Deepwater-resistant optical fiber connector with general FCPC optical fiber patch cord capable of being bridged
By designing a deep-water fiber connector with a bridging of universal FCPC fiber jumper, using standard FCPC connectors and modular structures, the problems of poor interchangeability and complex maintenance of underwater fiber connectors are solved, and the stability and efficient maintenance in extreme environments are achieved, and the optical signal transmission quality and equipment adaptability are improved.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202422468817.3
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-10-12
- Publication Date
- 2025-07-18
- Estimated Expiration
- 2034-10-12
AI Technical Summary
The existing underwater fiber connectors have complex structures, poor interchangeability, and high cost when replacing optical fibers, making it difficult to meet the needs of short-term applications and frequent replacement. Traditional connectors are prone to water leakage in underwater environments, resulting in signal attenuation and system performance degradation.
A general FCPC fiber optic jumper bridgeable deep-water fiber connector is designed. It adopts a standard FCPC connector design, combining a modular structure and a high-quality sealing structure, and integrates optical fibers and metal parts to form a seal, adapting to a variety of installation methods, ensuring stability and convenient maintenance in extreme environments.
It improves the stability and reliability of underwater fiber connectors, simplifies the replacement and maintenance of optical transmission components, reduces maintenance costs, and ensures optical signal transmission with low insertion loss. It is suitable for a variety of underwater application scenarios and meets the needs of marine detection, deep water oil and gas exploration, and underwater sensor networks.
Smart Images
Figure CN223123269U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The utility model relates to an optical connector technology, and more specifically, to a deep-water-resistant optical fiber connector with a bridgeable general FCPC optical fiber jumper. Background Art
[0002] Under normal circumstances, special watertight connectors are required for underwater optical path connections. Although the structure of this part of the watertight connectors is stable, they are generally expensive and must be used in sets; the plug part needs to use finished optical cables. If the optical fiber needs to be replaced, new optical cables and plugs need to be produced, resulting in high time and material costs. In some applicable scenarios, a stable structure is not required, but the optical fiber needs to be replaced frequently, such as short-term underwater tests of equipment or the transmission of optical path signals in a test pressure chamber. In such cases, a sealed optical connector that is convenient to use, small in size, and easy to replace is more suitable. Summary of the Utility Model
[0003] Aiming at the problems of the current sealed optical fiber connector, such as complex structure, poor interchangeability, only being able to match special plug and socket, large volume, and inconvenience when used in the short term and the plug may need to be replaced each time, the purpose of the utility model is to provide a watertight optical fiber socket that can be generally plugged and unplugged with conventional FC / PC standard optical fiber connectors on the market and is applicable to optical fiber transmission in a short-term sealed environment.
[0004] To achieve the above purpose, the utility model provides the following technical solutions: A deep-water-resistant optical fiber connector with a bridgeable general FCPC optical fiber jumper, including a socket housing for docking with a standard FCPC connector and having a customizable replacement function, an optical transmission component coaxially inserted into the socket housing for transmitting signals, and a compression sleeve for fixing the optical transmission component in the socket housing; a sealing structure is arranged between the optical transmission component and the socket housing.
[0005] The utility model is further arranged as: The front end of the socket housing is designed with a standard FCPC connector to ensure interchangeable connection with conventional FCPC connectors on the market.
[0006] The utility model is further arranged as: The optical transmission component is integrated with metal parts through a special optical fiber curing technology to form a sealing structure;
[0007] The optical transmission component includes a docking housing adapted to the inner assembly surface of the socket housing, a transmission pin arranged in the docking housing, and a docking C-shaped tube arranged in the docking housing and having one end passing through the docking housing for docking with the pin of a standard FCPC connector and the other end docking with the transmission pin.
[0008] The utility model is further arranged as: The sealing structure includes a plurality of sealing grooves spacedly opened on the docking housing and located at the transmission pin, and sealing rings arranged in the sealing grooves.
