Abstract: An optical splitter adjacent a downstream end of a fiber optic cable is operable for supplying an optical signal to at least one optical fiber from the downstream end of the fiber. A preterminated fiber optic distribution cable includes a first access location having an optical fiber termination fed from an upstream end of the cable and a second access location having an optical fiber termination fed from a downstream end of the cable, wherein the cable includes an upstream optical splitter for feeding a first set of optical fibers and a downstream optical splitter for back-feeding a second set of optical fibers. A fiber optic cable comprising a first set of optical fibers that are terminated and fed from an upstream end of the fiber optic cable and a second set of optical fibers that are terminated and fed from a downstream end of the fiber optic cable.

Abstract: A fiber optic connector assembly comprising a connector housing, at least one multi-fiber ferrule maintained within the connector housing, the at least one multi-fiber ferrule defining a front end for presenting at least one optical fiber for optical connection with at least one other mating ferrule and a rear end for inserting the at least one optical fiber into the ferrule, and a biasing member maintained within the connector housing operable for providing a biasing force to the multi-fiber ferrule, wherein the biasing force is not applied to the rear end of the multi-fiber ferrule. A connector assembly including a 72 fiber ferrule and force centering structure for applying on-axis force to the ferrule, while preventing off-axis forces generated by a biasing spring from being applied to the ferrule.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to an angled optical fiber cleaver that is used to cleave optical fibers prior to mechanical splicing and that provides a desired optical fiber endface angle. More specifically, the present invention relates to an angled optical fiber cleaver that incorporates a novel retention and rotation clamp assembly that successively engages, securely holds, and rotates an optical fiber prior to cleaving, this rotation providing the desired optical fiber endface angle. Advantageously, the novel retention and rotation and clamp assembly of the present invention is actuated via a single linear button press/release, eliminating the cumbersome steps associated with conventional devices and methodologies.

Abstract: A tether assembly includes a tether cable containing optical fibers and adapted to be attached to a fiber optic distribution cable at a mid-span access location. A furcation at the end of the tether cable separates and transitions the optical fibers into furcation legs terminating in individual connector ports. Each connector port may be a receptacle for receiving a connector mounted upon one of the optical fibers and a mating connector of a drop cable, a plug mounted upon one of the optical fibers that is received within a plug alignment member operable to align the plug with a mating plug of a drop cable, or a connector that is routed to a receptacle disposed within an external wall of a network connection terminal from within the enclosure. The tether assembly provides a distribution cable assembly and method for mitigating a span length measurement difference in a pre-engineered communications network.

Abstract: A field installable optical fiber connector is provided, the connector including an inner housing defining an interior passageway extending longitudinally between a forward end and a rearward end, a first connector subassembly inserted through the rearward end of the inner housing into the interior passageway thereof. In one embodiment, the first connector subassembly includes a ferrule holder having a ferrule disposed within the ferrule holder, and an optical fiber stub disposed within the ferrule. In another embodiment, the first connector subassembly also includes a flange disposed at a first end of the ferrule holder, a spring element and a spring element retainer slidably mounted on the ferrule holder, and a collar mounted on a second end of the ferrule holder so as to capture the spring and the spring element retainer between the flange and the collar.

Abstract: A ferrule assembly having highly protruding optical fibers and a corresponding method of efficiently, precisely and repeatedly fabricating the ferrule assemblies are provided. In this regard, a ferrule assembly is provided that includes a plurality of optical fibers extending at least about 3.5 ?m beyond the front face. The end portions of the optical fibers of the ferrule assembly may also be substantially coplanar with the end portions of the optical fibers differing in position from one another by no more than 100 nm. The ferrule assembly may be efficiently fabricated by polishing the optical fibers to a desired protrusion without first grinding or polishing the optical fibers to be flush with the front face of the ferrule. The ferrule assembly may be even more efficiently fabricated in instances in which the ferrule includes at least one polishing feature, such as an outwardly extending pedestal or a recessed portion.

Abstract: A fiber optic receptacle and plug assembly adapted to be mounted within an opening through a wall of a connection terminal. The receptacle and plug define complimentary alignment and keying features for ensuring that the plug is mated with the receptacle in a predetermined orientation. An alignment sleeve is disposed within the plug for receiving a multi-fiber receptacle ferrule and a multi-fiber plug ferrule. The fiber optic receptacle and corresponding plug each include a biasing member assembly for urging the receptacle ferrule and the plug ferrule towards one another, wherein the biasing member assembly includes a round spring, a spring centering cuff and a ferrule boot that operatively engage the rear of the receptacle ferrule and the plug ferrule, respectively, to substantially center a spring biasing force on the end face of the receptacle ferrule and the plug ferrule.

