Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to enable quick, easy, and inexpensive connections even in a narrow area using an inexpensive device and an inexpensive optical fiber connecting element, thereby achieving high operability and high durability reliability. An optical fiber connecting element includes an optical alignment sleeve having tapered insertion ports formed at opposite ends thereof and having an ejection port opened in an area in which the two optical fibers inserted through the insertion ports are butted against each other, a cyanoacrylate-type glue injected into the insertion ports and the injection port to fix the two optical fibers, and a heat-shrinkable tube wrapped around the optical alignment sleeve and two optical fiber coatings and having a hot-melt adhesive provided therein.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for connecting an end of a first fiber optic cable to an end of a second fiber optic cable, the apparatus comprising a first fiber optic cable comprising at least one plastic fiber, a second fiber optic cable comprising at least one plastic fiber, a first fitting have a cavity for securing the end of said first fiber optic cable, a second fitting for securing the end of said second fiber optic cable, and a connector for joining the first fitting to the second fitting to hold the end of the first fiber optic cable in alignment with the end of the second fiber optic cable to allow light to pass therebetween.

Abstract: A simple optical fiber inner tube connector mainly includes a tubular body being divided into two receiving chambers by at least an annular rib in the tubular body. Each of the receiving chambers is provided around its inner wall surface with a spirally extended thread and at least an engaging tooth located between the annular rib and an inner end of the spiral thread. When two optical fiber inner tubes are to be connected to each other by means of the connector, they are separately screwed into the two receiving chambers so that the engaging teeth tightly engage into outer wall surfaces of the two optical fiber inner tubes for them to accurately align with each other and firmly locate in the connector. Waterstop sleeve members made of elastically deformable material may be put around outer wall surface of the tubular body near two ends thereof to fitly and tightly cover the joint of the connector and the optical fiber inner tubes and to align the inner tubes with the tubular body.

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: A housing of a fiber optic connector such as an MT-RJ connector has a greater surface area and ridges for improved handling and grasping. A door is provided on a fiber optic connector socket to block light leakage from the socket. The door is compact and does not interfere with neighboring devices while closed. The connector has a housing that centers the ferrule and keeps it in a position for precise alignment with the opposing ferrule. A pin retainer is designed to allow insertion and removal of alignment pins in the field without the need for removing the connector from the fiber optic, so that male connectors can be connected to female connectors and vice-versa.

Abstract: An optical fiber connector adapter has a sensing mechanism for determining when the adapter has a connector plug therein and when the adapter is vacant or empty. The sensing mechanism creates an indication of the state of the adapter which is transmitted to a control circuit. The control circuit responds to the indication by activating or deactivating a laser, for example, which applies optical energy to the adapter. The laser is deactivated when the adapter has no connector plug therein and is activated when there is a connector plug in place in the adapter. In two of the embodiments of the invention, the sensing mechanism signals the impending insertion or withdrawal of the connector plug relative to the adapter.

Abstract: An optical connector system comprises at least one shield case (14) provided through a panel (12) at a through-hole of the panel, and at least one pair of housings (13 and 13′) provided in the shield case, each housing receiving at least one plug (17) and having at least one sleeve (15) for aligning and holding top end of the plug. The shield case comprises at least one insertion hole (25) in which the plug is inserted, a partition plate (24) made of a conductive material and provided between the pair of housings, and a flange portion (27) made of a conductive material and grounded to the ground of the panel. The partition plate and flange portion are provided such that leakage and entrance of electromagnetic waves from the through-hole of the panel are minimized.

Abstract: An embeddable fiber optic connector includes a small diameter protective sheath embedded within a plurality of composite layers of a composite structure. The sheath has a first end that is flush with a surface of the composite structure. An alignment sleeve is disposed within the sheath and an internal ferrule, mounted on an internal optical fiber, is snugly disposed within the alignment sleeve proximate a second end of the sheath. An external ferrule is mounted on an external optical fiber and is inserted into the first end of the sheath so as to be snugly disposed within the alignment sleeve proximate the internal ferrule, thereby establishing optical communications between the internal and external optical fibers. The external optical fiber is easily disconnected by gripping and removing the external ferrule from the connector. Reconnection is accomplished by reinserting the external ferrule into the connector.

