Optical fiber connector and associated methods of validating optical fiber continuity

Abstract

Methods are provided for validating the continuity of one or more optical fibers upon which a fiber optic connector is mounted. Typically, the fiber optic connector is mounted upon an optical field fiber by actuating a cam mechanism to secure the optical field fiber in position relative to an optical fiber stub. If subsequent testing indicates that the continuity of the optical field fiber and the optical fiber stub is unacceptable, the cam mechanism can be deactuated, the optical field fiber can be repositioned and the cam mechanism can be reactuated without having to remove and replace the fiber optic connector. In order to determine if continuity has been established between the optical field fibers and respective optical fiber stubs, a method is also provided that introduces light into at least one of each pair of optical field fibers and optical fiber stubs and that only secures the position of each optical field fiber relative to the respective optical fiber stub once the glow associated with each pair of optical field fibers and optical fiber stubs the optical field fiber and the optical fiber stub dissipates, which dissipation indicates the establishment of continuity. An improved multifiber connector and installation tool are also provided to facilitate the establishment and validation of the continuity of optical field fibers and optical fiber stubs the optical field fiber and optical field stub in order to reduce the time and cost required to connectorize optical field fibers fiber in the field.

That which is claimed:  
     
       1. A method of validating continuity of an optical fiber upon which a fiber optic connector is mounted, the method comprising:
 providing a fiber optic connector including a ferrule defining at least one bore extending between opposed front and rear faces, an optical fiber stub disposed within the bore and extending beyond the rear face of the ferrule, and a cam mechanism;  
 introducing light into at least one of an optical field fiber and  or the optical fiber stub;  
 advancing the optical field fiber into the fiber optic connector such that a glow emanates from an end portion of the at least one of the optical field fiber and the optical fiber stub while the optical field fiber is advanced into the fiber optic connector;  
 actuating the cam mechanism to secure the optical field fiber in position relative to the optical fiber stub once the glow dissipates;  
 evaluating the continuity of the optical field fiber and the optical fiber stub once the cam mechanism has been actuated;  
 deactuating the cam mechanism in instances in which the evaluated continuity of the optical field fiber and the optical fiber stub is unacceptable such that the optical field fiber can be repositioned relative to the optical fiber stub; and  
 reactuating the cam mechanism following the repositioning of the optical field fiber relative to the optical fiber stub.  
 
     
     
       2. A method according to  claim 1  further comprising monitoring the glow emanating from an end portion of at least one of the optical field fiber and the optical fiber stub while the optical field fiber is advanced into the fiber optic connector. 
     
     
       3. A method according to  claim 2  further comprising halting further advancement of the optical field fiber once the glow dissipates during said monitoring step. 
     
     
       4. A method according to  claim 1  further comprising cleaving and cleaning the end portion of the optical field fiber following deactuation of the cam mechanism. 
     
     
       5. A method according to  claim 4  further comprising repositioning the optical field fiber relative to the optical fiber stub following said cleaving and cleaning and prior to said reactuation of the cam mechanism. 
     
     
       6. A method according to  claim 1  further comprising repeating the evaluation of the continuity of the optical field fiber and the optical fiber stub, the deactuation of the cam mechanism to permit repositioning of the optical field fiber relative to the optical fiber stub and the reactuation of the cam mechanism following the repositioning until the continuity is acceptable. 
     
     
       7. A method according to  claim 6  further comprising crimping at least a portion of the fiber optic connector onto the optical field fiber  once the continuity of the optical field fiber and the optical fiber stub is acceptable. 
     
     
       8. A method of validating continuity of a plurality of optical fibers upon which a fiber optic connector is mounted, the method comprising:
 providing a fiber optic connector including a ferrule defining a plurality of bores extending between opposed front and rear faces, a plurality of optical fiber stubs disposed within respective bores and extending beyond the rear face of the ferrule, and a cam mechanism;  
 advancing a plurality of optical field fibers into the fiber optic connector and toward respective optical fiber stubs such that each optical field fiber is paired with a respective optical fiber stub;  
 introducing light into at least one of each pair of optical field fibers and optical fiber stubs while the optical field fibers are advanced into the fiber optic connector such that a glow emanates from within the fiber optic connector for each pair of optical field fibers and optical fiber stubs;  
 halting further advancement of each optical field fiber once the glow associated with the respective optical field fiber dissipates; and  
 securing the position of each optical field fiber within the fiber optic connector relative to the respective optical fiber stub once the glow associated with each pair of optical field fibers and optical fiber stubs is dissipated.  
 
