Abstract: While clamped by a clamping jig 100, polarization-maintaining fiber cables 11 and 12 are automatically oriented with an orientation adjusting unit 200 and then heated by a heater 105 for curing thermoset resins.

Abstract: An optical connector ferrule for supporting an optical fiber tape conductor having an end of which a coating is peeled off to expose optical fibers, comprising: a plurality of fiber inserting holes which are arranged at a plurality of steps and into which the optical fibers are inserted; a guide portion for guiding insertion of optical fibers, formed so as to have an end communicating with a fiber inserting end of each of the fiber inserting holes, the guide portion extending along an axial direction of the fiber inserting holes; and a contact portion formed to be a predetermined distance spaced from an opening end opposed to the fiber inserting end of each of the fiber inserting holes along the axial direction of the fiber inserting holes, the contact portion being brought in contact with an exposed fiber side end of a tape member of the optical fiber tape conductor when each of the optical fibers of the optical fiber tape conductor is inserted into each of the fiber inserting holes.

Abstract: A connecting device for providing an optical connection between an apparatus comprising a apparatus port and provided for receiving and/or sending optical signals, and at least one optical fiber comprising a connector. The connecting device comprises a support plate supporting at least one adapter. The adapter comprises an adapter contact adapted for a plug connection with the apparatus port of the apparatus, and a connector contact adapted for a plug and/or screw connection with the connector of the fiber. The support plate provides a grip for manually plugging in/off all of its adapters simultaneously into/from the respective apparatus ports.

Abstract: In the production of a hollow cast article having a slit, the release of a hollow cast product from a mold is carried out while opening the hollow cast product. In one embodiment, a core provided with recessed parts (or projected parts) formed in a slit forming part (or an outer peripheral part) is used and the drawing out of the core from the hollow cast product is carried out while opening the hollow cast product by means of the recessed parts (or projected parts) mentioned above. By such a method, a hollow cast article having a slit and projected parts (or recessed parts) formed in a slit part or/and an inner peripheral part thereof is obtained.

Abstract: The light-emitting device has a fiber stub part, a semiconductor optical amplifying device, a photodiode, and a bench as its main parts. The fiber stub part is composed of a ferrule and a grating fiber. The fiber stub part and the semiconductor optical amplifying device are mounted on the bench, and optically coupled together. An optical cavity is composed of the light-reflecting face of the semiconductor optical amplifying device and the diffraction grating of the grating fiber. The light-emitting device, which does not use a pigtail fiber, can be downsized and can provide laser light with a desired wavelength.

Abstract: A fiber-coupled optical component package comprises a high thermal conductivity base, a housing including a ceramic substrate, an optical component mount aperture formed on the substrate and a substantially planar fiber mount region on the substrate adjacent to the optical component mount aperture. An optical component may be secured within an area defined by the optical component mount aperture and an optical fiber may be secured to the substantially planar fiber mount region to optically couple the fiber and the optical component. A package lid may be placed over one or more of the housing, the optical component, and a portion of the fiber.

Abstract: A light conductor coupling has a first and a second coupling part which coupling parts are couplable with one another and in each of which a light conducting element is held. At least one of the light conducting elements is elastically biased so that the two light conducting elements are pressed against one another with their end surfaces when the coupling parts are coupled with one another, to allow the transmission of light from one light conducting element to the other. The end surface of the one light conducting element is spherically concave and the end surface of the other light conducting element is formed spherically convex with the same radius of curvature.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an in-line fiber optic device including a housing and an opening extending through the housing defining an optical pathway, the pathway including an optically significant element for altering a signal transmitted through the pathway, and the device including a housing with a removable portion to permit access to the optical path. The present invention also relates to a fiber optic device with a housing defining an optical path with a first and second ferrule, the optical path including an optically significant element and a first end of the housing about an outer end of the first ferrule removable to permit access to the first end of the first ferrule. The present invention further relates to a system for altering the signal being transmitted through an optical fiber telecommunications connection. The present invention also relates to a method of providing an optically significant element in an optical fiber telecommunications assembly.