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 present invention is a fiber optic connection system including a fiber optic plug adapted to mate and lock with a fiber optic connector. The plug includes a housing and mated insert that cooperate to position and secure the plug pre-assemblies with respect to the plug and to structurally affix the cable strengthener to the plug.

Abstract: A coupling sleeve is described which contains a sleeve body with a passage opening for accommodating a coupling partner on both ends respectively. An electroconductive shielding plate has a tongue protruding into the passage opening. The tongue is provided with an opening that has a width that matches a cross-section of a coupling partner.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for modulating light, wherein a light source provides light of a certain wavelength to be modulated by a layer of superconducting material which forms part of a specifically configured plate assembly. The superconducting layer is placed in the optical path of the light source. Further the superconducting layer is switched between a partially transparent non-superconducting state and a substantially non-transparent superconducting state by a modulation circuit. The resulting optical pulses transmitted through the superconducting layer are converted from the original wavelength to a lower wavelength by a frequency converting device.

Abstract: An optical fiber connector adapter has a sensing mechanism for determining when the adapter has a connector plug therein and when the adapter is vacant or empty. The sensing mechanism creates an indication of the state of the adapter which is transmitted to a control circuit. The control circuit responds to the indication by activating or de-activating a laser, for example, which applies optical energy to the adapter. The laser is deactivated when the adapter has no connector plug therein and is activated when there is a connector plug in place in the adapter. In two of the embodiments of the invention, the sensing mechanism signals the impending insertion or withdrawal of the connector plug relative to the adapter.

Abstract: An optical coupling system includes a unitary separation-setting member for establishing precise spatial relationships among a microlens array, an array of light sources, and an array of optical fibers. The separation-setting member includes an interior region with a shoulder against which the lens array is positioned. The shoulder is at a precisely controlled distance from a target plane along which the ends of the optical fibers are aligned. The target plane is defined by the front surface of the separation-setting member. Thus, the dimensions of the separation-setting member control the distance of the fiber ends from the microlenses. Moreover, a back surface of the separation-setting member is at a precisely controlled distance from the shoulder, so that when the back surface is rested against a substrate on which the light sources are mounted, the light sources are precisely positioned relative to the microlenses.

Abstract: An optical fiber connector adapter has a sensing mechanism for determining when the adapter has a connector plug therein and when the adapter is vacant or empty. The sensing mechanism creates an indication of the state of the adapter which is transmitted to a control circuit. The control circuit responds to the indication by activating or deactivating a laser, for example, which applies optical energy to the adapter. The laser is deactivated when the adapter has no connector plug therein and is activated when there is a connector plug in place in the adapter. In two of the embodiments of the invention, the sensing mechanism signals the impending insertion or withdrawal of the connector plug relative to the adapter.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing glass parts for connection of glass fibers is provided, which can improve the accuracy of the cross-sectional size of a through hole in the glass part. A mother glass having a similar cross section to a desired cross section of a glass part having a through hole is prepared, and the prepared mother glass is drawn while it is heated.

Abstract: An embeddable fiber optic connector includes a small diameter protective sheath embedded within a plurality of composite layers of a composite structure. The sheath has a first end that is flush with a surface of the composite structure. An alignment sleeve is disposed within the sheath and an internal ferrule, mounted on an internal optical fiber, is snugly disposed within the alignment sleeve proximate a second end of the sheath. An external ferrule is mounted on an external optical fiber and is inserted into the first end of the sheath so as to be snugly disposed within the alignment sleeve proximate the internal ferrule, thereby establishing optical communications between the internal and external optical fibers. The external optical fiber is easily disconnected by gripping and removing the external ferrule from the connector. Reconnection is accomplished by reinserting the external ferrule into the connector.

Abstract: A connector for a fiber optic cable has at least one clamp sheet fitted in a corresponding at least one slit defined therethrough. The clamp sheet is particularly defined with an H-shaped opening having upper and lower edges respectively formed with two insertion pieces. Whereby when upper and lower ends of the clamp sheet are pressed inwardly, the insertion pieces of the clamp sheet respectively pierce an outer cover of the fiber optic cable fed through the opening of the clamp sheet, such that deviations including the rotational movement of the cable are effectively avoided, and the fiber optic cable is accurately positioned in the connector and securely connected with respect to the connector.

