EP2643723A1 - Lames à support intégré pour cliver des fibres optiques, et outils de clivage et procédés associés - Google Patents

Lames à support intégré pour cliver des fibres optiques, et outils de clivage et procédés associés

Info

Publication number
EP2643723A1
EP2643723A1 EP11793927.2A EP11793927A EP2643723A1 EP 2643723 A1 EP2643723 A1 EP 2643723A1 EP 11793927 A EP11793927 A EP 11793927A EP 2643723 A1 EP2643723 A1 EP 2643723A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
blade
optical fiber
cleaving
carrier body
end portion
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP11793927.2A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Todd C Henke
Michael A Juneau
Joshua D Raker
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Corning Research and Development Corp
Original Assignee
Corning Optical Communications LLC
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US13/115,228 external-priority patent/US20120125167A1/en
Application filed by Corning Optical Communications LLC filed Critical Corning Optical Communications LLC
Publication of EP2643723A1 publication Critical patent/EP2643723A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

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
    • G02B6/25—Preparing the ends of light guides for coupling, e.g. cutting

Definitions

  • the technology of the disclosure relates to cleavers and methods of cleaving optical fibers to provide an end face on the optical fibers for fiber optic termination preparations.
  • Optical fibers can be used to transmit or process light in a variety of applications. Benefits of optical fiber include extremely wide bandwidth and low noise operation. Because of these advantages, optical fiber is increasingly being used for a variety of applications, including but not limited to broadband voice, video, and data transmission. Fiber optic networks employing optical fiber are being developed and used to deliver voice, video, and data transmissions to subscribers over both private and public networks. These fiber optic networks often include separated connection points linking optical fibers to provide "live fiber" from one connection point to another connection point. In this regard, fiber optic equipment is located in data distribution centers or central offices to support interconnections.
  • Optical communication networks involve termination preparations to establish connections between disparate optical fibers.
  • optical fibers can be spliced together to establish an optical connection.
  • Optical fibers can also be connectorized with fiber optic connectors that can be plugged together to establish an optical connection.
  • the technician cleaves the optical fiber to prepare an end face on the optical fiber.
  • the technician may employ a cleaver that includes a blade to score, scribe, or otherwise induce a flaw in the glass of the optical fiber. Inducing a flaw in the glass of an optical fiber precedes breaking the glass at the flaw to produce an end face.
  • the blade may either by pressed into the glass or swiped across the glass to induce the flaw.
  • the end face can then either be spliced to another optical fiber or connectorized with a fiber optic connector to establish an optical connection.
  • Blades for cleaving optical fibers typically employ a hardened material(s), such as diamond, sapphire, ruby, ceramics, steel, and carbide as examples, disposed on an outer surface of the blade to induce a flaw in an optical fiber.
  • Cleaving apparatuses referred to as cleavers, are employed to support the blades for cleaving optical fibers.
  • the cleavers typically include an optical fiber support to hold an optical fiber in place.
  • a movable member in the cleaver that holds the blade can then be actuated to place the blade in contact with an optical fiber to induce a flaw in the optical fiber.
  • the cleaver blade needs to include an extremely sharp edge to minimize the size of the flaw induced in the glass to reduce the risk of damaging the core of the optical fiber to provide efficient light transfer. Otherwise, a larger flaw may be induced in the core thus creating a poor end face for efficient optical light transfer.
  • the blade As the blade is repeatedly used for cleaving, the blade must either be disposed or sharpened if the blade is made from a material that can be sharpened. Blades made from a material that can be sharpened are typically expensive. Also, maintenance must be provided to keep the blade sufficiently sharp after repeated use, or run the risk of inducing larger flaws in an optical fiber.
  • Embodiments disclosed in the detailed description include imbedded carrier blades for cleaving optical fibers and related cleavers and methods.
  • the blade includes a carrier body that defines a blade edge. At least one cleaving material is imbedded into at least a portion of the carrier body. The at least one cleaving material is additionally exposed on at least a portion of the blade edge to induce a flaw in a portion of an optical fiber contacted by the blade edge. The portion of the optical fiber can be broken about the induced flaw to create an end face for fiber optic termination preparations. Cleaving the optical fiber prepares an end face on the optical fiber to prepare fiber optic terminations, including in the field.
  • the imbedded carrier blade can be disposed in a cleaver to cleave an optical fiber. Methods of cleaving an optical fiber using an imbedded carrier blade are also provided.
  • the imbedded carrier blade may be produced from a carrier loaded with a hardened material(s) to induce a flaw in an optical fiber.
  • the hardened material(s) may be a hardened mineral(s) imbedded into a carrier to provide a mineral-loaded carrier as the blade.
  • the mineral imbedded within the carrier may continue to be exposed on the blade edge, thereby keeping the blade edge viable for inducing a flaw in a portion of an optical fiber. In this manner, the cost of the blade may be reduced by avoiding the need for sharpening.
  • the imbedded carrier blade may also employ a carrier material(s) sufficiently inexpensive to allow the carrier blade to be disposable.
  • a method of cleaving an optical fiber with an imbedded carrier blade comprises providing an optical fiber and at least one cleaving material with at least one blade edge.
  • the method also comprises creating a flaw in a portion of the optical fiber.
  • the flaw is created in the portion of the optical fiber by contacting the portion of the optical fiber with the at least one cleaving material.
  • the at least one cleaving material is exposed on at least a portion of a blade edge defined in a carrier body defining the blade edge with the at least one cleaving material imbedded into at least a portion of the carrier body to form a blade.
  • the method also comprises breaking the optical fiber at the flaw to create a cleaved end face in the portion of the optical fiber.
  • a method of manufacturing a blade for cleaving an optical fiber comprises providing a carrier material.
  • the method also comprises mixing at least one cleaving material with the carrier material to provide a mixed material with the at least one cleaving material imbedded into the carrier material.
  • the method also comprises molding at least one blade edge section from the mixed material within a mold having at least one carrier body with the least one cleaving material imbedded in at least a portion of the at least one carrier body, wherein the mold defines the blade edge section with the at least one cleaving material exposed on least a portion of the blade edge section.
