Abstract: An optical fiber expanded beam connector in which a spherical lens is held between a conical seat on a sleeve and a conical seat on a support for the bared optical fiber, the support being within the sleeve and having an external diameter less than the internal diameter of the sleeve to provide clearance therebetween which permits the support to move radially with respect to the axis of the sleeve. The fiber with its covering is secured to a body within the sleeve, the body being secured to the sleeve. In one embodiment, the support is a ferrule within a bushing which is secured to the body, the length of the bushing from the conical seat being large relative to the radial thickness of the clearance. In another embodiment, the support is a ferrule urged toward the lens by a spring between the ferrule and the body.

Abstract: A connector for connecting an optical fiber to another optical fiber or other optical signal receiving device, the connector having an elongated body with a central bore which is larger than the optical fiber with a protective layer thereon so that the latter freely slides in the bore. The body also has a pair of spaced reference elements or shoulders on its exterior surface, and a bushing with elastic fingers encircles the portion of the body with the shoulders and is longitudinally slidable between positions in which it engages one shoulder or the other shoulder. The bushing also has a ferrule with a bore for the passage of the bare optical fiber. Also, a method for accurately positioning the fiber in the connector, in which the fiber is cut while it extends from the ferrule and the bushing engages the shoulder farther from the cut, and the bushing is then moved so that it engages the other shoulder and is secured to the body.

Abstract: Apparatus for inserting optical fibers into helical grooves in a plastic core advanced through a rotatable, rigid body which has conduits for guiding the fibers from bobbins mounted on a rotatable cage into the grooves, the ends of the conduits engaging the walls of the grooves which cause the body to rotate as the core is advanced, said apparatus having drive means for advancing the core separate from the drive means for the rotatable cage and having detecting and control means for detecting angular and direction of rotation differences between the cage and the rigid body and correcting such differences by control of the rotation of the cage by its drive means.