A FIELD INSTALLABLE OPTICAL FIBER CONNECTOR AND AN ASSOCIATED METHOD OF FABRICATION

摘要

An optical fiber connector includes a longitudinally extending ferrule (12) having fusion access means defined therein such that an optical fiber stub and a second optical fiber (42) can be fused in the field during installation of the optical fiber connector (10). In one embodiment, the fusion access means includes a fusion access slot which extends transversely across the ferrule from a first side of the ferrule (12) to a bottom portion of the fusion access slot such that a bore defined longitudinally through the ferrule opens into the fusion access slot. In this embodiment, the radial distance between the bottom portion of the fusion access slot and the second side of the ferrule (12), opposite the first side, is greater than a predetermined radial distance such that the fusion access slot does not significantly weaken the ferrule (12) so that the ferrule remains structurally intact during use.