  • FIG. 1 is an exemplary imbedded carrier blade employing a straight blade edge section and an exemplary method for cleaving an optical fiber by creating a flaw in a portion of the optical fiber using the imbedded carrier blade;
  • FIG. 2 is an exemplary end face of the optical fiber of FIG. 1 after being cleaved using an exemplary imbedded carrier blade;
  • FIG. 3 is an exemplary imbedded carrier blade employing an arcuate blade edge section and an exemplary method for cleaving an optical fiber by creating a flaw in a portion of the optical fiber using the imbedded carrier blade;
  • FIG. 4A is a camera image of an end face of a cleaved optical fiber cleaved using an imbedded carrier blade to illustrate an exemplary quality of the surface of the end face;
  • FIG. 4B is an image of an interference pattern of interference generated by an interferometer captured at the focal plane of an imaging device from the end face of the cleaved optical fiber in FIG. 4A to illustrate an exemplary quality of the surface of the end face;
  • FIG. 4C is a surface topography map of the end face of the cleaved optical fiber in FIG. 4A to illustrate an exemplary quality of the surface of the end face;
  • FIG. 4D is a perspective view of the end face of the cleaved optical fiber in FIG. 4A to illustrate an exemplary quality of the surface of the end face;
  • FIG. 5A is a right perspective view of an exemplary cleaver and showing internal components of the cleaver configured to actuate a supported blade, including but not limited to an imbedded carrier blade, in an at least partially arcuate cleaving path to cleave an optical fiber disposed in an optical fiber path in the cleaver;
  • FIG. 5B is a left perspective view of the exemplary cleaver in FIG. 5A;
  • FIG. 5C is an exploded view of the cleaver in FIG. 5A;
  • FIG. 5D is a front view of an exemplary cleaver in FIG. 5A and showing internal components of the cleaver;
  • FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of a body of the cleaver in FIGS. 5A-5D;
  • FIGS. 7A-7C are right perspective, front, and top views, respectively, of a cleaving stage platform attached to a left-side end cap and disposed inside the cleaver body in the cleaver in FIGS. 5A-5D to support an end portion of an optical fiber to be cleaved;
  • FIGS. 8A and 8B are right and left perspective views, respectively, of a right-side end cap disposed inside the cleaver body in the cleaver in FIGS. 5A-5D to support the cleaving stage platform and provide a fiber receiver to receive and dispose an end portion of an optical fiber in an optical fiber path in the cleaving stage platform for cleaving;
  • FIG. 9A is a left side perspective view of the cleaver in FIGS. 5A-5D with an end portion of an optical fiber disposed in the cleaver body and disposed in the optical fiber path in the cleaver to be cleaved;
  • FIG. 9B is a side close-up view of the cleaver in FIGS. 5A-5D with an actuator actuated to move the blade edge of the blade in an at least partially arcuate cleaving path across a cleaving channel in the cleaver and in contact with the end portion of the optical fiber disposed in the optical fiber path of the cleaver;
  • FIG. 10 is a right perspective view of fiber clamp mechanism of the cleaver in FIGS. 5A-5D;
  • FIG. 11A is a right side view of the cleaver in FIGS. 5A-5D with the left-side end cap removed to show the position of the blade when the actuator is not actuated;
  • FIG. 11B is a right side view of the cleaver in FIGS. 5A-5D with the actuator initially actuated to begin to move the blade in the at least partially arcuate path to pass through a cleaving channel and intersect with an optical fiber path disposed in the cleaver;
  • FIG. IIC is a right side view of the cleaver in FIGS. 5A-5D with the actuator further actuated from the actuation position in FIG. 11B where the blade edge of the blade is passing through a cleaving channel and intersecting with an optical fiber path disposed in the cleaver to score an end portion of the optical fiber;
  • FIG. 11D is a right side view of the cleaver in FIGS. 5A-5D with the actuator further actuated beyond the actuation position in FIG. 11C to move the blade in the at least partially arcuate path past the cleaving position in the cleaver in FIG. 11C;
  • FIG. HE is a right side view of the cleaver in FIGS. 5A-5D with the actuator fully actuated to move the blade in the at least partially arcuate path past the cleaving channel in a fully articulated position in the cleaver;
  • FIGS. 12A and 12B are right perspective and front views, respectively, of an actuator for the cleaver in FIGS. 5A-5D;
  • FIG. 13 is a right perspective view of a blade arm of the cleaver in FIGS. 5A-5D;
  • FIG. 14A is a right perspective view of an alternative exemplary cleaver configured to support a blade, including an imbedded carrier blade, to cleave optical fibers, without an optical fiber to be cleaved supported therein; and
  • FIG. 14B is a right perspective view of the cleaver in FIG. 14A supporting an optical fiber to be cleaved with a blade supported therein, including an imbedded carrier blade.
  • Embodiments disclosed in the detailed description include imbedded carrier blades for cleaving optical fibers and related cleavers and methods.
  • the blade includes a carrier body that defines a blade edge. At least one cleaving material is imbedded into at least a portion of the carrier body. The at least one cleaving material is additionally exposed on at least a portion of the blade edge to induce a flaw in a portion of an optical fiber contacted by the blade edge. The portion of the optical fiber can be broken about the induced flaw to create an end face for fiber optic termination preparations. Cleaving the optical fiber prepares an end face on the optical fiber to prepare fiber optic terminations, including in the field.
  • the imbedded carrier blade can be disposed in a cleaver to cleave an optical fiber. Methods of cleaving an optical fiber using an imbedded carrier blade are also provided.
  • the imbedded carrier blade may be produced from a carrier loaded with a hardened material(s) to induce a flaw in an optical fiber.
  • the hardened material(s) may be a hardened mineral(s) imbedded into a carrier to provide a mineral-loaded carrier as the blade.
  • the mineral imbedded within the carrier may continue to be exposed on the blade edge, thereby keeping the blade edge viable for inducing a flaw in a portion of an optical fiber. In this manner, the cost of the blade may be reduced by avoiding the need for sharpening.
  • the imbedded carrier blade may also employ a carrier material(s) sufficiently inexpensive to allow the carrier blade to be disposable.
  • FIG. 1 is an exemplary carrier blade and method of using the carrier blade for cleaving an optical fiber by creating or inducing a flaw in a portion of the optical fiber using an abrasive medium.
  • an optical fiber 10 is provided.
  • the optical fiber 10 can be any type of optical fiber, including but not limited to a single-mode optical fiber and a multi-mode optical fiber.
  • the optical fiber 10 may be of any size diameter Di, as illustrated in FIG. 2.
  • the optical fiber 10 may include a core 12 surrounded by cladding 14 to provide total internal reflection (TIR) of light 16 propagated down the core 12, as illustrated in FIG. 2.