Abstract: An adapter for connecting opposing fiber optic connectors includes a housing having a through aperture about which a post is formed. An alignment sleeve is disposed in and retained by the post. A plastic cap is disposed over an end of the post. The plastic cap may include a lip for retaining the alignment sleeve, a conical or other oblique surface for self-aligning on a like surface of the post, and a latch that clips the cap into recesses in the housing. The post may include a recess for receiving the latch members.

Abstract: Faceplate, energy-attenuating, waveguide extensions are provided for use with an optical communications module having a circuit board. The circuit board has a plurality of transceivers adjacent to corresponding openings in a front portion of a faceplate, outside a protective zone of a Faraday cage created by the faceplate and adjacent modules, exposing the transceivers to electrostatic discharge (ESD), electromagnetic interference (EMI) or other destructive energy created by the faceplate openings. To attenuate the ESD, EMI, or other energy emanating through the faceplate openings, an integral, waveguiding, snout-like extension (or protrusion) is provided around the periphery of each of the faceplate openings. A removable waveguide extension to the snout-like extension may also be provided to further attenuate ESD, EMI or other energy. The longer the waveguide created by the combined removable extension and the integral snout-like extension, the greater the ESD, EMI, or other energy attenuation.

Abstract: In an optical connector, an end face (12) of an optical fiber (11) is brought into contact with an end face of a mating connector in a predetermined direction (13) to achieve connection. The optical connector includes a housing (14) provided with an aligning portion (16) having a hole (15) for insertion of the optical fiber, and a holding portion (21) for holding the optical fiber. The holding portion (21) is movable in the predetermined direction. The holding portion is fixed to the housing with the optical fiber inserted into the hole in the aligning portion and serves to adjust the amount of protrusion of the optical fiber from an end face (22) of the aligning portion. The housing is provided with a guide portion (17) for guiding the optical fiber to the hole in the aligning portion.

Abstract: An optical connector with a shutter is provided which has functions of, when a plug (P) is not inserted, preventing dust from entering through an insertion and extraction port (12), and preventing light from leaking through the insertion and extraction port (12). In the invention, a shutter (5) is placed in an insertion space (13) of the body (1) in which an optical device (2) is disposed, and the shutter (5) is elastically urged in a closing direction. The shutter (5) is attached to a support shaft (4) which is placed in the vacant space (15) on a lateral side of the insertion and extraction port (12). When the plug (P) is not inserted, the shutter (5) closes the insertion and extraction port (12) to prevent ingress of dust and light leakage from occurring. The axial direction of the support shaft (4) coincides with the thickness direction of the body, whereby the height of the optical connector with a shutter can be reduced.

Abstract: A connection structure of a light transfer medium includes: a light transfer medium embedded in a structural body; and a protection tube in which the light transfer medium is inserted. The protection tube is embedded in the structural body at one end portion of the structural body. One end portion of the light transfer medium is inserted into the protection tube such that an end of the one end portion of the light transfer medium is positioned inwardly from one end face of the one end portion of said structural body.

Abstract: Example systems and methods related to an electro-optical connector are provided. In one example, an electro-optical connector includes an electrical port configured to communicate first and second electrical signals into and out of the electro-optical connector. An optical output port is provided in electrical communication with the electrical port, the optical output port configured to convert first electrical signals representing a first value into first optical signals representing the first value, and convert second electrical signals representing a second value into second optical signals representing the second value.

Abstract: A tube and a pair of optical frames are employed within an optical connector mount to optically couple two or more optical elements. The optical frames are used to mount the optical elements on the optical connector mount, and the tube is adjoined to the optical frames to allow and maintain the optical alignment of the optical elements. The adjoining of a tube to one of the optical frames involves either a seating and locking of a spherical segment of the tube within a tube seat of the optical frame, or a seating and locking of a spherical segment of the optical frame within a frame seat of the tube.

