WO2013177014A1

WO2013177014A1 - Cable sealing arrangement for a connector

Info

Publication number: WO2013177014A1
Application number: PCT/US2013/041765
Authority: WO
Inventors: Paula Rudenick; Thomas Marcouiller
Original assignee: ADC Telecommunications Inc
Current assignee: Commscope Connectivity LLC
Priority date: 2012-05-22
Filing date: 2013-05-20
Publication date: 2013-11-28
Anticipated expiration: 2014-11-22

Description

CABLE SEALING ARRANGEMENT FOR A CONNECTOR

This application is being filed on 20 May 2013, as a PCT International Patent application and claims priority to U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 61/650,268 filed on 22 May 2012, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to cable sealing systems. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to systems for sealing cable entrance locations of connectors.

BACKGROUND

Fiber optic cables are widely used to transmit light signals for high speed data transmission. A fiber optic cable typically includes: (1 ) an optical fiber or optical fibers; (2) a buffer or buffers that surrounds the fiber or fibers; (3) a strength layer that surrounds the buffer or buffers; and (4) an outer jacket. Optical fibers function to carry optical signals. A typical optical fiber includes an inner core surrounded by a cladding that is covered by a coating. Buffers (e.g., loose or tight buffer tubes) typically function to surround and protect coated optical fibers.

Strength layers add mechanical strength to fiber optic cables to protect the internal optical fibers against stresses applied to the cables during installation and thereafter. Example strength layers include aramid yarn, steel and epoxy reinforced glass roving. Outer jackets provide protection against damage caused by crushing, abrasions, and other physical damage. Outer jackets also provide protection against chemical damage (e.g., ozone, alkali, acids).

Fiber optic cable connection systems are used to facilitate connecting and disconnecting fiber optic cables in the field without requiring a splice. A typical fiber optic cable connection system for interconnecting two fiber optic cables includes fiber optic connectors mounted at the ends of the fiber optic cables, and a fiber optic adapter for mechanically and optically coupling the fiber optic connectors together. Fiber optic connectors generally include ferrules that support the ends of the optical fibers of the fiber optic cables. The end faces of the ferrules are typically polished and are often angled. The fiber optic adapter includes co-axially aligned ports (i.e., receptacles) for receiving the fiber optic connectors desired to be interconnected. The fiber optic adapter includes an internal sleeve that receives and aligns the ferrules of the fiber optic connectors when the connectors are inserted within the ports of the fiber optic adapter. With the ferrules and their associated fibers aligned within the sleeve of the fiber optic adapter, a fiber optic signal can pass from one fiber to the next. The adapter also typically has a mechanical fastening arrangement (e.g., a snap-fit arrangement) for mechanically retaining the fiber optic connectors within the adapter. One example of an existing fiber optic connection system is described at U.S. Patent Nos. 6,579,014, 6,648,520, and 6,899,467.

Fiber optic connector systems for use in outside environments have been developed. Such systems typically include more rugged designs capable of handling larger pulling forces than typical indoor connectors. Further, such systems are preferably environmentally sealed to limit the intrusion of moisture or other contaminants into the systems. Example ruggedized (i.e., hardened) connector systems of this type are disclosed at U.S. Patent Nos. 7,942,590; 7,762,726;

7,959,361 ; 6,899,467; 7,918,609 and 7,881 ,576.

SUMMARY

One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a sealing arrangement for sealing a cable entrance end of a connector such as a fiber optic connector or an electrical connector. In certain embodiments, a mechanical arrangement is used to pressurize and/or deform a deformable sealing member to concurrently seal the cable entrance end of the connector and to provide a perimeter seal about a cable routed into the connector through the cable entrance end.

Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a system for sealing a cable entrance end of a connector. The system includes a sealing member defining an inner passage for receiving a cable. The sealing member also includes a front end adapted to form a seal against the cable entrance end of the connector. The system further includes a seal compression housing for containing and deforming the sealing member. The seal compression housing includes a first housing component that mounts to the cable entrance end of the connector and a second housing component that attaches to the first housing component. When the second housing component is attached to the first housing component, the sealing member is pressed against the cable entrance end of the connector and is also pressed around a perimeter of the cable received within the inner passage of the sealing member.