Abstract: The invention relates to a holding device for holding at least one optical plug that can be coupled with a coupling partner in an optical coupling system. According to the invention, the holding device comprises an inner holding part (11) into which the plug (3) can be locked and an outer holding part (12) in which the inner holding part (11) is arranged so as to be rotatable and laterally displaceable. The holding device enables a coupling of an optical plug with a coupling partner even for the case in which the coupling partner is situated with an imprecise position.

Abstract: A fiber optic adapter includes first and second adapter portions each for receiving a fiber optic connector. The first and second adapter portions each define an axial opening, wherein the axial openings are aligned. An electrically conductive shield is positioned between the first and second adapter portions. An electrical link is provided between the electrically conductive shield and a conductive portion of a bulkhead receiving the adapter.

Abstract: An optical connector consists of a ferrule unit including an optical fiber, a ferrule rigidly fitted to one end of the optical fiber, and a spring placed around the optical fiber which abuts at one end against the ferrule, a plug housing which receives the ferrule unit, and a spring cap having a rear wall and a fiber letting-out portion formed in the rear wall through which the optical fiber is let out. The spring cap is fittable, with the spring abutting at the other end thereagainst, to the plug housing. The plug housing has a resilient protecting means which, when the spring cap is fitted to the plug housing, overhangs a part of the optical fiber let out through the fiber letting-out portion of the spring cap. The optical fiber is protected at that port let out of the spring cap if bent.

Abstract: A receptacle for receiving a fiber optic connector along an optic axis. The receptacle includes a housing having an open end for receiving the fiber optic connector inserted thereinto on the optic axis, along with an opening remote from the open end. A shutter member is fitted through the opening and is mounted for pivotal movement toward and away from the optic axis to close and open the open end of the housing.

Abstract: An apparatus which does not require the opening of a box in order to remove an adapter for fiber optic connectors. In one embodiment comprising a removable optical adapter and receptor, the adapter has a flange extending outwardly from an adapter body. The receptor is a mounting plate with a through-opening, which is slightly larger than the adapter flange, and a slot disposed parallel to a front surface. The receptor is foxed to a box, which contains at least one fiber optic connector. The adapter flange is inserted into the through-opening until it seats on a lip or shoulder adjacent to the slot. When the adapter is rotated, the adapter flange engages the slot. Another embodiment utilizes tabs on a removable adapter plate which are received by notches in a through-opening in the receptor. The removable adapter plate has a shoulder which prevents the plate from passing completely through the receptor. Once inserted, the plate is rotated and locked in place.

Abstract: An apparatus, comprising a removable optical adapter and receptor, which does not require the opening of a box to which the receptor is secured in order to remove the adapter. The adapter has a flange extending outwardly from the adapter body. The receptor is a mounting plate with a first aperture, which is slightly larger than the adapter flange, and a second aperture disposed parallel to the front surface. The receptor is fastened to a box, which contains at least one fiber optic connector. The adapter flange is inserted into the first aperture until it seats on a lip or shoulder adjacent to the second aperture. When the adapter is rotated, the adapter flange engages the second aperture.

Abstract: A tuning index tool for use in determining the degree of tuning necessary for a tunable optical fiber connector has a first stationary member having a connector adapter affixed thereto and a second movable member within the first member and spring loaded with respect thereto. The second member has a connector adapter affixed thereto axially aligned with the adapter in the first member. The movable member is incrementally rotatable with respect to the stationary member by being pulled against the spring force to disengage the ferrules of connectors in the adapters, which are aligned in a split sleeve. Rotation changes the orientation of the eccentricity vectors of the two connectors, and hence the insertion loss. Measurements of insertion loss are made, and the orientation of the connectors for minimum loss is noted.

Abstract: A housing of a fiber optic connector such as an MT-RJ connector has a greater surface area and ridges for improved handling and grasping. A door is provided on a fiber optic connector socket to block light leakage from the socket. The door is compact and does not interfere with neighboring devices while closed. The connector has a housing that centers the ferrule and keeps it in a position for precise alignment with the opposing ferrule. A pin retainer is designed to allow insertion and removal of alignment pins in the field without the need for removing the connector from the fiber optic, so that male connectors can be connected to female connectors and vice-versa.

