WO2022271906A1

WO2022271906A1 - Bare fiber alignment system

Info

Publication number: WO2022271906A1
Application number: PCT/US2022/034658
Authority: WO
Inventors: Danny Willy August Verheyden; Peter VERSCHRAEGEN; Thierry Mike DECLERCK; Peter STOCKMANS
Original assignee: Commscope Technologies Llc
Priority date: 2021-06-23
Filing date: 2022-06-23
Publication date: 2022-12-29

Abstract

A fiber alignment system, the fiber alignment system including a fiber alignment core. The fiber alignment core including a core axis and an exterior that defines a plurality of parallel fiber alignment grooves positioned about the core axis and a biasing arrangement positioned around the fiber alignment core. The biasing arrangement includes a plurality of biasing members for pressing optical fibers into the fiber alignment grooves. The fiber alignment system is configured to receive and align optical fibers from connectors with a connector core and a plurality of parallel optical fibers that surround the connector core.

Description

BARE FIBER ALIGNMENT SYSTEM

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application is being filed on June 23, 2022 as a PCT International Patent Application and claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application Serial Number 63/214,156, filed on June 23, 2021, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to fiber optic connection components such as fiber optic connectors and adapters. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to ferrule-less fiber optic connection components, systems, and methods.

BACKGROUND

Fiber optic communication systems are becoming prevalent in part because service providers want to deliver high bandwidth communication capabilities (e.g., data and voice) to customers. Fiber optic communication systems employ a network of fiber optic cables to transmit large volumes of data and voice signals over relatively long distances. Optical fiber connectors are an important part of most fiber optic communication systems. Fiber optic connectors allow two optical fibers to be quickly optically connected without requiring a splice. Fiber optic connectors can be used to optically interconnect two lengths of optical fiber. Fiber optic connectors can also be used to interconnect lengths of optical fiber to passive and active equipment.

A typical fiber optic connector includes a ferrule assembly supported at a distal end of a connector housing. A spring is used to bias the ferrule assembly in a distal direction relative to the connector housing. The ferrule functions to support an end portion of at least one optical fiber (in the case of a multi-fiber ferrule, the ends of multiple fibers are supported). The ferrule has a distal end face at which a polished end of the optical fiber is located. When two fiber optic connectors are interconnected, the distal end faces of the ferrules abut one another, and the ferrules are forced proximally relative to their respective connector housings against the bias of their respective springs. With the fiber optic connectors connected, their respective optical fibers are coaxially aligned such that the end faces of the optical fibers directly oppose one another. In this way, an optical signal can be transmitted from optical fiber to optical fiber through the aligned end faces of the optical fibers. For many fiber optic connector styles (LC, SC, MPO), alignment between two fiber optic connectors is provided using an intermediate fiber optic adapter.

Another type of fiber optic connector can be referred to as a ferrule-less fiber optic connector. In a ferrule-less fiber optic connector, an end portion of an optical fiber corresponding to the ferrule-less fiber optic connector is not supported by a ferrule. Instead, the end portion of the optical fiber is a free end portion. Similar to the ferruled connectors described above, fiber optic adapters can be used to assist in optically coupling together two ferrule-less fiber optic connectors. Example ferrule-less fiber optic connectors and/or fiber optic adapters are disclosed by PCT Publication Nos. WO 2012/112344; WO 2013/117598; WO 2017/081306; WO 2016/100384;

WO 2016/043922; and U.S. Patent Nos. 8,870,466 and 9,575,272.

Fiber optical adapters are used to optically couple together optical fiber tips of optical connectors. To accommodate ferrule-less fiber optic connectors, fiber optical adapters can include specialized fiber alignment devices to receive bare optical fibers and align the fiber tips of the connectors received therein to enable the transfer of optical signals there between. Optical connectors can be secured to the optical adapters when received at the ports of the optical adapters. Ferrule-less optical connectors can include integrated features for protecting the optical fibers when the fiber optic connectors are not installed within fiber optic adapters. Example ferrule-less fiber optic connectors having integrated optical fiber protecting features are disclosed by PCT International Publication Numbers WO 2016/100384; WO 2017/070220; and WO 2017/081306.

