Abstract:
A sealed package (10) encloses a pad (14) which has an impervious backing layer which may optionally be the base layer (10b) of the package (10). At least the interior of the package (10) and the sealed pad (14) are made of materials which are substantially free of micro-contaminants. The package is openable by separating the cover layer (1 Oa) from the base layer (10b) and thereby breaking the seal (12). The pad (14) may be dry or it may be impregnated with any suitable treatment substance, such as a solvent, which facilitates cleaning and which dissipates electrostatic charges. When the sealed pad (14) is dry, a suitable liquid or gel treatment substance, such as a solvent, may be applied to the pad or to a portion of it. A retainer hole (20) may be provided in the package (10) in the extra-peripheral area (11) outside the seal (12) to hold an optic fiber connector with which the package (10) may be sold as a unit.
Abstract:
A fiber optic connector comprising a plug and a receptacle uses the spring force supplied by bowing of the plug fiber to maintain a continuous compressive load at the fiber joint located in a fiber-alignment groove. The plug has a holder for securing the plug fiber and a shroud which snaps onto the holder with the plug fiber extending generally straight inside the shroud. The shroud has a slot providing access to the terminal portion of the plug fiber, and a sliding door which selectively covers the slot. The receptacle includes a housing and another fiber holder for securing the receptacle fiber, with a projection or finger attached to the receptacle fiber holder, the projection having the fiber-alignment groove. The finger is oriented within the receptacle housing such that, when the plug is inserted into the receptacle, the finger extends through the slot in the shroud at an oblique angle with respect to the plug axis. In this manner, as the plug is inserted, the end of the plug fiber slides into the fiber-alignment groove in the finger and comes into contact with the end face of the receptacle fiber. Continued insertion results in bowing of the plug fiber to achieve the compressive load. The plug door may have camming surfaces which are actuated by corresponding surfaces on a door of the receptacle. The connector may be used to simultaneously interconnect a plurality of fiber pairs, or to terminate a fiber to an active optical device.
Abstract:
A device for cleaning the tips of optical fibers which have been installed in a connector, such as a plug or a receptacle. The device includes a tool body having cleaning media therein, such as a strip of adhesive tape, and a latch for releasably attaching the connector to the tool body. The adhesive tape may be in the form of a roll on a supply spool. In the embodiment designed for a plug, the tool body has an appropriately shaped opening for receiving the plug, and push rods are provided with the tool body which contact the fibers and urge them towards a cleaning position. In the embodiment designed for a receptacle, the receptacle is modified by having a tilt arm which can move the fibers to the cleaning position, and the tool body includes features to actuate the tilt arm as the tool body is inserted into the receptacle. Alternate designs are presented in which the cleaning media is not located in the tool body, but is manually applied to the fibers.
Abstract:
A cleaning nozzle (100) includes an outer housing having a central axis (AN) and an inner surface (150) that defines an outer housing interior (138). The inner housing (150) resides within the outer housing interior (138) along the central axis and has an inner surface that defines an inner flow channel (168). The inner flow channel supports flow of the cleaning fluid and has a converging taper and a flow disrupter element (200). The nozzle assembly may include an adapter (40) that receives a front end (102) of the nozzle and that also holds a ferrule (60) that supports an optical fiber (90) having an end face (94). The nozzle assembly (20) allows the nozzle (100) to direct a jet stream of cleaning fluid (32) to the ferrule end face (74) and the fiber end face (94). The flow disrupter (200) causes the jet stream to have a time-varying direction that enhances the cleaning of the ferrule end face (74) and the optical fiber end face (94).
Abstract:
One or more embodiments of the disclosure relates to a fiber optic cleaning pad for cleaning the end-face of an optical fiber. The cleaning pad includes a base for support and a fiber optic cleaning area for cleaning the end-face. The cleaning pad includes a mounting attachment to attach the cleaning pad to an object, such as a person or clothing.
Abstract:
A fiber optic interface device with a bent optical path has a ferrule with a body having front and rear ends and an internal cavity adjacent the front end and defined by a rear wall and a bottom wall. The bottom wall defines at least one lens. The device includes at least one optical waveguide that defines the bent optical path. The ferrule supports at least one optical waveguide so that the bent optical path resides within the cavity, with the fiber end being operably aligned with the at least one lens. A fiber optic interface assembly is formed by mating the device with a second fiber optic interface device.
Abstract:
A fiber optic connector cleaner including a base, a brush-like subsurface with a top surface, including a plurality of bristles, connected to said base, and a fiber optic connector cleaning material on said top surface of said brush-line subsurface, wherein said bristles are movable to allow gaps to be created, while still maintaining a top surface.
Abstract:
Disclosed is a method of severing a fiber length projecting out of the end face of a plurality of ferrules. The ferrules are mounted in a polishing fixture. Image processing establishes the fiber cleaving plane. Relative movement between the laser beam and the ferrule severs the fiber protruding out of the ferrule end-face. Excess epoxy that may be present on the ferrule end-face is removed concurrently with the fiber severing process. The method includes cleaning and inspection of ferrules.