High pressure fiber optic connector plug

Claim 2

A fiber optic cable connection for high pressure environments comprising: a fiber optic cable having (i) a multiplicity of fiber optic strands extending axially therein, (ii) a strength member extending axially in spaced relationship thereabout, (iii) an outer jacket, and (iv) a filler matrix within said strength member and in which said strands are encased; a precision connector member of generally circular cross section having an outer face configured to mate with a cooperating connector member and an inner face having an axially extending recess, said connector member having axially extending passages extending from the transverse wall of said recess to said outer face of said connector member, said strands extending axially outwardly of said strength member and filler matrix of said cable and through said passages to said outer face of said connector member; a generally cylindrical preload insert member extending axially about said outwardly extending portion of said strands and having its outer end extending into said recess of said connector member and a peripheral shoulder abutting the inner face of said connector member, said strength member having its outer end portion extending outwardly of the end of said jacket and onto the inner end portion of said insert member; a body member of circular cross section dispensed axially about said insert member and having its outer end extending over the inner end portion of the connector member, said body member having a radially outwardly extending flange about the periphery thereof; a nut threadably engaged on said insert member and abutting against the inner end of said body member, said nut being tightened on said insert member against said body member to tension the insert member above a predetermined value; a relatively rigid resin filler in said insert member about said strands; and a sealing boot extending about said cable jacket over said strength member and nut and onto said body member.

Claim 3

The cable connection in accordance with claim 1 wherein a rigid synthetic resin is provided about said strands in the portion of said connector member resins adjacent its transverse wall.

Claim 4

The cable connection in accordance with claim 1 wherein said insert member has an inner end portion with a relative thin wall and wherein a relatively compressible resin filler is provided about said strands in said thin wall inner end portion of said insert member.

Claim 5

The cable connection in accordance with claim 3 wherein there is included a relatively compressible resin filler about said strands in said thin wall inner end portion of said insert member.

Claim 6

The cable connection in accordance with claim 4 wherein there is included clamping means clamping said strength member onto said inner end portion of said insert member.

Claim 7

The cable connection in accordance with claim 5 wherein said clamping means is a crimping sleeve.

Claim 8

The cable connection in accordance with claim 1 wherein said outer end portion of said insert member is threadably engaged with said connector member.

Claim 9

The cable connection in accordance with claim 1 wherein there is included a coupling nut extending about said body member with an inwardly extending flange on its inner end abutting the inner face of said flange on said body member and having coupling means in its outer portion for engagement with cooperating coupling means of the cooperating connector member.

Claim 10

The cable connection in accordance with claim 1 wherein said insert member has an outer end portion of lesser diameter extending inwardly of said recess in said connector member and providing said shoulder abutting the inner face thereof.

Claim 11

The cable connection in accordance with claim 1 wherein said connector member has an axially extending recess in its outer surface and the outer end of said body member has a portion which extends thereinto.

Claim 12

The cable connection in accordance with claim 1 wherein said connector member has a circumferential groove underlying said body member and sealing means is seated therein to effect a seal between said connector and said body member.

Claim 13

The cable connection in accordance with claim 1 wherein there is included a washer between said nut and body member.

Claim 14

The cable connection in accordance with claim 1 wherein the outer face of said connector member has recesses therein to effect alignment with the cooperating connector member.