SUMMARY

Aspects of the present disclosure relate to fiber optic connectors, fiber optic adapters and fiber optic connection systems. Certain aspects of the present disclosure relate to compact configurations for components such as bare fiber optical connectors and bare fiber alignment devices. Bare fiber optical connectors can be referred to as ferrule less optical connectors. Similarly, bare fiber alignment devices can be referred to as ferrule-less fiber alignment devices or ferrule-less fiber optic adapters. In one example, such bare fiber optical connectors and fiber alignment devices can use a design in which optical fibers are arranged about an axis. For example, in the case of a fiber optic connector, its corresponding optical fibers can be arranged about the axis of a connector core. In certain examples, the optical fibers can be positioned within grooves such as V- grooves defined within the connector core. In the case of a fiber alignment device, fiber alignment grooves such as V-grooves can be defined about the axis of a fiber alignment core. Other shapes of fiber alignment grooves (e.g., U-grooves or elliptical shaped grooves) are additionally possible. Structures such as springs and resilient beams can be positioned about the exterior of the fiber alignment core for facilitating biasing optical fibers into the grooves of the fiber alignment core. The biasing loading provided by the biasing structures can be in an inward radial direction with respect to a central axis of the fiber alignment core.

Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a fiber optic connector including a connector core defining a central core axis. The connector core includes an exterior that defines a plurality of parallel fiber groups position the central core axis. The fiber grooves have open sides at face radially outwardly from the central core axis. The fiber optic connector also includes a plurality of optical fibers positioned within the fiber grooves.

A variety of additional aspects will be set forth in the description that follows. The aspects can relate to individual features and to combinations of features. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the broad inventive concepts upon which the examples disclosed herein are based. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a fiber optic connection system in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure;

Figure 1A is a schematic representation of optical fibers of the fiber optic connection system of Figure 1 ; Figure 2 is an exploded view of a fiber optic connection system in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure including: an adapter along with a first and a second fiber optic connector;

Figure 3 is a side view of the fiber optic connection system of Figure 2 including first and second sets of optical fibers, a connector core, a retractable shroud and a first and a second sleeve;

Figure 4 is an inner assembly of the connector of the fiber optic connection system of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is an exploded view of the inner assembly of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is an exploded view of the inner assembly of Figure 4 with the optical fibers removed;

Figure 7 is a view of the fiber core in isolation;

Figure 8 is an exploded view of the inner assembly of Figure 4 with the first sleeve and the core assembled together;

Figure 9 is the exploded view of the inner assembly of Figure 8 with the retractable shroud mounted to the first sleeve and core assembly;

Figure 10 is the exploded view of the inner assembly of Figure 9 with the second set of optical fibers extending into the retractable shroud;

Figure 11 is the exploded view of the inner assembly of Figure 10 with the first and the second set of optical fibers extending into the retractable shroud;

Figure 12 is the exploded view of the inner assembly of Figure 11 with the shroud in an extended position;

Figure 13 is the exploded view of the inner assembly of Figure 12 with the first and the second sleeve mated with one another;

Figure 14 is a fiber alignment device in accordance with the principles of this disclosure including a fiber alignment core, a biasing arrangement, and an outer housing;

Figure 15 is the fiber alignment device of Figure 14 with the outer housing removed;

Figure 16 is an exploded view of the fiber alignment device of Figure 14;

Figure 17 is a front view of the fiber alignment device of Figure 14 with the fiber alignment core removed; Figure 18 is an exploded view of the fiber alignment device of Figure 14 with the fiber alignment core in the biasing arrangement with a first and a second spring exploded from the biasing arrangement;

Figure 19 is an exploded view of the fiber alignment device of Figure 18 with the second spring exploded from the biasing arrangement;

Figure 20 is an exploded view of the fiber alignment device of Figure 14 with the fiber alignment core mounted within the biasing arrangement;

Figure 21 is a non-ruggedized fiber-optic connection system in accordance with the principles of this disclosure with a first and second connector and an adapter;

Figure 22 is the non-ruggedized fiber-optic connection system of Figure 21 with the first and second connector mated with one another in the adapter;

Figure 23 is a mold for molding a fiber alignment core in accordance with the principles of this disclosure; and

