Patent ID: 8480312
Filing Date: 2013-07-09
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
1. A fiber optic and electrical connection system comprising: a fiber optic cable including first and second strength members that are electrically conductive, an optical fiber, and a cable jacket positioned around the first and the second strength members and the optical fiber; a ruggedized fiber optic connector terminating an end of the fiber optic cable, the ruggedized fiber optic connector including a connector housing with a first end for receiving the first and the second strength members and a second opposite end with a plug portion, a ferrule mounted to the plug portion and terminating the optical fiber of the fiber optic cable, a first electrical conductor electrically connected with the first strength member, a second electrical conductor electrically connected with the second strength member, a coupling nut rotatably mounted around the connector housing, and a sealing member mounted around the connector housing between the coupling nut and the second end of the connector housing; and a ruggedized fiber optic adapter including an adapter housing with a first end defining a ruggedized port and an opposite second end defining a non-ruggedized port, a ferrule sleeve within the adapter housing adapted to receive the ferrule of the ruggedized fiber optic connector and accessible from both the ruggedized and the non-ruggedized ports, a third electrical conductor including a first contact accessible from the ruggedized port and a second contact positioned outside the adapter housing, and a fourth electrical conductor including a third contact accessible from the ruggedized port and a fourth contact positioned outside the adapter housing; wherein the ruggedized port of the ruggedized fiber optic adapter is configured to receive the plug portion of the ruggedized fiber optic connector, the ruggedized port including internal threads that threadingly receive external threads of the coupling nut, and the ruggedized port including a sealing surface that engages the sealing member of the ruggedized fiber optic connector when the ruggedized fiber optic connector is fully connected to the ruggedized fiber optic adapter; and wherein the first contact of the third electrical conductor of the ruggedized fiber optic adapter electrically contacts the first electrical conductor of the ruggedized fiber optic connector and the second contact of the fourth electrical conductor of the ruggedized fiber optic adapter electrically contacts the second electrical conductor of the ruggedized fiber optic connector when the ruggedized fiber optic connector is fully connected to the ruggedized fiber optic adapter.