Ruggedized fiber optic connection

Abstract

A fiber optic cable connection system comprising a first fiber optic connector including a ferrule within which an optical fiber is mounted and a fiber optic adapter for receiving the first fiber optic connector including a sleeve for receiving the ferrule. The first fiber optic connector is mounted within a first threaded body with the fiber optic cable extending through an opening in a distal end of the first threaded body and the ferrule accessible through a proximal end of the first threaded body. The fiber optic adapter is mounted within a second threaded body and the second threaded body adapted for mounting to a bulkhead. The second threaded body adapted to engage the proximal end of the first threaded body with the first connector engaging the adapter and the ferrule extending into the sleeve. An outer housing is threadably mounted about both the first and second threaded bodies when the second threaded body is engaging the proximal end of the first threaded body. The first and second threaded bodies and the outer housing cooperate to hold the first connector engaging the adapter.

1. A fiber optic cable connection system comprising:
 a first fiber optic connector with a first end and a second end, the second end mounted to an end of a fiber optic cable, and the first end including a ferrule within which an optical fiber of the fiber optic cable is mounted; 
 a fiber optic adapter including a first end for receiving the first fiber optic connector, the first end including a sleeve for receiving the ferrule and aligning the optical fiber within the ferrule with a longitudinal axis of the sleeve; 
 the first fiber optic connector mounted within a first threaded body with the fiber optic cable extending through an opening in a distal end of the first threaded body and the ferrule accessible through a proximal end of the first threaded body; 
 the fiber optic adapter mounted within a second threaded body and the second threaded body adapted for mounting to a bulkhead; 
 the second threaded body adapted to engage the proximal end of the first threaded body with the first end of the first connector engaging the first end of the adapter and the ferrule of the connector extending into the sleeve of the adapter; 
 an outer housing threadably mounted about both the first and second threaded bodies when the second threaded body is engaging the proximal end of the first threaded body; and 
 the first and second threaded bodies and the outer housing cooperating to hold the first end of the first connector engaging the first end of the adapter. 
 
     
     
       2. The fiber optic cable connection system of  claim 1 , wherein the first fiber optic connector is a standardized fiber optic connector and the first end of the adapter is adapted to receive the standardized fiber optic connector. 
     
     
       3. The fiber optic cable connection system of  claim 2 , wherein the first connector is an SC connector and the first end of the adapter is adapted to receive the SC connector. 
     
     
       4. The fiber optic cable connection system of  claim 1 , wherein the fiber optic adapter further includes a second end for receiving a second fiber optic connector with a ferrule, the second end including a sleeve for receiving the ferrule of the second connector and aligning an optical fiber within the ferrule of the second connector with the optical fiber within the ferrule of the first connector. 
     
     
       5. The fiber optic cable connection system of  claim 4 , wherein the second fiber optic connector is a standardized fiber optic connector and the second end of the adapter is adapted to receive the standardized fiber optic connector. 
     
     
       6. The fiber optic cable connection system of  claim 5 , wherein the second connector is an SC connector and the second end of the adapter is adapted to receive the SC connector. 
     
     
       7. The fiber optic cable connection system of  claim 1 , wherein a first o-ring is positioned about the fiber optic cable adjacent the distal end of the first threaded body, a second o-ring is positioned about the second threaded body, and the outer housing engages both o-rings to environmentally seal the first ends of the first connector and the adapter. 
     
     
       8. The fiber optic cable connection system of  claim 1 , wherein the second threaded body is fixedly mounted to a bulkhead and the threaded bodies and the outer housing cooperate to transfer tension from the cable to the bulkhead without disengaging the first end of the first connector from the first end of the adapter. 
     
     
       9. A fiber optic cable connection system comprising:
 a fiber optic connector with a first end and a second end, the second end mounted to an end of a fiber optic cable, and the first end including a ferrule within which an optical fiber of the fiber optic cable is mounted;   the fiber optic adapter including a first end for receiving the first fiber optic connector, the first end including a sleeve for receiving the ferrule and aligning the optical fiber within the ferrule with a longitudinal axis of the sleeve;   a first fastening arrangement for securing the fiber optic connector within the first end of the fiber optic adapter; and   a second fastening arrangement for securing the fiber optic connector within the first end of the fiber optic adapter;   wherein the first fastening arrangement includes at least one latch member, and the second fastening arrangement includes a threaded coupling.   
     
     
       10. The fiber optic cable connection system of claim 9, wherein the at least one latch member is provided at the fiber optic adapter, and wherein the at least one latch member engages a portion of the fiber optic connector to secure the fiber optic connector within the fiber optic adapter. 
     