  • TIR total internal reflection
  • the cladding 14 may be provided as glass or other material, including but not limited to a polymer cladding, such as a plastic clad silica as an example.
  • An outer coating (not shown) may be disposed around the cladding 14.
  • the optical fiber 10 may be provided as part of a single fiber or multi- fiber fiber optic cable.
  • an end face 18 is placed on an end portion 20 of the optical fiber 10, as illustrated in FIG. 2.
  • the end face 18 is aligned with an end face of another optical fiber to transfer the light 16 from the optical fiber 10 to the spliced or connected optical fiber.
  • the optical fiber 10 is cleaved to prepare the end face 18.
  • the end face 18 is prepared by introducing a flaw into the end portion 20 of the optical fiber 10.
  • a blade is typically employed to score the end portion 20 of the optical fiber to introduce a flaw into the end portion 20 of the optical fiber 10. Then, the end face 18 is formed when the end portion 20 of the optical fiber 10 is broken about the induced flaw to cleave the optical fiber 10.
  • an imbedded carrier blade 22 (also referred to herein as "blade 22") is employed to introduce the flaw in the end portion 20 of the optical fiber 10, as illustrated in FIG. 1.
  • the blade 22 can be included in a cleaver to cleave an optical fiber, as will be discussed in examples described below.
  • one or more cleaving materials are imbedded into a carrier material to form the blade 22.
  • the blade 22 in FIG. 1 is comprised of a carrier body 24 defining a blade edge 26.
  • the blade edge 26 comprises an essentially straight blade edge section 27. Manufacturing variances or tolerances may prevent a perfectly straight blade edge section 27.
  • other types of blade edge sections 27 other than essentially straight are possible as well, including but not limited to an essentially arcuate edge section as will be discussed in more detail below with regard to the exemplary imbedded carrier blade in FIG. 3.
  • At least one cleaving material 28 (also referred to as "cleaving material 28") is imbedded into at least a portion of the carrier body 24.
  • the cleaving material 28 may be at least partially molded into the carrier body 24 during the molding of the blade 22.
  • the cleaving material 28 is comprised of one or more materials, such as one or more hardened minerals for example, that are sufficient hard and capable of inducing a flaw in the glass of the optical fiber 10.
  • the cleaving material 28 is additionally exposed on at least a portion of the blade edge 26 of the blade 22.
  • the cleaving material 28 may be selected from one or more materials that are capable of inducing a flaw in the glass of an optical fiber.
  • the cleaving material 28 may be a material that has a hardness greater than glass optical fiber.
  • the hardness of the cleaving material 28 may be at least a seven (7) Moh's hardness according to the Moh's hardness scale. Examples of materials that may be used singly or in combination with each other or other materials for the cleaving material 28 include, but are not limited to an aluminum-based compound such as aluminum oxide, diamond, titanium, a titanium-based compound, titanium oxide, carbide, silicon carbide, tungsten carbide, titanium carbide, a carbide derivative, and combinations thereof.
  • the carrier body 24 may wear. However, because the cleaving material 28 is disposed in at least a portion of the carrier body 24, as the blade edge 26 is worn due to use, the cleaving material 28 may be continued to be exposed at the blade edge 26. Thus, the blade edge 26 of the blade 22 may not require sharpening and/or re-sharpening thus reducing maintenance costs for the blade 22.
  • the blade 22 can remain viable to be repeatedly used without being disposed, if desired.
  • a material(s) may be selected for producing the carrier body 24 that does not have to be capable of being sharpened, although such is not required.
  • a material that does not have to be capable of being sharpened may be less expensive than a material, such as a metal, that has to be capable of being resharpened.
  • the blade 22 is controlled to bring a portion of the cleaving material 28 imbedded in the carrier body 24 in contact with the end portion 20 of the optical fiber 10 to induce a flaw 30 in the end portion 20 of the optical fiber 10.
  • the blade 22 may be controlled by human hand or a cleaving device, examples of which will be described below in this disclosure.
  • the cleaving material 28 disposed in the blade 22 is brought into contact with the end portion 20 of the optical fiber 10 to induce the flaw 30 in the end portion 20 of the optical fiber 10 for cleaving the end portion 20 of the optical fiber 10.
  • the optical fiber 10 is held in place while the blade edge 26 of the blade 22 is moved in a direction D 2 towards the end portion 20 of the optical fiber 10 to bring the cleaving material 28 in contact with the end portion 20 of the optical fiber 10.
  • the blade 22 could be held in place and the end portion 20 of the optical fiber 10 moved to be brought into contact with the blade edge 26. In either case, relative movement is created between the end portion 20 of the optical fiber 10 and the cleaving material 28 exposed on the blade edge 26 to create the flaw 30.
  • the blade 22 may be controlled in a swiping motion to cause the blade edge 26 to be swiped across the end portion 20 of the optical fiber 10 to induce the flaw 30 in the end portion 20 of the optical fiber 10 as an example.
  • the flaw 30 cracks the end portion 20 of the optical fiber 10.
  • the end face 18 can then be created in the end portion 20 of the optical fiber 10 by breaking the optical fiber 10 at the flaw 30. In this manner, the blade 22 is used to cleave the end portion 20 of the optical fiber 10.
  • any coating (not shown) disposed on the outside of the end portion 20 of the optical fiber 10 is removed prior to placing the blade edge 26 of the blade 22 in contact with the end portion 20 of the optical fiber 10. This is so that the cleaving material 28 can directly contact glass (i.e., the cladding 14 and/or core 12 in FIG. 2) of the end portion 20 of the optical fiber 10. In this regard, any coating disposed around the core 12 and/or the cladding 14 may be removed prior to placing the blade edge 26 of the blade 22 in contact with the optical fiber 10.
  • the carrier body 24 may be comprised of any type of one or more carrier materials 32 (hereinafter "carrier material 32") desired.
  • the carrier material 32 may comprise one or more metal materials or one or more non-metal materials, or a combination thereof.
  • the carrier material 32 can also be a single material or a composite of materials.
  • the carrier material 32 can be selected based on the desired characteristics and cost of the material(s).
  • providing a carrier material 32 comprised of a polymer or polymer-based material or materials may be desired.
  • a polymer material is capable of being produced by a molding process, whereby the cleaving material 28 can be imbedded into the polymer during a non-solid phase.
