Claims
- 1. A connector for interconnecting a bare optical fiber to optical equipment, said connector comprising:
a ferrule having an axial bore and a terminal end; and a reservoir positioned at said terminal end and in optical communication with said axial bore.
- 2. The connector assembly of claim 1, further comprising a predetermined amount of optical coupling fluid within said reservoir.
- 3. The connector assembly of claim 2, further comprising an optical fiber positioned within said axial bore and extending into said reservoir.
- 4. The connector assembly of claim 3, further comprising an adapter including a through bore, wherein said ferrule coaxially extends within said through bore.
- 5. The connector assembly of claim 3, wherein said adapter includes a pressure foot for selectively retaining said ferrule in said through bore.
- 6. A connector for interconnecting a bare optical fiber to optical equipment, said connector comprising:
a cartridge containing a predetermined quantity of optical fluid; and a ferrule in axial alignment with said cartridge for receiving a bare fiber passed through said cartridge.
- 7. The connector of claim 6, wherein said cartridge comprises an entrance aperture, an exit aperture, and an inner chamber for housing said optical coupling fluid.
- 8. The connector of claim 7, wherein said ferrule includes an inner post having a first end and a second end, and said first and second ends further include first and second divots formed therein, respectively, that are in optical communication with each other.
- 9. The connector of claim 8, further comprising a sleeve releasably engaged with said cartridge and said ferrule, wherein said sleeve axially aligns said exit aperture with said first divot.
- 10. The connector of claim 9, further comprising an end cap including an opening formed in an end thereof, wherein said cartridge extends at least partially through said opening.
- 11. The connector of claim 10, further comprising a bulkhead housing having an axial bore engaging said second end of said inner post.
- 12. The connector of claim 11, further comprising an interface adapted for interconnection to fiber optic patch cable and engaged with said bulkhead housing, wherein said interface includes a port extending axially therethough.
- 13. The connector of claim 12, further comprising a second sleeve positioned in said axial bore of said housing and in said port of said interface, wherein said second sleeve is axially aligned with said second end of said inner post.
- 14. The connector of claim 13, wherein said end cap is threadably engaged with said bulkhead housing.
- 15. The connector of claim 14, further including a bare fiber extending through said cartridge and in optical communication with said first divot of said ferrule.
- 16. The connector of claim 15, further including a patch cable connected to said interface and engaging said second sleeve, wherein said patch cable includes a fiber core extending through said second sleeve and in optical communication with said second divot.
- 17. A ferrule for use in an optical fiber connector, comprising:
an outer housing; and an inner post having a first end and a second end, wherein said first and second ends further include first and second divots formed therein, respectively, that are in optical communication with each other.
- 18 The ferrule of claim 17, wherein said outer housing including defines first and second annular chambers extending around said first and second ends, respectively.
- 19. The ferrule of claim 18, wherein said first and second annular chambers are adapted to receive first and second compression sleeves, respectively, for retaining said first and second ends of said inner post.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/466,022, filed Apr. 25, 2003 and entitled Ferrule Reservoir for Bare Fiber Optic Cables, hereby incorporated by reference.
Provisional Applications (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
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60466022 |
Apr 2003 |
US |