CA2226751A1 - Multiple-size optical fiber identifier - Google Patents
Multiple-size optical fiber identifier Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2226751A1 CA2226751A1 CA002226751A CA2226751A CA2226751A1 CA 2226751 A1 CA2226751 A1 CA 2226751A1 CA 002226751 A CA002226751 A CA 002226751A CA 2226751 A CA2226751 A CA 2226751A CA 2226751 A1 CA2226751 A1 CA 2226751A1
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- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- piston
- fiber
- detector block
- mandrel
- strip
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 239000013307 optical fiber Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 28
- 239000000835 fiber Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 100
- 230000003287 optical effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 8
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- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 5
- 239000006261 foam material Substances 0.000 claims 1
- 238000012360 testing method Methods 0.000 description 8
- 241000282320 Panthera leo Species 0.000 description 5
- YFONKFDEZLYQDH-OPQQBVKSSA-N N-[(1R,2S)-2,6-dimethyindan-1-yl]-6-[(1R)-1-fluoroethyl]-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diamine Chemical compound C[C@@H](F)C1=NC(N)=NC(N[C@H]2C3=CC(C)=CC=C3C[C@@H]2C)=N1 YFONKFDEZLYQDH-OPQQBVKSSA-N 0.000 description 2
- PPBRXRYQALVLMV-UHFFFAOYSA-N Styrene Chemical compound C=CC1=CC=CC=C1 PPBRXRYQALVLMV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 230000009977 dual effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000035945 sensitivity Effects 0.000 description 2
- QQFGAXUIQVKBKU-UHFFFAOYSA-N 1,2,4-trichloro-3-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)benzene Chemical compound ClC1=CC=C(Cl)C(C=2C(=CC=CC=2Cl)Cl)=C1Cl QQFGAXUIQVKBKU-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- NLHHRLWOUZZQLW-UHFFFAOYSA-N Acrylonitrile Chemical compound C=CC#N NLHHRLWOUZZQLW-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910001369 Brass Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 241000896693 Disa Species 0.000 description 1
- 241000448280 Elates Species 0.000 description 1
- XDXHAEQXIBQUEZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ropinirole hydrochloride Chemical compound Cl.CCCN(CCC)CCC1=CC=CC2=C1CC(=O)N2 XDXHAEQXIBQUEZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229920002323 Silicone foam Polymers 0.000 description 1
- DHKHKXVYLBGOIT-UHFFFAOYSA-N acetaldehyde Diethyl Acetal Natural products CCOC(C)OCC DHKHKXVYLBGOIT-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 125000002777 acetyl group Chemical class [H]C([H])([H])C(*)=O 0.000 description 1
- 239000000853 adhesive Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000001070 adhesive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000903 blocking effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000010951 brass Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229920001971 elastomer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 230000013011 mating Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000007769 metal material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 101150005835 scly gene Proteins 0.000 description 1
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- 238000003466 welding Methods 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
- G02B6/42—Coupling light guides with opto-electronic elements
- G02B6/4201—Packages, e.g. shape, construction, internal or external details
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
- G02B6/42—Coupling light guides with opto-electronic elements
- G02B6/4201—Packages, e.g. shape, construction, internal or external details
- G02B6/4287—Optical modules with tapping or launching means through the surface of the waveguide
- G02B6/4289—Optical modules with tapping or launching means through the surface of the waveguide by inducing bending, microbending or macrobending, to the light guide
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Optics & Photonics (AREA)
- Testing Of Optical Devices Or Fibers (AREA)
- Length Measuring Devices By Optical Means (AREA)
- Light Guides In General And Applications Therefor (AREA)
Abstract
An instrument for detecting optical signals in optical fibers of various diameters includes a piston adapted to urge a portion of an optical fiber against a light detector, the piston being movable between open and closed positions, and having at least two piston surfaces, one defining a first precision bend geometry adapted to urge a fiber of a first diameter against the detector, and another defining a second precision bend geometry adapted to urge a fiber of a second diameter against the detector. The piston is biased toward the detector by a spring mechanism which also applies a predetermined amount of pressure against the fiber. The piston includes a mandrel having the two piston surfaces, the mandrel further having a shaft such that it may be rotated about the shaft to present either one of the piston surfaces to the detector. Indicia may be provided on the mandrel shaft, or the body, to visually indicate which piston surfaces has been selected. The mandrel may be moved between the first and second orientations without disassembling the device, although such movement is allowed only when the piston is in a retracted position away from the detector. The mandrel includes detent means for releasably securing the mandrel in either one of the first and second orientations. A novel ambient light shield is also disclosed.
Description
CA 0222675l l998-0l-l3 WO 97/03344 PCT/us96/10360 ~ MtlLTIPLE-S~ OPTICAL FIBER IDE~I 11~'1 R~ ound of the Invention s 1. FieldoftheInvention The present invention generally relates to devices for testing the operation of an optical fiber which may be carrying a tr1eC~ l;t)nc signal, and more particularly to such a device which is usable with ~liLr~ sizes of optical fibers.
2. Description of the Prior Art 0 Optical fiber idPntifiprs are known in the art, and are generally used to dt:L~ unc wl-e,.Le~ an optical fiber is c~-yi-.~, an optical signal, particularly a test signal. These devices are coln...ol-ly used in the testing of fibers call jUlg t~ r~l;ons signals, inclu~lin~ voice and data. Fiber ir~Çntifiprs operate by e~ n~ a minute portion of the light signal at a small bend in the fiber. See U.S.
lS Patent No. 5,138,690 for a di~cll~ciQll of ad~ifiQrl~l Opt;~ali~ details as well as a list of prior art patents.
There are still many disadvantages with prior art fiber iti~
Several of these relate to the use of an i~PntifiPr for testing din'.,.~ sizes of fibers.
Most i~lpntifiprs are made to handle only a single type or size of fiber, particularly 20 250 ~m. Other units which claim to handle all fibers (e.g., Noyes' OFI-200, or Wilcom's F6222) provide only clumsy solutions, and present additional te~h- i p-ub' ~mc For eY~mplP~, some devices dPcigned for di~l.,.-L types of fibers use a single piston to force the fiber against a detector head and concequçntly fail to meet 2s illdu~LIy (13ellcDre) bend loss requi..,...c..Ls for all ofthe di~.enL sizes. E~ce~ive bend loss may cause line interruption as explained in the '690 patent. In those h.sL.u.--~ s where two or more pistons are used, the device must be partially tlic~cse~nhled to gain access to and replace the piston. Such devices still fail to ....;..~ repeatable bend loss specifications due to lack of con~l~-l pressure on the fiber. In particular, user-30 dependent p~t;S~u~ (i.e., manual ~.ipping3 not only fails to guarantee bend loss butsomPtimPs further causes excessive bend loss.
WO 97/03344 PCT/us96/10360 Another problem associated with existing mllltirle size fiber idlontifi~rs is the fiber h~ntlling l~echAl~icm The pc.r,l--lance ofthese devices heavily depen-lc on ho~ the user i.,stalLs tlLIe fiber in ~' e device head. The user must also learn di~e. ~nl techniques for incf~lling di~ere.-l fibers, e.g., at dirr~re.-- positions in the clip-on head 5 ...~CI-AI~.~...
Pti.ro....~lce also depends greatly on ~-.I.;e light leakage into the detector head of the device. Too much ambient light leakage not only limits ;,ensiliv;L
but further may cause false ~ ontifir~tion of a light signal on the fiber. The cl~l,p~,..,on might u~lwillhlgly cause damage to the fiber due to this false 0 id~ntific~ti~?n In some devices ambient light Ch; 7l~i~ may be sllffll;ient in darker e.lvil~ but the devices become useless in excessively bright con~itinnc (e.g., sunlight or intense roorn light), limiting the real-life uses of the device. It would, Ille~cr~.c, be de;,;l Ll~ to devise a fiber if ~ntifiPr which is easily used with fibers of ~li~e~ , sizes and which g~al~llees repe~t~bl~ bend loss. It would be further 15 advantageous if the unit was hignly sen ,ilive to low power signals in any ~ ' -nt lighting con~1itionc SUInlllal ~r of the Invention The present invention provides a mllhirle size optical fiber id~ontifier 20 allowing live ide..l;r.~ -I;on and traffic testing of fiber optic lines without cutting the fibers or hll~-lulJIillg normal service, and is ideal for use during routine ...,.;nn .U..-~e and line morlificptio~l One embodi nent is particularly desi ned to handle 250 ~m, 900 ~lm and 3 mm fiber d;~ el~s~ as well as ribbon fiber (up to 12 count). The device generally co---l,-;ses a body having a slot at a forward tip for receiving the optical fiber, 25 a photodetector within the tip, next to the slot, and a piston located within the body for forcibly urging a portion of an optical fiber against the photodetector, the piston having at least two piston surfaces, one defining a first precision bend geo.,-el.y associated with a first fiber ~ and another d~finin~ a second p.cc;s;on bend ~Leo--.~ cori~ted with a second fiber ~i~m~ot~r. The piston is biased toward the30 detector by a spring mecllA~ wnich also applies a predeterrnined pressure against the fiber.