Abstract: An optical element (3) is mechanically retained within a slot of (2) in a rigid substrate (1), e.g. of a ceramic or crystalline material, by contact with the sides of the slot. Where the difference between a dimension of the optical element and the slot width at ambient temperature is a very small and positive, it may be removed by heating the substrate and/or cooling the element (differential thermal expansion) to allow insertion of the element. Then the temperature difference is removed so that the element is mechanically retained under compression by the slot sides. Alternatively, where the element may be directly inserted so that it is in contact with or immediately adjacent the slot wall, the material of the substrate and/or the optical element is the oxidized in the region of contact so as to increase the dimension of the oxidized material and mechanically retain the element.

Abstract: A fiber-optical connector system, including a fiber-optical connector and a coupling into which the connector can be inserted to establish an optical connection. The connector has a housing that extends along an axis and into which an optical fiber is arranged with the axis projecting with one end from the face of the housing. Means exist to cover the end of the optical fiber and protect the end of the optical fiber from any effects from the exterior when the connector is not inserted and to release the end of the optical fiber projecting from the housing when the connector is inserted in the coupling. A protection device for the connector system may be derived by configuring the cover means with a first cover element that protects the end of the optical fiber in the axial direction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for optically interlocking a plug and receptacle combination. The method includes the steps of disposing an optical source and receiver in a sidewall of the receptacle with an axis of transmission from the optical source to the receiver directed into and across a plug space of the receptacle substantially perpendicular to an axis of insertion of the plug and activating the optical interlock when an optical signal from the optical source is detected by the optical receiver.

Abstract: A miniature fiberoptic filter and manufacturing method is disclosed. Two aligned optical fibers, each with a step index multimode optical fiber segment and a graded index multimode optical fiber segment attached to the corresponding optical fiber, form the filter. The lengths of the step index and graded index multimode optical fiber segments define a collimation and focusing function for light from and to the optical fibers, and dielectric coatings covering the free end surface of the graded index multimode optical fiber segment of one optical fiber define a wavelength-dependent optical filter. The optical fibers are arranged and oriented so that light from the core of the first optical fiber passing through the plurality of dielectric coatings enters the core of the second optical fiber.

Abstract: A method of making glass tubing includes assembling together a first glass rod having at least one bore and a second glass rod having at least one bore to form a single glass unit, shaping an outer surface of the glass unit to a desired cross-section, and drawing the glass unit to form a glass tubing having a predetermined outer and inner dimension.

Abstract: A variable attenuator has first and second substantially identical ferrules or capillaries, each being mounted in a barrel or splice housing and extending toward each other, with their distal ends being separated by a gap of a first width. The width of the gap is controlled by a sleeve into which the ferrules are inserted, the ends of the sleeve butting against the front faces of the barrels. The ferrules are made by producing a glass rod mounted between the barrels and having a bore offset from and parallel to the centerline of the rod and breaking or cleaving the rod at its longitudinal center. The broken ends are then polished. The barrels are keyed to a housing member so that the offset bores are coincident in the zero position as defined by the keys.

Abstract: A face alignment device of the present invention comprises two units that are each provided with: a convex semi-spherical block having a contact surface that makes contact with a clamp member for securing an object and a convex semi-spherical surface on the opposite side of the contact surface; and a base block having a concave portion corresponding to the semi-spherical surface of the convex semi-spherical block for rotatably holding the convex semi-spherical block, wherein the two units are arranged such that their contact surfaces face each other. The clamp member is attached to the contact surfaces of the respective units at eccentric positions from the center axes of the convex semi-spherical blocks. This is advantageous since a load required for rotational sliding between each of the semi-spherical surfaces of the convex semi-spherical blocks and each of the concave portions of the base blocks can be small.

