US 12,265,266 B2
Fiber optic connectors having a sealing membrane disposed on the connector housing
Thomas Theuerkorn, Hickory, NC (US); and Christopher Robin Towery, Corning, NY (US)
Assigned to CORNING RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, Corning, NY (US)
Filed by Corning Research & Development Corporation, Corning, NY (US)
Filed on Sep. 26, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/952,737.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/249,855, filed on Sep. 29, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0100450 A1, Mar. 30, 2023
Int. Cl. G02B 6/38 (2006.01)
CPC G02B 6/3849 (2013.01) [G02B 6/3879 (2013.01)] 27 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A fiber optic connector comprising:
one or more ferrules each comprising a bore extending from a rear end into the respective one or more ferrules, and comprising an optical interface disposed at a front end of each respective one or more ferrules;
at least one optical fiber disposed within the bore of each of the respective one or more ferrules;
a connector housing comprising a passageway extending from a rear end to a front end with the front end comprising a perimeter, wherein the optical interface of each of the respective one or more ferrules is disposed within the passageway of the connector housing and located rearward of the front end; and
a sealing membrane disposed on the front end about the perimeter of the connector housing for inhibiting contaminants from reaching each of the respective one or more ferrules, wherein the sealing membrane is thermally swaged to the front end of the connector housing and the sealing membrane may be removed from the connector housing for mating.