CA 0222675l l998-0l-l3 Means are provided to select one ofthe first or second piston s~lrf~ces to urge the portion of the optical fiber against the detector. In the p-tirti-ltid ~ the pi$on in~ ldes a single ll-a~ el piece having the two piston sllrf~r,Pe the ~ drel h~ving a shaft which may be rotated between a first ol;e.~l~Lion wheleil~
5 the first piston surface faces toward the cletector, and a second ollc.lla~ion wL~,.ein the second piston surface faces toward the detector. Indicia may be provided on the dl cil shaft~ or the body, to visually indicate which of the first and second piston surf~ces has been s~lr.i~erl The Ill~ldr~l may be moved b~ n the first and second , l;on~ without ~ 2 the device, althou~h such mo~ lll is allowed lo only when the piston is in a retracted pos;lion away from the detectQr. The Illalldl~l Jd~ 5 deterlt means for releasably se~ g the nlândrcl in either one of the first and second o~ ne A novel light shield is also provided to ...;~ leakage of ambient light into the head ass_.llbly. This light shield inrl~ldes a first strip of opaque, lS COIl~ e l~oam a1t~chP~d to a first side of the detector, a second strip of opaque, e ~fioarn a ~ d to a second side of the d~tçctQr, a third strip of opaque, cGIll~ oam ~1 1, rl~r~ to a first side of the piston, and a fourth strip of opaque, COIllpl~ ' !,e ~Foarn ~ rl-rd to a second side of the piston, such that the third and fourth strips abut and COI~llll against the first and second strips, le.,l,e~ ,c,ly, when 20 the piston is in the closed position. The third and fourth strips pl ef~ bly have a cutouts at their ~lwald ends, po~;lioned such that the cutout abut the first and second strips on the dl~ t~lor. The third and fourth fioarn strips are pl~,f~ made of a softer material than the first and second foarn strips.
This construction provides a fiber idPntifiPr which has very 1~ p~ ~ ~'e, 2s non-intrusive bend losses of accept~ble value for all fiber types and sizes, with sensiLi~ily to t,.llenlely low power signals. The device is small (hand-held), easy to use and self-colll~illcd, el;".; .~I;.-g training requirel,l~A.Is, and is relatively low cost.
Briçf Description of the D- ~win~,s 30The invention will best be understood by l~fe,.... lce to the acco,ll~allyi,lg d-~wings, whe~e;n:
Figure 1 is a side el~ ~alional view of one embodiment of the m--ltirle size optical fiber identifier of the present invention, shown with the head assembly in a relaxed, closed position;
Figure 2 is a top plan view of the embodiment of Figure l; and s Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the embo~limPnt of Figure l;
Figure 4 is a cross-section taken along lines 4~ of Figure 2;
Figure 5 is a p.,.~e~,li.~e view with a partial se~l;on~l ofthe head ass_..,bl~ used in the fiber idçntifipr of Figure l; and Figure 6 is a pe-~e~ e view ofthe head as ._.--bly ;~Luwi--g an altemative light shield design.
Description ofthe P-~f~ d Embodiment Wlth n,f~ nce now to the figures, and in p~li~,ul~ with l~re.~,nce to lS Figures 1 and 2, there is d ~ the exterior of one embodiment 10 ofthe '~i~ 'e size, optical fiber identifiPr of the present i..~,e..Lion. Fiber ir~çntifiP,r 10 is generally co...~ ed of a hollow body 12 having a handle portion 14 and a tip 16, a trigger 18, an a~;lu~';on, or on/offbutton 20, and one or more ~nmmri~tQrs 22. Body 12 may be constructed of any durable ~ ;QI, p.~f~,- Lly an e a~i~rt ~ h~g polyrner such as20 acrylonitrile but~ ne styrene (ABS), polyca,l onale, or acetal, ~Ithsugh it could be a die cast, ~ nl e~, or ~ metal such as ~IIlmimlm As further seen in Figure 3, body 12 is co~ ed of a top case portion 24, a bottom case portion 26, a rol~ald portion or fairing 28 and a wire guide plate 30 A removable cover 32 is also provided to allow l~r~~ ,P-mpnt of a battery 34 Fiber idPnfifipr 10 may be connP~ed to an2~ external power supply, but it is of course adv~nt~E~Pous to provide a battery within a co---pa-l---e--L inside body 12 Top and bottom portions 24 and 26, fairing 28 and wire guide 30 may be ~tt~rhpd by any cG..~en.c..~ means, inrlur~ the use of rnerh~n fasteners, adhesives, or sonic welding Wire guide 30 has a ridge 36 along its underside forming an internal channel which accomml~d~tçs clccL.ical wiring within 30 body 12 Rubber strips 38 and 40 are provided for manual gripping of handle 14, and a trigger grip 42 may be f~tPnPd over the end of trigger 18 A label 44 may be used to provide written i,~....alion for each ~nn-ln~ tor 22. The fimcti~n of ~nn~lnri~tQrs 22 is c,~ylail~ed further below. ~Ithnugh the size of body 12 may vary greatly, it slt~ould be small enough to be held ~one hand, and the p- ere - ed embodiment is about 22.5 cm long, 3.0 cm wide and 6.0 cm high.
Fairing 28 has a slot 46 for receiving a portion of the fiber under test, slot 46 being tapered toward an optical detec~or S0. The fo. w~.l end of tip 16 is plerelably tapered to f~ it~te separation of optical fibers ~ ced in a bundle so that a single one may be p~ ionRd in slot 46. In this manner, a fiber may be i~ All~d in id~ntifiRr 10 ulsing one hand, by simply scooping the fiber into the slot. The ~0 slot 8eo~ r dictates that fibers of all sizes are aligned with the vertical center of the detector sensing area. This is ~ccol-~p~ ed by h~coll o.~ g a V-shaped ramp or groove ~l.e., the taper ofthe slot) that drives the fibers toward the apex ofthe V-~roove as trigger 18 is l~,leascd.
Wlth further l.,rt;l~" ce to Figures 4 and 5, the interior r~,alul~,s of fiber lS id-ontifi~r 10 are ~ 1 particularly those of the head ass_.--bl~r 48 which clips onto the fiber and C~/1.ul~,S the ~r; ~8 light, if any, at the l~ g fiber bend. Detector block S0 and, ~ g piston S2 define a precise ~ y of the fiber bend. A
precise bend radius on the piston surface is r~luirtd to CO(~OIlll the fiber to the bend ~PO~..- 1. ~ and to o~ bend loss. In this embodiment, dual piston surfaces 54 and 20 56 are provided on a single ~ -drel S8 whiclh, together with a ~--and-~l shaft 60, form piston S2. One of the surfaces (54) is oplill~i~ed for 250 ,um fiber and another (56) is op~ d for 900 ~lm fiber but, the 900 ~m piston surface may also be used for 3 mm fiber. Due to cost conc~ lions and pelr~ l.ànce r~q~lh.,l..e..L~ only two pistonsllrf~cee are provided in this embodiment, but those skilled in the art will apprc~,;ate 2s that the presel~t invention further cor.l~ ...p!~tçs a piston having three or more piston surfaces for o~her fiber sizes. The inventors have also constructed a piston having three lllandlt;l sllrf~c~e for 250 ~lm, 900 ~lm and 3 mm fibers. In that rml~odimtont (not shown), when. the instrument detects no signal in a 250 ~lm using the 250 ~lm piston surface, and if the Cl ~ oll intends on cutting such an a~ ly "dead" fiber, it is 30 wise to first ciheck the fiber also on the 900 ~m piston surface. This bends the fiber at a sharper angle to increase sensitivity, and may cause line ;-~Le~ulJIion, but this is pltire,. ~d to the ~cci~e .~ ~l cutting of a line thought to be dead.