Abstract: A fiber optic clamp assembly for use with an ultra-precision translation stage to precisely align a fiber optical bundle with a laser diode mounted in a sealable enclosure, comprising a housing for receiving the fiber bundle, a flexible seal positionable between said housing and said enclosure; and a pressure collar for urging the seal against the enclosure, said collar being freely movable within the housing so as not to load the translation stage when the housing is being moved by the translation stage to align said bundle with said laser diode and thereafter being movable to compress the flexible seal without disturbing the alignment.

Abstract: In an optical connector including an optical connector plug holding a first optical fiber and an optical connector plug holding a second optical fiber, the optical connector plugs cooperates with each other to obtain a connected state in which exposed longitudinal ends of the first and the second optical fibers are brought into contact with each other. The first optical fiber includes a long fiber portion and a short fiber portion higher in breakage resistance than the long fiber portion. One of the longitudinal ends of the short fiber is fused to one of longitudinal ends of the long fiber portion. Another of the longitudinal ends of the short fiber portion is exposed to serve as one of the exposed longitudinal ends.

Abstract: A light conductor coupling has a first and a second coupling part which coupling parts are couplable with one another and in each of which a light conducting element is held. At least one of the light conducting elements is elastically biased so that the two light conducting elements are pressed against one another with their end surfaces when the coupling parts are coupled with one another, to allow the transmission of light from one light conducting element to the other. The end surface of the one light conducting element is spherically concave and the end surface of the other light conducting element is formed spherically convex with the same radius of curvature.

Abstract: The present invention aims at providing an optical wavelength filter of band rejection type capable of reliably and stably blocking a light of a desired wavelength from passing through. To this end, the optical wavelength filter of the present invention comprises a plurality of optical filter sections each blocking the light corresponding to the selected wavelength from passing through, the respective optical filter sections being cascade connected to be in a multi-staged structure, wherein the selected wavelengths in the optical filter sections are deviated from one another, to form a blocking band having a wavelength band corresponding to a deviation amount.

Abstract: There are provided a method of manufacturing a glass part for connecting optical fibers, which allows insertion of optical fibers into the internal hole of the glass part smoothly, and glass parts for connecting optical fibers manufactured using the method. Predetermined parts of a glass tube having an internal hole are heated while pressure is applied into the internal hole, to expand the predetermined parts, thus forming tapered portions. As a result, a continuous curved surface can be achieved at the boundary between each tapered portion of each obtained glass part and the internal hole thereof, and the surface can be made smooth where the tapers are formed.

Abstract: An optical coupler includes essentially tubular second connecting piece (40). Second fiber end (14) inserts completely through second connecting piece (40) and is held rigidly such second fiber end (14) is set back from second connecting piece end (78) by a preselected distance. First essentially tubular connecting piece (16) is divided axially into first portion (30) into which first fiber end (12) is inserted and held rigidly, and second portion (32) into which second connecting piece (40) is detachably attached. First and second portions (30, 32) are arranged such that first fiber end (12) is coaxial with and in close proximity to second fiber end (14). Preferably, attachment of second and first connecting pieces (40, 16) includes an axially symmetric groove (46) on an outer surface of second connecting piece (40), and an axially symmetric protrusion (24) on an inner surface of second portion (32) which essentially mates with axially symmetric groove (40).

Abstract: A light guide for an interconnecting device. The light guide comprises a first section having a Fibre Channel connector disposed therein and a second section having a Fibre Channel receptacle disposed therein. The second section is coupled to the first section. A mirror section is disposed within either the second section or the first section to direct light out the Fibre Channel receptacle.

Abstract: An underwater connector has a plug unit and a receptacle unit each containing a bladder member having an internal, oil-filled chamber in which a respective contact module is located. Each contact module has an end face having both electrical and optical contacts for contact engagement with corresponding contacts on the other module when the units are releasably mated together in an underwater environment. The bladder members each have a resilient forward end portion with an opening communicating with the respective chamber, and opposing, pivoted jaws in each unit are closed to compress the forward end portion to close and seal the opening when the units are unmated.

