Abstract: A connection system includes an optical connector assembly; and an optical plug. The connector assembly includes a stack of gel-groove assemblies and a spring assembly mounted within a housing. Each of the gel-groove assemblies includes a first gel block at a first axial end, a second gel block at a second axial end, and a fiber mating region between the first and second gel blocks. The optical plug including sub-modules over-molded over arrays (e.g., ribbons) of the optical fibers. Each sub-module defines notches for receiving latches of the spring assembly when the optical plug is coupled to the first axial end of the optical adapter. Bare optical fibers extend from the plug, pass through the first axial gel block, and enter the fiber mating region when the plug is coupled to the adapter.

Abstract: One or more cables are axially, laterally, and/or rotationally secured to an anchor member. A plug connector can be assembled to or around the anchor member. The anchor member also can be used to handle the cable prior to assembling the plug connector. A connectorization system for assembling plug connectors includes multiple types/sizes of cables; optionally types/sizes of plug bodies; and the anchor member sized and shaped to connect a selected one of any of the cables with any of the plug bodies of the connectorization system.

Abstract: A factory processed and assembled optical fiber arrangement is configured to pass through tight, tortuous spaces when routed to a demarcation point. A connector housing attaches to the optical fiber arrangement at the demarcation point (or after leaving the tight, tortuous spaces) to form a connectorized end of the optical fiber. A fiber tip is protected before leaving the factory until connection is desired.

Abstract: A fiber optic cassette including a body defining a front and an opposite rear and an enclosed interior. A cable entry location is defined in the body for a cable to enter the interior of the cassette. The cable which enters at the cable entry location is attached to the cassette body and the fibers are extended into the cassette body and form terminations at connectors. The connectors are connected to adapters located at the front of the cassette. A front side of the adapters defines termination locations for cables to be connected to the fibers connected at the rear of the adapters. A cable including a jacket, a strength member, and fibers enters the cassette. The strength member is crimped to a crimp tube and is mounted to the cassette body, allowing the fibers to extend past the crimp tube into the interior of the cassette body. A strain relief boot is provided at the cable entry location.

Abstract: A flexible pin for use in a male fiber optic connector is flexible both in bending and radially to accommodate variations in fiber optic ferrules of the male fiber optic connector and a female fiber optic connector. The flexibility may accommodate angular errors of the male and the female fiber optic connectors. The flexibility may also accommodate diametral errors of the flexible pin of the male fiber optic connector and diametral errors in a pin hole of the female fiber optic connector. The flexibility is sufficient that a connector spring or spring clamp can mate mating faces of the male and the female fiber optic connectors with the errors present. In certain embodiments, the flexible pin is a removable pin that includes a latch. The removable pin can be installed and removed from a fiber optic connector without disassembling a ferrule from a connector housing of the fiber optic connector.

Abstract: A system for connecting a fiber optic connector to a fiber optic adapter includes various alternative improvements, including improvements to the shutter, the alignment device, and the adapter in general.

Abstract: A fiber fanout assembly is provided with one or more endcaps, an epoxy fill hole, and air vent holes. A mold can be used with endcaps to create an epoxy body without an external housing structure. External housing structures can also be provided with one or more endcaps. Air vent holes can be provided in the endcaps. An epoxy fill hole can be provided in an endcap. An epoxy fill hole can also be provided adjacent to a fiber breakout end of the fiber fanout housing.

Abstract: Aspects and techniques of the present disclosure relate to an alignment device that includes a groove-type alignment structure with a support region for receiving an optical fiber inserted along a fiber insertion axis. The optical fiber has a first side and a second, opposite side. The groove-type alignment structure engages the first side of the optical fiber. The alignment device includes a stabilization structure that engages the first side of the optical fiber and a first angled transition surface that engages the second, opposite side of the optical fiber. The present disclosure also relates to an alignment system that includes a first housing piece; a second housing piece adapted to mate with the first housing piece; and a flat structure positioned between the first and second housing pieces.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a field installable connector system. The connector system includes a factory terminated subassembly including a ferrule terminating an optical fiber of an optical fiber cable. The factory terminated subassembly has a small transverse cross-section to facilitate routing through a duct. The connector system also includes a field installable subassembly including various connector components that can be installed after the factory terminated subassembly has been routed through a duct. The components can be sealed and hardened.

Abstract: Aspects and techniques of the present disclosure relate to an alignment device that includes a groove-type alignment structure with a support region for receiving an optical fiber inserted along a fiber insertion axis. The optical fiber has a first side and a second, opposite side. The groove-type alignment structure engages the first side of the optical fiber. The alignment device includes a stabilization structure that engages the first side of the optical fiber and a first angled transition surface that engages the second, opposite side of the optical fiber. The present disclosure also relates to an alignment system that includes a first housing piece; a second housing piece adapted to mate with the first housing piece; and a flat structure positioned between the first and second housing pieces.