Abstract: A universal optical connector adapter that can be used to connect optical connector plugs of the same or different types having ferrules fixed at ends of optical fibers. The universal adapter has first and second housings each having at one end a coupling portion for detachably coupling with an optical connector plug of a given type and on an opposite end a base plate having a reference plane. A cylindrical coupling member is rotatably held inward of the coupling portion of the first housing and incorporates a sleeve for fitting ferrules into opposite sides thereof. A male thread is provided on an outer periphery of the coupling cylindrical member and a female thread is provided in the coupling portion of the second housing on a side opposite to that in which an optical connector plug is coupled. The female thread is removably couplable with the male thread.

Abstract: The present invention provides an inexpensive and easily manufactured adapter and optical module receptacle which can prevent light from leaking where an optical connector is disconnected, wherein a roughly L-shaped shutter plate (3) is attached in the housing (1) for fitting and insertion of an optical connector by utilizing a supporting plate. In the state where the shutter plate is attached, the roughly L-shaped erectable portion (7) of the shutter plate (3) is erected so as to shield light that is transmitted to the optical connector insertion port (2) of the housing (1). In the state where an optical connector is fitted in the housing (1), the corresponding erectable portion (7) is folded by the optical connector to ensure that the corresponding optical connector receives light.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a positioning system for automatically positioning and attaching at least one optical fiber inserted into said positioning system along a predetermined optical axis. This positioning system comprises a base member with a flat upper surface and a V-shaped reception channel which is parallel to the upper surface and is formed therein for receiving at least one optical fiber. This system also includes a spring-effect retaining member which is mounted on the upper surface of the base member for maintaining the at least one optical fiber inserted into the reception channel. This invention provides for a simple structure, as well as, for a precise and mechanically resistant coupling since the retaining member comprises a membrane which is parallel to the upper surface of the base member, which is mounted above the reception channel and which can be resiliently diverted in a direction perpendicular to the upper surface of said base member.

Abstract: The invention relates to a connector assembly, especially for connecting optical fibers, having a coupling member, a connector housing insertable into the coupling member and a connection slide mounted in the coupling member so as to be actuatable generally perpendicular to the insertion direction of the connector housing. At least one of the components, either the coupling member, connector housing or connection slide includes a resiliently deformable area which is deformable between connection and snap-in positions.

Abstract: An improved sleeve holder for use in an optical fiber buildout is disclosed. The sleeve holder comprises an elongate tubular body formed about a longitudinal axis, the body having a first end and a spaced second end. At least a first slot is defined in the first end of the body and extends longitudinally from the first end of the body toward the second end thereof. A first annular shoulder is defined within the first end of the body about the longitudinal axis, and a second annular shoulder, spaced from the first shoulder is defined within the second end of the body about the longitudinal axis. An annular mounting flange is formed on the exterior surface of the tubular body, intermediate the ends thereof, and extends outwardly and away therefrom.

Abstract: The invention provides a socket for a connector, wherein a socket housing is simplified in construction such that means for preventing foreign matter such as dust, dirt, and so forth from making ingress in the socket can be assembled with ease. The socket housing 10 comprises a cavity 20 for allowing a plug to be inserted therein, a protuberance provided within the cavity 20, a through hole defined substantially at the center of the protuberance, for allowing a plug extremity to be inserted from outer end thereof, and a connector element 70 disposed at inner end of the through hole, opposite thereto. In assembling, a shutter 50, an elastic member 60, and the connector element 70 are inserted into the socket housing 10 in that order through a narrow opening 30, and are set in, and securely attached to the socket housing 10 by fitting a cover body 80 into the narrow opening 30.

Abstract: An optical fiber terminus body has a helical spring (32) trapped between front and rear shoulders, with the rear shoulder formed by a thin flange (64) that facilitates mounting of the spring on a one-piece body (40). The thin flange has front and rear surfaces that are angled by no more than about 30° from a radial direction, and the base of the flange has an axial length substantially no greater than the radial length of the flange, to facilitate installation of the spring by turning the spring to thread it past the flange.

Abstract: An optical fiber connecting method and apparatus in which optical communication is performed in a uni-core bidirectional system as optical crosstalk is prevented from occurring. To this end, an optical fiber connector 1 includes a refractive index matching member 2 and an optical fiber connecting unit 5. The refractive index matching member 2 has a refractive index substantially equivalent to that of the cores of optical fibers 101, 102. The optical fiber connecting unit 5 interconnects the optical fibers 101, 102 in a state in which end faces 101a, 102a of the optical fibers 101, 102 are contacted with a refractive index matching member 2 interposed between the end faces 101a, 102a of the optical fibers 101, 102.

