Importance

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Abstract

An optical fiber connector includes a connector housing and a monolithic ferrule disposed within the connector housing for maintaining a plurality of optical fibers in respective predetermined positions relative to the connector housing. The monolithic ferrule includes a monolithic ferrule body defining an internal cavity and a plurality of longitudinal bores through which the optical fibers extend. The optical fiber connector can also include an annular alignment key extending radially outward from the monolithic ferrule and having a position indicator adapted to mate with the connector housing such that the monolithic ferrule is held in a predetermined position relative to the connector housing. Accordingly, the optical fibers secured within the monolithic ferrule can be held in respective predetermined positions relative to the connector housing. The alignment key can be formed from the same piece of material from which the monolithic ferrule body is formed such that the alignment key is an integral part of the monolithic ferrule. The monolithic ferrule can also include ferrule alignment means for aligning the monolithic ferrule with another ferrule such that the optical fibers received by the longitudinal bores defined by the monolithic ferrule are aligned with the optical fibers secured within the other ferrule, thereby increasing the efficiency with which optical signals are transmitted therebetween.

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First Claim