its end beyond the contact so a lens can be formed on the tip of the fiber. Thereafter the fiber is slid backward into the contact. The lens is slid backward or foward against a positioning tool to a final lens position forward of the shoulder.

Abstract: A system is provided for positioning a pair of electrodes on either side of the end portion of an optical fiber extending through a contact, to establish an arc through a cross-aperture in the contact and across the fiber to melt the fiber into a lens, which assures close control of the arc and which prolongs the life of the electrodes. The tips of the electrodes are positioned to lie slightly within opposite ends of the cross-aperture, to avoid establishing an arc between the electrodes which passes around the contact instead of through the cross-aperture. The electrodes are spaced apart by at least about eight times the diameter of the optic fiber, to avoid deposition of vapors from the heated optic fiber onto the electrodes. The cross-aperture extends to the tip of the contact, so the contact can be moved along its axis to a position where the electrodes lie on opposite sides of the fiber end portion.

Abstract: An optic fiber connection system is provided which enables the forming of a lens or bead at the end of an optic fiber by an electric arc established between a pair of electrodes, which avoids degradation of the electrodes with use. The contact has a forward portion with a hole along its axis for receiving the optic fiber, and a cross aperture extending perpendicular to the hole to receive the end of the optic fiber. The forward portion of the contact is formed of a ceramic or other high melting temperature dielectric, to allow the electrodes to be widely spaced to avoid their degradation, without shorting out the electric arc.

Abstract: A system is described for forming a lens at the end of an optical fiber which extends through a hole in a contact, so the tip of the lens lies at a desired lens position located a predetermined distance rearward of the tip of the contact. The fiber is fixed to the contact at a position wherein the tip of the fiber lies forward of the desired lens position, at about the tip of the contact. The contact is positioned vertically, with the tip of the fiber pointing upwardly, and an arc is passed across the end portion of the fiber, to initially heat and bulge out a location on the fiber spaced rearward of the tip. As the fiber is heated, the tip portion falls into the bulging portion, while the bulging portion moves down, with the heating continued long enough so that the tip of the molten ball of glass lies at the desired lens position.