MandreI ~8 is pl t;Çe.ably constructed of a metallic material such as brass, and the three (or two) opposite sides are p.t;c;sely ...~ d to form sepa aLe, s op~ lu--- bend geom~..lies. A three surface mandrel ~ .r~lably has one piston surface with a 5 mm radius of curvature and an 11~ .nall.llel angle for the 250 ~m fiber, another piston surface with a 3 mm radius of curvature and a 11~ n-~.d,d angle for the 900 ~n fiber, and a third piston surface with a 2 mm radius of ~;UI valU~e and a 25~
~l-andl~,l angle for the 3 mm fiber. It will be app.c~.;aled that these p~-.~ were 10 o~ ,~ed for a p li.,ul~r type of fiber (Siecor/Corning SMF-28), and might change if ol Li..~cd for other fibers. The typical range of radu is 2 mm - 6 mm, with a ~-land-el angle in the range of 6~-25~.
Piston 52 pivots in a yoke 62 about shaft 60 and is kept in place using a locking spring 64 and detent ball 66. Shaft 60 has p..,c;scly ".zrl~in~d holes or sockets lS for ~~c~i;ving ball 66 to ensure that the r~s~e~ e piston surf~Ps are repe-~Ahl~
pGs;l;~nPd in the op~ lll po ,;lion. A knob on the top ofthe piston is provided with a slot 68, to allow the user to change the piston o~ ;ol~ using a normal ;~c~ . dl;~er, small coin or any similar ~ ~ ' Fairing 28 has a hole 70 therein allowing direct access to shaft 60 and slot 68, so that the L.~.u...~.-l may be ch~n~ed for use with a 20 .li~e~ t fiber type without d;~ g body 12 or head as;ie.--bly 48. The top of mandrel shaft 60 is marked with a small dot 72 inrlic~ting the side for small (250 ~m) fiber, and a bigger dot 74 i...l;"~ g the side for bigger (900 ~lm or 3 mm) fibers.
Alternatively, an arrow or similar pointer may be formed or printed on the top of mandrel shaft 60 (see Figure 6) and indicia provided on the outer surface of fairing 28 2s to indicate the proper position of the shaft, for e,.a-ll~le, by having three dots printed on fairing 28 at di~t;l~nL locations around hole 70 with the ~so~ ed ll.~ )C~ "250,"
"900" and "3" plinted ~dj~nt ea~h dot.
Mandrel yoke 62, which is f~ct~n~d to trigger 18 by means of, e.g., screws 76, is also mnunted on a bearing assembly 78 which allows yoke 62 to slide 30 toward and away from detector ~0. Bearing assembly 78 inrl~ldes a sliding carriage member 80 which is directly f~tened to yoke 62 by, e.g., screws 82, and a base 84 CA 0222675l l998-0l-l3 which is f~ctened to a frame support 86 by, e.g., screws 88. Frame support 86 is in turn ~tt~çll~d to top and bottom case portions 24 and 26 and body 12. The use ofbearing ~Csptnhly 78 provides for accurate ~ nm~nt of piston 52 with detector 50 and UI~ S the repç~t~hility of l..eas.~ ..lD made with id~ntifiP- 10.
S As m~ntione~d above, it is illlpOl ~ to limit the amount of force applied to the fiber when held ~,L~.~,en piston 52 and detector 50. In the present Ul~e.ll.on, means are provided for carefuUy re~ tinp the p~ e on the fiber. Mandrel yoke 62 has a hole or bore 90 aligned with the sliding axis of bearing ass~ / 78, and a precision sprillg 92 is located therein. A spacer 94 abuts a waU on support frame 8C at lo one end and tine other end backs up spring 92. Since trigger 18 acts only to retract or open head ass_.,.bly 48, the force applied by piston S2 is d_t~,."""ed solely by spring 92, thus providing a precise, lep~ le load on the fiber. In the pl~61l_d ho~ the ~p,u~ e spring pl~ D~Il't iS about 7.1 N (1.6 Ibs). This cor~D~ .iliol~ o~e.col-,es the disa~lv~ es noted with respect to prior art fiberlS idc~ , and provides l~& ~le, non-;"L"~ _ bend losses within indù;,l-y spe~ ;onc (less than or equal to 2 dB) for all fiber sizes (~ ougl~ with some colored fibers bend loss eYree~C 2dB ~pc~ on the .n ~ u~ ~,.), with o~Li",u", sensitivity for each fiber type. The device is co"~ , made smaU enough for hand-held use, may be coh~ cd at a r~laLi~,ely low cost and, with battery 34, is CQt~. tt ely self-co"l~,ed.
The o, ;~ ;on of piston 52 can or~y be ~ ngcrl i.e., to accommod~te another fiber size, when head a~_.,.bly 48 is in the open position, due to the location of hole 70 in fairing 28. The user must retract trigger 18 to locate slot 68 in hole 70 so that piston may be rotated. This pr~v~i.,ls damage to the piston surf~ces or detector 2s 50, as weU as pl_~ til-g damage to any fiber which may be held by identifier 10 in its relaxed state. Fiber id~ntifier 10 is shown in the relaxed, closed position in Figures 1-2 and 4-~.
One additional element seen in Figure 3 is the printed circuit board (PCB) 96 which aU~pOIlS the ele~l.uluc s~lb~ccemhly for fiber id~ntifiP!r 10.
30 ~n,nri~Q. ~ :22 (e.g., light-~ lP diodes) are suppo. Led by PCB 96, as is on/off button 20. Detector 50, the associated ele~ onics, and ~n-- ~ ol~ 22 are similar to the corresponding CGIllpOllell~S desc-il)ed in U.S. Patent No. 5,138,690, but those components are generally c,~l.aneous to the primary aspect ofthe present hlvelllion which .elates instead .o the precise and lepcalable poisitioni~ of ml-ltiple piston sllrt--ces against a detectQr, to improve use on .lirrelt;--L sizes of fibers. One s improvement has, nevertheless, been made to the detector system. As in the '690 patent, two PIN diodes (not shown) are mounted so as to receive light leaking from either direction out of the fiber. Del,e..dillg on the direction of travel of the light signal, one ofthe PIN diodes will collect more light than the other. The ele_L.~ -circuit built into the case (and powered by a single 9 volt alkaline battery), co-.~ ~. ls 10 and measures both d~te~lu~'s current and co-..p~.,s it. Comparison i...li~ s the direction oftravel. Detector 50 p-t;re-~bly utilizes re~ rly-shaped photodiodes to ...-,.;...;~- the surface area for collecting light and i..,l,,u~ repeatability of meas~ re...~ s, such diodes are available from C~ ~ m Power Devices of Andover, 1~9c~"~ (2.5 mm x 3 mm dual detector ass_.,-l,ly). Other morlifi~Atil~nc can be lS h.co.l.o.~lcd into the present i..~ ~,.-lion, such as the actuation d~ , of the '690 patent, or the sensors used to check the position of the piston as is also desc, ;l,ed in that patent.
An fld~lition-l improvement in the design of fiber irlPntifiPr 10 relates to leakage of ambient light into head assembly 48 during signal Illcaa.ll .,-"~ . Two 20 (opaque) foam pieces are provided on each side of detector 50 and piston 52, to ,Li~,ly shield against a ' --nt light le~k_ge The foam strips 98 used on the piston side, att~-~ hPd to the rO. wald end of yoke 62, are softer than the- foam strips 100 used on detector side. When a fiber is inct~ lled in head assembly 48, foam strips 100 cG.,ru...l around the fiber. This arr-ngPrnPnt leaves small gaps around the fiber 25 through which ambient light leakage is still possible. Foam pieces 98 are m~lmtPd in such a way (on the outside of foam pieces 100) that they cover the int~rf~ce gaps to stop the ambient light le k ge. This two-layer c~!, s~ive foam structure provides a unique, simple and effective ambient light shield for the device.