Abstract: A pre-connectorized fiber optic distribution cable assembly includes a plurality of optical fibers and at least one mid-span access location along the length of the distribution cable. At least one of the optical fibers is accessed, terminated and then connectorized at the mid-span access location to an optical connector disposed within a receptacle. The mid-span access location, the accessed, terminated and connectorized optical fiber, the optical connector and at least a portion of the receptacle are encapsulated with a protective overmolded shell. A tether including at least one optical fiber connectorized at a first end of the tether is optically connected to the optical connector through the receptacle. A second end of the tether opposite the first end terminates in a network optical connection terminal, thereby compensating for a span length measurement difference between the actual location of the mid-span access and the desired location of the optical connection terminal.

Abstract: An optical ferrule is provided with a ferrule body having a front face and at least one covering applied to the front face to protect the front face of the ferrule from a laser beam used during a trimming process. The optical ferrule may also have a second covering disposed between the front face of the ferrule and the first covering to assist in adhering the first covering to the optical ferrule. A method is also provided for applying the first covering or the first covering and the second covering to the front face of the ferrule. A method is also provided for trimming, and in particular, ablating portions of one or more optical fibers that protrude beyond the front face of the ferrule.

Abstract: A panel-mountable fiber optic splice is provided for interconnecting first and second optical fibers through an opening in a panel, bulkhead, wall or the like. The optical fiber splice includes a housing configured to be inserted into the opening in the panel, a splice holder disposed within an internal passageway defined by the housing, first and second splice members disposed within an internal cavity defined by the splice holder, and a cam member disposed about the splice holder for actuating the first and second splice members between a first, unactuated position for inserting the first and second optical fibers between the splice members and a second, actuated position for securing the first and second optical fibers between the splice members.

Abstract: A fiber optic mechanical splice connector including a single connector element operable for providing optical fiber alignment and strain relief includes opposed splice components that define first and second grooves for receiving the bare glass portions of mating optical fibers, as well as the coated or buffered portion of at least one of the optical fibers when the splice components are biased together by an actuator. The mating optical fibers are aligned while the coated or buffered portion of one of the optical fibers is retained within the same connector element, thus eliminating positioning problems that occur when separate connector elements are utilized for fiber alignment and strain relief. The splice components may be unbiased to allow removal of at least one of the mating optical fibers without destroying the connector assembly or potentially damaging the optical fibers.

Abstract: A precision mold insert and method for manufacturing angled or angled and bumpered multi-fiber ferrules. The precision mold insert includes an angled end face forming portion, one or more optional bumper forming portions, one or more fiber bores for receiving one or more fiber bore forming pins, and one or more guide pin holes for receiving one or more guide pin hole forming pins. A method for manufacturing a precision mold insert for molding angled or angled and bumpered multi-fiber ferrules utilizing electrical discharge machining (EDM) process and/or a poly crystalline diamond (PCD) grinding tool is provided. The mold insert is used to produce a multi-fiber ferrule having a pre-molded angled end face that is not machined, polished or otherwise altered subsequent to the molding process. The ferrule may also include bumpers for polishing end portions of optical fibers positioned within the fiber bores without altering the angled end face.

Abstract: A fiber optic receptacle and plug assembly includes a fiber optic receptacle adapted to be mounted within a connector port of a network connection terminal and a fiber optic plug mounted upon an end of a fiber optic cable, wherein the fiber optic receptacle and the fiber optic plug comprise complimentary alignment and keying features that allow the fiber optic receptacle to receive only a fiber optic plug of like ferrule configuration. The fiber optic receptacle includes an alignment sleeve insert operable for receiving and optically connecting at least one receptacle ferrule and at least one opposing plug ferrule. The receptacle is suitable for use in enclosures requiring a minimal receptacle penetration depth, wherein the fiber optic receptacle comprises a shoulder that is secured against an inner wall of the enclosure to provide strain relief against cable-pulling forces of up to about 600 lbs.

Abstract: According to certain aspects of the present invention, an optical cable assembly is disclosed having a plurality of optical fibers, each having a first end and a second end. The plurality of optical fibers includes a first group of optical fibers and a second group of optical fibers. A first connector head is attached to the first end of the first group of optical fibers. The first group of optical fibers terminates in an array at a surface disposed on the first connector head. The first connector head includes a first mating structure. A second connector head is attached to the first end of the second group of optical fibers. The second group of optical fibers terminates in an array at a surface disposed on the second connector head.