Figure 24 is a different view of the mold of Figure 23.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figure 1 schematically depicts a fiber optic connection system 20 in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. In one example, the fiber optic connection system 20 can be a ferrule-less/bare fiber optical connection system. In the depicted example, the fiber optic connection system 20 includes a fiber optic adapter 22 having a first and a second port 24, 26 configured for respectively receiving a first and a second fiber optic connectors 28, 30. The fiber optic adapter 22 houses a bare-fiber alignment device 32 for coal-axially aligning a first set of optical fibers 28a of the first fiber optic connector 28 with a second set of optical fibers 30a from the second fiber optic connector 30 when the first and second fiber optic connectors 28, 30 are installed within their respective ports 24, 26. In one example, the sets of optical fibers 28a, 30a can each be arranged in a cylindrical configuration (see Figure 1A) and the bare-fiber alignment device 32 can have a cylindrical configuration that complements or matches the cylindrical configurations of the sets of optical fibers 28a, 30a. In one example, the ports 26 and the fiber optic connector 30 can have a ruggedized configuration (i.e., hardened) and can be adapted to be environmentally sealed when the fiber optic connector 30 is inserted within the port 26. In certain examples, the fiber optic connector 30 can be secured within the port 26 by a robust faster such as a twist-to-lock faster (e.g., a threaded fastener, a bayonet-type faster, or other twist-to lock faster). In certain examples, the port 24 and the fiber optic connector 28 can be non-ruggedized. In certain examples, the fiber optic adapter 22 can be mounted to an enclosure in a sealed manner with the port 24 located inside the enclosure and the port 26 accessible from outside the enclosure. In other examples, both of the ports 24, 26 of the fiber optic adapter 22 can be non-ruggedized and the fiber optic connectors 28, 30 can also be non-ruggedized. Example configurations for securing ruggedized and non-ruggedized fiber optic connectors within a fiber-optic adapter are disclosed by PCT publication No. W02021/041305, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Figures 2 and 3 depict another fiber-optic connection system 120 in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. In a preferred example, the fiber optic connection system 120 is a ferrule-less optical connection system utilizing a fiber optic adapter 122 defining first and second connector ports 124, 126 adapted for respectively receiving first and second optical connectors 128, 130. In one example, the first fiber optic connector 128 and the first connector port 124 are non-ruggedized and the second fiber optic connector 130 and the second connector port 126 are ruggedized. In one example, the first fiber optic connector 128 can be secured within the first connector port 124 by a latching arrangement, while the second fiber optic connector 130 is secured within the second connector port 126 by a fastener such as a twist-to-lock fastener 129 incorporated as part of the second fiber optic connector 130. The fiber optic adapter 122 can include an adapter housing 131 supporting a seal 133 for sealing the fiber optic adapter 122 with respect to an enclosure. The first and second fiber optic connectors 128, 130 include outer connector housings 134, 136 adapted to be received within the connector ports 124, 126. In one example, an inner assembly 138 (see Figure 4) is positioned within each of the outer connector housings 134, 136.

Referring to Figure 5, each of the inner assemblies 138 includes a connector core 140 defining a central core axis 142 the connector core 140 includes an exterior that defines a plurality of fiber grooves 144 that are parallel to one another and positioned about the central core axis 142. The fiber grooves 144 have open sides that face radially outwardly from the central core axis 142. The inner assembly 138 also includes a plurality of optical fibers 146 positioned within the fiber grooves 144. In one example, the connector core 140 is cylindrical. In one example, the fiber grooves 144 are v-grooves. In one example, the optical fibers 146 include a first set of optical fibers 146a corresponding to a first fiber ribbon 148 and a second set of optical fibers 146b corresponding to a second fiber ribbon 150. The first set of optical fibers 146a is positioned in fiber grooves 144 corresponding to a first half of a circumference of the connector core 140 and the second set of optical fibers 146b is positioned within fiber groups corresponding to a second half of the circumference of the connector core 140. In one example, the first and second sets of optical fibers 146a, 146b each include at least 12 optical fibers 146.

In one example, the optical fibers 146 include bare fiber portions 146c and coated fiber portions. In one example, the bare fiber portions 146c have fiber cores surrounded by cladding layers with the cladding layers defining outer diameters of the bare fiber portions 146. In one example, the outer diameters of the pair fiber portions can be about 125 microns. The coated fiber portions can include fiber core is surrounded by cladding layers and one or more coating layers with the one or more coating layers defining the outer diameters of the coated fiber portions. In one example, the coated fiber portions have outer diameter is about 150 microns or the outer diameter is about 200 microns, or the outer diameter is about 250 microns. The fiber grooves 144 can include first sections for receiving the bare fiber portions of the optical fibers 146 and second sections for receiving the coated portions of the optical fibers 146. The first sections extend from a first end 140a of the connector cord to an outer shoulder 140b (see Figure 7) of the connector core 140 and the second sections extend from the outer shoulder 140b of the connector core 140 to a second end 140c of the connector core 140. The outer shoulder 140b is configured such that a first portion of the connector core 140 extending from the first end 140a of the connector core 140 to the shoulder has a larger outer diameter than a second portion of the connector core 140 which extends from the shoulder to the second end 140c of the connector core 140.