The ease of use of fiber idPntifiçr 10 virtually ~ training 30 re~lu"~"-~ nLs First, the piston surface is sPlected by retracting trigger 18 to expose -slot 46 and Lotalillg .na..d.el shaft 60 to the desired setting, intliç~ted by one ofthe dots 72, 74, and plùl~clly aligned when detent ball 66 snaps into place in the ~;oll~ olld-llg CollCa~iLy on ~--and-~l shaft 60 Trigger 18 is again lcLla~iLed to open head ass_.,.bly 48 so that the fiber to be tested can be placed in slot 46 The fiber s should lie flat in slot 46 at the bottom on both sides oftip 16 No special ~ is lc~uiled for d,i~ere.l1 fiber sizes A~er ~ nn~nt of the fiber in slot 46, trigger 18 is released to close head asse."l,ly 48, i.,.ps. ling a precise bend to the fiber Spring 92 provides co~ .t p.~ on the fiber, offering a l~,p ~ ~able and il--lJ-u~d bend loss pf .ru..--ance If a signal is present, the device displays the same by ene.~.g one of o the Al~ r ~lU~ :~ 22, and further ;~ c ~lf s thle signal's dil~ ion of travel The device can also inr~ te other ch~ch~islics of the signal, for; , 1~, wLeLher it is a test signal that has been injected into the fiber at a remote loc~ti- n A~er testing is completed, trigger 18 is retracted, op~f...~, head as~_...l,ly 48, and the fiber is l~.-.o~_d Foarn pieces having slightly more complil~-nted shapes are shown in lS Figure 6 In that ~al;aLion, the foam strips 98' ~ to either side of yoke 62 have cutouts 102 which cradle the fiber when it is placed in slot 46 When head ass~ ly 48 is in the relaxed, closed pos:Lioll, cutouts 102 also ;,.ll.oul.d the convex fo. v~a~l ends of foam strips 100' which are ~ttr - ' ~ d to either side of dctev1or 50 These mating surfaces are even more effective at blocking out light which might otherwise 20 enter head asseml~ly 48 where the fiber enters slot 46 Foam strips 98' are plef~ bly a silicone foam, and are softer than foam strips 100' which are p-~,f~ bly an open-cell, l.ane foam The use of a soft foam to co..rullll around harder foam permits the use of a smaller co...pr-,;...;on spring 92 which extends the life of bearing a~.s_...bly 78 and places less load on the user's trigger finger 2S ~ lth~lgh the invention has been des~.;bed with le~.~. ce to specific embodim~onts~ this description is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense Various m~.-lifi~tiQnc ofthe ~licçlosed embodiment, as well as all~,.-.a~ , embodim~ntc ofthe invention, will become appare.-L to persons skilled in the art upon l~f,_.~nce to the description ofthe ;..~,~,.-Lion It is therefore conL~.--plated that such motlific~tionc can 30 be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims
lS Patent No. 5,138,690 for a di~cll~ciQll of ad~ifiQrl~l Opt;~ali~ details as well as a list of prior art patents.
There are still many disadvantages with prior art fiber iti~
Several of these relate to the use of an i~PntifiPr for testing din'.,.~ sizes of fibers.
Most i~lpntifiprs are made to handle only a single type or size of fiber, particularly 20 250 ~m. Other units which claim to handle all fibers (e.g., Noyes' OFI-200, or Wilcom's F6222) provide only clumsy solutions, and present additional te~h- i p-ub' ~mc For eY~mplP~, some devices dPcigned for di~l.,.-L types of fibers use a single piston to force the fiber against a detector head and concequçntly fail to meet 2s illdu~LIy (13ellcDre) bend loss requi..,...c..Ls for all ofthe di~.enL sizes. E~ce~ive bend loss may cause line interruption as explained in the '690 patent. In those h.sL.u.--~ s where two or more pistons are used, the device must be partially tlic~cse~nhled to gain access to and replace the piston. Such devices still fail to ....;..~ repeatable bend loss specifications due to lack of con~l~-l pressure on the fiber. In particular, user-30 dependent p~t;S~u~ (i.e., manual ~.ipping3 not only fails to guarantee bend loss butsomPtimPs further causes excessive bend loss.
WO 97/03344 PCT/us96/10360 Another problem associated with existing mllltirle size fiber idlontifi~rs is the fiber h~ntlling l~echAl~icm The pc.r,l--lance ofthese devices heavily depen-lc on ho~ the user i.,stalLs tlLIe fiber in ~' e device head. The user must also learn di~e. ~nl techniques for incf~lling di~ere.-l fibers, e.g., at dirr~re.-- positions in the clip-on head 5 ...~CI-AI~.~...
Pti.ro....~lce also depends greatly on ~-.I.;e light leakage into the detector head of the device. Too much ambient light leakage not only limits ;,ensiliv;L
but further may cause false ~ ontifir~tion of a light signal on the fiber. The cl~l,p~,..,on might u~lwillhlgly cause damage to the fiber due to this false 0 id~ntific~ti~?n In some devices ambient light Ch; 7l~i~ may be sllffll;ient in darker e.lvil~ but the devices become useless in excessively bright con~itinnc (e.g., sunlight or intense roorn light), limiting the real-life uses of the device. It would, Ille~cr~.c, be de;,;l Ll~ to devise a fiber if ~ntifiPr which is easily used with fibers of ~li~e~ , sizes and which g~al~llees repe~t~bl~ bend loss. It would be further 15 advantageous if the unit was hignly sen ,ilive to low power signals in any ~ ' -nt lighting con~1itionc SUInlllal ~r of the Invention The present invention provides a mllhirle size optical fiber id~ontifier 20 allowing live ide..l;r.~ -I;on and traffic testing of fiber optic lines without cutting the fibers or hll~-lulJIillg normal service, and is ideal for use during routine ...,.;nn .U..-~e and line morlificptio~l One embodi nent is particularly desi ned to handle 250 ~m, 900 ~lm and 3 mm fiber d;~ el~s~ as well as ribbon fiber (up to 12 count). The device generally co---l,-;ses a body having a slot at a forward tip for receiving the optical fiber, 25 a photodetector within the tip, next to the slot, and a piston located within the body for forcibly urging a portion of an optical fiber against the photodetector, the piston having at least two piston surfaces, one defining a first precision bend geo.,-el.y associated with a first fiber ~ and another d~finin~ a second p.cc;s;on bend ~Leo--.~ cori~ted with a second fiber ~i~m~ot~r. The piston is biased toward the30 detector by a spring mecllA~ wnich also applies a predeterrnined pressure against the fiber.
CA 0222675l l998-0l-l3 Means are provided to select one ofthe first or second piston s~lrf~ces to urge the portion of the optical fiber against the detector. In the p-tirti-ltid ~ the pi$on in~ ldes a single ll-a~ el piece having the two piston sllrf~r,Pe the ~ drel h~ving a shaft which may be rotated between a first ol;e.~l~Lion wheleil~
5 the first piston surface faces toward the cletector, and a second ollc.lla~ion wL~,.ein the second piston surface faces toward the detector. Indicia may be provided on the dl cil shaft~ or the body, to visually indicate which of the first and second piston surf~ces has been s~lr.i~erl The Ill~ldr~l may be moved b~ n the first and second , l;on~ without ~ 2 the device, althou~h such mo~ lll is allowed lo only when the piston is in a retracted pos;lion away from the detectQr. The Illalldl~l Jd~ 5 deterlt means for releasably se~ g the nlândrcl in either one of the first and second o~ ne A novel light shield is also provided to ...;~ leakage of ambient light into the head ass_.llbly. This light shield inrl~ldes a first strip of opaque, lS COIl~ e l~oam a1t~chP~d to a first side of the detector, a second strip of opaque, e ~fioarn a ~ d to a second side of the d~tçctQr, a third strip of opaque, cGIll~ oam ~1 1, rl~r~ to a first side of the piston, and a fourth strip of opaque, COIllpl~ ' !,e ~Foarn ~ rl-rd to a second side of the piston, such that the third and fourth strips abut and COI~llll against the first and second strips, le.,l,e~ ,c,ly, when 20 the piston is in the closed position. The third and fourth strips pl ef~ bly have a cutouts at their ~lwald ends, po~;lioned such that the cutout abut the first and second strips on the dl~ t~lor. The third and fourth fioarn strips are pl~,f~ made of a softer material than the first and second foarn strips.