     
       11. The fiber optic cable connection system of claim 9, wherein the threaded coupling includes a threaded member that mounts over the fiber optic connector and is rotatable relative to the fiber optic connector, and wherein the threaded coupling also includes a threaded portion provided at the first end of the fiber optic adapter that threadedly engages the threaded member to secure the fiber optic connector within the fiber optic adapter. 
     
     
       12. A fiber optic connector assembly comprising:
 a plug arrangement including:
 a first body; 
 at least one shell positioned at least partially within the first body; 
 a ferrule positioned at least partially within the at least one shell; 
   an outer housing positioned around the first body of the plug arrangement, the outer housing defining inner threads;   a receptacle arrangement that receives the plug arrangement, the receptacle arrangement including a second body having outer threads, the outer housing and the second body being threaded together through interaction of the inner and outer threads to secure the plug arrangement within the receptacle arrangement; and   the at least one shell including a first keying element and the first body including a second keying element, the first and second keying elements interfacing with the receptacle arrangement to ensure that the plug arrangement is inserted into the receptacle arrangement at a predetermined rotational orientation.   
     
     
       13. The fiber optic connector assembly of claim 12, wherein the first body is generally cylindrical. 
     
     
       14. The fiber optic connector assembly of claim 12, wherein the at least one shell includes an inner shell and an outer shell, and wherein the first keying element is provided on the outer shell. 
     
     
       15. The fiber optic connector assembly of claim 14, wherein the first keying element includes a rail. 
     
     
       16. The fiber optic connector assembly of claim 12, wherein the second keying element includes a key member that fits within a corresponding key receiver of the receptacle arrangement. 
     
     
       17. The fiber optic connector assembly of claim 12, wherein the second keying element includes a key receiver that receives a corresponding key member of the receptacle arrangement. 
     
     
       18. The fiber optic connector assembly of claim 17, wherein the plug assembly defines a central longitudinal axis, wherein the key receiver and the first keying element are aligned along a plane that extends along the central longitudinal axis and that bisects the plug assembly, and wherein the key receiver is positioned a further radial distance outward from the central longitudinal axis than the first keying element. 
     
     
       19. The fiber optic connector assembly of claim 17, wherein the plug assembly defines a central longitudinal axis, and wherein the key receiver is positioned a further radial distance outward from the central longitudinal axis than the first keying element. 
     
     
       20. A fiber optic cable and connector assembly comprising:
 a fiber optic cable including an optical fiber, the fiber optic cable also including first and second strength members positioned at opposite sides of the optical fiber, the fiber optic cable further including a jacket surrounding the optical fiber and the first and second strength members, the jacket defining an elongate transverse cross-sectional shape;   a plug arrangement including:
 a first body defining a central longitudinal axis, the first body having a front end and a rear end, the front end including two axially extending key members positioned at opposite sides of the central longitudinal axis; 
 a shell positioned at least partially within the first body; 
 a ferrule positioned at least partially within the shell, the ferrule receiving an end of the optical fiber of the fiber optic cable; 
 a spring positioned within the shell for biasing the ferrule in a forward direction; 
 a spring retainer that retains the spring within the shell; and 
 a cable mount including a cable receiving portion positioned rearward of the spring retainer, the first and second strength members of the fiber optic cable being physically attached within the cable receiving portion of the cable mount; 
   an outer housing positioned around the first body of the plug arrangement, the outer housing defining first threads;   a receptacle arrangement for receiving the plug arrangement, the receptacle arrangement including a second body, the receptacle arrangement also including a fiber optic adapter that receives an end portion the ferrule when the plug arrangement is inserted within the receptacle arrangement, the fiber optic adapter being positioned at least partially within the second body, the second body including oppositely positioned key receiving portions that receive the key members of the first body to ensure that the plug arrangement is oriented at a predetermined rotational orientation when the plug arrangement is inserted within the receptacle arrangement; and   the second body including second threads, the outer housing and the second body being threaded together through interaction of the first and second threads to secure the plug arrangement within the receptacle arrangement.   
     
     
       21. The fiber optic cable and connector assembly of claim 20, wherein the jacket defines a first passage for receiving the first strength member and a second passage for receiving the second strength member. 
     
     
       22. The fiber optic cable and connector assembly of claim 20, wherein the jacket generally has top and bottom sides interconnected by oppositely positioned curved sides, the top and bottom sides defining a width, the curved sides defining a height, the width being greater than the height.