The inner assembly 138 also includes a first sleeve 152a that fits over the first portion of the connector core 140 and a second sleeve 152b that fits over the second portion of the connector core 140. The first and second sleeves 152a, 152b can be configured to be latch together. In certain examples, the optical fibers 146 are retained within the fiber grooves 144 by the first and second sleeves 152a, 152b. For example, the optical fibers 146 are captured between the exterior of the connector core 140 and the interiors of the first and second sleeves 152a, 152b. In certain examples, a curable material such as epoxy can be injected into the assembled first and second sleeves 152a, 152b to lock the optical fibers within their corresponding fiber grooves 144 upon curing of the curable material. Other curable materials such as UV curable materials can additionally be injected into the first and second sleeves 152a, 152b for curing. When a UV curable material is used, the first and second sleeves 152a, 152b are transparent. A key or keys 140d (see Figure 6 and 7) on the core can fit within a slot or slots of the first sleeve to establish a rotational position of the sleeves with respect to the core. The key or keys can also function as an axial stop for limiting axial movement of the sleeves with respect to the core.

In a preferred example, the bare fiber portions of the optical fibers 146 can include and portions that extend beyond the first end of the connector core 140. In one example, the end portions of the bare fiber portions of the optical fibers 146 can extend at least three, four, five or six mm beyond the first end of the connector core 140. In one example, the end portions are unsupported free end portions.

The inner assembly 138 can further include a retractable shroud 139 that mounts over the first sleeve 152a. The retractable shroud 139 is movable axially with respect to the first sleeve 152a, the optical fibers 146 in the core between a first position and a second position. When the shroud is in the first position, the bare fiber portions 146c of the optical fibers 146 project forwardly beyond the retractable shroud 139 and are exposed so as to be capable of being received within a bare fiber alignment device. In one example, the optical fibers 146 project at least three, four, five or six mm beyond the end of the retractable shroud 139. When the shroud is in the second position, the end portions of the optical fibers 146 are protected within the retractable shroud 139.

Figures 5 and 8-13 depict a sequence for assembling the inner assembly 138. At Figure 8, the first sleeve 152a is shown mounted over the first portion of the fiber alignment core 202 and the first and second sets of optical fibers 146a, 146b are shown inserted through the second sleeve 152b. At Figure 9, the shroud is shown mounted over the first sleeve 152a. At Figure 10, the first set of optical fibers 146a is shown inserted between the fiber alignment core 202 and the first sleeve 152a. At Figure 11, the second set of optical fibers 146b is shown inserted between the fiber alignment core 202 and the first sleeve 152a at a circumferential side of the fiber alignment core 202 opposite from where the first set of optical fibers 146a is located. At Figure 12, the shroud is shown extended to provide protection to the bare fiber portions 146c of the optical fiber projecting beyond the first end of the core. At Figure 13, the second sleeve 152b is shown latched in place with respect to the first sleeve 152a such that the sleeve assembly is fixed in place over the core. Once the first and second sleeves 152a, 152b are latched together, a curable material such as an epoxy can be injected into the sleeves to lock the fibers in place with respect to the sleeve assembly.