This construction provides a fiber idPntifiPr which has very 1~ p~ ~ ~'e, 2s non-intrusive bend losses of accept~ble value for all fiber types and sizes, with sensiLi~ily to t,.llenlely low power signals. The device is small (hand-held), easy to use and self-colll~illcd, el;".; .~I;.-g training requirel,l~A.Is, and is relatively low cost.
Briçf Description of the D- ~win~,s 30The invention will best be understood by l~fe,.... lce to the acco,ll~allyi,lg d-~wings, whe~e;n:
Figure 1 is a side el~ ~alional view of one embodiment of the m--ltirle size optical fiber identifier of the present invention, shown with the head assembly in a relaxed, closed position;
Figure 2 is a top plan view of the embodiment of Figure l; and s Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the embo~limPnt of Figure l;
Figure 4 is a cross-section taken along lines 4~ of Figure 2;
Figure 5 is a p.,.~e~,li.~e view with a partial se~l;on~l ofthe head ass_..,bl~ used in the fiber idçntifipr of Figure l; and Figure 6 is a pe-~e~ e view ofthe head as ._.--bly ;~Luwi--g an altemative light shield design.
Description ofthe P-~f~ d Embodiment Wlth n,f~ nce now to the figures, and in p~li~,ul~ with l~re.~,nce to lS Figures 1 and 2, there is d ~ the exterior of one embodiment 10 ofthe '~i~ 'e size, optical fiber identifiPr of the present i..~,e..Lion. Fiber ir~çntifiP,r 10 is generally co...~ ed of a hollow body 12 having a handle portion 14 and a tip 16, a trigger 18, an a~;lu~';on, or on/offbutton 20, and one or more ~nmmri~tQrs 22. Body 12 may be constructed of any durable ~ ;QI, p.~f~,- Lly an e a~i~rt ~ h~g polyrner such as20 acrylonitrile but~ ne styrene (ABS), polyca,l onale, or acetal, ~Ithsugh it could be a die cast, ~ nl e~, or ~ metal such as ~IIlmimlm As further seen in Figure 3, body 12 is co~ ed of a top case portion 24, a bottom case portion 26, a rol~ald portion or fairing 28 and a wire guide plate 30 A removable cover 32 is also provided to allow l~r~~ ,P-mpnt of a battery 34 Fiber idPnfifipr 10 may be connP~ed to an2~ external power supply, but it is of course adv~nt~E~Pous to provide a battery within a co---pa-l---e--L inside body 12 Top and bottom portions 24 and 26, fairing 28 and wire guide 30 may be ~tt~rhpd by any cG..~en.c..~ means, inrlur~ the use of rnerh~n fasteners, adhesives, or sonic welding Wire guide 30 has a ridge 36 along its underside forming an internal channel which accomml~d~tçs clccL.ical wiring within 30 body 12 Rubber strips 38 and 40 are provided for manual gripping of handle 14, and a trigger grip 42 may be f~tPnPd over the end of trigger 18 A label 44 may be used to provide written i,~....alion for each ~nn-ln~ tor 22. The fimcti~n of ~nn~lnri~tQrs 22 is c,~ylail~ed further below. ~Ithnugh the size of body 12 may vary greatly, it slt~ould be small enough to be held ~one hand, and the p- ere - ed embodiment is about 22.5 cm long, 3.0 cm wide and 6.0 cm high.
Fairing 28 has a slot 46 for receiving a portion of the fiber under test, slot 46 being tapered toward an optical detec~or S0. The fo. w~.l end of tip 16 is plerelably tapered to f~ it~te separation of optical fibers ~ ced in a bundle so that a single one may be p~ ionRd in slot 46. In this manner, a fiber may be i~ All~d in id~ntifiRr 10 ulsing one hand, by simply scooping the fiber into the slot. The ~0 slot 8eo~ r dictates that fibers of all sizes are aligned with the vertical center of the detector sensing area. This is ~ccol-~p~ ed by h~coll o.~ g a V-shaped ramp or groove ~l.e., the taper ofthe slot) that drives the fibers toward the apex ofthe V-~roove as trigger 18 is l~,leascd.
Wlth further l.,rt;l~" ce to Figures 4 and 5, the interior r~,alul~,s of fiber lS id-ontifi~r 10 are ~ 1 particularly those of the head ass_.--bl~r 48 which clips onto the fiber and C~/1.ul~,S the ~r; ~8 light, if any, at the l~ g fiber bend. Detector block S0 and, ~ g piston S2 define a precise ~ y of the fiber bend. A
precise bend radius on the piston surface is r~luirtd to CO(~OIlll the fiber to the bend ~PO~..- 1. ~ and to o~ bend loss. In this embodiment, dual piston surfaces 54 and 20 56 are provided on a single ~ -drel S8 whiclh, together with a ~--and-~l shaft 60, form piston S2. One of the surfaces (54) is oplill~i~ed for 250 ,um fiber and another (56) is op~ d for 900 ~lm fiber but, the 900 ~m piston surface may also be used for 3 mm fiber. Due to cost conc~ lions and pelr~ l.ànce r~q~lh.,l..e..L~ only two pistonsllrf~cee are provided in this embodiment, but those skilled in the art will apprc~,;ate 2s that the presel~t invention further cor.l~ ...p!~tçs a piston having three or more piston surfaces for o~her fiber sizes. The inventors have also constructed a piston having three lllandlt;l sllrf~c~e for 250 ~lm, 900 ~lm and 3 mm fibers. In that rml~odimtont (not shown), when. the instrument detects no signal in a 250 ~lm using the 250 ~lm piston surface, and if the Cl ~ oll intends on cutting such an a~ ly "dead" fiber, it is 30 wise to first ciheck the fiber also on the 900 ~m piston surface. This bends the fiber at a sharper angle to increase sensitivity, and may cause line ;-~Le~ulJIion, but this is pltire,. ~d to the ~cci~e .~ ~l cutting of a line thought to be dead.
MandreI ~8 is pl t;Çe.ably constructed of a metallic material such as brass, and the three (or two) opposite sides are p.t;c;sely ...~ d to form sepa aLe, s op~ lu--- bend geom~..lies. A three surface mandrel ~ .r~lably has one piston surface with a 5 mm radius of curvature and an 11~ .nall.llel angle for the 250 ~m fiber, another piston surface with a 3 mm radius of curvature and a 11~ n-~.d,d angle for the 900 ~n fiber, and a third piston surface with a 2 mm radius of ~;UI valU~e and a 25~
~l-andl~,l angle for the 3 mm fiber. It will be app.c~.;aled that these p~-.~ were 10 o~ ,~ed for a p li.,ul~r type of fiber (Siecor/Corning SMF-28), and might change if ol Li..~cd for other fibers. The typical range of radu is 2 mm - 6 mm, with a ~-land-el angle in the range of 6~-25~.
Piston 52 pivots in a yoke 62 about shaft 60 and is kept in place using a locking spring 64 and detent ball 66. Shaft 60 has p..,c;scly ".zrl~in~d holes or sockets lS for ~~c~i;ving ball 66 to ensure that the r~s~e~ e piston surf~Ps are repe-~Ahl~
pGs;l;~nPd in the op~ lll po ,;lion. A knob on the top ofthe piston is provided with a slot 68, to allow the user to change the piston o~ ;ol~ using a normal ;~c~ . dl;~er, small coin or any similar ~ ~ ' Fairing 28 has a hole 70 therein allowing direct access to shaft 60 and slot 68, so that the L.~.u...~.-l may be ch~n~ed for use with a 20 .li~e~ t fiber type without d;~ g body 12 or head as;ie.--bly 48. The top of mandrel shaft 60 is marked with a small dot 72 inrlic~ting the side for small (250 ~m) fiber, and a bigger dot 74 i...l;"~ g the side for bigger (900 ~lm or 3 mm) fibers.
Alternatively, an arrow or similar pointer may be formed or printed on the top of mandrel shaft 60 (see Figure 6) and indicia provided on the outer surface of fairing 28 2s to indicate the proper position of the shaft, for e,.a-ll~le, by having three dots printed on fairing 28 at di~t;l~nL locations around hole 70 with the ~so~ ed ll.~ )C~ "250,"
"900" and "3" plinted ~dj~nt ea~h dot.
