An optical fiber connection system (600) configured to interconnect a plurality of first and second optical fibers (54, 54′) is described. The connection system comprises a first bare fiber holder (620) that includes a clamping plate (540) having an interconnection portion (544) with a generally planar surface, wherein bare ends of the plurality of first optical fibers (54) are disposed adjacent to interconnection portion (544) and wherein the plurality of first optical fibers (54) are secured in the first bare fiber holder (620) at a first distance from the bare ends of the plurality of first optical fibers (54) and a second bare fiber holder (620′) that includes a splicing plate (580) having a plurality of alignment channels (585), wherein a bare end of each of the second optical fibers (54′) extend at least partially into one of the plurality of alignment channels (585) and wherein the plurality of second optical fibers (54′) are held at a second distance from the bare ends of the plurality of second optical fibers (54′).

A fiber optic alignment device includes a first and a second alignment block and a first and a second gel block. A fiber passage extends from a first end to a second end of the fiber optic alignment device. The fiber passage is adapted to receive a first optical fiber through the first end and a second optical fiber through the second end. An intermediate portion of the fiber passage is positioned between the first and the second ends. The intermediate portion is adapted to align the first and the second optical fibers between the first and the second alignment blocks. A first portion of the fiber passage is positioned between the first end and the intermediate portion of the fiber passage. The first portion extends between the first alignment block and the first gel block. A second portion of the fiber passage is positioned between the second end and the intermediate portion of the fiber passage. The second portion extends between the second alignment block and the second gel block. End portions of the first and the second optical fibers may be cleaned when slid between the alignment blocks and the gel blocks. The fiber passage may include an undulating portion.

The present disclosure relates to an optical fiber alignment device that has an alignment housing that includes first and second ends. The alignment housing defines a fiber insertion axis that extends through the alignment housing between the first and second ends. The alignment housing includes a fiber alignment region at an intermediate location between the first and second ends. First and second fiber alignment rods are positioned within the alignment housing. The first and second fiber alignment rods cooperate to define a fiber alignment groove that extends along the fiber insertion axis. The first and second fiber alignment rods each having rounded ends positioned at the first and second ends of the alignment housing.

The present disclosure relates to a fiber alignment device (20) including a guide feature (62a, b) defining a fiber alignment groove (48). The fiber alignment device (20) also includes a fiber engagement component (44) defining a reference surface arrangement and elastic cantilever arms (56a, b) for pressing optical fibers into the fiber alignment groove (48). First portions of the guide feature (62a, b) engage the reference surface arrangement. Second portions of the guide (62a, b) feature engage the cantilever arms (56a, b) to flex the cantilever arms to a staged position.

A system for connecting a fiber optic connector to a fiber optic adapter includes various alternative improvements, including improvements to the shutter, the alignment device, and the adapter in general.

The present disclosure relates to fiber optic connectors having integrated features for protecting the optical fibers of the fiber optic connectors. The fiber optic connectors can include protective features such as retractable noses and shutters,

The present disclosure relates generally to a positioning arrangement for positioning optical fibers. The positioning arrangement can include a positioning substrate with a plurality of fiber receiving locations arranged in a row. Each of the fiber receiving locations can be configured to receive one of the optical fibers. Each of the fiber receiving locations can include a first fiber contact surface and a second fiber contact surface that are each adapted to contact a corresponding one of the optical fibers when the optical fiber is received in the fiber receiving location. The first and second fiber contact surfaces of each of the fiber receiving locations can be relatively oriented to define a fiber receiving angle that is greater than 90 degrees. The positioning arrangement can also include a pressing structure with pressing surfaces for opposing the row of fiber receiving locations to press the optical fibers within the fiber receiving locations.

A connection system includes an optical connector assembly; and an optical plug. The connector assembly includes a stack of gel-groove assemblies and a spring assembly mounted within a housing. Each of the gel-groove assemblies includes a first gel block at a first axial end, a second gel block at a second axial end, and a fiber mating region between the first and second gel blocks. The optical plug including sub-modules over-molded over arrays (e.g., ribbons) of the optical fibers. Each sub-module defines notches for receiving latches of the spring assembly when the optical plug is coupled to the first axial end of the optical adapter. Bare optical fibers extend from the plug, pass through the first axial gel block, and enter the fiber mating region when the plug is coupled to the adapter.

A fiber alignment device is provided that includes a curable refractive index-matching gel that exhibits self-cleaning and self-healing characteristics upon multiple cycles of insertion and removal of an optical fiber.

Aspects and techniques of the present disclosure relate to a fiber alignment device that includes curved-type alignment bores. Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to methods of forming the fiber alignment device with curved-type alignment bores.