The adapter housing 131 can house a fiber alignment device 200 (e.g., a bare fiber alignment device) suitable for coaxially aligning the bare fiber portions 146c of the optical fibers 146 of the fiber optic connectors 120, 130. Figure 14 depicts an example configuration for the fiber alignment device 200. The fiber alignment device 200 includes a fiber alignment core 202 defining a central core axis 204. The fiber alignment core 202 includes an exterior that defines a plurality of fiber alignment grooves 206 that are parallel and positioned the central core axis 204. The fiber alignment grooves 206 have open sides and face radially outwardly from the central core axis 204. In this particular example, the fiber alignment grooves 206 are V-grooves. In other examples the fiber alignment grooves 206 can have other shapes (e.g., U-grooves, elliptical shaped groove, circular shaped grooves etc.). The fiber alignment grooves 206 are configured for actively receiving the bare fiber portions 146c of the optical fibers 146 of the fiber optic connectors 128, 130 when the fiber optic connectors 120, 130 are inserted into the connector ports 124, 126 of the fiber optic adapter 122. The fiber alignment device 200 also includes a biasing arrangement 208 positioned around the fiber alignment core 202. The biasing arrangement 208 includes aplurality ofbiasing members 210 positioned at the open sides of the fiber alignment grooves 206 for pressing the bare fiber portions 146c of the optical fibers 146 into the fiber alignment grooves 206. Figures 15 and 17 show the biasing members 210. In one example, the biasing members 210 include beams 212a. In one example, the beams 212a have length and extend parallel to the length of the fiber alignment grooves 206. In one example, separate beams 212a are provided for each of the fiber alignment grooves 206. In certain examples, each of the beams 212a as opposite ends that are fixed.

In one example, the beams 212a are part of a beam arrangement 212 integrated as part of a molded beam defining piece. The molded beam defining piece includes a first and a second end rings 212b, 212c. The beams 212a extend between the first and the second end rings 212b, 212c. Each of the beams 212a has a first end unit unitarily formed with the first end ring 212b and a second end unitarily formed with the second end ring 212c. The fiber alignment device 200 also includes a spring arrangement 214 surrounding the beams 212a for applying spring load radially inwardly against the beams 212a. In the depicted example, the springs do not directly contact the optical fibers 146, but instead apply spring load through the beams 212a which contact the optical fibers 146. In alternative examples, the beams 212a may be eliminated and the spring arrangement 214 may make direct contact with the optical fibers 146 for biasing the optical fibers 146 into the grooves of the alignment core. In still other examples, the spring arrangement 214 may be eliminated if the beams 212a are sufficiently resilient to apply biasing load to the optical fibers 146 inserted within the grooves of the fiber alignment core 202. In one example, the spring arrangement 214 includes first and second spring components 214a, 214b each including a plurality of springs integrated therewith, see Figures 18 and 19. Each of the first and second spring components 214a, 214b can correspond to one half of the circumference of the fiber alignment core 202. In certain examples, the fiber alignment device 200 includes a fiber alignment housing 216 in which the fiber alignment core 202, the beam arrangement 212 and the spring arrangement 214 are housed. In a preferred example, the fiber alignment core 202 is cylindrical. In a preferred example, the fiber alignment grooves 206 are v-grooves.

Figures 16-20 depict a sequence for assembly of the fiber alignment device 200. In Figure 16, the fiber alignment core 202 is outside of the beam arrangement 212 and the first and second spring components 214a, 214b are positioned outside of the beam arrangement 212. In Figure 18, the fiber alignment core 202 is positioned within the beam arrangement 212. Figure 19 shows the first spring component 214a mounted to the beam arrangement 212. Figure 20 shows the second spring component 214b mated with the first spring component 214b. Figure 14 shows the fiber alignment device 200 assembled. The first and the second spring components 214a, 214b are mated with the beam arrangement 212 to make the biasing component 210. The fiber alignment core 202 is mated within the biasing component 210. The biasing members 210 and fiber alignment core 202 are mated within the fiber alignment housing 216.

Figures 21 and 22 depict another fiber-optic connection system 320 in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. The fiber-optic connection system 320 includes a fiber optic adapter 322 for coupling together to non-ruggedized fiber optic connectors 328, 330. It will be appreciated that the fiber optic adapter 322 can include a housing containing the fiber alignment device 200, and each of the fiber optic connectors 328, 330 can include the inner assembly 138. In other examples, fiber optic connection systems can include a ruggedized adapter and ruggedized connectors.