A variety of other aspects are set forth in the description that follows. The aspects relate to individual features as well as 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 aspects disclosed herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a fiber optic connector having a cable sealing arrangement in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure;

Figure 2 is a side view of the fiber optic connector and cable sealing arrangement of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the fiber optic connector and cable sealing arrangement of Figure 1 ;

Figure 4 is an enlarged view of a portion of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a compression nut of a cable sealing arrangement in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure;

Figure 6 is a side view of the compression nut of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line 7-7 of

Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a compression sleeve of a cable sealing arrangement in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure;

Figure 9 is a side view of the compression sleeve of Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line 10-10 of

Figure 9;

Figure 1 1 is an end view of a stop ring of a cable sealing arrangement in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure;

Figure 12 is a top view of the stop ring of Figure 1 1 ;

Figure 13 is a rear, perspective view of a sealing member of a cable sealing arrangement in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure; Figure 14 is a front, perspective view of the cable sealing member of

Figure 13;

Figure 15 is a top view of the cable sealing member of Figure 13; Figure 16 is a front view of the cable sealing member of Figure 13; Figure 17 is a rear view of the cable sealing member of Figure 13; Figure 18 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line 18-18 of

Figure 15;

Figure 19 is a perspective view of a boot of a cable sealing arrangement in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure;

Figure 20 is a top view of the boot of Figure 19; and

Figure 21 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line 21 -21 of

Figure 20.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figures 1 -4 show a fiber optic connector 20 having a cable sealing arrangement 22 in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. The fiber optic connector 20 includes a front end 24 and a rear end 26 (i.e., a cable entrance end). The fiber optic connector 22 also includes a main body 28 that extends from the front end 24 to the rear end 26. The fiber optic connector 20 further includes a coupling nut 30 that mounts over the main body 28. The coupling nut 30 is shown coupled to a removable dust cap 32 that protects the front end 24 of the fiber optic connector 20. Further details about the fiber optic connector 20 are described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 201 1/0013871 , which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

A ferrule assembly 34 is mounted at the front end 24 of the fiber optic connector 22 (see Fig. 3). A spring 36 biases the ferrule assembly 34 in a forward direction. The ferrule assembly 34 includes a hub 38 and a ferrule 40. The ferrule 40 is adapted for supporting an end portion of an optical fiber of a fiber optic cable 42 routed into the main body 28 through the rear end 26 of the fiber optic connector 20. The fiber optic cable 42 includes an outer jacket 44 surrounding the optical fiber. The fiber optic cable 42 can also include strength members (e.g., aramid yarn) for providing tensile reinforcement to the fiber optic cable 42. The strength members can be anchored relative to the main body 28. For example, the strength members can be crimped via a crimp band 46 to an insert 48 that is secured within the main body 28 (see Fig. 4). A reinforcing sleeve 150 is mounted over a rear portion of main body 28. The reinforcing sleeve 150 can have a metal (e.g., stainless steel) construction. The reinforcing sleeve 150 includes a rear flange 152. In certain embodiments, an adhesive material (e.g., epoxy) can be used to secure the reinforcing sleeve 150 to the main body 28.

The cable sealing arrangement 22 is located adjacent the rear end 26 of the fiber optic connector 20. The cable sealing arrangement 22 is adapted to seal the rear end 26 of the fiber optic connector 20 and to provide a perimeter seal around the cable 42. Preferably, the seal is compressed (e.g., pressurized and/or deformed in shape) using a mechanical arrangement.

The cable sealing arrangement 22 includes a sealing member 50 defining an inner passage 52 for receiving the fiber optic cable 42. As shown at Figures 13-18, the sealing member 50 includes a front end 54 and a rear end 56. The inner passage 52 extends through the sealing member 50 from the rear end 56 to the front end 54. The inner passage 52 includes a generally cylindrical portion 58 and a tapered portion 60 (see Fig. 18). The cylindrical portion 58 extends from the rear end 56 to the tapered portion 60, and the tapered portion 60 extends from the cylindrical portion 58 to the front end 54. The tapered portion 60 is defined by a surface 62 that angles away from a central axis 64 of the inner passage 52 as the surface 62 extends in a forward direction. The tapered portion 60 has a generally truncated, conical shape.

The outer boundary of the sealing member 50 includes a generally cylindrical portion 66 and a tapered portion 68 (see Fig. 18). The cylindrical portion 66 extends from the front end 54 to the tapered portion 68. The tapered portion 68 extends from the cylindrical portion 66 to the rear end 56. The tapered portion 68 tapers inwardly toward the axis 64 as the tapered portion 68 extends in a rearward direction.

In certain embodiments, the sealing member 50 is a molded member that is molded in a predefined shape. In certain embodiments, sealing member 50 is made of a material that is deformable. In certain embodiments, the deformable material of the sealing member 50 is resilient or elastomeric. Example materials include gel, a gel-like material, silicone, rubber, or other materials.