     
     
       9. A method according to  claim 8  further comprising monitoring the glow associated with each pair of optical field fibers and optical fiber stubs while the optical field fibers are advanced into the fiber optic connector. 
     
     
       10. A method according to  claim 8  wherein said securing comprises actuating a cam mechanism to secure the optical field fibers in position relative to the respective optical fiber stubs once the glow dissipates. 
     
     
       11. A method according to  claim 10  further comprising evaluating the continuity of the optical field fiber and the optical fiber stub once the cam mechanism has been actuated. 
     
     
       12. A method according to  claim 11  further comprising:
 deactuating the cam mechanism if the continuity of the optical field fibers and the optical fiber stubs is unacceptable such that the optical field fibers can be repositioned relative to the respective optical fiber stubs; and  
 reactuating the cam mechanism following the repositioning of the optical field fibers relative to the respective optical fiber stubs.  
 
     
     
       13. A method according to  claim 12  further comprising repeating the evaluation of the continuity of the optical field fibers and the optical fiber stubs, the deactuation of the cam mechanism to permit repositioning of the optical field fibers relative to the respective optical fiber stubs and the reactuation of the cam mechanism following the repositioning until the continuity is acceptable. 
     
     
       14. A method according to  claim 13  further comprising crimping at least a portion of the fiber optic connector onto the optical field fibers  once the continuity of the optical field fibers and the respective optical fiber stubs is acceptable. 
     
     
       15. A multifiber  An optical fiber connector comprising:
 a multifiber  ferrule extending lengthwise between opposed front and rear faces for receiving a plurality of optical fiber stubs  an optical fiber stub;  
 splice components disposed proximate the rear face of said multifiber  ferrule for aligning a plurality of optical field fibers to respective ones of the plurality of optical fiber stubs  field fiber to the optical fiber stub; and  
 a sleeve in which said splice components are disposed; 
 a cam mechanism for urging  activating said splice components together to operably interconnect the aligned optical field fibers  field fiber and the optical fiber stubs  stub, said cam mechanism disposed about said sleeve, wherein movement of the cam mechanism relative to said sleeve aligns the field fiber and the optical fiber stub; and 
 wherein at least one of said cam mechanism and said splice components is translucent  the cam mechanism and at least one of the splice components are translucent such that a glow emanating from therewithin that  is indicative of a discontinuity between at least one pair of optical field fibers  the field fiber and optical fiber stubs is visible external to the multifiber connector  stub.  
 
     
     
       16. A multifiber  An optical fiber connector according to  claim 15  wherein said cam mechanism comprises:
 a sleeve in which said splice components are disposed,  said sleeve defining a window through which said splice components are exposed; and  
 a  and the cam member disposed upon said sleeve for engaging  mechanism engaging said splice components via the window defined by said sleeve, wherein movement of said cam member relative to said sleeve urges said splice components together .  
 
     
     
       17. A multifiber  An optical fiber connector according to claim  16  wherein said cam member is translucent   15  wherein the connector is a multifiber connector. 
     
     
       18. A method of validating the continuity of one or more optical fibers upon which a fiber optic connector is mounted comprising:
   providing a fiber optic connector including a ferrule defining at least one bore extending between opposed front and rear faces, an optical fiber stub at least partially disposed within the bore and having an end portion extending beyond the rear face of the ferrule, and at least one splice component;        securing an end portion of an optical field fiber relative to the end portion of the optical fiber stub within the at least one splice component;        evaluating the continuity of the optical field fiber and the optical fiber stub;        repositioning and re - securing the end portion of the optical field fiber relative to the end portion of the optical fiber stub when the continuity of the optical field fiber and the optical fiber stub is unacceptable; and        re - evaluating the continuity of the optical field fiber and the optical fiber stub after repositioning and re - securing the end portion of the optical field fiber relative to the end portion of the optical fiber stub.     
     