  • the cleaving material 28 may be infused or mixed into the polymer carrier material 32. Thereafter, as an example, the blade edge section 27 of the blade edge 26 can be molded from the mixed polymer carrier material 32 and cleaving material 28 within a mold to produce the carrier body 24 with the carrier material 28 imbedded in at least a portion of the carrier body 24. In this example, the mold defines the blade edge section 27 of the blade edge 26 with the cleaving material 28 exposed on at least a portion of the blade edge section 27.
  • the mold defines the blade edge section 27 as an essentially straight edge.
  • a mold could be provided to define another geometry of a blade edge section for a blade edge for an imbedded carrier blade, such as an essentially arcuate blade edge section.
  • the blade edge section 27 can be defined between two surfaces 34, 36 of the carrier body 24 each having longitudinal axes Ai, A 2 , respectively, intersecting each other.
  • the two surfaces 34, 36 could be disposed such that the longitudinal axes Ai, A 2 intersect at any angle ⁇ to each other.
  • the angle ⁇ in FIG. 1 may be between about fifty-five degrees (55°) and about sixty-five degrees (65°).
  • the carrier material 32 is comprised of a polymer
  • any type of polymer may be employed.
  • Non-limiting examples include nylon, a polyfenlene sufide (PPS), a polyethylene, a polypropylene, a polypropylene olefin (TPO), a thermoplastic polyester, a thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV), a polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a chlorinated polyethylene, a styrene block copolymer, an ethylene methyl acrylate (EMA), an ethylene butyl acrylate (EBA), a polyurethane, silicone, an isoprene, a chloroprene, a neoprene, a melamine-formaldehyde, a polyester, and any combinations thereof.
  • the carrier material 32 could also be comprised of at least one ceramic material if desired as well.
  • the carrier material 32 may be chosen so that the carrier body 24 is rigid when the blade 22 is formed.
  • the embodiments herein, however, are not limited to a rigid carrier body. Providing a rigid carrier body 24 can provide longevity for the blade 22 and can ensure that the blade edge section 27 of the blade edge 26 is sufficiently rigid to score an optical fiber. If the carrier body 24 is too flexible, the flaw 30 induced in the optical fiber 10 may not be made precisely and may be larger than desired.
  • the carrier material 32 for the carrier body 24 may be selected so that the carrier body 24 has a rigidity of at least thirty (30) Shore.
  • the carrier material 32 for the carrier body 24 may be selected so that the carrier body 24 has a rigidity of at least one (1) GigaPascal (GPa) flexure modulus.
  • the cleaving material 28 could be mixed with the carrier material 32 of the carrier body 24 in a manner that generally uniformly distributes the cleaving material 28 in the carrier body 24 when the blade 22 is formed.
  • the cleaving material 28 could be mixed with the carrier material 32 of the carrier body 24 in a manner that generally non-uniformly distributes the cleaving material 28 in the carrier body 24 when the blade 22 is formed.
  • the cleaving material 28 may be provided in the carrier material 32 such that the loading rate of the cleaving material 28 in the carrier body 24 is any loading rate desired.
  • the cleaving material 28 could be mixed in or otherwise disposed in the carrier material 32 of the carrier body 24 at a loading rate of between about fifty- five (55%) percent and eighty- five percent (85%) by weight as an example.
  • the particle sizes of the cleaving material 28 mixed in or otherwise disposed in the carrier material 32 could be any particle size desired that is sufficient to score the optical fiber 10.
  • the particle sizes of the cleaving material 28 may be between about five micrometers (5 ⁇ ) and about forty-five (45) micrometers (45 ⁇ ).
  • the carrier material 32 comprises Nylon 6-6, wherein the cleaving material 28 comprises an aluminum oxide and is disposed in the carrier body 24 at a loading rate of between about fifty-five percent (55%) and about eighty-five percent (85%) in particle sizes between about ten micrometers (10 ⁇ ) and about twenty micrometers (20 ⁇ ).
  • FIG. 3 is an exemplary imbedded carrier blade 22' employing an arcuate blade edge section 41 and an exemplary method for cleaving an optical fiber by creating a flaw in a portion of the optical fiber using the imbedded carrier blade.
  • Components illustrated in FIG. 3 that are common to the components in FIG. 1 are provided in FIG. 3 with common element numbers and will not be re -described.
  • the blade edge section 41 of the blade edge 26 is an arcuate blade section.
  • the carrier body 24 includes a core material 42 disposed therein to provide further support or rigidity to the blade 22'.
  • the core material 42 may comprise a metal material.
  • the carrier material 32 of the carrier body 24 imbedded with the cleaving material 28 may be disposed around the core material 42 during molding or manufacturing of the blade 22'.
  • an internal chamber could be disposed or left in the carrier body 24, such as to reduce the amount of carrier material 32 disposed in the carrier body 24, such as to save material costs.
  • the end portion 20 of the optical fiber 10 may be placed under stress after placing the blade edge 26 of the blade 22 in contact with the end portion 20 of the optical fiber 10 to cleave the end portion 20 of the optical fiber 10. Placing the end portion 20 of the optical fiber 10 under stress can propagate the fiaw 30 induced in the end portion 20 of the optical fiber 10 by the blade edge 26 of the blade 22, 22' to cleave the end portion 20 of the optical fiber 10. Alternatively, the end portion 20 of the optical fiber 10 may be placed under stress before placing the blade edge 26 in the blade 22, 22' in contact with the end portion 20 of the optical fiber 10 to cleave the end portion 20 of the optical fiber 10.
  • Placing the end portion 20 of the optical fiber 10 under stress prior to inducing the fiaw 30 in the optical fiber 10 with the blade 22, 22' can also propagate the induced flaw 30 to cleave the end portion 20 of the optical fiber 10.
  • Examples of placing the end portion 20 of the optical fiber 10 under stress includes but is not limited to placing a tension on the end portion 20 of the optical fiber 10, rotating or twisting the end portion 20 of the optical fiber 10, or bending the end portion 20 of the optical fiber 10.
  • the end portion 20 of the optical fiber 10 in FIG. 1 is placed under tension after the blade edge 26 of the blade 22 is placed into contact with the end portion 20 of the optical fiber 10 to score the end portion 20 of the optical fiber 10.
  • portions 38A and 38B of the optical fiber 10 disposed on each side of the end portion 20 of the optical fiber 10 where the flaw 30 is desired to be induced are clamped by clamps 40A, 40B.
