OPTICAL CONNECTIONS SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR POSITIONING AN OPTICAL FIBER WITHIN AN ALIGNMENT DEVICE

1 . (canceled)

2 . A fiber alignment device for receiving and optically connecting an optical fiber of respective first and second fiber optic connectors, the fiber alignment device including opposite top and bottom walls, the fiber alignment device comprising:

a fiber alignment groove defined in the bottom wall of the fiber alignment device, the fiber alignment groove being adapted to receive a ferrule-less end portion of the optical fiber of respective first and second fiber optic connectors when the first and second fiber optic connectors are respectively inserted into first and second coaxially aligned ports of a fiber optic adapter;

when the ferrule-less end portion of the optical fiber of respective first and second fiber optic connectors contacts the fiber alignment groove, the optical fiber of the first and second fiber optic connectors elastically flexes; and

first and second interference points positioned along the top wall of the fiber alignment device, the first and second interference points being adapted to assist in forming a curved profile of the flexed optical fiber of respective first and second fiber optic connectors when the first and second fiber optic connectors are respectively inserted into the first and second coaxially aligned ports of the fiber optic adapter, the inherent elasticity of the flexed optical fiber assists in retaining the ferrule-less end portion of the optical fiber in contact with the fiber alignment groove.

3 . The fiber alignment device of claim 2 , wherein not one of the first and second interference points is provided as part of the first and second fiber optic connectors.

4 . The fiber alignment device of claim 2 , wherein the first and second interference points are at least 1.5 mm from a mid-plane of the fiber alignment device.

5 . The fiber alignment device of claim 2 , wherein the first and second interference points are at least 3 mm from a mid-plane of the fiber alignment device.

6 . The fiber alignment device of claim 2 , wherein the first and second interference points are no greater than 7 mm from a mid-plane of the fiber alignment device.

7 . The fiber alignment device of claim 2 , wherein the first and second fiber optic connectors each include an internal cavity for accommodating the optical fiber.

8 . The fiber alignment device of claim 7 , wherein the internal cavity includes a buckling cavity with a dimension between a floor and ceiling, and an exit cavity with a diameter smaller than the dimension of the buckling cavity.

9 . The fiber alignment device of claim 8 , wherein the diameter of the exit cavity is at least 10 microns larger than a diameter of the optical fiber.

10 . The fiber alignment device of claim 8 , wherein the diameter of the exit cavity is no greater than 300 microns larger than a diameter of the optical fiber.

11 . The fiber alignment device of claim 8 , wherein the diameter of the exit cavity is about 70-80 microns larger than a diameter of the optical fiber.

12 . The fiber alignment device of claim 2 , further comprising a pre-buckling protrusion that engages the optical fiber within the buckling cavity causing the optical fiber to have a pre-buckled configuration prior to connecting the first fiber optic connector to the second fiber optic connector.

13 . The fiber alignment device of claim 2 , wherein the fiber alignment groove is V-shaped.

14 . The fiber alignment device of claim 2 , wherein the first and second fiber optic connectors each include a nose piece assembled thereon.

15 . A method for positioning an optical fiber having an end portion within an alignment groove of a fiber alignment device, the fiber alignment device including opposite top and bottom walls, the alignment groove being defined in the bottom wall of the fiber alignment device, the method comprising:

orienting the optical fiber in the alignment groove of the fiber alignment device, the optical fiber being oriented within a fiber optic connector body, the fiber optic connector body having an internal cavity accommodating the optical fiber, the internal cavity including a buckling cavity with a dimension between a floor and ceiling and an exit cavity with a diameter smaller than the dimension of the buckling cavity;

causing the optical fiber to elastically flex;

using an interference point positioned along a top wall of the fiber alignment device to assist in forming a curved profile of the flexed fiber, the interference point being at least 1.5 mm from a mid-plane of the fiber alignment device; and

using inherent elasticity of the flexed optical fiber to assist in retaining the end portion of the optical fiber in contact with the alignment groove.

16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the step of using an interference point includes using an interference point at least 3 mm from the mid-plane of the fiber alignment device.

17 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the step of using an interference point includes using an interference point no greater than 7 mm from the mid-plane of the fiber alignment device.

18 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the step of using an interference point is includes using an interference point that is not provided as part of the fiber optic connector body.

19 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the step of orienting the optical fiber in the alignment groove includes orienting the optical fiber at an angle relative to the alignment groove.

20 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the diameter of the exit cavity is about 70-80 microns larger than a diameter of the optical fiber.

21 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the step of causing the optical fiber to elastically flex includes causing the flexed fiber to buckle.