Abstract: A splice housing assembly and an associated assembly method are provided in which the ferrule is mechanically decoupled from the splice body such that the ferrule has at least limited movement, typically in an off-axis direction, relative to the splice body. For example, the ferrule can be mechanically decoupled from the splice body by spacing the ferrule in a lengthwise direction from the splice body such that a medial portion of the first optical fiber extends between the ferrule and the splice body.

Abstract: A splicing connector and an associated splice mechanism are provided to splice first and second pluralities of optical fibers without buckling the optical fibers. The connector includes a housing and a retainer disposed of at least partially within the housing which defines a channel through which a plurality of optical fibers extend. The connector also includes a clip for securing the optical fibers within the retainer such that the end portions of the optical fibers are exposed through the forward end of the housing in preparation for splicing the optical fibers. Further, the connector includes a spring for urging the retainer and the optical fibers secured within the retainer toward the forward end of the housing, thereby permitting the optical fibers to be spliced without buckling the optical fibers.

Abstract: The receptacle includes a rotatable coupling nut for engaging an externally threaded fiber optic connector assembly or plug which is mounted upon the end portion of a fiber optic cable. As such, the cross-sectional dimensions of the fiber optic connector assembly can be significantly decreased, thereby permitting the fiber optic cable to be pulled through much smaller ducts or passageways. The receptacle also includes a receptacle body adapted to be mounted in a fixed position, such as to a sidewall of an enclosure. The coupling nut cooperably engages the receptacle body such that the coupling nut is free to rotate relative to the receptacle body even though the longitudinal movement of the coupling nut relative to the receptacle body is limited.

Abstract: An adapter is provided for operatively mating two optical fiber connectors of the type that are aligned relative to each other by guide pins. The adapter has two sleeve body halves that are joined together at a mating ends. A guide pin mount is captured between the two sleeve body halves that defines an opening to allow abutment of the two connectors therethrough. Two guide pins mounted on the guide pin mount parallel with the passageway defined through the sleeve and located so as to engage the guide pin holes on the connectors and align two connectors inserted into the adapter.

Abstract: A method for polishing the distal end of a fiber optic connector. The distal end is first polished in the presence of an aqueous slurry comprising two different powders to bring a glass surface and a ferrule surface to a substantially common plane, and subsequently polished in the presence of an acidic solution to prevent the attachment of hydrated silica particles to the ferrule face.

Abstract: A method of preparing for polishing the end face of a fiber optic connector having an optical fiber held by a ferrule. A laser beam removes the portion of the optical fiber tip projecting beyond a predetermined distance. The beam has a spot size selected so as to also remove excess epoxy.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fiber optic mechanical splice having one or more grooves transverse to the groove in which the optical fibers lie to dissipate air trapped in index matching material from the junction point of the optical fibers.

Abstract: A method of making a two-layered (ceramic-glass) ferrule having a high degree of concentricity employing the steps of: (a) providing a tubular fixture; (b) inserting a ferrule fixture into a portion of the tubular fixture, the ferrule fixture having continuous and non-continuous channels, the concentricity of the continuous channel varying no more than two microns; (c) inserting a ceramic ferrule tubular member into the tubular fixture; (d) inserting a glass ferrule tubular member into the ceramic ferrule tubular member and into the non-continuous channel of the ferrule fixture; (e) inserting an alignment member, having a length greater than the glass ferrule tubular member and a diameter that matches the internal diameter of the glass ferrule tubular member and the continuous channel of said ferrule fixture within one micron, into the continuous channel of the ferrule fixture and into the glass ferrule tubular member; (f) bonding the ceramic ferrule tubular member to the glass ferrule tubular member to form

Abstract: An optical fiber connector having a magnifying lens to aid the user in placement of the optical fibers to be abutted.

Abstract: A first embodiment of an optical splice having a frame with a channel; two rods each having a resilient exterior surface disposed in the channel; and a lid adapted to be received on the frame over the channel, the lid having a resilient surface adapted to allow compression of optical fibers placed end to end for splicing between the rods by the lid and the rods. The frame and lid are placed within a tubular housing and a tubular sleeve which is attached at the ends following insertion of the optical fibers.