OPTICAL FIBER MECHANICAL SPLICE CONNECTOR SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF COUPLING OPTICAL FIBERS

摘要

An optical fiber mechanical splice connector system that couples with a field fiber includes a connector body comprising a ferrule receiving portion, a pellet receiving portion and a support portion between the ferrule receiving portion and pellet receiving portion. The pellet receiving portion includes one or more engagement fingers connected at a first end to the support portion and extending away from the ferrule receiving portion to a second, free end adjacent a pellet receiving opening of a pellet receiving cavity at the pellet receiving portion. A ferrule is connected to the connector body at the ferrule receiving portion. A stub fiber is captured within the ferrule. The stub fiber extends from the ferrule into a fiber receiving cavity provided within the connector body for connecting with the field fiber. A fiber carrying pellet carries the field fiber. Inserting the fiber carrying pellet through the pellet receiving opening resiliently deflects the one or more engagement fingers thereby enlarging the pellet receiving opening such that the fiber carrying pellet is received by the pellet receiving cavity of the connector body.