Mandrel yoke 62, which is f~ct~n~d to trigger 18 by means of, e.g., screws 76, is also mnunted on a bearing assembly 78 which allows yoke 62 to slide 30 toward and away from detector ~0. Bearing assembly 78 inrl~ldes a sliding carriage member 80 which is directly f~tened to yoke 62 by, e.g., screws 82, and a base 84 CA 0222675l l998-0l-l3 which is f~ctened to a frame support 86 by, e.g., screws 88. Frame support 86 is in turn ~tt~çll~d to top and bottom case portions 24 and 26 and body 12. The use ofbearing ~Csptnhly 78 provides for accurate ~ nm~nt of piston 52 with detector 50 and UI~ S the repç~t~hility of l..eas.~ ..lD made with id~ntifiP- 10.
S As m~ntione~d above, it is illlpOl ~ to limit the amount of force applied to the fiber when held ~,L~.~,en piston 52 and detector 50. In the present Ul~e.ll.on, means are provided for carefuUy re~ tinp the p~ e on the fiber. Mandrel yoke 62 has a hole or bore 90 aligned with the sliding axis of bearing ass~ / 78, and a precision sprillg 92 is located therein. A spacer 94 abuts a waU on support frame 8C at lo one end and tine other end backs up spring 92. Since trigger 18 acts only to retract or open head ass_.,.bly 48, the force applied by piston S2 is d_t~,."""ed solely by spring 92, thus providing a precise, lep~ le load on the fiber. In the pl~61l_d ho~ the ~p,u~ e spring pl~ D~Il't iS about 7.1 N (1.6 Ibs). This cor~D~ .iliol~ o~e.col-,es the disa~lv~ es noted with respect to prior art fiberlS idc~ , and provides l~& ~le, non-;"L"~ _ bend losses within indù;,l-y spe~ ;onc (less than or equal to 2 dB) for all fiber sizes (~ ougl~ with some colored fibers bend loss eYree~C 2dB ~pc~ on the .n ~ u~ ~,.), with o~Li",u", sensitivity for each fiber type. The device is co"~ , made smaU enough for hand-held use, may be coh~ cd at a r~laLi~,ely low cost and, with battery 34, is CQt~. tt ely self-co"l~,ed.
The o, ;~ ;on of piston 52 can or~y be ~ ngcrl i.e., to accommod~te another fiber size, when head a~_.,.bly 48 is in the open position, due to the location of hole 70 in fairing 28. The user must retract trigger 18 to locate slot 68 in hole 70 so that piston may be rotated. This pr~v~i.,ls damage to the piston surf~ces or detector 2s 50, as weU as pl_~ til-g damage to any fiber which may be held by identifier 10 in its relaxed state. Fiber id~ntifier 10 is shown in the relaxed, closed position in Figures 1-2 and 4-~.
One additional element seen in Figure 3 is the printed circuit board (PCB) 96 which aU~pOIlS the ele~l.uluc s~lb~ccemhly for fiber id~ntifiP!r 10.
30 ~n,nri~Q. ~ :22 (e.g., light-~ lP diodes) are suppo. Led by PCB 96, as is on/off button 20. Detector 50, the associated ele~ onics, and ~n-- ~ ol~ 22 are similar to the corresponding CGIllpOllell~S desc-il)ed in U.S. Patent No. 5,138,690, but those components are generally c,~l.aneous to the primary aspect ofthe present hlvelllion which .elates instead .o the precise and lepcalable poisitioni~ of ml-ltiple piston sllrt--ces against a detectQr, to improve use on .lirrelt;--L sizes of fibers. One s improvement has, nevertheless, been made to the detector system. As in the '690 patent, two PIN diodes (not shown) are mounted so as to receive light leaking from either direction out of the fiber. Del,e..dillg on the direction of travel of the light signal, one ofthe PIN diodes will collect more light than the other. The ele_L.~ -circuit built into the case (and powered by a single 9 volt alkaline battery), co-.~ ~. ls 10 and measures both d~te~lu~'s current and co-..p~.,s it. Comparison i...li~ s the direction oftravel. Detector 50 p-t;re-~bly utilizes re~ rly-shaped photodiodes to ...-,.;...;~- the surface area for collecting light and i..,l,,u~ repeatability of meas~ re...~ s, such diodes are available from C~ ~ m Power Devices of Andover, 1~9c~"~ (2.5 mm x 3 mm dual detector ass_.,-l,ly). Other morlifi~Atil~nc can be lS h.co.l.o.~lcd into the present i..~ ~,.-lion, such as the actuation d~ , of the '690 patent, or the sensors used to check the position of the piston as is also desc, ;l,ed in that patent.
An fld~lition-l improvement in the design of fiber irlPntifiPr 10 relates to leakage of ambient light into head assembly 48 during signal Illcaa.ll .,-"~ . Two 20 (opaque) foam pieces are provided on each side of detector 50 and piston 52, to ,Li~,ly shield against a ' --nt light le~k_ge The foam strips 98 used on the piston side, att~-~ hPd to the rO. wald end of yoke 62, are softer than the- foam strips 100 used on detector side. When a fiber is inct~ lled in head assembly 48, foam strips 100 cG.,ru...l around the fiber. This arr-ngPrnPnt leaves small gaps around the fiber 25 through which ambient light leakage is still possible. Foam pieces 98 are m~lmtPd in such a way (on the outside of foam pieces 100) that they cover the int~rf~ce gaps to stop the ambient light le k ge. This two-layer c~!, s~ive foam structure provides a unique, simple and effective ambient light shield for the device.
The ease of use of fiber idPntifiçr 10 virtually ~ training 30 re~lu"~"-~ nLs First, the piston surface is sPlected by retracting trigger 18 to expose -slot 46 and Lotalillg .na..d.el shaft 60 to the desired setting, intliç~ted by one ofthe dots 72, 74, and plùl~clly aligned when detent ball 66 snaps into place in the ~;oll~ olld-llg CollCa~iLy on ~--and-~l shaft 60 Trigger 18 is again lcLla~iLed to open head ass_.,.bly 48 so that the fiber to be tested can be placed in slot 46 The fiber s should lie flat in slot 46 at the bottom on both sides oftip 16 No special ~ is lc~uiled for d,i~ere.l1 fiber sizes A~er ~ nn~nt of the fiber in slot 46, trigger 18 is released to close head asse."l,ly 48, i.,.ps. ling a precise bend to the fiber Spring 92 provides co~ .t p.~ on the fiber, offering a l~,p ~ ~able and il--lJ-u~d bend loss pf .ru..--ance If a signal is present, the device displays the same by ene.~.g one of o the Al~ r ~lU~ :~ 22, and further ;~ c ~lf s thle signal's dil~ ion of travel The device can also inr~ te other ch~ch~islics of the signal, for; , 1~, wLeLher it is a test signal that has been injected into the fiber at a remote loc~ti- n A~er testing is completed, trigger 18 is retracted, op~f...~, head as~_...l,ly 48, and the fiber is l~.-.o~_d Foarn pieces having slightly more complil~-nted shapes are shown in lS Figure 6 In that ~al;aLion, the foam strips 98' ~ to either side of yoke 62 have cutouts 102 which cradle the fiber when it is placed in slot 46 When head ass~ ly 48 is in the relaxed, closed pos:Lioll, cutouts 102 also ;,.ll.oul.d the convex fo. v~a~l ends of foam strips 100' which are ~ttr - ' ~ d to either side of dctev1or 50 These mating surfaces are even more effective at blocking out light which might otherwise 20 enter head asseml~ly 48 where the fiber enters slot 46 Foam strips 98' are plef~ bly a silicone foam, and are softer than foam strips 100' which are p-~,f~ bly an open-cell, l.ane foam The use of a soft foam to co..rullll around harder foam permits the use of a smaller co...pr-,;...;on spring 92 which extends the life of bearing a~.s_...bly 78 and places less load on the user's trigger finger 2S ~ lth~lgh the invention has been des~.;bed with le~.~. ce to specific embodim~onts~ this description is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense Various m~.-lifi~tiQnc ofthe ~licçlosed embodiment, as well as all~,.-.a~ , embodim~ntc ofthe invention, will become appare.-L to persons skilled in the art upon l~f,_.~nce to the description ofthe ;..~,~,.-Lion It is therefore conL~.--plated that such motlific~tionc can 30 be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims
Claims (20)
1. A device for detecting the presence of an optical signal in an optical fiber, the device comprising:
a body having a slot for receiving the optical fiber;
means located within said body, proximate said slot, for detecting an optical signal;
piston means located within said body for forcibly urging a portion of the optical fiber against said detecting means, said piston means having at least two piston surfaces, a first one of said piston surfaces defining a first precision bend geometry associated with a first fiber diameter, and a second one of said pistonsurfaces defining a second precision bend geometry associated with a second fiber diameter; and means for selecting one of said first and second piston surfaces to urge the portion of the optical fiber against said detecting means.
