Abstract: A fiber optic adapter includes a first side wall (110), a second side wall (112) opposite the first side wall, a top wall (114), and a bottom wall (116) opposite the top wall. A cavity (10) is defined by the top wall, the bottom wall, the first side wall, and the second side wall, and an optical fiber alignment device (20) is situated in the cavity. The top wall (114) has an opening (117) therein, and a cover (118) is configured to selectively close the opening.

Abstract: A fiber optic connection system (10/182/252) includes a first connection component (12/166/184/194/202/230/254) terminating a first fiber optic cable (14), the first connection component (12/166/184/194/202/230/254) including a housing (24/170/214/244/260) defining a longitudinal axis, at least one fiber (20) of the first fiber optic cable (14) fixed axially to the housing (24/170/214/244/260). A first shutter (36/206/238) is slidably movable in a direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the housing (24/170/214/244/260), the first shutter (36/206/238) biased to a closed position to prevent exposure to the at least one fiber (20) of the first fiber optic cable (14).

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

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to fiber optic connection systems (5) including a fiber optic adapter (10) having shutter assemblies (34, 17) for obstructing laser beams to protect a person's eyes. The shutter assemblies (34, 17) are spring biased and pivotally movable between closed and open positions. In certain examples, the shutter assemblies (34, 17) can include an integrated locking member (48) that snaps into the fiber optic connectors (12, 14) to hold/retain the connectors in first and second ports (20, 24).

Abstract: A fiber optic adapter (736/836) includes a body configured to mate a first fiber optic connector (12) with a second fiber optic connector (50), the first and second fiber optic connectors (12,50) including latches (60) for mating with catches (771) of the adapter (736/836) for releasably engaging the first and second connectors (12,50) with the fiber optic adapter (736/836), wherein the latches (60) are configured to be unlatched from the catches (771) by direct contact with the latches (60). The adapter (736/836) includes a release mechanism (702/802) for allowing a user to release the latch (60) of at least one of the first and second fiber optic connectors (12,50) from the adapter (736/836) without directly contacting the latch (60) of the at least one of the first and second fiber optic connectors (12,50).

Abstract: Aspects and techniques of the present disclosure relate to an enclosure arrangement that provides a seal useful for sealing optical fiber cables. The enclosure arrangement can include a housing with two shell members that fit together to define a cable passage. The two shell members can include circumferential sealing ribs and longitudinal sealing ribs that each has a rounded profile. A sealant material can be used to wrap the optical fiber cable. When the housing is compressed into contact with the sealant material, the circumferential and longitudinal sealing ribs can apply a uniform, controlled pressure about the optical fiber cable without puncturing or damaging the sealant material.

Abstract: A self-centering structure (300) for aligning optical fibers (308) desired to be optically coupled together is disclosed. The self-centering structure (300) including a body (310) having a first end (312) and a second end (314). The first end (312) defines a first opening (303) and the second end (314) defines a second opening (304). The self-centering structure (300) includes a plurality of groove structures (306) integrally formed in the body (310) of the self-centering structure for receiving the optical fibers (308) and a fiber alignment region (305) positioned at an intermediate location between the first and second ends (312, 314) to facilitate centering and alignment of the optical fibers (308). The plurality of cantilever members (322) is flexible and configured for urging the optical fibers (308) into their respective groove structures (306).

Abstract: Aspects and techniques of the present disclosure relate to a cable sealing structure comprising a cable sealing body including a gel and methods of making anisotropic behavior in cable sealing structures made with a dry silicone gel. In one aspect, various three-dimensional printing techniques are used to make a cable sealing structure that includes a gel. The cable sealing body has a construction that elastically deforms to apply an elastic spring load to the gel. The cable sealing body has a construction with anisotropic deformation characteristics that allows the cable sealing body to be less deformable in one direction than in others. The cable sealing structure can be utilized to seal fiber optic cables more uniformly while limiting the potential of leakage.

Abstract: A fiber optic connection system (10/182/252) includes a first connection component (12/166/184/194/202/230/254) terminating a first fiber optic cable (14), the first connection component (12/166/184/194/202/230/254) including a housing (24/170/214/244/260) defining a longitudinal axis, at least one fiber (20) of the first fiber optic cable (14) fixed axially to the housing (24/170/214/244/260). A first shutter (36/206/238) is slidably movable in a direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the housing (24/170/214/244/260), the first shutter (36/206/238) biased to a closed position to prevent exposure to the at least one fiber (20) of the first fiber optic cable (14).

Abstract: A fiber optic adapter includes a first side wall (110), a second side wall (112) opposite the first side wall, a top wall (114), and a bottom wall (116) opposite the top wall. A cavity (10) is defined by the top wall, the bottom wall, the first side wall, and the second side wall, and an optical fiber alignment device (20) is situated in the cavity. The top wall (114) has an opening (117) therein, and a cover (118) is configured to selectively close the opening.