[0009] The present utility model is further configured such that: the socket housing can be customized and replaced according to different usage conditions, including but not limited to threaded installation and flange face screw installation, so as to adapt to diverse environments and application requirements.
[0010] The present utility model is further configured such that: the connection mode between the socket housing and the compression sleeve is threaded connection, which can effectively maintain stable signal output performance in response to water flow impact.
[0011] The present utility model is further configured such that: the special optical fiber curing technology includes combining the optical fiber with metal components by means of thermal curing or ultraviolet curing, thereby ensuring the sealing effect and mechanical strength.
[0012] The beneficial effects of the present utility model are as follows:
[0013] 1. Compared with the prior art, the deep-water resistant fiber optic connector that can be bridged by the general-purpose FCPC fiber optic jumper of the present utility model has excellent watertight performance. By adopting a high-quality sealing structure and a special optical transmission component design on the optical transmission component, it can operate stably in a deep-water environment. This characteristic not only ensures the reliability of the fiber optic connection, but also effectively prevents the attenuation or loss of optical signals caused by water intrusion. Traditional fiber optic connectors often face leakage problems when applied underwater, which greatly affects the overall performance and service life of the system. The present utility model significantly improves the durability and stability of the connector in a complex underwater environment by optimizing the sealing structure and structural settings. This technological advancement enables the connector to have broad application potential in fields such as ocean exploration, deep-water oil and gas exploration, and underwater sensor networks, and can meet the strict requirements for fiber optic communication under extreme conditions, providing a solid guarantee for the technological development of related industries.
[0014] 2. The deep-water resistant fiber optic connector that can be bridged by the general-purpose FCPC fiber optic jumper of the present utility model is designed as a modular structure, making the replacement and maintenance of the optical transmission component more convenient. When traditional fiber optic connectors fail, professional personnel often need to perform complex disassembly, re-production, and assembly, which is not only time-consuming but also increases the maintenance cost. However, with the modular design of the present utility model, users can quickly and more conveniently replace the optical transmission component, greatly shortening the system downtime. This convenient maintenance method is particularly important for underwater equipment that requires frequent inspection and repair, and can effectively improve the working efficiency of the equipment. In addition, the modular design also reduces the professional skill requirements for maintenance. Ordinary operators can master it after simple training, thereby reducing the human resource cost and improving the flexibility and adaptability of daily operations. Therefore, the present utility model provides users with an economical and efficient solution, promoting the popularization of fiber optic connection technology in underwater applications.
[0015] 3. In this utility model, it has excellent technical performance and adaptability, and is suitable for a variety of application scenarios. Its design fully considers the particularity of the underwater environment, such as high pressure, low temperature, and corrosiveness, etc., ensuring stability under extreme conditions. This kind of connector can not only be applied to underwater optical cable laying and deep-sea exploration, but also be widely used in fields such as ocean engineering, deep-water drilling, seabed monitoring, and scientific research. With the increasing global demand for the development and protection of marine resources, the market demand for high-reliability fiber optic connectors is also rising day by day. With its excellent performance and the advantage of easy maintenance, this utility model is expected to become an important part of the underwater optical communication field, promoting the development and innovation of related technologies. In addition, the connector of this utility model can also be customized according to the needs of different customers, further broadening the market application scope and attracting the attention and investment of more industries.
[0016] 4. This utility model performs excellently in terms of the quality of optical signal transmission. By adopting advanced optical fiber curing technology, it ensures low insertion loss of the optical transmission component, making the signal transmission more efficient and stable. In an optical fiber communication system, insertion loss is an important factor affecting the overall performance. Traditional connectors often have high insertion loss due to design or material problems, thus affecting the signal quality and transmission distance. This utility model has conducted in-depth research and improvement on this problem to ensure that low-loss optical signal transmission can still be maintained in a harsh underwater environment. This advantage not only improves the overall performance of the system, but also provides users with higher service quality, meeting the demand for high-reliability communication. In addition, good optical signal transmission quality will help improve the efficiency of data transmission, especially in application scenarios that require a large amount of real-time data transmission. This characteristic is particularly important. Therefore, the fiber optic connector of this utility model has significant market competitive advantages in improving the quality of optical signal transmission. Brief Description of the Drawings
[0017] Figure 1 It is a structural diagram of the deep-water-resistant fiber optic connector that can be bridged by the general FCPC fiber optic jumper of this utility model.