Abstract: A flexible optical circuit is provided that includes at least one layer formed of a foam material in order to provide strain relief for the optical fibers and to improve the crush resistance of the flexible optical circuit. The flexible optical circuit includes a substrate and at least one optical fiber disposed upon the substrate. In one embodiment, the substrate is formed of a foam material, such as a silicone or polyurethane foam. The flexible optical circuit can also include a protective layer disposed upon at least a portion of the substrate so as to overlie at least a segment of at least one optical fiber, such as those segments at which the stress is concentrated. In addition to or instead of forming the substrate from a foam material, the protective layer may be formed of a foam material.

Abstract: An optical connector adapter has an optical connection sleeve having a first end portion and a second end portion opposite the first end portion. A sleeve holder has a first cylindrical member having a first through-hole receiving the first end portion of the optical connection sleeve. The sleeve holder is disposed in a tubular housing which has a second cylindrical member having a second through-hole receiving the second end portion of the optical connection sleeve. Engagement members engage the sleeve holder and the housing together in a state that a first end of the first cylindrical member and a first end of the second cylindrical member are abutted against each other. Engagement convex portions project radially inward at respective second ends of the first cylindrical member and the second cylindrical member for regulating movement of the optical connection sleeve in an axial direction.

Abstract: A fiber-optic acoustical sensor system includes a light source, an elongate optical cable conducting light from the light source to an optical acoustical transducer located at a distance from the light source along this cable, and a polarizer at the acoustical transducer. The sensor system includes a polarizer providing orthogonally-polarized light along the optical cable to the polarizer located adjacent to the transducer. Because of the polarizer adjacent to the transducer, disturbances of the optical cable and resulting polarization perturbations of the light transmitted along this cable do not affect the optical acoustical transducer. The acoustic transducer is responsive to sound energy to provide an optical return signal indicative of this sound energy.

Abstract: Provided are an optical transmission line including a connected part of the optical fibers having different refractive index profiles, wherein at least one of the optical fibers has a hollow region, and a method for connecting such optical fibers, wherein connection loss in a connection of such optical fibers is reduced. In the case of connecting an optical fiber 1, which does not have a hollow region and which consists of a core region 3 and a cladding region 4, and an optical fiber 2, which consists of a hollow core region 5 and a cladding region 6 having a plurality of refractive index variation parts 7 which extend along optical fiber 2, matching oil M is first injected into the connecting end portion of the hollow core region 5 to be connected with the optical fiber 1.

Abstract: Optical intelligent switch utilizing one-dimensional, two-dimensional and multi-channel acousto-optic devices optically coupled to optical fibers provides an accurate, stable, high performance, high speed means for transferring and controlling the flow of information. Applications include intelligent switching of light in fiber optic communication systems.

Abstract: A connector for a cable repeater includes a repeater including a joint having two mutually perpendicular and intersecting axes of rotation at one end thereof. A coupling includes a joint having two mutually perpendicular and intersecting axes of rotation. A first connecting link is pivotally connected at a first end thereof to the repeater joint and secured at a second end thereof to the coupling. A second connecting link is pivotally connected at a first end thereof to the coupling joint and secured at a second end thereof to a length of optical fiber cable. In preferred embodiments, a bend limiting device is provided at the end of the length of cable, with the second connecting link being secured at its second end to the bend limiting device.

Abstract: A coupler having converging corner-wall sections is disclosed. Convergence thereof provides the draft necessary to remove the coupler form a conventional plastic mold.

Abstract: Manufacturing couplers for optical fibers having thin precision dimensions for precision alignment and low-loss coupling of optical fiber segments. The couplers can be formed by depositing material on a precision mandrel, removing the mandrel, and then further machining the couplers if necessary. Design variations include simple sleeves and sleeves having ends that are flanged outward so that the ends taper to the correct diameter.

