Abstract: Optical terminals and fiber optic connectors using optical terminals disposed within a connector housing are disclosed. The optical terminals allow strain-relieving a ferrule assembly to a fiber optic cable using a sleeve for quick and easy assembly of the connector. The connector may also include a boot received into the connector housing. The connector may also have an outer housing with a transverse wall at the rear end for providing a ferrule assembly position assurance when the outer housing is properly attached to the optically mated fiber optic connector. Connectors may use fiber-based or lens-based optical interfaces along with other optional features such as sealing gasket disposed on the ferrule assembly to protect when mated, a sealing membrane disposed on a front opening of the connector housing for inhibiting moisture, dirt, debris or dust from reaching the optical interface prior to optical mating.

Abstract: A ferrule-based fiber optic connectors having a ferrule retraction balancing characteristic for preserving optical performance are disclosed. The fiber optic connector comprises a connector assembly, a connector sleeve assembly and a balancing resilient member. The connector assembly comprises a ferrule and a resilient member for biasing the ferrule forward and the connector sleeve assembly comprises a housing and a ferrule sleeve, where the connector assembly is at least partially disposed in the passageway of the housing and the ferrule of the connector assembly is at least partially disposed in the ferrule sleeve. The balancing resilient member biases the housing to a forward position with the biasing resilient member having a predetermined resilient force that is greater than the friction force required for displacement of the ferrule within the ferrule sleeve.

Abstract: Fiber optic connectors having a sealing membrane such as a foil or the like disposed on the front end of the connector housing for inhibiting dirt, debris or dust from reaching a ferrule end face are disclosed. The fiber optic connectors may have one or more ferrules with a mating end face that is located rearward of a front end of a connector housing of the fiber optic connector. The sealing membrane is disposed on the front end about a perimeter of the connector housing for inhibiting contaminants from reaching the one or more mating end faces of the respective ferrules until the fiber optic connector is desired to be mated. The sealing membrane is quick and easy to remove and/or pierce, thereby allowing optical mating of the fiber optic connector while providing single-use contaminant protection beforehand.

Abstract: A ferrule-based fiber optic connectors having a ferrule retraction balancing characteristic for preserving optical performance are disclosed. The fiber optic connector comprises a connector assembly, a connector sleeve assembly and a balancing resilient member. The connector assembly comprises a ferrule and a resilient member for biasing the ferrule forward and the connector sleeve assembly comprises a housing and a ferrule sleeve, where the connector assembly is at least partially disposed in the passageway of the housing and the ferrule of the connector assembly is at least partially disposed in the ferrule sleeve. The balancing resilient member biases the housing to a forward position with a the biasing resilient member having a predetermined resilient force that is greater than the friction force required for displacement of the ferrule within the ferrule sleeve.

Abstract: Fiber optic connectors and junctions between fiber optic connectors include ferrules terminating a plurality of optical fibers, the ferrules having a ferrule keying portion that rotationally aligns and constrains the ferrules with a guide keying portion of an annular guide tube. The ferrules may further aligned and constrained and aligned in a lateral direction with a ferrule sleeve in the junction of connectors. Each of the ferrule sleeve and the guide keying portion individually constrain movement of the ferrules in different dimensions, the guide keying portion rotationally aligning and constraining the ferrules, while allowing freedom of movement in a lateral direction, and the ferrule sleeve aligning and constraining the ferrules in the lateral direction, while allowing rotational freedom of movement.

Abstract: A ferrule-based fiber optic connectors having a connector assembly with a ferrule insertion stop for limiting the insertion of a ferrule into a ferrule sleeve are disclosed. In one embodiment, the fiber optic connector comprising a connector assembly, ferrule insertion stop, a connector sleeve assembly and a female coupling housing. The connector assembly comprises a ferrule and a resilient member for biasing the ferrule forward and the connector sleeve assembly comprises a housing and a ferrule sleeve, where the ferrule of the connector assembly is at least partially disposed in the ferrule sleeve when assembled. The ferrule insertion stop limits the depth that the ferrule may be inserted into the ferrule sleeve.

