Optical fiber coupler and an optical fiber coupler incorporated within a transceiver module

This invention relates to the field of optical signal transmission and reception over optical fibers and, more specifically, to the interconnection of optical fibers within a transceiver module with optical fibers and connectors of an optical fiber cable. A coupler to interconnect or couple optical fibers together and position ends of the optical fibers juxtaposed with each other, additionally includes a captive split tubular alignment sleeve to accept ferrules on ends of optical fibers to be aligned and coupled. The coupler may be incorporated into an opto-electronic module, captured, and then held against normal forces of connecting and disconnecting the optical fiber. A short optical fiber extends from the coupler through a wall of an enclosure and is terminated adjacent an opto-electronic device to carry optical signals for transmission or reception of optical signals. This coupler may be further used to splice or interconnect optical fibers, in temporary connections or splices, without fusing the glass of the fibers.