Figures 23 and 24 depict an example mold 300 for molding the fiber alignment core 202. The mold 300 includes a plurality of sliders 302. The sliders 302 mate slidably within openings 304 of the mold 300. The sliders 302 can slide up to a predetermined distance which corresponds to a slider stop 302a located on the slider 302 that is adjacent to prevent movement at a predetermined location creating a shape (e.g., the outline of the fiber alignment core 202). In some examples, there is a first and a second stop 302a, 302b on each slider. The first stop 302a corresponds to the first stop 302a on the slider 302 that is adjacent and the second stop 302b corresponds to the second stop 302b on the slider 302 that is adjacent. Once each slider is in the mold 300, the first and second stops 302a, 302b of each adjacent slider meet and the movement of the slider 302 is stopped thereby defining a shape. Material, such as a polymeric material, can be injected into a central cavity 310 of the mold 300. After the material is injected, the sliders 302 can be placed in the openings 304 and slide up to the first and second stops 302a, 302b of adjacent sliders 302. The sliders 302 can then be removed once the material has cured thereby creating the fiber alignment core 202. Each slider 302 defines a portion of the fiber alignment core 202 and define the entire outline shape of the fiber alignment core 202 when each slider 302 is in place. In the depicted example, there are four sliders, however other configurations are possible and more or less sliders can be used. The sliders 302 define a cylindrical shape when each is mated within the mold 300, however, it will be appreciated that other shapes are possible.

ASPECTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION In one aspect the present disclosure relates to bare fiber optic connectors. The fiber optic connectors include a plurality of parallel optical fibers positioned about a connector axis. In some examples, the optical fibers are positioned about the connector axis in the shape of a circle. In other examples, the optical fibers are positioned in the shape of an oval. In other examples, the optical fibers are positioned in the shape of an ellipse.

In some examples, there are at least 4 optical fibers in the fiber optic connector. In other examples, there are at least 6 optical fibers. In other examples, there are at least 8 optical fibers. In other examples, there are at least 12 optical fibers. In other examples there are at least 16 optical fibers. In other examples, there are at least 24 optical fibers. In other examples, there are at least 48 optical fibers. In other examples there are at least 60 optical fibers. In other examples, there are at least 72 optical fibers. In other examples there are at least 144 optical fibers. In other examples, there are at least 288 optical fibers. In other examples, there are more than 288 optical fibers.

In some examples, the optical fibers have bare fiber portions positioned within fiber grooves.

In some examples the fiber optic connectors include unsupported free end portions.

In another aspect, the present disclosure related to a fiber alignment device. The fiber alignment device including an alignment device axis, and a plurality of parallel fiber alignment grooves positioned around the alignment device axis.

In some examples, the fiber alignment grooves are positioned in the shape of a circle. In other examples, the fiber alignment grooves are positioned in the shape of an oval. In other examples, the fiber alignment grooves are positioned in the shape of an ellipse. In other examples, the fiber alignment grooves are in the shape of optical fibers of a corresponding fiber optic connector that includes optical fibers positioned about a fiber optic connector axis.

In some examples, there are at least 4 fiber alignment grooves in the fiber alignment device. In other examples, there are at least 6 optical fibers. In other examples, there are at least 8 optical fibers. In other examples, there are at least 12 fiber alignment grooves. In other examples there are at least 16 fiber alignment grooves. In other examples, there are at least 24 fiber alignment grooves. In other examples, there are at least 48 fiber alignment grooves. In other examples there are at least 60 fiber alignment grooves. In other examples, there are at least 72 fiber alignment grooves. In other examples there are at least 144 fiber alignment grooves. In other examples, there are at least 288 fiber alignment grooves. In other examples, there are more than 288 fiber alignment grooves.

In some examples, the fiber alignment device includes a biasing mechanism configured to bias optical fibers into the fiber alignment grooves.

From the forgoing detailed description, it will be evident that modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed:

1. A fiber optic connector comprising: a connector core defining a central core axis, the connector core including an exterior that defines a plurality of parallel fiber grooves positioned about the central core axis, the fiber grooves having open sides that face radially outwardly from the central core axis; and a plurality of optical fibers positioned within the fiber grooves.

2. The fiber optic connector of claim 1, wherein the parallel fiber grooves are positioned circumferentially about the central core axis.

3. The fiber optic connector of claim 1, wherein the optical fibers have bare fiber portions positioned within the fiber grooves.

4. The fiber optic connector of claim 3, wherein the connector core includes a first end and an opposite second end, and wherein the optical fibers include end portions that extend at least 3, 4, 5, or 6 millimeters beyond the first end of the connector core.

5. The fiber optic connector of claim 4, wherein the end portions are unsupported free end portions.

6. The fiber optic connector of any of claims 1-5, further comprising at least one sleeve that fits around the optical fibers such the optical fibers are positioned between the connector core and the sleeve within the fiber grooves, and wherein the optical fibers are retained in the fiber grooves by the sleeve.