Abstract: A laser diode module in which a laser diode and an optical fiber are optically coupled with each other efficiently irrespective of an ambient temperature change within the laser diode module. The laser diode module includes a laser diode, an optical system, an optical system mounting member supporting at least a portion of the optical system, a laser diode mounting member, and a bottom plate supporting the laser diode, the optical system, the optical system mounting member, and the laser diode mounting member. The optical system receives and transmits a beam emitted from the laser diode through a lens portion to an optical fiber. The optical system mounting member is attached to the laser diode mounting member. The laser diode module preferably includes a thermo module having a first plate member attached to the laser diode mounting member.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical-fiber connector that consists of a ferrule (2) with a factory-fixed optical fiber cable element (2a) that can be detachably fixed in a ferrule support (9). The optical-fiber cable element (2a) is thermally spliced to the end (6) of the optical fiber cable (14) to be connected before the ferrule (2) is fixed in the seat (18) of the ferrule support (9).

Abstract: An adapter sleeve that is configured to coaxially align a first telecommunications ferrule/hub assembly with a second telecommunications ferrule/hub assembly within an adapter. The adapter sleeve includes a continuous, non-split body. In the preferred embodiment, the adapter sleeve has a square configuration. The adapter sleeve is configured to align cable assemblies having connectors of varying size.

Abstract: A dust cap is provided that includes a translucent end member that permits optical communication while the dust cap remains mounted upon a ferrule. The dust cap includes a sleeve having an open first end and an opposed second end that is closed by the translucent end member. The end member can also include a lens to facilitate optical communication. A medial portion of the sleeve can also define an internal chamfer that extends radially inward for engaging the ferrule such that the front face of the ferrule is spaced from the second end of the sleeve, thereby preventing contaminants from being transferred from the second end of the sleeve to the polished front face of the ferrule. The dust cap can also define a groove extending lengthwise through only a portion of the sleeve, i.e., from the first end of the sleeve to a medial portion of the sleeve.

Abstract: An adapter for connecting opposing fiber optic connectors includes a housing having a through aperture about which a post is formed. An alignment sleeve is disposed in and retained by the post. A plastic cap is disposed over an end of the post. The plastic cap may include a lip for retaining the alignment sleeve, a conical or other oblique surface for self-aligning on a like surface of the post, and a latch that clips the cap into recesses in the housing. The post may include a recess for receiving the latch members.

Abstract: A conversion adapter to be used for connecting opposed optical connector ferrules having different diameters is formed of an amorphous alloy possessing at least a glass transition region, preferably a glass transition region of not less than 30 K in temperature width. Particularly, the amorphous alloy of M1—M2 system or M1—M2—La system (M1: Zr and/or Hf, M2: Ni, Cu, Fe, Co, Mn, Nb, Ti, V, Cr, Zn, Al, and/or Ga, La: rare earth element) possesses a wide range of &Dgr;Tx and thus can be advantageously used as a material for the conversion adapter. Such a conversion adapter can be manufactured with high mass-productivity by a mold casting method or molding method.

Abstract: A ferrule for use with a bare fiber adapter for temporarily coupling the ends of two bare optic fibers. The ferrule includes an elongate body possessing a borehole therethrough, with each of the borehole ends adapted to receive the end of an associated one of the bare optic fibers such that the ends of the bare optic fibers may substantially abut. The elongate body also possesses a slot extending from the periphery of the elongate body to the borehole. A bare fiber adapter incorporating the ferrule is also disclosed. A method of temporarily connecting the ends of two bare optic fibers is disclosed, and a kit for use in temporarily coupling unterminated optic fiber to test instrumentation is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for connecting optical fibers to waveguides and other optical elements are disclosed. In one embodiment, an optical fiber is modified so as to have opposing orthogonal tapered sidewalls that taper toward a tip of the fiber. An optical connector for the fiber includes a base having a receiving section and a waveguide formed therein. The receiving section is a flared channel having opposing orthogonal tapered sidewalls and a horizontal bottom surface perpendicular to the sidewalls. The waveguide is optically accessible at a narrow inner end of the channel. The angle of taper of the sidewalls of the channel matches the angle of taper of the sidewalls of the optical fiber. When the optical fiber is inserted into the open end of the channel and is moved toward the narrow inner end of the channel, the sidewalls of the fiber and channel come into contact with each other. In addition, a bottom surface of the fiber rests on the horizontal bottom surface of the channel.