a body having a slot for receiving the optical fiber;
means located within said body, proximate said slot, for detecting an optical signal;
piston means located within said body for forcibly urging a portion of the optical fiber against said detecting means, said piston means having at least two piston surfaces, a first one of said piston surfaces defining a first precision bend geometry associated with a first fiber diameter, and a second one of said pistonsurfaces defining a second precision bend geometry associated with a second fiber diameter; and means for selecting one of said first and second piston surfaces to urge the portion of the optical fiber against said detecting means.
2. The device of Claim 1 wherein:
said piston means includes a single mandrel member having at least two surfaces, one of said surfaces being said first piston surface and the other of said surfaces being said second piston surface; and said selecting means allows said mandrel member to move between a first orientation wherein said first piston surface faces toward said detecting means, and a second orientation wherein said second piston surface faces toward said detecting means.
said piston means includes a single mandrel member having at least two surfaces, one of said surfaces being said first piston surface and the other of said surfaces being said second piston surface; and said selecting means allows said mandrel member to move between a first orientation wherein said first piston surface faces toward said detecting means, and a second orientation wherein said second piston surface faces toward said detecting means.
3. The device of Claim 1 wherein:
said detecting means includes a detector block having a first strip of opaque, compressible material attached to a first side of said detector block proximate a first end of said slot, and a second strip of opaque, compressible material attached to a second side of said detector block proximate a second end of said slot; and said piston means has a third strip of opaque, compressible material attached thereto at a first side of said piston means, said third strip having a forward end and a cutout at said forward end, and positioned such that said cutout abuts said first strip on said detector block when said piston means is urging the fiber against said detector block, and said piston means further has a fourth strip of opaque, compressible material attached thereto at a second side of said piston means, said fourth strip having a forward end and a cutout at said forward end, and positioned such that said cutout abuts said second strip on said detector block when said piston means is urging the fiber against said detector block.
said detecting means includes a detector block having a first strip of opaque, compressible material attached to a first side of said detector block proximate a first end of said slot, and a second strip of opaque, compressible material attached to a second side of said detector block proximate a second end of said slot; and said piston means has a third strip of opaque, compressible material attached thereto at a first side of said piston means, said third strip having a forward end and a cutout at said forward end, and positioned such that said cutout abuts said first strip on said detector block when said piston means is urging the fiber against said detector block, and said piston means further has a fourth strip of opaque, compressible material attached thereto at a second side of said piston means, said fourth strip having a forward end and a cutout at said forward end, and positioned such that said cutout abuts said second strip on said detector block when said piston means is urging the fiber against said detector block.
4. The device of Claim 1 wherein said slot is tapered toward said detecting means such that the optical fiber is aligned with the vertical center of said detecting means regardless of the size of the optical fiber.
5. The device of Claim 1 wherein said piston means includes means for applying a predetermined pressure against the fiber.
6. The device of Claim 1 further comprising means for visually indicating which of said first and second piston surfaces has been selected.
7. The device of Claim 1 wherein said selecting means allows either of said first and second piston surfaces to be selected without disassembling the device.
8. The device of Claim 1 wherein said selecting means allows said mandrel member to move between said first and second orientations only when saidpiston means is in a retracted position away from said detecting means.
9. The device of Claim 2 wherein said mandrel member includes detent means for releasably securing said mandrel member in said first and second orientations.
10. The device of Claim 2 wherein:
said mandrel member has a shaft whose axis extends between said first and second piston surfaces; and said selecting means allows rotation of said mandrel member about said shaft axis to place said mandrel member in said first and second orientations.
said mandrel member has a shaft whose axis extends between said first and second piston surfaces; and said selecting means allows rotation of said mandrel member about said shaft axis to place said mandrel member in said first and second orientations.
11. The device of Claim 2 wherein:
said mandrel member is mounted in a yoke;
said yoke is mounted on a carriage member; and said carriage member is slidably mounted in said body such that said mandrel member may be moved toward and away from said detecting means.
said mandrel member is mounted in a yoke;
said yoke is mounted on a carriage member; and said carriage member is slidably mounted in said body such that said mandrel member may be moved toward and away from said detecting means.
12. The device of Claim 2 wherein said piston means includes means for applying a predetermined pressure against said fiber.
13. The device of Claim 3 wherein said first, second, third and fourth strips are constructed of foam materials; and said third and fourth foam strips are softer than said first and second foam strips.
14. The device of Claim 10 wherein said mandrel member includes detent means for releasably securing said mandrel member in said first and second orientations.
15. An instrument for detecting optical signals in optical fibers of various diameters, the instrument comprising:
a body having a forward tip, and a slot in said tip for receiving the optical fiber;
a detector block located within said forward tip of said body, proximate said slot, said detector block having means for detecting an optical signal;
a piston located within said forward tip of said body for forcibly urging a portion of the optical fiber against said detector block said piston being movable between open and closed positions, and having at least two piston surfaces, a first one of said piston surfaces defining a first precision bend geometry adapted to urge a fiber of a first diameter against said detector block, and a second one of said piston surfaces defining a second precision bend geometry adapted to urge a fiber of a second diameter against said detector block;
means biasing said piston toward said closed position; and means for selecting one of said first and second piston surfaces to urge the portion of the optical fiber against said detector block.
a body having a forward tip, and a slot in said tip for receiving the optical fiber;
a detector block located within said forward tip of said body, proximate said slot, said detector block having means for detecting an optical signal;
a piston located within said forward tip of said body for forcibly urging a portion of the optical fiber against said detector block said piston being movable between open and closed positions, and having at least two piston surfaces, a first one of said piston surfaces defining a first precision bend geometry adapted to urge a fiber of a first diameter against said detector block, and a second one of said piston surfaces defining a second precision bend geometry adapted to urge a fiber of a second diameter against said detector block;
means biasing said piston toward said closed position; and means for selecting one of said first and second piston surfaces to urge the portion of the optical fiber against said detector block.
16. The device of Claim 15 wherein said biasing means includes means for applying said piston at a predetermined pressure against the fiber.
17. The device of Claim 16 wherein:
said piston includes a single mandrel having at least two surfaces, one of said surfaces being said first piston surface and the other of said surfaces being said second piston surface; and said selecting means allows said mandrel to move between a first orientation wherein said first piston surface faces toward said detector block, and a second orientation wherein said second piston surface faces toward said detectorblock.
said piston includes a single mandrel having at least two surfaces, one of said surfaces being said first piston surface and the other of said surfaces being said second piston surface; and said selecting means allows said mandrel to move between a first orientation wherein said first piston surface faces toward said detector block, and a second orientation wherein said second piston surface faces toward said detectorblock.
18. The device of Claim 17 wherein:
said selecting means allows said mandrel member to move between said first and second orientations only when said piston is in a retracted position away from said detector block; and said mandrel includes detent means for releasably securing said mandrel in said first and second orientations, and further comprising means for visuallyindicating which of said first and second piston surfaces has been selected.
said selecting means allows said mandrel member to move between said first and second orientations only when said piston is in a retracted position away from said detector block; and said mandrel includes detent means for releasably securing said mandrel in said first and second orientations, and further comprising means for visuallyindicating which of said first and second piston surfaces has been selected.