7. The fiber optic connector of any of claims 1-6, wherein the optical fibers includes a first set of optical fibers corresponding to a first fiber ribbon and a second set of optical fibers corresponding to a second fiber ribbon, wherein the first set of optical fibers are positioned in fiber grooves corresponding to a first half of a circumference of the connector core and the second set of optical fibers are positioned within fiber grooves corresponding to a second half of the circumference of the connector core.

8. The fiber optic connector of claim 7, wherein the first and second sets of optical fibers each include at least 2 optical fibers.

9. The fiber optic connector of claim 6, further comprising a retractable shroud that mounts over the sleeve, the retractable shroud being moveable axially with respect to the sleeve, the optical fibers and the core between a first position and a second position, wherein when the shroud is the first position the end portions of the optical fibers project forwardly beyond the retractable shroud and are exposed so as to be capable of being received within a bare fiber alignment device, and wherein when the shroud is in the second position the end portions of the optical fibers are protected within the retractable shroud.

10. The fiber optic connector of any of claims 1-9, wherein the connector core is cylindrical.

11. The fiber optic connector of any of claims 1-10, wherein there are at least 4 parallel fiber grooves positioned about the central core axis.

12. The fiber optic connector of claim 6, wherein the fiber grooves of the connector core include first sections for receiving bare optical fiber portions and second sections for receiving coated optical fiber portions, wherein the first sections extend from the first end of the connector core to an outer shoulder of the connector core, and wherein the second sections extend from the outer shoulder to the second end of the connector core.

13. The fiber optic connector of claim 12, wherein the bare fiber portions of the optical fibers are positioned in the first sections of the fiber grooves and coated fiber portions of the optical fibers are positioned in the second sections of the fiber grooves.

14. The fiber optic connector of claim 13, wherein the bare fiber portions have outer diameters of 125 microns and the coated fiber portions have outer diameters of 150 microns or 200 microns or 250 microns.

15. The fiber optic connector of claim 14, wherein the bare fiber portions have fiber cores surrounded by cladding layers with the cladding layers defining the outer diameters of the bare fiber portions, and wherein the coated fiber portions include fiber cores surrounded by cladding layers and one or more polymeric coating layer with the one or more coating layers defining the outer diameters of the coated fiber portions.

16. The fiber optic connector of claim 13, wherein the at least one sleeve includes a first sleeve that fits over the first sections of the fiber grooves, wherein the connector also includes a second sleeve that fits over the second sections of the fiber grooves, wherein the first and second sleeves latch together.

17. A bare fiber alignment device comprising: a fiber alignment core defining a central core axis, the fiber alignment core including an exterior that defines a plurality of parallel fiber alignment grooves positioned about the central core axis, the fiber alignment grooves having open sides that face radially outwardly from the central core axis, the fiber alignment grooves being configured for axially receiving optical fibers therein; and a biasing arrangement positioned around the fiber alignment core, the biasing arrangement including a plurality of biasing members positioned at the open sides of the fiber alignment grooves for pressing the optical fibers into the fiber alignment grooves.

18. The bare fiber alignment device of claim 17, wherein the biasing members include beams.

19. The bare fiber alignment device of claim 18, wherein the beams have lengths that extend parallel to lengths of the fiber alignment grooves.

20. The bare fiber alignment device of claim 19, wherein separate ones of the beams are provided for each of the fiber alignment grooves.

21. The bare fiber alignment device of claim 20, wherein the beams are part of a beam arrangement integrated as part of a molded beam defining piece, the molded beam defining piece include enlarged first and second end rings between which the beams extend, each of the beams having a first end unitarily formed with the first ring and a second end unitarily formed with the second ring.

22. The bare fiber alignment device of any of claims 17-21, further comprising a spring arrangement surrounding the beams for applying spring load radially inwardly against the beams.

23. The bare fiber alignment device of claim 22, wherein the spring arrangement includes first and second spring components each including a plurality of the springs integrated therewith.

24. The bare fiber alignment device of claim 23, further comprising a fiber alignment housing in which the fiber alignment core, the beam arrangement and the spring arrangement are housed.

25. The bare fiber alignment device of any of claims 16-24, wherein the fiber alignment core is cylindrical.

26. The bare fiber alignment device of any of claims 16-25, wherein there are at least 4 parallel fiber alignment grooves.