  • the clamps 40A, 40B with the portions 38A, 38B of the end portion 20 of the optical fiber 10 secured therein may be pulled away from each other in directions D 3 and D 4 to place the end portion 20 of the optical fiber 10 under tension.
  • the tension will cause the end portion 20 of the optical fiber 10 to break about the flaw 30 to create the end face 18. If the end portion 20 of the optical fiber 10 is not placed under a stress before the flaw 30 is introduced by the blade edge 26 of the blade 22, a stress could be subsequently placed on the end portion 20 of the optical fiber 10 to create the break about the flaw 30 to create the end face 18.
  • the end face 18 is created, as illustrated by example in FIG. 2.
  • the end face 18 illustrated in FIG. 2 is disposed in the end portion 20 of the optical fiber 10 in a cross-sectional plane Pi orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to a longitudinal axis A 3 of the optical fiber 10.
  • the blade 22, 22' could also be used to provide an angle -cleaved end face in the end portion 20 of the optical fiber 10, if desired.
  • the end portion 20 of the optical fiber 10 could be rotated during the introduction of the flaw 30 with the blade 22, 22' to affect the angle of the end face 18 created in the end portion 20 of the optical fiber 10.
  • the apex of the bend disposed in the end portion 20 of the optical fiber 10 when the blade 22, 22' is used to induce the flaw 30 can also affect the angle of the end face 18 created in the end portion 20 of the optical fiber 10.
  • Methods of creating an angled end face using a cleaver blade can be used to create an angled end face using the blade 22, 22'.
  • FIGS. A ⁇ 1D provide images of an end face of an optical fiber cleaved using an imbedded carrier blade, such as the blades 22, 22' described above, employing a cleaving material of aluminum oxide disposed in a carrier body of Nylon 6-6 polymer at an approximate loading rate of eighty percent (80%) to show the quality of the surface of the end face possible with this exemplary imbedded carrier blade arrangement.
  • FIG. 4A is a camera image of an end face 44 of an optical fiber 46 cleaved using the imbedded carrier blade to illustrate an exemplary quality of the surface of the end face 44.
  • FIG. 4B is an image of an interference pattern of interference generated by an interferometer captured at the focal plane of an imaging device from the end face 44 of the cleaved optical fiber 46 in FIG. 4A to illustrate the quality of the surface of the end face 44.
  • FIG. 4C is a surface topography map of the end face 44 of the cleaved optical fiber 46 in FIG. 4A to illustrate the quality of the surface of the end face 44.
  • FIG. 4D is a perspective view of the end face 44 of the cleaved optical fiber 46 in FIG. 4A to illustrate the quality of the surface of the end face 44.
  • the resulting cleave angle of the end face 44 achieved after one cleaving was approximately 0.685 degrees in this example.
  • a number of cleave tests were performed using the imbedded carrier blade in an exemplary test.
  • the exemplary test provided a maximum cleave angle of 1.500 degrees, and a minimum cleave angle of 0.385 degrees, with a mean cleave angle of 0.788 degrees having a standard deviation of 0.366 degrees.
  • a machined carbide blade also provided similar results in an exemplary test using essentially the same conditions as the preceding test. Those results produced a maximum cleave angle of 1.458 degrees, and a minimum cleave angle of 0.592 degrees, with a mean cleave angle of 0.804 degrees having a standard deviation of 0.254 degrees.
  • FIGS. 5A-14B The remainder of this disclosure in FIGS. 5A-14B includes exemplary cleavers and related methods that can employ an imbedded carrier blade, including the blades 22, 22' and exemplary test blades described above, to induce a flaw in an end portion of an optical fiber for cleaving the optical fiber.
  • the methods and principles discussed above and with respect to FIGS. 1-3 may be employed in these cleavers and related components and methods.
  • the cleaver and related components and methods described below with regard to FIGS. 5-14B are not limited to the use of a cleaving blade that is an imbedded carrier blade, including the imbedded carrier blades described with regard to FIGS. 1-4.
  • FIGS. 5A-13 provide a first exemplary cleaver that can be used to cleave an optical fiber.
  • FIG. 5A is a right perspective view of an exemplary cleaver 50 and showing internal components of the cleaver 50.
  • FIG. 5B is a left perspective view of the exemplary cleaver 50 in FIG. 5A and showing internal components of the cleaver 50.
  • FIG. 5C is an exploded view of the cleaver 50 in FIG. 5A.
  • FIG. 5D is a front view of the cleaver 50 in FIG. 5A and showing internal components of the cleaver 50.
  • FIGS. 5A-13 provide a first exemplary cleaver that can be used to cleave an optical fiber.
  • FIG. 5A is a right perspective view of an exemplary cleaver 50 and showing internal components of the cleaver 50.
  • FIG. 5B is a left perspective view of the exemplary cleaver 50 in FIG. 5A and showing internal components of
  • the cleaver 50 is designed to allow a technician to dispose an end portion of an optical fiber to be cleaved in the cleaver 50 and to cleave the end portion of the optical fiber to provide an end face in the end portion of the optical fiber.
  • the cleaver 50 is configured to actuate a supported blade 52 (FIGS. 5B-5D), including but not limited to an imbedded carrier blade such as those described above as examples, in an at least partially arcuate cleaving path to cleave an optical fiber disposed in an optical fiber path in the cleaver 50.
  • the optical fiber path disposed in the cleaver 50 intersects the at least partially arcuate cleaving path.
  • the cleaver 50 is configured to direct a blade edge 54 in the blade 52 in an arcuate and swiping motion to contact an end portion of an optical fiber to induce a flaw in the optical fiber to cleave the optical fiber.
  • the cleaver 50 in this embodiment is comprised of a body 56.
  • a rear perspective view of the body 56 is also illustrated in FIG. 6.
  • the body 56 may be constructed out of any material desired. In this embodiment, the body 56 was molded from a polymer-based material.
  • the body 56 is configured to support a number of components that are provided in the cleaver 50 and discussed below to provide for cleaving an end portion of an optical fiber.
  • the cleaver 50 includes an actuator 58 that is disposed in an actuator opening 59 in the body 56 (FIG. 6) and configured to be actuated along an actuation path A 4 , as illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5D.
  • the blade 52 supported by the actuator 58 is moved in an at least partially arcuate cleaving path to contact an end portion of an optical fiber disposed in an optical fiber path P 2 in the body 56 disposed across a cleaving channel 61 illustrated in FIGS. 5C and 5D, and as will be described below in more detail. More information and details on the actuator 58 will be described below.