Abstract: A fiber optic coupling device comprises an elastomeric body. The elastomeric body includes first and second sides with a deformable alignment passage extending there between. The deformable alignment passage is configured to elastically center opposing first and second optical fibers. The deformable alignment passage includes a first portion that is configured to receive the first optical fiber having a first core. The deformable alignment passage also includes an opposing second portion that is configured to receive the second optical fiber having a second core. The first portion and the opposing second portion of the alignment passage are defined by a common encompassing periphery, and meet at a common location within the alignment passage to present the core of the received first optical fiber in coaxial alignment with the core of the received second optical fiber.

Abstract: A factory processed and assembled optical fiber arrangement is configured to pass through tight, tortuous spaces when routed to a demarcation point. A connector housing attaches to the optical fiber arrangement at the demarcation point (or after leaving the tight, tortuous spaces) to form a connectorized end of the optical fiber. A fiber tip is protected before leaving the factory until connection is desired.

Abstract: A factory processed fiber optic ferrule assembly and field installable cable system are configured to pass through tight, microducts when routed to a demarcation point. A connector housing attaches to the fiber optic ferrule assembly at the demarcation point (or after leaving the tight, microducts) to form a connectorized end of the optical fiber. A fiber tip is protected before leaving the factory until connection is desired.

Abstract: A system for connecting a fiber optic connector to a fiber optic adapter includes various alternative improvements, including improvements to the shutter, the alignment device, and the adapter in general.

Abstract: An optical fiber connection system includes a first and a second optical fiber, each with end portions that are terminated by a first and a second fiber optic connector, respectively. A fiber optic adapter connects the first and the second fiber optic connectors. A fiber alignment apparatus includes V-blocks and gel blocks. Each of the fiber optic connectors includes a connector housing and a sheath. The end portions of the optical fibers are positioned beyond distal ends of the respective connector housings. The sheath is slidably connected to the connector housing and slides between an extended configuration and a retracted configuration. The sheath covers the end portion of the respective optical fiber when the sheath is at the extended configuration and exposes the end portion when at the retracted configuration. The end portions of the optical fibers are cleaned when slid between the V-blocks and the gel blocks.

Abstract: A factory processed and assembled optical fiber arrangement is configured to pass through tight, tortuous spaces when routed to a demarcation point. A connector housing attaches to the optical fiber arrangement at the demarcation point (or after leaving the tight, tortuous spaces) to form a connectorized end of the optical fiber. A fiber tip is protected before leaving the factory until connection is desired.

Abstract: A fiber optic connector includes a connector body housing a plurality of optical fibers. Each of the plurality of optical fibers includes a bare end having an angled face. Half of the plurality of optical fibers has an angled face that is at a first angle and the other half of the plurality of optical fibers has an angled face that is at a second angle that is different from the first angle. The fiber optic connector can comprise a ferrule-less or ferruled fiber optic connector.

Abstract: A fiber optic cassette including a body defining a front and an opposite rear and an enclosed interior. A cable entry location is defined in the body for a cable to enter the interior of the cassette. The cable which enters at the cable entry location is attached to the cassette body and the fibers are extended into the cassette body and form terminations at connectors. The connectors are connected to adapters located at the front of the cassette. A front side of the adapters defines termination locations for cables to be connected to the fibers connected at the rear of the adapters. A cable including a jacket, a strength member, and fibers enters the cassette. The strength member is crimped to a crimp tube and is mounted to the cassette body, allowing the fibers to extend past the crimp tube into the interior of the cassette body. A strain relief boot is provided at the cable entry location.

Abstract: A fiber optic coupling device comprises an elastomeric body. The elastomeric body includes first and second sides with a deformable alignment passage extending there between. The deformable alignment passage is configured to elastically center opposing first and second optical fibers. The deformable alignment passage includes a first portion that is configured to receive the first optical fiber having a first core. The deformable alignment passage also includes an opposing second portion that is configured to receive the second optical fiber having a second core. The first portion and the opposing second portion of the alignment passage are defined by a common encompassing periphery, and meet at a common location within the alignment passage to present the core of the received first optical fiber in coaxial alignment with the core of the received second optical fiber.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a field installable connector system. The connector system includes a factory terminated subassembly including a ferrule terminating an optical fiber of an optical fiber cable. The factory terminated subassembly has a small transverse cross-section to facilitate routing through a duct. The connector system also includes a field installable subassembly including various connector components that can be installed after the factory terminated subassembly has been routed through a duct. The components can be sealed and hardened.