Fiber optic drop cables and preconnectorized assemblies

US10114176B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• CORNING OPTICAL COMMUNICATIONS LLC · US

Inventors

• Michael John Gimblet · Conover, US
• Xin Liu · Hickory, US
• Stuart R. Melton · Hickory, US
• David A. Thompson · San Jose, US
• Hieu Vinh Tran · Charlotte, US
• Richard S. Wagman · Hickory, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 18, 2016
• Grant date: Oct 30, 2018
• Expiry date: Jan 18, 2036

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G02B6/562
• WIPO field: Optics
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A preconnectorized outdoor cable streamlines the deployment of optical waveguides into the last mile of an optical network. The preconnectorized outdoor cable includes a cable and at least one plug connector. The plug connector is attached to a first end of the cable, thereby connectorizing at least one optical waveguide. The cable has at least one optical waveguide, at least one tensile element, and a cable jacket. Various cable designs such as figure-eight or flat cables may be used with the plug connector. In preferred embodiments, the plug connector includes a crimp assembly having a crimp housing and a crimp band. The crimp housing has two half-shells being held together by the crimp band for securing the at least one tensile element. When fully assembled, the crimp housing fits into a shroud of the preconnectorized cable. The shroud aides in mating the preconnectorized cable with a complimentary receptacle.