  • the optical fiber path P 2 in the body 56 is disposed along a cleaving stage platform 62.
  • the cleaving stage platform 62 provides a platform to support an end portion of an optical fiber to provide for the end portion of the optical fiber to be cleaved when the actuator 58 is actuated, causing the blade 52 to swipe across the end portion of the optical fiber when disposed across the cleaving channel 61.
  • the cleaving stage platform 62 is attached or provided as an integral part of a left-side end cap 64, and also as illustrated in the right side perspective, front, and top views of the cleaving stage platform 62 in FIGS. 7A-7C, respectively.
  • a left side 66 of the body 56 contains a left side opening 68, as illustrated in FIGS. 5B, 5C and 6, configured to receive the left-side end cap 64, illustrated in FIGS. 5A-5D and 7A-7C.
  • a bridge member 70 of the cleaving stage platform 62 is first disposed through the left side opening 68, and the cleaving stage platform 62 continues to be inserted until the left-side end cap 64 is secured to the left side 66 of the body 56.
  • the left side 66 of the body 56 includes recesses 72, as illustrated in FIG. 5B, that are configured to receive protrusions 74 disposed in the left-side end cap 64, as illustrated in FIGS. 5A-5D and 7A-7C.
  • the protrusions 74 rest inside the recesses 72 for the body 56 in a friction fit to support the left-side end cap 64, thus supporting the cleaving stage platform 62 in the body 56.
  • the recesses 72 also serve to force proper alignment of the left-side end cap 64 when inserted into the left side opening 68 of the body 56 so that the cleaving stage platform 62 is properly aligned when inserted and disposed in the body 56.
  • the left-side end cap 64 may be constructed out of any material desired, and is constructed out of a polymer-based material in this example.
  • a recess 76 is disposed in a right-side end cap 78, as illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5D and the right side and left side perspective views of the right-side end cap 78 in FIGS. 8A and 8B, respectively.
  • the recess 76 disposed in the right-side end cap 78 is configured to receive and support the bridge member 70 of the cleaving stage platform 62 to prevent the cleaving stage platform 62 from moving inside the body 56 causing the left-side end cap 64 to act as a pivot.
  • the cleaving stage platform 62 should be secured in the body 56 with a goal of no relative movement about the body 56 to maintain the optical fiber path P 2 and cleaving path 61 in essentially fixed relation to the arcuate cleaving path of the blade 52, as illustrated in FIG. 5D.
  • a right side 80 of the body 56 contains a right side opening 82, as illustrated in FIGS. 5C and 6, configured to receive the right-side end cap 78 in a friction fit.
  • the right-side end cap 78 may be constructed out of any material desired, and is constructed out of a polymer-based material in this example.
  • the cleaving stage platform 62 in this embodiment includes a support platform 84.
  • the support platform 84 includes a first member 86 disposed along a first axis As.
  • the first member 86 is an elongated member disposed along the first axis As, which is a longitudinal axis in this embodiment.
  • the support platform 84 also includes a second member 88 disposed along a second axis A ⁇ .
  • the second member 88 is an elongated member disposed along the second axis A$, which is also a longitudinal axis in this embodiment. Ends 89, 91 of the first and second members 86, 88, respectively, are attached or integral to the left-side end cap 64 so that the support platform 84 is supported by the body 56 when the left-side end cap 64 is secured in the left side opening 68 of the body 52, as previously discussed with regard to FIGS. 5A-5D and 6.
  • An opening 90 is disposed between the first member 86 and the second member 88.
  • the bridge member 70 is connected to first ends 92, 94 of the first member 86 and the second member 88, respectively.
  • the bridge member 70 may be provided as a separate component from the first and second members 86, 88, or may be provided as an integral with the first and second members 86, 88.
  • a clamping platform 96 is provided.
  • the clamping platform 96 is disposed along a third axis A 7 in the opening 90.
  • a living hinge 98 is disposed between the bridge member 70 and a first end 100 of the clamp platform 96 such that the clamp platform 96 is resiliently deflectable and movable relative to the bridge member 70 inside the opening 90 when a clamping force is applied to the clamp platform 96.
  • actuation of the actuator 58 FIGS. 7A-7C.
  • the actuator 58 is configured to support both the blade 52 and a clamping member that are both moved when the actuator 58 is actuated to cleave and clamp and end portion of an optical fiber during one actuation of the actuator 58.
  • optional fiber stops 102A, 102B are disposed in the clamping platform 96.
  • the fiber stops 102A, 102B are disposed adjacent the optical fiber path P 2 so that an end portion of an optical fiber disposed in the optical fiber path P 2 rests adjacent to the fiber stops 102A, 102B.
  • an optional fiber stop 104 is also disposed in the bridge member 70 and is also disposed adjacent to the optical fiber path P 2 and aligned with the fiber stops 102A, 102B in the same regards.
  • the fiber stops 102A, 102B, 104 prevent an end portion of the optical fiber disposed in the optical fiber path P 2 from moving laterally beyond the fiber stops 102A, 102B, 104.
  • FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate more detail of an end portion of an optical fiber inserted and disposed in the optical fiber path P 2 adjacent the fiber stops 102A, 102B, 104 disposed in the cleaving stage platform 62 of the cleaver 50 for cleaving the end portion of the optical fiber.
  • FIG. 9A is a left side perspective view of the cleaver 50 in FIGS. 5A-5D with an end portion 114 of an optical fiber 116 disposed in the body 56 and disposed in the optical fiber path P 2 for cleaving.
  • FIG. 9B is a side close-up view of the cleaver 50 in FIGS. 5A-5D with the actuator 58 actuated to move the blade edge 54 of the blade 52 in an at least partially arcuate cleaving path across the cleaving channel 61 and in contact with the end portion 114 of the optical fiber 116.
  • a hinge receiver 106 is disposed in the clamping platform 96.
  • the hinge receiver 106 includes pin openings 108 A, 108B (FIGS. 7A and 7B) configured to receive a pin 109 of a fiber clamp 110 of a fiber clamping mechanism 112 disposed in and actuatable by the actuator 58, as illustrated in FIGS. 5A-5D and FIG. 10.
  • the fiber clamp 110 is configured to clamp an end portion of an optical fiber disposed in the optical fiber path P 2 to the clamping platform 96.
  • the clamping force creates a stress in a flaw induced in the end portion of the optical fiber by the blade edge 52 of the blade 54 (FIGS. 5A-5D) to break the end portion of the optical fiber and create an end face in the end portion of the optical fiber.