[0018] Figure 1 Reference Signs: 1. Socket Housing; 2. Optical Transmission Component; 3. Compression Sleeve; 4. Docking Housing; 5. Transmission Pin; 6. Docking C-Type Tube; 7. Sealing Groove; 8. Sealing Ring. Detailed Description of the Invention
[0019] Refer to Figure 1 To further illustrate the embodiments of the deep-water-resistant fiber optic connector that can be bridged by the general FCPC fiber optic jumper of this utility model.
[0020] For ease of explanation, in the embodiments, spatial relative terms such as "upper", "lower", "left", "right", etc. are used to describe the relationship of one element or feature shown in the figure relative to another element or feature. It should be understood that, in addition to the orientation shown in the figure, the spatial terms are intended to include different orientations during the use or operation of the device. For example, if the device in the figure is inverted, the element described as being "lower" than other elements or features will be positioned "above" the other elements or features. Therefore, the exemplary term "lower" can include both upper and lower orientations. The device can be positioned in other ways (rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), and the spatial relative descriptions used herein can be interpreted accordingly.
[0021] Moreover, relative terms such as "first" and "second" are only used to distinguish one component with the same name from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these components.
[0022] Figure 1 A general FCPC fiber optic jumper bridgeable deep-water resistant fiber optic connector shown includes a socket housing 1 for docking with a standard FCPC connector and having a customizable replacement function, an optical transmission component 2 coaxially inserted into the socket housing 1 for transmitting signals, and a compression sleeve 3 for fixing the optical transmission component 2 in the socket housing 1; a sealing structure is provided between the optical transmission component 2 and the socket housing 1;
[0023] Compared with the prior art, the general FCPC fiber optic jumper bridgeable deep-water resistant fiber optic connector of the present utility model has excellent watertight performance. By adopting a high-quality sealing structure on the optical transmission component 2 and a special design of the optical transmission component 2, it can operate stably in a deep-water environment. This characteristic not only ensures the reliability of the fiber optic connection, but also effectively prevents the attenuation or loss of optical signals caused by water intrusion. Traditional fiber optic connectors often face leakage problems when applied underwater, which greatly affects the overall performance and service life of the system. The present utility model significantly improves the durability and stability of the connector in a complex underwater environment by optimizing the sealing structure and structural settings. This technological advancement enables the connector to have broad application potential in fields such as ocean exploration, deep-water oil and gas exploration, and underwater sensor networks, and can meet the strict requirements for fiber optic communication under extreme conditions, providing a solid guarantee for the technological development of related industries.
[0024] The front end of the socket housing 1 is designed with a standard FCPC connector to ensure interchangeable connection with conventional FCPC connectors on the market. Even if the optical fiber to be docked needs to be replaced or the original optical fiber is damaged, a new docking optical fiber can be quickly completed, reducing material costs. The universal FCPC fiber optic jumper of the present utility model has a modular design for the deep-water-resistant fiber optic connector that can be bridged, making the replacement and maintenance of the optical transmission component 2 more convenient. When traditional fiber optic connectors fail, professional personnel are often required for complex disassembly, re-production, and assembly, which is not only time-consuming but also increases maintenance costs. However, with the modular design of the present utility model, users can quickly and more conveniently replace the optical transmission component 2, greatly shortening the system downtime. This convenient maintenance method is particularly important for underwater equipment that needs to be frequently inspected and repaired, which can effectively improve the working efficiency of the equipment. In addition, the modular design also reduces the professional skill requirements for maintenance. Ordinary operators can master it after simple training, thus reducing human resource costs and improving the flexibility and adaptability of daily operations. Therefore, the present utility model provides an economical and efficient solution for users, promoting the popularization of fiber optic connection technology in underwater applications.