     
       19. A method according to  claim 18  wherein the step of providing a fiber optic connector further comprises disposing the fiber optic connector in an installation tool and wherein the step of repositioning and re- securing the end portion of the optical field fiber is accomplished without removing the fiber optic connector from the installation tool.   
     
     
       20. A method according to  claim 18  wherein the fiber optic connector further comprises a cam mechanism and wherein the step of securing the end portion of the optical field fiber relative to the end portion of the optical fiber stub comprises actuating the cam mechanism. 
     
     
       21. A method according to  claim 18  wherein the step of evaluating the continuity of the optical field fiber and the optical fiber stub comprises introducing light into at least one of the optical field fiber and the optical fiber stub such that a glow emanates from at least one of the end portions of the optical field fiber and the optical fiber stub. 
     
     
       22. A method according to  claim 21  wherein the step of evaluating the continuity and the step of re- evaluating the continuity each further comprise monitoring the glow emanating from the at least one of the end portions of the optical field fiber and the optical fiber stub.   
     
     
       23. A method according to  claim 18  further comprising repeating the step of repositioning and re- securing and the step of re - evaluating until the continuity of the optical field fiber and the optical fiber stub is acceptable.   
     
     
       24. A method according to  claim 23  further comprising the step of introducing light into at least one of the optical field fiber and the optical fiber stub such that a glow emanates from at least one of the end portions of the optical field fiber and the optical fiber stub and the step of monitoring the glow emanating from the at least one of the end portions of the optical field fiber and the optical fiber stub. 
     
     
       25. A method of validating the continuity of an optical field fiber terminated to a fiber optic connector including a ferrule defining at least one bore extending between opposed front and rear faces and an optical fiber stub at least partially disposed within the bore and having an end portion extending beyond the rear face of the ferrule, the method comprising;
   positioning an end portion of the optical field fiber in the fiber optic connector relative to the end portion of the optical fiber stub;        introducing light into at least one the optical field fiber and the optical fiber stub such that a glow emanates from at least one of the end portions of the optical field fiber or the optical fiber stub;        securing the end portion of the optical field fiber relative to the end portion of the optical fiber stub;        evaluating the continuity of the optical field fiber and the optical fiber stub by monitoring the glow emanating from the at least one of the end portions of the optical field fiber or the optical fiber stub;        repositioning and re - securing the end portion of the optical field fiber relative to the end portion of the optical fiber stub when the continuity of the optical field fiber and the optical fiber stub is unacceptable; and re - evaluating the continuity of the optical field fiber and the optical fiber stub after repositioning and re - securing the end portion of the optical field fiber relative to the end portion of the optical fiber stub.     
     
     
       26. A method according to  claim 25  wherein the fiber optic connector further comprises a cam mechanism and wherein the step of securing the end portion of the optical field fiber relative to the end portion of the optical fiber stub comprises actuating the cam mechanism. 
     
     
       27. A method according to  claim 26  further comprising the step of deactuating the cam mechanism after the step of evaluating the continuity and before the step of repositioning and re- securing the end portion of the optical field fiber.   
     
     
       28. A method according to  claim 27  wherein the step of repositioning and re- securing the end portion of the optical field fiber comprises reactuating the cam mechanism.   
     
     
       29. A method according to  claim 25  further comprising the step of disposing the fiber optic connector in an installation tool and wherein the step of repositioning and re- securing the end portion of the optical field fiber is accomplished without removing the fiber optic connector from the installation tool.   
     
     
       30. A method according to  claim 25  further comprising repeating the step of repositioning and re- securing and the step of re - evaluating until the continuity of the optical field fiber and the optical fiber stub is acceptable.   
     
     
       31. A method according to  claim 30  wherein the continuity of the optical field fiber and the optical fiber stub is acceptable when at least one of a measured amount of insertion loss is less than a first predetermined value and a measured amount of reflectance is greater than a second predetermined value. 
     