Abstract: An adjustable tether assembly for a fiber optic distribution cable includes a tether cable and an overmolded housing secured at the end of the tether cable having at least one connector port. The tether assembly is attached to the distribution cable such that the position of the connector port is adjustable along the length of the distribution cable for mitigating differences between the pre-engineered span length distance and the actual span length distance following installation of the distribution cable. A method for mitigating a span length measurement difference in a pre-engineered fiber optic communications network is provided that includes optically connecting an adjustable tether assembly at a mid-span access location of a fiber optic distribution cable and positioning a housing secured at the free end of a tether cable having at least one connector port at a desired location in the network to compensate for the span length measurement difference.

Abstract: A field-installable connector includes a connector housing and a ferrule having front and rear opposed faces and at least one fiber bore defined longitudinally therethrough. A laser processed stub optical fiber is disposed within the one fiber bore of the ferrule and extends a predetermined distance beyond the rear face of the ferrule. An alignment feature is operable for self-centering the stub optical fiber and a field optical fiber to perform a mechanical splice using a camming means. A method of laser processing a stub optical fiber includes rotating the stub optical fiber and sweeping a laser beam directed at a desired angle back and forth across a surface of the optical fiber. An oscillating motion of the laser is driven by an intermittent sinusoidal signal that results in two deposits of energy onto the stub optical fiber followed by a cooling period before subsequent deposits of energy occur.

Abstract: Eccentricity of a optical fiber installed in a passageway of a ferrule is minimized by imposing a force on the end of the optical fiber projecting from the passageway at the ferrule end face to push the optical fiber to a desired position in the passageway, prior to curing an adhesive used for fixing the optical fiber in the passageway, so as to compensate for eccentricity of the passageway. In one embodiment, the force is imposed on the optical fiber by hanging a weight on the optical fiber. In another embodiment, the force is imposed on the optical fiber by using a pressurized jet of fluid. The point of application of the force, the magnitude of the force, and the viscosity of the adhesive are selected such that minimal optical fiber bending occurs, thereby assuring that the optical fiber is positioned at the desired position in the passageway for an appreciable distance from the ferrule end face along the passageway.

Abstract: A one-piece fiber optic receptacle is provided for aligning and optically connecting a plug ferrule with a back-side ferrule of like configuration. The fiber optic receptacle includes a receptacle housing defining an internal cavity opening through an external end and an opposed internal end, an alignment sleeve disposed within the internal cavity and received within the internal end of the receptacle housing, and a sleeve retainer removably secured to the internal end of the receptacle housing and operable for providing access to the alignment sleeve from the internal end of the receptacle housing. The fiber optic receptacle further includes biasing member supports that facilitate loading and ensure alignment of at least one biasing member during assembly and use. Tapered posts may be provided on at least one of the alignment sleeve and the sleeve retainer for retaining and guiding the at least one biasing member during assembly and use.

Abstract: A field installable fiber optic connector includes a housing and a ferrule holder inserted from the rearward end of the housing. A spring element inserted into the front of the housing and a spring element retainer attached to the ferrule holder bias the ferrule holder forward. An optical fiber stub is disposed between opposed splice members and a field fiber is inserted between the splice members and guided by a groove into abutment with the end of the optical fiber stub. A cam disposed about the ferrule holder is movable to facilitate insertion of the field fiber and to clamp the field fiber and the optical fiber stub between the splice members. In one embodiment, a trigger is coupled to the housing. The trigger is disposed about and slides relative to the ferrule holder, thereby biasing the housing forward relative to the ferrule holder to aid in latching the connector.

Abstract: A method for estimating insertion loss at a mechanical joining point between adjoining optical fibers includes introducing light energy into an optical fiber, using light collecting means to collect the light energy emanating from the optical fiber proximate the mechanical joining point, measuring a reference optical power prior to joining the optical fibers, measuring a terminated optical power after the optical fibers are joined, and comparing the terminated optical power to the reference optical power. An apparatus for estimating insertion loss includes a source of light for introducing light energy into an optical fiber, at least one optical fiber strand disposed about the mechanical joining point for collecting the light energy emanating from the optical fiber proximate the mechanical joining point, and an optical power meter coupled to the at least one optical fiber strand for measuring the optical power of the light energy emanating from the mechanical joining point.