[0025] The optical transmission component 2 is integrated with metal parts through a special optical fiber curing technology to form a sealed structure. The optical transmission component 2 includes a docking housing 4 adapted to the inner mating surface of the socket housing 1, a transmission pin 5 disposed in the docking housing 4, and a docking C-shaped tube 6 disposed in the docking housing 4 and having one end passing through the docking housing 4 for docking with the standard FCPC connector pin and the other end docking with the transmission pin 5.
[0026] In current applications, more and more underwater optical transmissions directly use optical fibers instead of optical cables, such as optical fiber coils or sensing optical fibers. The waterproof connector of this utility model can meet such requirements, and when the usage requirements are changed, only the optical fiber needs to be replaced, greatly improving flexibility.
[0027] The sealed structure includes a plurality of sealing grooves 7 spaced apart on the docking housing 4 and located at the transmission pin 5, and sealing rings 8 disposed in the sealing grooves 7.
[0028] Since the transmission and sealing modules are located inside the socket housing 1 and do not involve component installation structures, if modifications to the socket housing 1 are needed, it is also relatively simple, improving versatility.
[0029] The socket housing 1 can be customized and replaced according to different usage conditions, including but not limited to threaded installation and flange surface screw installation, to adapt to diverse environments and application requirements.
[0030] The connection method between the socket housing 1 and the compression sleeve 3 is threaded connection, which can effectively withstand water flow impact and maintain stable signal output performance.
[0031] The described special optical fiber curing technology includes combining the optical fiber with metal components through thermal curing or ultraviolet curing to ensure the sealing effect and mechanical strength;
[0032] The utility model performs excellently in terms of the optical signal transmission quality. By adopting advanced optical fiber curing technology, it ensures the low insertion loss of the optical transmission component 2, making the signal transmission more efficient and stable. In an optical fiber communication system, the insertion loss is an important factor affecting the overall performance. Traditional connectors often result in high insertion loss due to design or material problems, thus affecting the signal quality and transmission distance. The utility model has conducted in-depth research and improvement on this problem, ensuring that low-loss optical signal transmission can still be maintained in a harsh underwater environment. This advantage not only improves the overall performance of the system but also provides users with higher service quality and meets the demand for highly reliable communication. In addition, good optical signal transmission quality will help improve the efficiency of data transmission, especially in application scenarios where a large amount of data needs to be transmitted in real time. This characteristic is particularly important. Therefore, the optical fiber connector of the utility model has significant market competitiveness in improving the optical signal transmission quality.
[0033] In the utility model, it has excellent technical performance and adaptability and is applicable to a variety of application scenarios. Its design fully considers the particularity of the underwater environment, such as high pressure, low temperature, and corrosiveness, ensuring stability under extreme conditions. This kind of connector can not only be applied to underwater optical cable laying and deep-sea exploration but also be widely used in fields such as ocean engineering, deep-water drilling, seabed monitoring, and scientific research. With the increasing global demand for ocean resource development and protection, the market demand for highly reliable optical fiber connectors is also rising day by day. Relying on its excellent performance and the advantage of easy maintenance, the utility model is expected to become an important part of the underwater optical communication field, promoting the development and innovation of related technologies. In addition, the connector of the utility model can also be customized according to the needs of different customers, further broadening the market application scope and attracting the attention and investment of more industries.