     
       32. A method of validating the continuity of an optical field fiber and an optical fiber stub mounted upon a fiber optic connector including a cam mechanism, the method comprising:
   disposing the fiber optic connector within an installation tool;        positioning an end portion of the optical field fiber in the fiber optic connector relative to an end portion of the optical fiber stub;        introducing light into at least one of the optical field fiber or the optical fiber stub such that a glow emanates from at least one the end portions of the optical field fiber and the optical fiber stub;        actuating the cam mechanism to secure the end portion of the optical field fiber relative to the end portion of the optical fiber stub;        evaluating the continuity of the optical field fiber and the optical fiber stub by monitoring the glow emanating from the at least one of the end portions of the optical field fiber or the optical fiber stub;        when the continuity of the optical field fiber and the optical fiber stub is unacceptable, deactuating the cam mechanism to release the end portion of the optical field fiber relative to the optical fiber stub;        repositioning the end portion of the optical field fiber relative to the end portion of the optical fiber stub without removing the fiber optic connector from the installation tool;        reactuating the cam mechanism to secure the end portion of the optical field fiber relative to the end portion of the optical fiber stub; and        re - evaluating the continuity of the optical field fiber and the optical fiber stub after repositioning the end portion of the optical field fiber relative to the end portion of the optical fiber stub.     
     
     
       33. A method according to  claim 32  further comprising repeating the steps of deactuating the cam mechanism, repositioning the end portion of the optical field fiber, reactuating the cam mechanism, and re- evaluating the continuity until the continuity of the optical field fiber and the optical fiber stub is acceptable.   
     
     
       34. A method according to  claim 33  further comprising the step of removing the fiber optic connector from the installation tool once the continuity of the optical field fiber and the optical fiber stub is acceptable. 
     
     
       35. A method according to  claim 34  wherein the continuity of the optical field fiber and the optical fiber stub is acceptable when at least one of a measured amount of insertion loss is less than a first predetermined value and a measured amount of reflectance is greater than a second predetermined value. 
     
     
       36. A method of validating continuity of an optical fiber upon which a fiber optic connector is mounted, the method comprising:
   providing a fiber optic connector including a ferrule defining at least one bore extending between opposed front and rear faces, an optical fiber stub disposed within the bore and extending beyond the rear face of the ferrule, and a cam mechanism;        introducing light into at least one of an optical field fiber or the optical fiber stub, while the optical field fiber and the respective optical stub fiber are in optical contact;        actuating the cam mechanism to secure the optical field fiber in position relative to the optical fiber stub when any glow emanating from an end portion of the at least one of the optical field fiber or the optical fiber stub is at a dissipated level;        evaluating the continuity of the optical field fiber and the optical fiber stub once the cam mechanism has been actuated;        deactuating the cam mechanism in instances in which the evaluated continuity of the optical field fiber and the optical fiber stub is unacceptable such that the optical field fiber can be repositioned relative to the optical fiber stub; and        reactuating the cam mechanism following any repositioning of the optical field fiber relative to the optical fiber stub.     
     
     
       37. A method according to  claim 36  further comprising:
   repeating said evaluating, said deactuating, and said reactuating following any repositioning of the optical field fiber relative to the optical fiber stub.   
 
     
     
       38. A method according to  claim 37  further comprising:
   crimping at least a portion of the fiber optic connector once the continuity of the optical field fiber and the optical fiber stub is acceptable.   
 
     
     
       39. A method of validating continuity of a plurality of optical fibers upon which a fiber optic connector is mounted, the method comprising:
   providing a fiber optic connector including a ferrule defining a plurality of bores extending between opposed front and rear faces, a plurality of optical fiber stubs disposed within respective bores and extending beyond the rear face of the ferrule, and a cam mechanism; introducing light into at least one of each pair of optical field fibers and optical fiber stubs while the optical field fibers and the respective optical fiber stubs are in optical contact; and        securing the position of each optical field fiber within the fiber optic connector relative to the respective optical fiber stub when any glow emanating from within the fiber optic connector for each pair of optical field fibers and optical fiber stubs is at a dissipated level by actuating the cam mechanism to secure the end portion of the optical field fiber relative to the end portion of the optical fiber stub; and        deactuating the cam mechanism after said actuating when any glow emanating from within the fiber optic connector for each pair of optical field fibers and optical fiber stubs is not at a dissipated level.     
     
     
       40. A method according to  claim 39  further comprising:
   reactuating the cam mechanism after repositioning the end portion of the optical field fiber.   
 
     
     
       41. A method according to  claim 39  further comprising:
   evaluating continuity of the optical field fiber and the optical fiber stub following said actuating the cam mechanism.   
 