Abstract: An optic adaptor connects first and second optic fibers in an aligned but spaced fashion for attenuation of optic signal traveling between the optic fibers. The adaptor includes a base secured to a patch panel and connected to the first optic fiber. The base defines a bore receiving and retaining a first end of a sleeve that receives the first optic fiber. A cylinder has a proximal end axially and movably received in the bore to receive a second end of the sleeve. A fiber connection member is mounted to the cylinder and attaches the second optic fiber to the cylinder with the second optic fiber received in the second end of the sleeve. A knob ring threadingly engages the cylinder. The knob is rotatably mounted to but is not axially movable with respect the base body whereby rotation of the knob induces axial movement of the cylinder and the second optic fiber with respect to the base body and the first optic fiber. Thus the distance between the optic fibers can be changed.

Abstract: At least one annular wall 6 into which a ferrule 5 for an optical fiber cable 30 is adapted to be inserted is provided in the housing 4 and exposed to the exterior. A protective frame wall 7 is provided on the housing 4 so as to project higher than the annular wall 6. The frame wall 7 is so arranged as to surround the annular wall 6, and projected upwardly and downwardly from both top and bottom sides of the housing 4. A top wall 9 for mounting a ferrule locking member 10 is formed integrally with the annular wall 6, and the top wall is positioned at the same height as the frame wall 7, and continued from the frame wall. There may be arranged a pair of the annular walls in parallel in proximity to each other. A receiving trunk 53 in a mating housing 48 continued to a light converting element 55 is adapted to be inserted into the annular wall 6, and the ferrule 5 is adapted to be inserted into the receiving trunk.

Abstract: A plug-and-socket connection includes a socket part on a mother board and a plug part on a daughter board. The plug part comprises a plug housing axially displaceably mounted on a daughter board. A securing mechanism latches the socket part in a latched position. The plug housing, in the insertion direction, is directly or indirectly supported on a push element in the form of a leaf spring with an angled part. The spring force of this leaf spring maintains the support until reaching the latching position. With a continued pushing movement, the support is automatically released by yielding of the leaf spring. In this manner the daughter board, after reaching the latching position, may be decoupled from the mother board.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable connector including a coupler body with a channel for receiving a connector plug therein; and a door spanning the channel, the door biased to cover the channel but displaceable with respect to the channel when the plug body is received in the channel to prevent light from escaping the channel when the plug body is removed from the channel.

Abstract: A high power expanded beam and methods for making and using the high power expanded beam connector are described herein. Basically, the high power expanded beam connector includes a first lensed optical fiber that is optically coupled to a second lensed optical fiber but physically separated from the second lensed optical fiber. The first lensed optical fiber is capable of expanding a light beam traveling therein and outputting a collimated light beam. The second lensed optical fiber is capable of receiving the collimated light beam and focusing the received light beam such that the light beam travels from the first lensed optical fiber to the second lensed optical fiber. In a similar manner, the high power expanded beam connector can transmit a light beam from the second lensed optical fiber to the first lensed optical fiber.