Abstract: Fiber optic connectors are disclosed that may compensate for the tolerance stack-up of components. The fiber optic connector comprises a connector assembly, a body for securing a portion of the connector assembly, an internal compliant member, a connector sleeve assembly, a balancing resilient member, and a housing. The internal compliant member is disposed about a portion of the body and may compensate for tolerance stack-up of components when the fiber optic connector is assembled. The connector assembly comprises a ferrule and a resilient member for biasing the ferrule forward and the connector sleeve assembly comprises a housing and a ferrule sleeve. When assembled, the connector assembly is at least partially disposed in the passageway of the housing and the ferrule of the connector assembly is at least partially disposed in the ferrule sleeve. The balancing resilient member biases the housing of the connector sleeve assembly to a forward position.

Abstract: Fiber optic connectors and junctions between fiber optic connectors include ferrules terminating a plurality of optical fibers, the ferrules having a ferrule keying portion that rotationally aligns and constrains the ferrules with a guide keying portion of an annular guide tube. The ferrules may further aligned and constrained and aligned in a lateral direction with a ferrule sleeve in the junction of connectors. Each of the ferrule sleeve and the guide keying portion individually constrain movement of the ferrules in different dimensions, the guide keying portion rotationally aligning and constraining the ferrules, while allowing freedom of movement in a lateral direction, and the ferrule sleeve aligning and constraining the ferrules in the lateral direction, while allowing rotational freedom of movement.

Abstract: A ferrule-based fiber optic connectors having a ferrule retraction balancing characteristic for preserving optical performance are disclosed. The fiber optic connector comprises a connector assembly, a connector sleeve assembly and a balancing resilient member. The connector assembly comprises a ferrule and a resilient member for biasing the ferrule forward and the connector sleeve assembly comprises a housing and a ferrule sleeve, where the connector assembly is at least partially disposed in the passageway of the housing and the ferrule of the connector assembly is at least partially disposed in the ferrule sleeve. The balancing resilient member biases the housing to a forward position with the biasing resilient member having a predetermined resilient force that is greater than the friction force required for displacement of the ferrule within the ferrule sleeve.

Abstract: A ferrule-based fiber optic connectors having a ferrule retraction balancing characteristic for preserving optical performance are disclosed. The fiber optic connector comprises a connector assembly, a connector sleeve assembly and a balancing resilient member. The connector assembly comprises a ferrule and a resilient member for biasing the ferrule forward and the connector sleeve assembly comprises a housing and a ferrule sleeve, where the connector assembly is at least partially disposed in the passageway of the housing and the ferrule of the connector assembly is at least partially disposed in the ferrule sleeve. The balancing resilient member biases the housing to a forward position with the biasing resilient member having a predetermined resilient force that is greater than the friction force required for displacement of the ferrule within the ferrule sleeve.

Abstract: Optical fiber ferrules with complementary mating geometry that are suitable for making optical connections are disclosed along with fiber optic connectors and cable assemblies using the same. In one embodiment, the fiber optic ferrule includes a body having a plurality of optical pathways and a mating geometry that has at least one guide pin that is monolithically formed in the body of the fiber optic ferrule and at least one spring retention feature disposed on a rear portion of the ferrule. The ferrule reduces the number of parts required for a fiber optic connector and allows quick and easy assembly. The disclosure is also directed to fiber optic connectors and cable assemblies using the ferrule.

Abstract: Fiber optic cable sub-assemblies comprise a fiber optic cable including at least one optical fiber, a cable jacket that houses the optical fiber and at least one strength member. The fiber optic cable sub-assembly further comprises a collar including an inner portion seated within a cavity of an outer portion, wherein the inner portion is attached to an end portion of the strength member of the cable, and the optical fiber extends through the collar to protrude from an outer axial end of the collar. Methods of assembling a fiber optic cable sub-assembly include providing a cable having a strength member along with a collar having an inner portion and an outer portion, attaching the inner portion to an end portion of the strength member so the optical fiber extends from an outer axial end of the collar along with methods for making cable assemblies.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a fiber optic connectors and sub-assemblies having a retention body for connectorizing a fiber optic cable along with fiber optic connectors and methods'therefor. In one embodiment, the sub-assembly comprises a cable lock comprises a cable channel for receiving a fiber optic cable therethrough, and at least one strength member engagement surface. The retention body comprises an optical fiber channel for receiving an end portion of at least one optical fiber of the fiber optic cable therethrough, and at least one strength member engagement surface. The strength member engagement surfaces of the cable lock and the retention body are configured to cooperate with each other to receive and retain at least one strength member of the fiber optic cable. Other fiber optic connector sub-assemblies are also disclosed.

