Abstract:
An elongated optical fiber cable assembly includes an array of generally parallel optical fibers and an elongated adhesive web. The web has a surface in proximity to the optical fibers. The web may have openings to enhance lateral flexibility of the web. The optical fibers may be under tension. An apparatus and method of assembly are also provided.
Abstract:
A fiber optic backplane (20) has a casing portion (22) and multiple fiber optic ribbons (28) that extend from the same location (32) of the casing portion. One arrangement includes multiple optical fibers (26), a casing (22) and a set of ribbon coatings (24). The casing holds casing portions of the optical fibers. The set of ribbon coatings (24) holds ribbon portions of the optical fibers in rows to form multiple optical fiber ribbons. Each ribbon coating of the set of ribbon coatings attaches to the casing at a same location (32) of the casing such that the optical fiber ribbons extend from the same location of the casing. The multiple optical fiber ribbons extending from the same casing location enable higher optical fiber densities than conventional fiber optic backplanes which only have parallel ribbon portions extending from different locations (e.g., centimeters apart) of a central backplane portion.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a proof testing method and a proof testing apparatus for optical fibre where a fibre (1) is guided to a first pulling device (2) and further to a second pulling device (3) and then onto a reel (11, 12), whereby the pulling devices subject the fibre to a desired amount of tensile strength, as a result of which the fibre breaks if the fibre (1) strength is insufficient. To achieve a continuous pulling and proof testing process, the fibre end is guided in the case of a fibre break between the first and the second pulling device (2, 3) by means of a first channel section (5), which guides the fibre to the second pulling device (3). After the second pulling device (3) the fibre end is guided into a second channel section (8) which is off the normal fibre track and along which the fibre (1) is guided into a scrap fibre processing system. At a desired moment the fibre (1) is guided from the second channel section (8) to the normal track, along which the fibre is guided onto a reel (11, 12).
Abstract:
An optical fiber filament dispensing apparatus (10) includes a dispensing head (33) mounted on x and y axis carriage members (22, 28) and supported for rotation about a z axis (36). An optical fiber dispensing spool (42) is mounted on the dispensing head and is operable to dereel a continuous length of optical fiber filament (47) which is wound around a drive roller (48), is routed through a cut and polish assembly (56) and is further routed through a guide member (58). The cut and polish assembly includes a motor driven cut and polish wheel (70) which is supported for rotation and wobble movement to cut a predetermined length of filament and to polish the ends of the cut lengths whereby the ends preferably have a convex surface geometry generated by the wobbling cut and polish wheel.
Abstract:
An apparatus for implanting one or more optical fibers (30) in a panel (54) having a uniform planar surface is comprised of a frame (22) for supporting a fiber inserter (56) above a fiber insertion table (16) above a bath (60) containing ultra-violet light activated liquid adhesive (64) for adhering the optical fiber (30) to the panel (54) and a source of ultra-violet light (78), the fiber inserter (56) carries the optical fiber (30) downward to the fiber insertion table (16) piercing the interposed panel (54) at a desired point of insertion and carrying the optical fiber (30) to the underside of the panel (54) through an opening (58) in the fiber insertion table (16) for immersion into and removal from the liquid adhesive (64) in the bath (60) and subsequent irradiation by ultra-violet light (78), exposure to the ultra-violet light (78) causing a change of state of the adhesive (64) from liquid to solid resulting in the permanent adherence of the optical fiber (30) to the panel (54) at the point of insertion.
Abstract:
A method of forming an optical fibre assembly, comprises providing a planar substrate made of a first material; positioning an optical fibre with an outer layer of a first glass material on a surface of the substrate to form a pre-assembly; depositing a further glass material such as silica soot onto the pre-assembly, over at least a part of the optical fibre and adjacent parts of the substrate surface; and heating the pre-assembly to consolidate the further glass material into an amorphous volume in contact with at least parts of the surface of the substrate and the outer layer of the optical fibre, thereby bonding the optical fibre to the substrate to create the optical fibre assembly.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a method and device for interconnecting optical components, such as optical fibers and optical circuits, in a flexible, repeatable, and cost-effective manner. The invention can be implemented in optical cassettes, patch panels, and patch panel enclosures. It may be used to replace patch cables in data centers and the like. It may be applied in virtually any optical interconnectivity application. In accordance with the invention, two or more optical components are optically interconnected by a flexible optical circuit substrate bearing one or more embedded optical fibers with a lens at each end of each fiber, the lens also embedded in the flexible optical circuit substrate. The flexible optical circuit may be incorporated into a housing bearing apertures for receiving the optical connectors of the optical components that are to be interconnected with the device, such as the optical connectors at the ends of optical cables or at the interfaces of optical or electro-optical circuits. The lensed ends of the fibers embedded in the flexible optical circuit are positioned adjacent to the apertures for optically connecting to the fibers within the connectors installed in the apertures without the need for mating connectors inside of the housing.
Abstract:
A method is provided for cross-connecting individual optical fibers of a plurality of fiber optic ribbons and includes the steps of providing first and second substrates having adhesive thereon. Individual optical fibers are routed on the substrates to form at least portions of fiber optic input ribbons and fiber optic output ribbons, with the fibers extending beyond the substrates to define input and output tails. One substrate is positioned on top of another substrate, and a ribbonizing apparatus is used to gather the input and output tails in ribbon form whereupon they can be coated to hold the tails in their ribbon form.
Abstract:
An apparatus for implanting one or more optical fibers (30) in a panel (54) having a uniform planar surface is comprised of a frame for supporting a fiber inserter above a fiber insertion table (16) which fiber inserter carries the optical fiber downward to the fiber insertion table (16) piercing the interposed panel at a desired point of insertion and carrying the optical fiber to the underside of the panel through an opening in the fiber insertion table (16). Adhesive is applied surrounding both tip of the optical fiber (30) on the underside of the panel (54) and surrounding the optical fiber (30) on the top side of the panel (54). Exposure to a curing mechanism causes a change of state of the adhesive resulting in the permanent adherence of the optical fiber to both sides of the panel (54) at the point of insertion.