  • the right-side end cap 78 includes a fiber receiver 118.
  • the fiber receiver 118 is an opening that is configured to receive the end portion 114 of the optical fiber 116 and align the end portion 114 along the optical fiber path P 2 in the cleaving stage platform 62.
  • the fiber receiver 118 is coupled to a fiber slot 120 disposed through the right-side end cap 78 so that the end portion 114 of the optical fiber 116 can easily be disposed therethrough and into the fiber receiver 118.
  • the end portion 114 of the optical fiber 116 is disposed in the fiber receiver 118 and inserted in the optical fiber path P 2 and can be pushed forward until the end portion 114 abuts the left-side end cap 64 adjacent the fiber stops 102A, 102B, 104, as illustrated in FIG. 9B.
  • FIG. 11A is a right side view of the cleaver 50 in FIGS. 5A-5D with the right-side end cap 78 removed to show the position of the blade 52 and blade edge 54 when the actuator 58 is not actuated.
  • a radius Ri defines the radius of the arcuate path of an arcuate motion Mi of the blade edge 54 in the cleaver 50 as the actuator 58 is actuated.
  • FIG. 11 A a radius Ri defines the radius of the arcuate path of an arcuate motion Mi of the blade edge 54 in the cleaver 50 as the actuator 58 is actuated.
  • the actutator 58 causes the fiber clamp 110 to apply a clamping force to clamp the end portion 114 of the optical fiber 116 against the clamping platform 96 to break the end portion 114 of the optical fiber 116 scored by the blade edge 54 of the blade 52 above the cleaving channel 61.
  • the blade edge 54 of the blade 52 continues in the arcuate motion Ml causing the blade 52 to move beyond the cleaving channel 61.
  • FIG. HE when the actuator 58 is fully actuated, the blade edge 54 of the blade 52 continues in the arcuate motion Mi to move the blade edge 54 to a fully articulated position.
  • the blade edge 54 of the blade 52 retraces the arcuate motion Mi as shown in FIGS. 11D, FIG. 11C re-swiping the blade edge 54 across the end portion 114 of the optical fiber 116 over the cleaving channel 61, and then FIG. 11B and eventually returning to the position in FIG. HA when the actuator 58 is not actuated.
  • the fiber clamp 110 is raised from the clamping platform 96, as illustrated in FIG. 5A with the blade 52 then crossing back over the cleaving channel 61 in an arcuate cleaving path when the blade edge 54 is eventually cleared across the cleaving channel 61 and back to an unactuated position.
  • the actuator 58 includes features that cause the blade edge 54 of the blade 52 to move in an arcuate motion as illustrated in FIGS. 11A-11E, and move the fiber clamp 110 in the fiber clamping mechanism 112 to clamp the end portion 114 of the optical fiber 116 disposed in the cleaver 50. Details regarding the features of the actuator 58 that cause both the blade edge 54 of the blade 52 to move in an arcuate motion as illustrated in FIGS. 11A-11E, and cause the fiber clamp 110 in the fiber clamping mechanism 112 to clamp the end portion 114 of the optical fiber 116 disposed in the cleaver 50, will now be described referring to FIGS.
  • the actuator 58 includes a cap 122 that is disposed on a shaft 124.
  • the cap 122 provides a surface for a technician to push down on the shaft 124 to actuate the actuator 58.
  • a spring 123 is disposed over the shaft 124 that extends outside the body 56 of the cleaver 50 to spring bias the shaft 124 upward away from the body 56.
  • the shaft 124 of the actuator 58 is connected to a yoke 126.
  • the yoke 126 supports a blade arm extension member 128.
  • the blade arm extension member 128 includes a slot 130 that receives an articulating pin 132 disposed in a blade arm 134, as illustrated in FIGS. 5C, 5D, and 13.
  • the blade arm 134 is also supported by a pivot pin 136 provided therein disposed in a pivot opening 138 in the right-side end cap 78, as illustrated in FIGS. 5D and 8B.
  • the blade arm 134 is supported between the pivot opening 138 in the right-side end cap 78 and the slot 130.
  • the pivot pin 136 cannot traverse in the pivot opening 138, but the articulating pin 132 can traverse in the slot 130.
  • the articulating pin 132 is forced to traverse in the slot 130 since the pivot pin 136 is attached to the pivot opening 138 in the right-side end cap 78.
  • the pivot pin 136 rotates inside the pivot opening 138. Because a longitudinal axis As of the slot 130 intersects a longitudinal axis A9 of the shaft, as illustrated in FIG.
  • the blade arm 134 will move in the arcuate motion Mi with regard to the longitudinal axis A9 about the pivot opening 138 and pivot pin 136 when the actuator 58 is actuated, as illustrated in FIGS. 11A-11E described above.
  • the blade 52 being disposed in a blade housing 140 attached to the blade arm 134, as illustrated in FIG. 5C, will also move in the arcuate motion Ml about the pivot opening 138 and pivot pin 136.
  • the actuator 58 in FIGS. 12A and 12B is also configured to apply a force to the fiber clamp 110 in the fiber clamping mechanism 112 in FIG. 10 to clamp the end portion 114 of the optical fiber 116 disposed in the cleaver 50, as previously discussed and illustrated in FIGS. 5A-5D and 9B.
  • a clamp extension member 144 is also attached to the yoke 126 of the actuator 58.
  • the yoke 126 forces the clamp extension member 144 downward towards the cleaving stage platform 62.
  • an end portion 146 of the clamp extension member 144 moves downward toward the cleaving stage platform 62, eventually applying a force onto the fiber clamp 110.
  • the force applied by the end portion 146 to the fiber clamp 110 will eventually cause the fiber clamp 110 to abut the clamping platform 96 and to clamp the end portion 114 of the optical fiber 116, as illustrated in FIG. 9B.
  • a retention member in the form of a cradle member 147 in this embodiment is disposed in the clamp extension member 144.
  • the cradle member 147 is designed to support and keep the movable fiber clamp 110 raised from the cleaving stage platform 62 when the actuator 58 is not actuated, as illustrated in FIG. 5D.
  • the cradle member 147 is comprised of two members 148A, 148B with an opening 150 disposed therein between, as illustrated in FIG. 12A, that is configured to allow a linkage member 152 of the fiber clamp 110 (FIG. 10) to pass through and move laterally about the opening 150.
