Hardened fiber optic connector
View Patent ↗The present disclosure relates to a fiber optic connector for use with a fiber optic adapter. The fiber optic connector includes a connector housing having an end defining a plug portion. A ferrule assembly is mounted at least partially within the connector housing. The ferrule assembly includes a ferrule located at the plug portion of the connector housing. A sealing member is mounted about an exterior of the connector housing for providing a seal between the connector housing and the adapter. The fiber optic connector further includes first and second separate retaining mechanism for retaining the fiber optic connector within the fiber optic adapter.
1. A fiber optic connection system for optically connecting a first fiber optic cable to a second fiber optic cable, the fiber optic connection system comprising:
a fiber optic adapter, a first fiber optic connector terminating the first fiber optic cable and a second fiber optic connector terminating the second fiber optic cable, the fiber optic adapter including a first port for receiving the first fiber optic connector and a second port for receiving the second fiber optic connector, the first fiber optic cable being optically coupled to the second fiber optic cable when the first and second fiber optic connectors are positioned within their respective first and second ports of the fiber optic adapter;
the first fiber optic connector including a connector housing that extends from a distal end to a proximal end, the first fiber optic connector also including a ferrule assembly that mounts adjacent to the distal end of the connector housing and a strain relief boot that mounts adjacent the proximal end of the connector housing, a distal end of a ferrule of the ferrule assembly extending distally beyond the distal end of the connector housing, the first fiber optic connector further including a sealing member that mounts directly around an exterior of the connector housing, the sealing member being adapted for providing a seal between the connector housing and the fiber optic adapter when the first fiber optic connector is plugged into the first port of the fiber optic adapter; and
the sealing member of the first fiber optic connector having a diameter less than or equal to 15 millimeters;
wherein the first fiber optic connector includes a fastening structure for retaining the first fiber optic connector within the first port of the fiber optic adapter, and wherein the fastening structure is turned to enable a connection means of the fastening structure to engage and disengage the fiber optic adapter.
2. The fiber optic connection system of claim 1 , wherein the diameter of the sealing member is less than or equal to 12.5 millimeters.
3. The fiber optic connection system of claim 1 , wherein the diameter of the sealing member is less than 10 millimeters.
4. The fiber optic connection system of claim 1 , wherein the exterior of the connector housing includes a circumferential groove for mounting the sealing member.
5. The fiber optic connection system of claim 1 , wherein the sealing member is an O-ring seal.
6. The fiber optic connection system of claim 1 , wherein the second fiber optic connector is a conventional SC connector.
7. The fiber optic connection system of claim 1 , wherein the ferrule assembly of the first fiber optic connector includes a ferrule, a barrel mounted on the ferrule, a spring and a spring holder.
8. The fiber optic connection system of claim 1 , wherein the fiber optic adapter includes an outer housing and wherein an adapter assembly mounts within the outer housing.
9. The fiber optic connection system of claim 8 , wherein the fiber optic adapter includes a mounting nut that mounts on an exterior of the outer housing.
10. The fiber optic connection system of claim 8 , wherein the fiber optic adapter does not include structure for allowing the adapter assembly to float within the outer housing.
11. The fiber optic connection system of claim 8 , wherein the outer housing includes a pair of oppositely positioned latches for securing the adapter assembly within the outer housing, wherein the latches include retention tabs, and wherein the retention tabs prevent the adapter assembly from floating or otherwise moving within the outer housing.
12. The fiber optic connection system of claim 8 , wherein the adapter assembly includes a connector retention clip, a split sleeve and a backing piece, wherein the split sleeve is adapted for receiving ferrules of the first and second fiber optic connectors when the first and second fiber optic connectors are inserted into the fiber optic adapter to maintain alignment between fibers of the first and second fiber optic connectors, wherein the connector retention clip includes a pair of latching arms that interlock with the second fiber optic connector when the second fiber optic connector is inserted within the second port of the fiber optic adapter, wherein the connector retention clip includes a cylindrical receptacle for receiving one end of the split sleeve, and wherein the other end of the split sleeve is received within a cylindrical receptacle of the backing piece.
13. The fiber optic connection system of claim 12 , wherein the fiber optic adapter does not include structure for allowing the adapter assembly to float within the outer housing.
14. The fiber optic connection system of claim 12 , wherein the outer housing includes a pair of oppositely positioned latches for securing the adapter assembly within the outer housing, wherein the latches include retention tabs, and wherein the retention tabs prevent the adapter assembly from floating or otherwise moving within the outer housing.
15. A fiber optic connection system for optically connecting a first fiber optic cable to a second fiber optic cable, the fiber optic connection system comprising:
a fiber optic adapter including a first port with a sealing surface and a second port;
a first fiber optic connector including a connector housing that extends from a distal end to a proximal end, a ferrule that mounts adjacent to the distal end of the connector housing with a distal end of the ferrule extending distally beyond the distal end of the connector housing, a strain relief boot that mounts adjacent the proximal end of the connector housing, a sealing member having a diameter less than or equal to 15 millimeters that mounts directly around an exterior of the connector housing and is adapted to seal with the sealing surface of the fiber optic adapter, and a fastening structure for retaining the first fiber optic connector within the first port of the fiber optic adapter, wherein the fastening structure is turned to enable a connection means of the fastening structure to engage and disengage the fiber optic adapter.
16. The fiber optic connection system of claim 15 , wherein the diameter of the sealing member is less than or equal to 12.5 millimeters.
17. The fiber optic connection system of claim 15 , wherein the diameter of the sealing member is less than or equal to 10 millimeters.
18. The fiber optic connection system of claim 15 , wherein the exterior of the connector housing includes a circumferential groove for mounting the sealing member.
19. The fiber optic connection system of claim 15 , wherein the sealing member is an O-ring seal.
20. The fiber optic connection system of claim 15 , further comprising a second fiber optic connector that is a conventional SC connector, wherein:
the first fiber optic connector terminates the first fiber optic cable and the second fiber optic connector terminates the second fiber optic cable;
the first port of the fiber optic adapter receives the first fiber optic connector and the second port of the fiber optic adapter receives the second fiber optic connector; and
the first fiber optic cable is optically coupled to the second fiber optic cable when the first and second fiber optic connectors are positioned within their respective first and second ports of the fiber optic adapter.