Abstract: An optical signal limiter is provided for limiting transmission of a continuous wave optical signal that exceeds a preselected threshold power level. The limiter includes a body having input and output ends that is formed at least in part from a material having a negative thermal index coefficient of between about −0.5×10−4 °C.−1 and −4.0×10−4 °C.−1 and an absorption coefficient of between 1.0 to 5.0 dB/cm at wavelengths between 980-1650 nm. The limiter also includes collimating fibers mounted on the input and output ends to minimize low power signal losses across the limiter body. It may be installed at a junction between two optical fibers and is preferably formed from a curable adhesive having the aforementioned negative thermal index coefficient to obviate the need for separate bonding materials and joining steps during the installation of the limiter.

Abstract: An optical fiber connector adapter has a sensing mechanism for determining when the adapter has a connector plug therein and when the adapter is vacant or empty. The sensing mechanism creates an indication of the state of the adapter which is transmitted to a control circuit. The control circuit responds to the indication by activating or deactivating a laser, for example, which applies optical energy to the adapter. The laser is deactivated when the adapter has no connector plug therein and is activated when there is a connector plug in place in the adapter. In two of the embodiments of the invention, the sensing mechanism signals the impending insertion or withdrawal of the connector plug relative to the adapter.

Abstract: In an optical connector structured having an optical connector ferrule accommodated in a housing urged towards the butt connection direction by an urging means, a technology is developed wherein the application of an external sideways force to the optical connector ferrule in a connected state is prevented, and the connected state is stably maintained. An optical connector 20 is provided wherein a positioning support part 24 which accommodates and supports a freely detachably a stop guard 26, which projects from the optical fiber ferrule 2, is provided in a housing 21; when this optical connector ferrule 2 is moved towards the butt connection direction, the stop guard is accommodated in the positioning support part 24 and positioned and supported; and when this stop guard 26 is released from the positioning support part 24, floating of the optical connector ferrule 2 in the housing 2 is permitted.

Abstract: An optical fibre connector element (10) receives at one end a sheathed optical fiber cable (12), and the individual optical fibers (14) are separated out within the connector element. Each of the individual optical fibers is terminated with a ferrule (16) at the cut end. The connector has an end face (20) which is provided with a transparent window (26), the ferrules (16) being positioned internally adjacent the window. The invention provides a single carrier component (60) for the window (26) and which includes an integral seal component (64). The end face is also provided with an O-ring seal (29) to provide a seal between two coupled connectors, and the O-ring seal (29) is housed frictionally in a channel (28) having tapered side walls (51,53). An improved ferrule carrier design is also disclosed in which a channel (54) is provided for each fiber having a guide ramp (60) which is arranged to direct the optical fiber radially out of the ferrule carrier during assembly so as to prevent damage to the fibers.

Abstract: A floating connector assembly is provided for mounting through an aperture in a panel, the aperture defining an axis. The assembly includes an adapter mountable in the aperture in the panel. A two-part connector includes a fixed part fixed to a substrate and a movable part relatively movable axially in the fixed part. A first latch is provided between the two parts of the connector to prevent the relative axial movement therebetween. A second latch is provided between the adapter and the movable part of the connector when the movable part is mated with the adapter. A release is provided on the adapter for releasing the first latch between the two relatively movable parts of the connector to allow the fixed part of the connector and the substrate to float relative to the adapter and the panel.

Abstract: A fiber optic connector module includes a ferrule terminated to at least one optical fiber. The ferrule is mounted within a manually manipulatable housing having a front portion encapsulating the ferrule and a rear portion extending rearwardly of the front portion for manual grasping by an operator. The front portion has an open front end through which a mating end of the ferrule projects and an open rear end through which the optical fiber extends.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable connector (12) is provided for connecting the terminal ends (302) of optical fibers (214) of fiber optic cables. The terminal ends (302) of the optical fibers (214) are mounted within termini (34) which are aligned for transmitting light signals therebetween. The connector (12) includes a housing (14) having bores (188) within which the termini (34) are mounted in a gimbaled arrangement, with gimbal points (306) being disposed distally from respective mating planes (304) between opposing terminal ends (302) of the termini (34) such that the termini (34) are pivotally moveable about the gimbal points (306). Floating seal assemblies (252) extend around respective ones of the termini (34) between the mating planes (304) and the gimbal points (306), and seal between the respective ones of the termini (34) and the bores (188) of the connector housing (14).

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 30K 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.