Hermetic Fiber Optic Feedthrough | Fiber Optic Vacuum Feedthrough

Optical fibers are an efficient way to transmit fast, noise-free signals over long distances. If you’re looking for reliable fiber optic feedthroughs, Douglas Electrical Components has got you covered with our OptiSeal™ products. Our pre-wired and pre-tested interconnecting harnesses and feedthroughs can be configured to accommodate any combination of optical fibers you need. Our team carefully hermetically seals directly to the optical fiber to ensure a true hermetic seal within the bulkhead of the assembly.

Our certified IPC-620 technicians can handle optical fibers carefully to effectively seal the feedthrough assembly. Designs are available for both vacuum and positive pressure applications. With OptiSeal, you can create a hybrid feedthrough harness that can combines a mixture of copper wires, fiber optic cables, thermocouples, power cables, shielded pairs, triplets, and quads; this can reduce cost and weight, while increasing reliability within your equipment or assembly.

Douglas Electrical Components can hermetically seal MIL-spec and industrial fiber optic connectors through our backpotting process, making it possible to create a plug-and-play solution in an OEM application requiring optical fibers, from IoT control boxes to military equipment. OFC connector assemblies can also be hermetically sealed for simple integration and ultimate protection of the fiber.

We also offer design support for explosion-proof assemblies exposed to hazardous liquids and gases with standard taper threads, O-ring seals, and flange designs. OptiSeal can be configured for wire-to-wire, cable-to-wire, as well as connector-to-wire assemblies in UHV and pressurized environments. Our products also support applications requiring high-speed, complex communication over long distances. Contact the factory for customized bulkhead connector feedthrough designs and capabilities for fiber optic connections.

FEEDTHROUGH PERFORMANCE CAPABILITIES

<1×10^-9 cc/sec per feedthrough
Pressures of 15,000 psi
Operating temperatures range from 4 K (LHe) through high temperatures of 200°C
Custom bifurcated fiber assemblies with a combination of optical and copper conductors for complex camera systems
Achieve a custom hermetic fiber optic seal no matter the cable construction, configuration or jacket the assembly requires
Combine various types of optical fiber into a single hermetic feedthrough
Qualifications to MIL-spec test method standards such as MIL-STD-810
Ingress Protection available to IP-69K and NEMA 6P; Hazardous rated designs available

COMMON FIBER OPTIC CABLE TYPES

Standard patch cables
Singlemode
Multimode
Fused glass rod
Plastic
Fiber
Ribbon fiber solutions
Armored cables

MARKET CAPABILITIES

ISO 9001:2015
ISO 14001:2015
ITAR DDTC Registration
UL 1203 Class I Division 1 Explosion-proof Groups A, B, C, D available

OPTICAL FIBER FEEDTHROUGH BENEFITS

High Bandwidth
Immunity to Electromagnetic Interference (EMI)
Low attenuation
Light weight
High temperature tolerance

EXAMPLE APPLICATIONS

Communications, from on-board vehicles and ships to transmitting data across sub-systems
Research and development equipment, from labs to in-field products
Sensors, including but not limited to transmitting pressure/force, acoustic, position, velocity/acceleration, and orientation such as IMU’s and gyroscopes,
Downhole sensors, and other remote monitoring equipment in hazardous areas and harsh environments
Cameras, imaging, and positioning equipment
Targeting systems

Are OptiSeal fiber optic feedthroughs available for hazardous locations?

Yes, Douglas Electrical Components can design explosion-proof fiber optic feedthroughs for hazardous locations. Fiber optics can be used in various applications from wellheads to subsea controls. Hermetic seals allow for the passage of the fiber optic signal with the hermetic seal required for the application. Fiber optic seals continue to grow given the continuous signal transmission over long distances without signal loss.

What testing is performed on the fiber optic cable prior to shipment?

Mechanical testing on the feedthrough is verified through helium leak testing. Based on customer requirements, Douglas Electrical will perform electrical testing such as high pot and light testing to verify the hermetic seal as well as the signal integrity as it passes through the bulkhead fitting.

Can Optiseal be integrated into a connector or cable?

Yes, there are applications where our customers have requested integral MIL spec connectors or integrating a jacketed cable through a feedthrough. This creates the hermetic seal required for the environment of the application. Douglas can integrate an off-the-shelf fiber optic connector into a bulkhead assembly or hermetically seal it through backpotting.

Fiber optic cables are challenging to strip and handle. Are your technicians qualified?

Yes. We have dedicated manufacturing cells to our fiber optic product lines. Our technicians are all trained and specialize in the handing and manufacturing of fiber optic cable and connector assemblies so that our customers can focus on direct integration.

What is the benefit of a fiber optic cable?

Fiber optic cables can transmit more data at a faster rate and lighter weight. From sensors to computers, fiber optics are increasing in utilization of signal processing. Fiber optic feedthroughs require special handling and care to ensure these benefits are maintained through the feedthrough. Optical fiber feedthroughs offer high bandwidth, immunity to electromagnetic interference (EMI) and low attenuation.

Are specialty coatings available?

Yes. Coatings include, but are not limited to: Acrylate, PEEK, and Polymide.

Does Douglas Electrical manufacture fiber optic wire bushings?

Yes. Douglas Electrical can manufacture a wire bushing for fiber optic cables and connectors including oil and gas applications and immersion cooling servers. The fiber cable can be sealed to ensure continuous signal integrity through the feedthrough while hermetically sealing the junction.

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