Referring back to Figures 3 and 4, the cable sealing arrangement 22 also includes a compression housing 70 for containing and pressurizing/deforming the sealing member 50. The compression housing 70 includes a first housing component in the form of a compression nut 72 and a second housing component in the form of a compression sleeve 74. The compression nut is shown at Figures 5-7 and the compression sleeve is shown at Figures 8-10. The compression nut 72 and the compression sleeve 74 interconnect by a threaded connection. For example, the compression nut 72 has external threads 76 that mate with corresponding internal threads 78 of the compression sleeve 74. As shown at Figures 3 and 4, the sealing member 50 is mounted within the compression sleeve 74 with the front end 54 facing toward the rear end 26 of the fiber optic connector 20. As the compression nut 72 and compression sleeve 74 are threaded together, the compression nut 72 and the compression sleeve 74 move toward one another in an axial direction (i.e., a direction parallel to a central axis 80 of the fiber optic connector 20) thereby causing the sealing member 50 to be compressed in an axial direction. This action causes the tapered portion 60 at the front end 54 to be pressed against the rear end 26 of the fiber optic connector 20 to provide a seal therewith. Concurrently, the tapered portion 68 of the sealing member 50 causes the sealing member 50 to also deform in an inward radial direction such that the sealing member 50 presses against and conforms around the jacket 44 of the cable 42 routed through the inner passage 52 so as to form a perimeter seal around the jacket.

As shown at Figure 4, the compression nut 72 mounts over the reinforcing sleeve 150 of the fiber optic connector 20. A stop ring 82 (e.g., a metal ring such as a washer) cooperates with the rear flange 152 of the reinforcing sleeve 150 to prevent the compression nut 72 from being rearwardly removed from the fiber optic connector 20. Preferably, the compression nut 72 is inserted over the front end of the reinforcing sleeve 50 before the reinforcing sleeve 50 is mounted on the main body 28 of the fiber optic connector 20. Referring to Figures 8-10, the compression sleeve 74 has a front end

84 and a rear end 86. The internal threads 78 are located at the front end 84 of the compression sleeve 74. A tapered portion 88 of the compressions sleeve 74 is located at the rear end 86. The tapered portion 88 tapers inwardly toward a central axis 90 of the compression sleeve 74 as the tapered portion 88 extends in a rearward direction. A passage 92 extends through the compression sleeve 74 from the front end 84 to the rear end 86. The tapered portion 88 provides a reduction in the diameter of the passage 92 adjacent the rear end 86. The compression sleeve 74 also includes an interior annular groove 94 that extends around the axis 90.

The cable sealing arrangement 22 further includes a boot 100 (see Figures 4 and 19-21) that is preferably made of a flexible, resilient material. The boot 100 is preferably adapted to provide strain relief and bend radius protection to the fiber optic cable 42. The boot 100 defines a central passage 102 for receiving the fiber optic cable 42. The central passage 102 extends from a front end 104 to a rear end 106 of the boot 100. The passage 102 is generally cylindrical along a majority of the length of the boot 100. However, adjacent the front end 104, the passage 102 enlarges in a tapered configuration as the passage 102 extends in a forward direction. In the depicted embodiment, this tapering provides an enlarged portion 108 of the passage 102 having a truncated, conical portion (i.e., a truncated, conical pocket) that complements the shape of the tapered portion 68 of the sealing member 50. The boot has an enlarged head portion 1 10 that coincides with the enlarged portion 108 of the passage 102. An annular projection 1 12 extends circumferentially around the head portion 1 10. As shown at Figure 4, once the sealing arrangement 22 is assembled, the head portion 1 10 of the boot 100 fits within the rear end of the compression sleeve 74, the annular projection 1 12 fits within the groove 94 and the tapered portion 64 of the sealing member 50 nests within the tapered pocket of the head portion 1 10. Still referring to Figure 4, the rear end 106 of the boot 100 projects rearwardly from the compression sleeve 74 to provide the cable 42 with bend radius protection.

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

1. A system for sealing a cable entrance end of a connector, the system comprising:

a sealing member defining an inner passage for receiving a cable, the sealing member also including a front end adapted to form a seal against the cable entrance end of the connector; and

a seal compression housing for containing and deforming the sealing member, the seal compression housing including a first housing component that mounts to the cable entrance end of the connector and a second housing component that attaches to the first housing component, wherein when the second housing component is attached to the first housing component the sealing member is pressed against the cable entrance end of the connector and is also pressed around a perimeter of the cable received within the inner passage of the sealing member.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the sealing member has a pre-defined molded shape and is made of a resilient material.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the first and second housing components are attached together by a threaded connection.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the first housing component includes a compression nut and the second housing component includes a compression sleeve.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the compression nut has external threads than engage internal threads of the compression sleeve.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the compression sleeve has a length that extends from a front end to a rear end, wherein the internal threads are provided at the front end, wherein the sleeve includes a cylindrical portion that extends from the front end toward the rear end, and wherein the sleeve has a tapered portion at the rear end of the sleeve.

7. The system of claim 6, further including a boot that provides bend radius protection to the cable, the boot including a central passage for receiving the cable, the boot also including an enlarged front end portion that mounts within the compression sleeve and a rear portion that projects rearwardly from the rear end of the compression sleeve.