     
     
       42. A method according to  claim 41  further comprising:
   crimping at least a portion of the fiber optic connector onto the optical field fibers once the continuity of the optical field fibers and the respective optical fiber stubs is acceptable.   
 
     
     
       43. A method of validating continuity of an optical fiber upon which a fiber optic connector is mounted, the method comprising:
   providing a fiber optic connector including a ferrule defining at least one bore extending between opposed front and rear faces, an optical fiber stub disposed within the bore, and a cam mechanism;        introducing light into at least one of an optical field fiber and the optical fiber stub, while the optical field fiber and the respective optical fiber stub are in optical contact;        actuating the cam mechanism to secure the optical field fiber in position relative to the optical fiber stub; and        evaluating the continuity of the optical field fiber and the optical fiber stub once the cam mechanism has been actuated by observing an amount of dissipated light;        deactuating the cam mechanism in instances in which the evaluated continuity of the optical field fiber and the optical fiber stub is unacceptable such that the optical field fiber can be repositioned relative to the optical fiber stub;        reactuating the cam mechanism following any repositioning of the optical field fiber relative to the optical fiber stub; and        reevaluating the continuity of the optical field fiber and the optical fiber stub once the cam member has been reactuated by observing dissipated light.     
     
     
       44. A method according to  claim 43 , wherein the amount of dissipated light is no dissipated light. 
     
     
       45. A method according to  claim 1  wherein at least one of said cam mechanism or at least one splice component is translucent. 
     
     
       46. A method according to  claim 1  wherein the continuity of the optical field fiber and the optical fiber stub is acceptable when at least one of a measured amount of insertion loss is less than a first predetermined value and a measured amount of reflectance is greater than a second predetermined value. 
     
     
       47. A method according to  claim 8  wherein at least one of said cam mechanism or at least one splice component is translucent. 
     
     
       48. A method according to  claim 8  wherein the continuity of the plurality of optical field fibers and the plurality of optical fiber stubs is acceptable when at least one of a measured amount of insertion loss is less than a first predetermined value and a measured amount of reflectance is greater than a second predetermined value. 
     
     
       49. A method according to  claim 18  wherein the continuity of the plurality of optical field fibers and the plurality of optical fiber stubs is acceptable when at least one of a measured amount of insertion loss is less than a first predetermined value and a measured amount of reflectance is greater than a second predetermined value. 
     
     
       50. A method according to  claim 18  wherein at least one of a cam mechanism or the at least one splice component is translucent. 
     
     
       51. A method according to  claim 25  wherein at least one of a cam mechanism or at least one splice component is translucent. 
     
     
       52. A method according to  claim 32  wherein at least one of the cam mechanism or at least one splice component is translucent. 
     
     
       53. A method according to  claim 36  wherein at least one of the cam mechanism or at least one splice component is translucent. 
     
     
       54. A method according to  claim 39  wherein at least one of the cam mechanism or at least one splice component is translucent. 
     
     
       55. The fiber optic connector connectorized according to the method of  claim 1 . 
     
     
       56. The fiber optic connector connectorized according to the method of  claim 8 . 
     
     
       57. The fiber optic connector connectorized according to the method of  claim 18 . 
     
     
       58. The fiber optic connector connectorized according to the method of  claim 25 . 
     
     
       59. The fiber optic connector connectorized according to the method of  claim 32 . 
     
     
       60. The fiber optic connector connectorized according to the method of  claim 36 . 
     
     
       61. The fiber optic connector connectorized according to the method of  claim 39 . 
     
     
       62. The fiber optic connector connectorized according to the method of  claim 43 . 
     
     
       63. An optical fiber connector according to  claim 15 , wherein the cam mechamism is reversible for releasing the splice components. 
     
     
       64. An optical fiber connector according to  claim 15 , wherein both splice components are translucent. 
     
     
       65. An optical fiber connector according to  claim 15 , wherein the sleeve is a ferrule holder. 
     
     
       66. An optical fiber connector according to  claim 15 , further including a spring. 
     
     
       67. An optical fiber connector according to  claim 15 , further including a crimp band. 
     
     
       68. An optical fiber connector according to  claim 15 , further including a boot.