Claim 15

A fiber optic cable connection for high pressure environments comprising: a fiber optic cable having (i) a multiplicity of fiber optic strands extending axially therein, (ii) a strength member extending axially in spaced relationship thereabout, (iii) an outer jacket, and (iv) a filler matrix within said strength member and in which said strands are encased; a precision connector member of generally circular cross section having an outer face configured to mate with a cooperating connector member and an inner face having an axially extending recess, said connector member having axially extending passages extending from the transverse wall of said recess to said outer face of said connector member, said strands extending axially outwardly of said strength member and filler matrix of said cable and through said passages to said outer face of said connector member; a rigid synthetic resin about said outwardly extending portion of said strands in the portion of said recess adjacent said transverse wall; a generally cylindrical preload insert member extending axially about said outwardly extending portion of said strands and having its outer end extending into said recess of said connector member and a peripheral shoulder abutting the inner face of said connector member, the inner end portion of said insert member being of reduced diameter and providing a relatively thin wall, said strength member having its outer end portion extending outwardly of the end of said jacket and onto said reduced diameter portion of said insert member; a body member of circular cross section disposed axially about said insert member and having its outer end extending over the inner end portion of the connector member, said body member having a radially outwardly extending flange about the periphery thereof; a nut threadably engaged on the inner end portion of said insert member, and abutting against the inner end of said body member, said nut being tightened on said insert member against said body member to tension the insert member above a predetermined value; a relatively compressible resin filler about said outwardly extending portion of said strands in said reduced diameter portion of said insert member; a relatively rigid resin filler in said insert member about said strands between said relatively compressible filler and said connector member; clamping means clamping said strength member to said reduced diameter inner end portion of said preload insert member; and a sealing boot extending about said cable jacket over said strength member and nut and onto said body member.

Claim 16

A fiber optic cable connection for high pressure environments comprising: a fiber optic cable having (i) a multiplicity of fiber optic strands extending axially therein, (ii) a strength member extending axially in spaced relationship thereabout, (iii) an outer jacket, and (iv) a filler matrix within said strength member and in which said strands are encased; a precision connector member of generally circular cross section having an outer face configured to mate with a cooperating connector member and an inner face having an axially extending recess, said connector member having axially extending passages extending from the transverse wall of said recess to said outer face of said connector member, said strands extending axially outwardly of said strength member and filler matrix of said cable and through said passages to said outer face of said connector member; a rigid synthetic resin about said outwardly extending portion of said strands in the portion of said recess adjacent said transverse wall; a generally cylindrical preload insert member extending axially about said outwardly extending portion of said strands and having its outer end extending into said recess of said connector member and a peripheral shoulder abutting the inner face of said connector member, the inner end portion of said insert member being of reduced diameter and providing a relatively thin wall, said strength member having its outer end portion extending outwardly of the end of said jacket and onto said reduced diameter portion of said insert member; a body member of circular cross section disposed axially about said insert member and having its outer end extending over the inner end portion of the connector member, said body member having a radially outwardly extending flange about the periphery thereof; a nut threadably engaged on the inner end portion of said insert member, and abutting against the inner end of said body member, said nut being tightened on said insert member against said body member to tension the insert member above a predetermined value; a relatively compressible resin filler about said outwardly extending portion of said strands in said reduced diameter portion of said insert member; a relatively rigid resin filler in said insert member about said strands between said relatively compressible filler and said connector member; clamping means clamping said strength member to said reduced diameter inner end portion of said preload insert member; and a sealing boot extending about said cable jacket over said strength member and nut and onto said body member.

Claim 17

The cable connection in accordance with claim 14 wherein there is included a coupling nut extending about said body member with an inwardly extending flange on its inner end abutting the inner face of said flange on said body member and having coupling means in its outer portion for engagement with cooperating coupling means of the cooperating connector member.

Claim 18

The cable connection in accordance with claim 14 wherein said connector member has a plurality of axially extending grooves in its outer surface and the outer end of said body member has portions which extend thereinto.

Claim 19

The cable connection in accordance with claim 14 wherein the outer face of said connector member has recesses therein to effect alignment with the cooperating connector member.

Claim 20

The cable connection in accordance with claim 14 wherein said insert member has an outer end portion of lesser diameter extending inwardly of said recess in said connector member and providing said shoulder abutting the inner face thereof.

Claim 21

The cable connection in accordance with claim 14 wherein said connector member has a circumferential groove underlying said body member and sealing means is seated therein to effect a seal between said connector and said body member.

Claim 22

The cable connection in accordance with claim 14 wherein there is included a washer between said nut and body member.

Claim 23

The cable connection in accordance with claim 14 wherein said clamping means is a crimping sleeve.