[0034] The manufacturing method of the utility model is:
[0035] Prepare the socket housing 1, optical transmission component 2, compression sleeve 3, and sealing ring 8 to ensure that they meet the requirements of deep-water resistance and sealing performance; use fiber optic curing technology to combine the optical fiber with metal parts and open a sealing groove 7 on the docking housing 4 of the optical transmission component 2 to form an integrated optical transmission component 2 to ensure its good sealing performance; then conduct a preliminary test on the optical transmission component 2 to check its optical transmission loss; machine the front end of the socket housing 1 into a shape that can be connected to a standard FCPC connector. At the same time, the design of the socket housing 1 takes into account the principles of hydrodynamics to reduce the impact of water flow on the performance of the connector; install the sealing ring 8 in the sealing groove 7 to ensure its watertight performance, then place the optical transmission component 2 in the socket housing 1, and fix the optical transmission component 2 through the compression sleeve 3 so that the sealing structure is located between the optical transmission component 2 and the socket housing 1. After assembly, check its appearance and function to ensure that all components are firmly connected; first, conduct a watertight test, simulate a water pressure environment of ≥6000m water depth, and check for any water leakage; second, test the insertion loss A to ensure that A ≤ 0.6dB (850nm - 1550nm); finally, test the operating temperature range to ensure stable operation under the conditions of -30°C to +80°C; finally, conduct a comprehensive inspection of the product to ensure that it meets the design specifications, and then package the qualified products and label the relevant technical parameters and usage instructions;
[0036] The calculation formula for the insertion loss A is:
[0037]
[0038] Where P1 is the input optical power and P2 is the output optical power.
[0039] After completion of assembly, it can withstand a water pressure of 60 Mpa and complete signal transmission.
[0040] The above are only the preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Any ordinary changes and substitutions made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technical solution of the present invention should be included in the protection scope of the present invention.
Claims
1. A deep-water-resistant fiber optic connector that can be bridged by a general FCPC fiber optic jumper, characterized in that: It includes a socket housing (1) for docking with a standard FCPC connector and having a customizable replacement function, an optical transmission component (2) coaxially inserted into the socket housing (1) for signal transmission, and a compression sleeve (3) for fixing the optical transmission component (2) within the socket housing (1); a sealing structure is provided between the optical transmission component (2) and the socket housing (1).
2. The general FCPC fiber optic jumper bridgeable deep water resistant fiber optic connector according to claim 1, wherein The front end of the socket housing (1) is designed with a standard FCPC connector to ensure interchangeable connection with conventional FCPC connectors on the market.
3. A deep-water resistant fiber optic connector of a general FCPC fiber optic jumper according to claim 1, characterized in that, The optical transmission component (2) is integrated with metal components through optical fiber curing technology to form a sealing structure; The optical fiber curing technology includes combining the optical fiber with metal components by means of thermal curing or ultraviolet curing, thereby ensuring the sealing effect and mechanical strength; The optical transmission component (2) includes a docking housing (4) adapted to the mating surface within the socket housing (1), a transmission pin (5) disposed within the docking housing (4), and a docking C-tube (6) disposed within the docking housing (4) and having one end passing through the docking housing (4) for docking with the pin of a standard FCPC connector and the other end docking with the transmission pin (5).
4. A deep-water resistant fiber optic connector that can be bridged for a general FCPC fiber optic jumper according to claim 1 or 3, characterized in that, The sealing structure includes a plurality of sealing grooves (7) spacedly provided on the docking housing (4) and located at the transmission pin (5), and sealing rings (8) disposed within the sealing grooves (7).
5. A deep-water resistant fiber optic connector with bridgeable universal FCPC fiber optic jumper according to claim 1, characterized in that, The socket housing (1) can be customized and replaced according to different usage conditions, including but not limited to threaded installation and flange surface screw installation, to adapt to diverse environments and application requirements.
6. The universal FCPC fiber optic jumper according to claim 1, a deep-water resistant fiber optic connector that can be bridged, characterized in that, The connection mode between the socket housing (1) and the compression sleeve (3) is threaded connection, which can effectively withstand water flow impact and maintain stable signal output performance.