Indexed optical coupler for coupling optical fibers

1 . An optical system, comprising:

a first optics line including a plurality of first optical fibers;

a second optics line including a plurality of second optical fibers; and

an optical coupler removably connecting the first optics line to the second optics line, the optical coupler aligning an end of each of the plurality of first optical fibers with an end of a respective one of the plurality of second optical fibers to optically couple each of the plurality of first optical fibers to the respective one of the plurality of second optical fibers;

the optical coupler including a key configured to clock the first optics line and the second optics line about a longitudinal centerline such that the end of each of the plurality of first optical fibers is aligned with the end of the respective one of the plurality of second optical fibers.

2 . The optical system of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of first optical fibers is coaxial with the respective one of the plurality of second optical fibers.

3 . The optical system of claim 1 , wherein the end of each of the plurality of first optical fibers laterally overlaps at least ninety percent of the end of the respective one of the plurality of second optical fibers.

4 . The optical system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of first optical fibers includes

a central first optical fiber; and

a plurality of peripheral first optical fibers arranged circumferentially about the central first optical fiber.

5 . The optical system of claim 1 , wherein

the optical coupler includes a bolt and a nut threaded onto the bolt;

the first optics line projects into the bolt; and

the second optics line projects into the nut.

6 . The optical system of claim 5 , wherein the plurality of first optical fibers are optically coupled to the plurality of second optical fibers at an interface within the bolt.

7 . The optical system of claim 1 , wherein

the optical coupler includes a first connector and a second connector abutted longitudinally against the first connector;

the plurality of first optical fibers project longitudinally through a bore of the first connector to an end face of the first connector, and the plurality of first optical fibers are bonded to the first connector; and

the plurality of second optical fibers project longitudinally through a bore of the second connector to an end face of the second connector, and the plurality of second optical fibers are bonded to the second connector.

8 . The optical system of claim 7 , wherein

the first optics line further includes a first optical sheath connected to the first connector, and the plurality of first optical fibers project out from the first optical sheath into the bore of the first connector; and

the second optics line further includes a second optical sheath connected to the second connector, and the plurality of second optical fibers project out from the second optical sheath into the bore of the second connector.

9 . The optical system of claim 1 , further comprising an optical probe comprising one of the first optics line or the second optics line.

10 . The optical system of claim 1 , further comprising a light source optically coupled to one of the first optics line or the second optics line.

11 . The optical system of claim 1 , further comprising a light sensor optically coupled to one of the first optics line or the second optics line.

12 . An optical system, comprising:

a first optics line including a plurality of first optical fibers;

a second optics line including a plurality of second optical fibers; and

an optical coupler removably connecting the first optics line to the second optics line, the optical coupler aligning an end of each of the plurality of first optical fibers with an end of a respective one of the plurality of second optical fibers to optically couple each of the plurality of first optical fibers to the respective one of the plurality of second optical fibers;

the optical coupler including a first connector and a second connector abutted longitudinally against the first connector;

the plurality of first optical fibers projecting longitudinally through a bore of the first connector to an end face of the first connector, and the plurality of first optical fibers bonded to the first connector;

the plurality of second optical fibers projecting longitudinally through a bore of the second connector to an end face of the second connector, and the plurality of second optical fibers bonded to the second connector; and

the first connector and the second connector are rotationally fixed within the optical coupler.

13 . The optical system of claim 12 , wherein the first connector and the second connector are indexed to facilitate the aligning of the end of each of the plurality of first optical fibers with the end of the respective one of the plurality of second optical fibers.

14 . An optical system, comprising:

a first optics line including a plurality of first optical fibers;

a second optics line including a plurality of second optical fibers; and

an optical coupler removably connecting the first optics line to the second optics line, the optical coupler aligning an end of each of the plurality of first optical fibers with an end of a respective one of the plurality of second optical fibers to optically couple each of the plurality of first optical fibers to the respective one of the plurality of second optical fibers;

the optical coupler including a first connector and a second connector abutted longitudinally against the first connector;

the plurality of first optical fibers projecting longitudinally through a bore of the first connector to an end face of the first connector, and the plurality of first optical fibers bonded to the first connector;

the plurality of second optical fibers projecting longitudinally through a bore of the second connector to an end face of the second connector, and the plurality of second optical fibers bonded to the second connector; and

the first connector including a first connector groove;

the second connector including a second connector groove; and

the optical coupler further including a key arranged in the first connector groove and the second connector groove.

15 . The optical system of claim 14 , wherein

the optical coupler further includes a bolt and a nut threaded onto the bolt;

the first optics line projects into the bolt;

the second optics line projects through an endwall of the nut and into the bolt; and

the bolt includes a bolt groove, and the key is further arranged in the bolt groove.