19. The device of Claim 18 wherein:
said detector block has a first strip of opaque, compressible foam attached to a first side of said detector block proximate a first end of said slot, and a second strip of opaque, compressible foam attached to a second side of said detector block proximate a second end of said slot;
said piston has a third strip of opaque, compressible foam attached thereto at a first side of said piston, said third strip having a forward end and a cutout at said forward end, and positioned such that said cutout abuts said first strip on said detector block when said piston is urging the fiber against said detector block and said piston further has a fourth strip of opaque, compressible foam attached thereto at a second side of said piston, said fourth strip having a forward end and a cutout at said forward end, and positioned such that said cutout abuts said second strip on said detector block when said piston is urging the fiber against said detector block and said third and fourth foam strips are softer than said first and second foam strips.
said detector block has a first strip of opaque, compressible foam attached to a first side of said detector block proximate a first end of said slot, and a second strip of opaque, compressible foam attached to a second side of said detector block proximate a second end of said slot;
said piston has a third strip of opaque, compressible foam attached thereto at a first side of said piston, said third strip having a forward end and a cutout at said forward end, and positioned such that said cutout abuts said first strip on said detector block when said piston is urging the fiber against said detector block and said piston further has a fourth strip of opaque, compressible foam attached thereto at a second side of said piston, said fourth strip having a forward end and a cutout at said forward end, and positioned such that said cutout abuts said second strip on said detector block when said piston is urging the fiber against said detector block and said third and fourth foam strips are softer than said first and second foam strips.
20. A multiple-size optical fiber identifier comprising:
a body having a handle portion and a tip portion, and a slot in said tip portion for receiving an optical fiber;
a detector block located within said tip portion of said body, proximate said slot, said detector block having means for detecting an optical signal;
a piston located within said tip portion of said body, said piston being movable between open and closed positions and including a single mandrel having at least two piston surfaces, a first one of said piston surfaces defining a first precision bend geometry adapted to urge a fiber of a first diameter against said detector block, and a second one of said piston surfaces defining a second precision bend geometry adapted to urge a fiber of a second diameter against said detector block;
means biasing said piston toward said closed position, said biasing means including means for applying said piston at a predetermined pressure against the fiber;
means for selecting one of said first and second piston surfaces to urge the portion of the optical fiber against said detector block, said selecting means allowing said mandrel to move between a first orientation wherein said first piston surface faces toward said detector block, and a second orientation wherein said second piston surface faces toward said detector block, but allowing said mandrel to move between said first and second orientation only when said piston is in a retracted position away from said detector block;
detent means for releasably securing said mandrel in said first and second orientations; and means for visually indicating which of said first and second piston surfaces has been selected.
a body having a handle portion and a tip portion, and a slot in said tip portion for receiving an optical fiber;
a detector block located within said tip portion of said body, proximate said slot, said detector block having means for detecting an optical signal;
a piston located within said tip portion of said body, said piston being movable between open and closed positions and including a single mandrel having at least two piston surfaces, a first one of said piston surfaces defining a first precision bend geometry adapted to urge a fiber of a first diameter against said detector block, and a second one of said piston surfaces defining a second precision bend geometry adapted to urge a fiber of a second diameter against said detector block;
means biasing said piston toward said closed position, said biasing means including means for applying said piston at a predetermined pressure against the fiber;
means for selecting one of said first and second piston surfaces to urge the portion of the optical fiber against said detector block, said selecting means allowing said mandrel to move between a first orientation wherein said first piston surface faces toward said detector block, and a second orientation wherein said second piston surface faces toward said detector block, but allowing said mandrel to move between said first and second orientation only when said piston is in a retracted position away from said detector block;
detent means for releasably securing said mandrel in said first and second orientations; and means for visually indicating which of said first and second piston surfaces has been selected.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US08/485,475 | 1995-07-10 | ||
| US08/485,475 US5519795A (en) | 1995-07-10 | 1995-07-10 | Multiple-size optical fiber identifier |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2226751A1 true CA2226751A1 (en) | 1997-01-30 |
Family
ID=23928320
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002226751A Abandoned CA2226751A1 (en) | 1995-07-10 | 1996-06-18 | Multiple-size optical fiber identifier |
Country Status (9)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US5519795A (en) |
| EP (1) | EP0838023B1 (en) |
| CN (1) | CN1128993C (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2226751A1 (en) |
| DE (1) | DE69611094T2 (en) |
| DK (1) | DK0838023T3 (en) |
| ES (1) | ES2153111T3 (en) |
| TW (1) | TW287241B (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1997003344A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (14)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5742715A (en) * | 1995-12-21 | 1998-04-21 | Lucent Technologies Inc. | Optical fiber status analyzer and related methods |
| CN101336384B (en) * | 2006-01-31 | 2011-01-12 | 皮雷利&C.有限公司 | Method and apparatus for optical fiber connection |
| US8731341B2 (en) * | 2006-11-17 | 2014-05-20 | Afl Telecommunications Llc | Signal identifying apparatus for an optical fiber |
| CN101411098A (en) * | 2006-11-17 | 2009-04-15 | Afl电信公司 | Signal identifying apparatus for an optical fiber |
| EP2153204A4 (en) * | 2007-06-07 | 2016-06-15 | Afl Telecommunications Llc | Method for detecting fiber optic fibers and ribbons |
| JP5399050B2 (en) * | 2008-11-17 | 2014-01-29 | 株式会社フジクラ | Optical fiber bending receiver |
| US8729459B2 (en) | 2010-03-25 | 2014-05-20 | Conolog Corporation | Apparatus and method for detecting optical energy in an optical fiber |
| CN102538981B (en) * | 2012-02-10 | 2013-11-13 | 敦南科技（无锡）有限公司 | Photoelectric detector |
| TWI565986B (en) * | 2012-11-13 | 2017-01-11 | 鴻海精密工業股份有限公司 | Optical fiber fixing device |
| US9109978B2 (en) * | 2013-04-12 | 2015-08-18 | Ofs Fitel, Llc | Light cover or hood for live optical fiber identifier tool |
| USD856280S1 (en) * | 2017-05-25 | 2019-08-13 | Panduit Corp. | Termination tool |
| USD846414S1 (en) * | 2017-06-28 | 2019-04-23 | Panduit Corp. | Fiber connector termination tool |
| US11047766B2 (en) | 2018-04-11 | 2021-06-29 | Afl Telecommunications Llc | Systems and methods for identification and testing of optical fibers |
| CN110967164B (en) * | 2018-09-28 | 2021-07-20 | 梅州达士通精密工业有限公司 | Network cable fault detection and analysis device |
Family Cites Families (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4586783A (en) * | 1983-05-23 | 1986-05-06 | Raychem Corporation | Signal coupler for buffered optical fibers |
| CA1234897A (en) * | 1985-09-23 | 1988-04-05 | Northern Telecom Limited | Test instrument |
| CA1312757C (en) * | 1989-09-27 | 1993-01-19 | Shawn Joseph Morrison | Optical fiber coupling device and method for its use |
| GB8928825D0 (en) * | 1989-12-21 | 1990-02-28 | Bicc Plc | Optical fibre monitoring |
| US5138690A (en) * | 1990-09-28 | 1992-08-11 | Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company | Fiber identifier |
-
1995
- 1995-07-10 US US08/485,475 patent/US5519795A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1995-07-31 TW TW084107909A patent/TW287241B/en active
-
1996
- 1996-06-18 WO PCT/US1996/010360 patent/WO1997003344A1/en not_active Ceased
- 1996-06-18 CN CN96195377A patent/CN1128993C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1996-06-18 DK DK96919434T patent/DK0838023T3/en active
- 1996-06-18 ES ES96919434T patent/ES2153111T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1996-06-18 EP EP96919434A patent/EP0838023B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1996-06-18 CA CA002226751A patent/CA2226751A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1996-06-18 DE DE69611094T patent/DE69611094T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CN1128993C (en) | 2003-11-26 |
| DE69611094T2 (en) | 2001-07-19 |
| DK0838023T3 (en) | 2001-01-29 |
| ES2153111T3 (en) | 2001-02-16 |
| WO1997003344A1 (en) | 1997-01-30 |
| US5519795A (en) | 1996-05-21 |
| TW287241B (en) | 1996-10-01 |
| EP0838023A1 (en) | 1998-04-29 |
| EP0838023B1 (en) | 2000-11-29 |
| DE69611094D1 (en) | 2001-01-04 |
| CN1190463A (en) | 1998-08-12 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| FZDE | Discontinued |