Abstract: The present invention provides a connector assembly comprising (1) a first adapter that releasably connects to light source and transmits optical energy received from the light source along a first optical waveguide; (2) a second adapter that releasably connects to first adapter to receive and transmit optical energy along a second optical waveguide; and (3) an output optical waveguide that receives the transmitted optical energy from the second waveguide and has a proximal connector adapted to fixedly engage the second adapter. In one embodiment, the proximal connector has a slot that allows for the insertion of a clip, and the second adapter has a detente that mechanically engages the clip when it is inserted into the slot in the proximal connector. In this way, the second adapter is fixedly coupled to the proximal connector but may also rotate in relation to the output connector.

Abstract: An adapter for an optical fiber connector has a switch mounted therein and an actuation lever contained therein for actuating the switch to turn optical power on. The lever has an enlarged rear portion separated from a front portion by a flexible web. The adapter has an opening therein for receiving a connector plug which is masked by the enlarged portion of the lever when in the operative position. When a plug is to be inserted, the enlarged portion is bent up to unmask the opening. After the plug is inserted, the rear portion is aligned with the front portion of the lever and the lever slid forward to actuate the switch. In the forward position, the enlarged portion prevents access to the latching arm of the connector plug so that it cannot be removed while the power is on. The lever must be slid to the rear, turning off the power, before the connector can be removed.

Abstract: A system is described for interconnecting a first optical component and a second optical component in which the first optical component is guided passively into precise alignment with the second optical component. The system includes a base and a guide structure. The base has a first surface exposed for contact with a front surface of the first optical component and a second surface configured to contact a front surface of the second optical component, and defines a transparent optical aperture extending from the first base surface to the second base surface and aligned with respect to the optical axis. The guide structure is supported by the base in fixed registration with respect to the optical axis and is exposed for contact with an exposed peripheral surface of the first optical component at three or more spaced apart discrete locations.

Abstract: A method for coupling fiber optic elements includes providing a hollow wax housing. A first fiber optic element is inserted in a first direction into the housing to position a free end thereof in the housing. A second fiber optic element is inserted into the housing from an opposite direction to position a free end of the second fiber optic element in the housing confronting the first fiber optic element free end. The housing is filled with optical grade epoxy resin which is permitted to cure, thereby to effect physical and optical connection between the first and second fiber optic elements. The free ends are in close proximity, or in the case of coupling from one strand to many, in enough of a spaced relation to cause needed light diffusion.

Abstract: A coupling assembly and method for joining together lengths of fiber optic cable conduit. In one embodiment the coupling assembly has a compressible resilient split sleeve and at least one radially extending guard. The coupling assembly may be quickly installed in the field by hand in order to couple a first length of fiber optic conduit to a second length of fiber optic conduit. The coupling assembly prevents rodents and other animals from gaining access to the optical fiber within the conduits.

Abstract: The invention provides a hermetic fiber-optic seal, such as in an optical fiber ferrule or feedthrough, having an optical fiber, a glass solder for encasing at least a portion of the optical fiber, a first glass sleeve for encasing at least a first portion of the glass solder, a second glass sleeve for encasing at least a second portion of the glass solder, and an outer sleeve for encasing at least a portion of the first glass sleeve and the second glass sleeve. A gap filled with glass solder may be provided between the first glass sleeve and the second glass sleeve. The hermetic fiber-optic seal is made by an extrusion process.

Abstract: An optic adaptor connects first and second optic fibers in an aligned but spaced fashion for attenuation of optic signal traveling between the optic fibers. The adaptor includes a base secured to a patch panel and connected to the first optic fiber. The base defines a bore receiving and retaining a first end of a sleeve that receives the first optic fiber. A cylinder has a proximal end axially and movably received in the bore to receive a second end of the sleeve. A fiber connection member is mounted to the cylinder and attaches the second optic fiber to the cylinder with the second optic fiber received in the second end of the sleeve. A knob ring threadingly engages the cylinder. The knob is rotatably mounted to but is not axially movable with respect the base body whereby rotation of the knob induces axial movement of the cylinder and the second optic fiber with respect to the base body and the first optic fiber. Thus the distance between the optic fibers can be changed.