Abstract: A strain relief assembly for a fiber optic connector includes a support having a front end, a back end, and an internal cavity extending between the front end and the back end. The strain relief assembly also includes a boot extending over at least a portion of the support and rearwardly from the back end. The boot is less rigid than the support and includes an internal passageway communicating with the internal cavity of the support. Additionally, the boot is arranged about a central axis. The boot bulges radially outward from the central axis as the boot extends over the back end of the support.

Abstract: Disclosed are structures and methods for active optic cable (AOC) assembly having improved thermal characteristics. In one embodiment, an AOC assembly includes a fiber optic cable having a first end attached to a connector with a thermal insert attached to the housing for dissipating heat from the connector. The AOC assembly can dissipate a suitable heat transfer rate from the active components of the connector such as dissipating a heat transfer rate of 0.75 Watts or greater from the connector. In one embodiment, the thermal insert is at least partially disposed under the boot of the connector. In another embodiment, at least one component of the connector has a plurality of fins. Other AOC assemblies may include a connector having a pull tab for dissipating heat from the assembly.

Abstract: A ferrule-based fiber optic connectors having a ferrule retraction balancing characteristic for preserving optical performance are disclosed. The fiber optic connector comprises a connector assembly, a connector sleeve assembly and a balancing resilient member. The connector assembly comprises a ferrule and a resilient member for biasing the ferrule forward and the connector sleeve assembly comprises a housing and a ferrule sleeve, where the connector assembly is at least partially disposed in the passageway of the housing and the ferrule of the connector assembly is at least partially disposed in the ferrule sleeve. The balancing resilient member biases the housing to a forward position with the biasing resilient member having a predetermined resilient force that is greater than the friction force required for displacement of the ferrule within the ferrule sleeve.

Abstract: A ferrule-based fiber optic connectors having a connector assembly with a ferrule insertion stop for limiting the insertion of a ferrule into a ferrule sleeve are disclosed. In one embodiment, the fiber optic connector comprising a connector assembly, ferrule insertion stop, a connector sleeve assembly and a female coupling housing. The connector assembly comprises a ferrule and a resilient member for biasing the ferrule forward and the connector sleeve assembly comprises a housing and a ferrule sleeve, where the ferrule of the connector assembly is at least partially disposed in the ferrule sleeve when assembled. The ferrule insertion stop limits the depth that the ferrule may be inserted into the ferrule sleeve.

Abstract: A ferrule-based fiber optic connectors having a connector assembly with a ferrule having an integral ferrule insertion stop for limiting the insertion of the ferrule into a ferrule sleeve are disclosed. In one embodiment, the fiber optic connector comprising a connector assembly, a connector sleeve assembly and a female coupling housing. The connector assembly comprises a ferrule and a resilient member for biasing the ferrule forward and the connector sleeve assembly comprises a housing and a ferrule sleeve, where the ferrule of the connector assembly is at least partially disposed in the ferrule sleeve when assembled. The ferrule has an integral ferrule insertion stop that limits the depth that the ferrule may be inserted into the ferrule sleeve.

Abstract: A tunable connector formed from a connector sub-assembly, a housing an an outer housing is disclosed. The connector sub-assembly has an inner housing, a ferrule held by a ferrule holder and a retention body. The housing is formed from two shells that define a longitudinal passageway that supports a portion of an optical fiber cable to define cable assembly. The longitudinal passageway has a front-end section that supports a section of the retention body to inhibit longitudinal movement but to allow for rotation of the retention body and thus the connector sub-assembly to a select orientation. An outer housing operably disposed over the inner housing inhibits rotation of the retention body and thus the connector sub-assembly once an orientation is selected. Connector and cable sub-assemblies and assemblies, as well as a method of tuning the tunable connector, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A strain relief assembly for a fiber optic connector includes a support having a front end, a back end, and an internal cavity extending between the front end and the back end. The strain relief assembly also includes a boot extending over at least a portion of the support and rearwardly from the back end. The boot is less rigid than the support and includes an internal passageway communicating with the internal cavity of the support. Additionally, the boot is arranged about a central axis. The boot bulges radially outward from the central axis as the boot extends over the back end of the support.