Multi-channel fiber optic connector

• Main Authors: WHITAKER KERRY, ROEHRS DANIEL, ROEHRS MICHAEL
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 23.10.2001
• Edition: 7
• Subjects: ADHESIVES; CHEMICAL PAINT OR INK REMOVERS; CHEMISTRY; COATING COMPOSITIONS, e.g. PAINTS, VARNISHES ORLACQUERS; CORRECTING FLUIDS; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS; DYES; FILLING PASTES; i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; INKS; LINING MACHINES; METALLURGY; MISCELLANEOUS APPLICATIONS OF MATERIALS; MISCELLANEOUS COMPOSITIONS; NATURAL RESINS; OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS, OR APPARATUS; OPTICS; PAINTS; PASTES OR SOLIDS FOR COLOURING OR PRINTING; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; PHYSICS; POLISHES; PRINTING; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS; STAMPS; TRANSPORTING; TYPEWRITERS; USE OF MATERIALS THEREFOR; WOODSTAINS

A multi-channel fiber optic cable connector is provided for connecting the terminal ends of fiber optic cables utilizing continuous ceramic sleeves to align the adjacent termini of optical fibers included within respective ones of the cables. The continuous ceramic sleeves have internal bores which are slightly larger than the outside diameter of the periphery of the termini, providing a clearance fit between the continuous ceramic sleeves and respective ones of the termini. The termini are independently gimbaled, with gimbal points being disposed distally from respective mating planes between opposing terminal ends of the termini. Floating seal assemblies extend around respective ones of the termini between the mating planes and the gimbal points, and seal between the respective ones of the termini and a connector housing. The floating seal assemblies each include an annular-shaped, floating collar having an aperture through which a respective one of the termini extends. The floating collar is free to move parallel to a longitudinal axis of the respective termini, and also transverse thereto. A first seal element seals between the aperture of the floating collar and the respective termini. The floating collar includes a face which extends transverse to the longitudinal axis of the respective termini. A second seal element extends around the longitudinal axis of the respective termini and is sealingly engaged between the face of the floating collar and a seal surface of a bore in the connector housing.