Abstract: A portable device for attaching a connector to an optical fiber, the optical fiber having an end, the device comprising means for receiving the optical fiber at the end of the optical fiber; and a connector station for autonomously attaching the connector to the optical fiber.

Abstract: A cable sealing device including an attaching part securable to the cable; a fixation part adapted to be mountable on the attaching part; and a sealing part. The attaching part includes outer locking faces. The fixation part has inner abutment faces adapted to co-operate with the outer locking faces to axially and rotationally lock the fixation part relative to the attaching part. The sealing part includes an inner seal and an outer seal. The sealing part also includes a second securing arrangement that is configured to engage a first securing arrangement of the fixation part to axially and rotationally lock the sealing part to the fixation part.

Abstract: A self-centering structure (300) for aligning optical fibers (308) desired to be optically coupled together is disclosed. The self-centering structure (300) including a body (310) having a first end (312) and a second end (314). The first end (312) defines a first opening (303) and the second end (314) defines a second opening (304). The self-centering structure (300) includes a plurality of groove structures (306) integrally formed in the body (310) of the self-centering structure for receiving the optical fibers (308) and a fiber alignment region (305) positioned at an intermediate location between the first and second ends (312, 314) to facilitate centering and alignment of the optical fibers (308). The plurality of cantilever members (322) is flexible and configured for urging the optical fibers (308) into their respective groove structures (306).

Abstract: A fiber optic adapter (736/836) includes a body configured to mate a first fiber optic connector (12) with a second fiber optic connector (50), the first and second fiber optic connectors (12,50) including latches (60) for mating with catches (771) of the adapter (736/836) for releasably engaging the first and second connectors (12,50) with the fiber optic adapter (736/836), wherein the latches (60) are configured to be unlatched from the catches (771) by direct contact with the latches (60). The adapter (736/836) includes a release mechanism (702/802) for allowing a user to release the latch (60) of at least one of the first and second fiber optic connectors (12,50) from the adapter (736/836) without directly contacting the latch (60) of the at least one of the first and second fiber optic connectors (12,50).

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an optical fiber alignment device that has an alignment housing that includes first and second ends. The alignment housing defines a fiber insertion axis that extends through the alignment housing between the first and second ends. The alignment housing includes a fiber alignment region at an intermediate location between the first and second ends. First and second fiber alignment rods are positioned within the alignment housing. The first and second fiber alignment rods cooperate to define a fiber alignment groove that extends along the fiber insertion axis. The first and second fiber alignment rods each having rounded ends positioned at the first and second ends of the alignment housing.

Abstract: In one implementation, a connection system includes an adapter block assembly (130, 160) and methods for making thereof. In one aspect, the adapter block assembly (130, 160) includes a plurality of adapters (20), each of which having a slot structure (50). The adapter block assembly 130 can be built by providing a support structure (100) having a plurality of extension members (102) that engage with the adapter slot structures (50). In one implementation, a flange clip (200, 220) is removably inserted into the slot structure (50), wherein the flange clip (200, 220) has a second width (W3, W4) that is greater than first width (W1).

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to fiber optic connection systems (5) including a fiber optic adapter (10) having shutter assemblies (34, 17) for obstructing laser beams to protect a person's eyes. The shutter assemblies (34, 17) are spring biased and pivotally movable between closed and open positions. In certain examples, the shutter assemblies (34, 17) can include an integrated locking member (48) that snaps into the fiber optic connectors (12, 14) to hold/retain the connectors in first and second ports (20, 24).

Abstract: A fiber optic connection system (10/182/252) includes a first connection component (12/166/184/194/202/230/254) terminating a first fiber optic cable (14), the first connection component (12/166/184/194/202/230/254) including a housing (24/170/214/244/260) defining a longitudinal axis, at least one fiber (20) of the first fiber optic cable (14) fixed axially to the housing (24/170/214/244/260). A first shutter (36/206/238) is slidably movable in a direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the housing (24/170/214/244/260), the first shutter (36/206/238) biased to a closed position to prevent exposure to the at least one fiber (20) of the first fiber optic cable (14).

Abstract: An optical fiber alignment mechanism (100) operates to align optical fibers (102). The mechanism can include a key element (120, 130) arranged on the cladding (112) of an optical fiber (102). The key element (120, 130) can engage with a corresponding element of another optical fiber (102) to align the cores (108) of the mating optical fibers. The key element (120) of an optical fiber (102) can also be inserted into a corresponding keyway (226) of a fiber alignment hole (222) of a ferrule (200) such that the optical fiber (102) is oriented properly within the ferrule (200).

Abstract: A portable device for attaching a connector to an optical fiber, the optical fiber having an end, the device comprising means for receiving the optical fiber at the end of the optical fiber; and a connector station for autonomously attaching the connector to the optical fiber.