  • the movement of the linkage member 152 is confined by a T-shaped member 156 being disposed in the cradle member 147 across the two members 148A, 148B when the actuator 58 is not actuated, as illustrated in FIG. 5D, and by the fiber clamp 110 abutting the clamping platform 96 when the actuator 58 is fully actuated, as illustrated in FIG. 9B.
  • the end portion 146 of the clamp extension member 146 moves downward towards the fiber clamp 110.
  • the linkage member 152 of the fiber clamp 110 moves through the opening 150 in the cradle member 147.
  • the end portion 146 then applies a force to the fiber clamp 110 to push the fiber clamp 110 onto the clamping platform 96 when the actuator 58 is fully actuated, as illustrated in FIG. 9B.
  • the spring 123 causes the shaft 124 and the clamp extension member 144 to move upward away from the cleaving stage platform 62.
  • the cradle member 147 is moved about the linkage member 152 until the members 148A, 148B reach the T-shaped member 156 of the fiber clamping mechanism 112.
  • the cradle member 147 cradles the T-shaped member 156 and pulls upward on the T-shaped member 156 to raise the fiber clamp 110 from the cleaving stage platform 62 until fully raised, as illustrated in FIG. 5D.
  • the T-shaped member 156 is free to rotate inside the cradle member 147 as the cradle member 147 pulls upward on the T-shaped member 156 as the actuator 58 is released.
  • FIG. 14 A is a right perspective view of an alternative exemplary cleaver 160 configured to support a blade 162, including an imbedded carrier blade, to cleave an end portion 164 of an optical fiber 166.
  • the end portion 164 of the optical fiber 166 is stripped to prepare for cleaving and inserted into a fiber holder support 168.
  • FIG. 14A illustrates the cleaver 160 before the fiber holder support 168 holding the end portion 164 of the optical fiber 166 is disposed in a fiber holder 170. As illustrated in FIG.
  • the end portion 164 of the optical fiber 166 is disposed on an arcuate surface 172 in a body 174 of the cleaver 160 to place a bend in the end portion 164 of the optical fiber 166 prior to scoring.
  • An end section 176 of the end portion 164 is held in a fiber clamp 178 to provide a stress in the end portion 164.
  • a blade edge 180 of the blade 162 is brought into contact with the end portion 164 of the optical fiber 166 bent about the arcuate surface 172 to induce a flaw in the end portion 164 of the optical fiber 166.
  • the stress placed on the end portion 164 causes the flaw to propagate and break the end portion 164.
  • the embodiments disclosed herein are not limited to any particular blade, blade material, blade edge section, optical fiber, cleaver carrier, angle of cleaving, stress, fiber stripping, and method of cleaving the optical fiber.
  • the components of the cleavers disposed herein may be constructed out of any material desired.
  • cleaver components are constructed out of polymer-based materials wherein the components are molded.
  • the cleavers may be comprised of at least ninety percent (90%) polymer-based materials by weight.
  • the cleaved optical fiber ends disclosed herein may be disposed or formed on individual fibers or arrays of fibers. A polishing process may be performed after the optical fiber is cleaved.
  • fiber optic cables and/or “optical fibers” include all types of single mode and multi-mode light waveguides, including one or more bare optical fibers, loose-tube optical fibers, tight-buffered optical fibers, ribbonized optical fibers, bend-insensitive optical fibers, or any other expedient of a medium for transmitting light signals.
  • An example of a bend-insensitive, or bend resistant, optical fiber is ClearCurve ® Multimode fiber commercially available from Corning Incorporated. Suitable fibers of this type are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2008/0166094 and 2009/0169163.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Light Guides In General And Applications Therefor (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne des lames à support intégré pour cliver des fibres optiques, ainsi que des outils de clivage et des procédés associés. Dans un mode de réalisation, la lame comprend un corps de support qui définit un bord de lame. Au moins un matériau de clivage est intégré dans au moins une partie du corps de support. Ledit ou lesdits matériaux de clivage sont en outre exposés sur au moins une partie du bord de lame pour induire un défaut dans une partie d'une fibre optique en contact avec le bord de lame. La partie de la fibre optique peut être cassée autour du défaut induit pour créer une face plane afin de préparer une terminaison de fibre optique. Le clivage de la fibre optique permet de créer une face plane sur la fibre en vue de préparer une terminaison de fibre optique, y compris sur le terrain. La lame à support intégré peut être disposée dans un outil de clivage pour cliver une fibre optique. L'invention concerne également des procédés de clivage d'une fibre optique utilisant une lame à support intégré.
EP11793927.2A 2010-11-23 2011-11-22 Lames à support intégré pour cliver des fibres optiques, et outils de clivage et procédés associés Withdrawn EP2643723A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US41641910P 2010-11-23 2010-11-23
US13/115,228 US20120125167A1 (en) 2010-11-23 2011-05-25 Imbedded carrier blades for cleaving optical fibers, and related cleavers and methods
PCT/US2011/061757 WO2012071364A1 (fr) 2010-11-23 2011-11-22 Lames à support intégré pour cliver des fibres optiques, et outils de clivage et procédés associés

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2643723A1 true EP2643723A1 (fr) 2013-10-02

Family

ID=45218887

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP11793927.2A Withdrawn EP2643723A1 (fr) 2010-11-23 2011-11-22 Lames à support intégré pour cliver des fibres optiques, et outils de clivage et procédés associés

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP2643723A1 (fr)
CN (1) CN203673099U (fr)
WO (1) WO2012071364A1 (fr)

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH07234341A (ja) * 1994-02-23 1995-09-05 Nec Corp 半導体レーザと光ファイバの結合構造
US7787731B2 (en) 2007-01-08 2010-08-31 Corning Incorporated Bend resistant multimode optical fiber
JP5425087B2 (ja) * 2007-10-19 2014-02-26 スリーエム イノベイティブ プロパティズ カンパニー ブレードレス光ファイバクリーバ及びその方法
US20090169163A1 (en) 2007-12-13 2009-07-02 Abbott Iii John Steele Bend Resistant Multimode Optical Fiber

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO2012071364A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2012071364A1 (fr) 2012-05-31
CN203673099U (zh) 2014-06-25

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US9933571B2 (en) Profiling of cleaved angled end faces of optical fiber(s)
EP2419773B1 (fr) Coupe-fibre optique sans lame
EP2212730B1 (fr) Coupe-fibre optique sans lame et procédé
US8459877B2 (en) Optical fiber handler for a fiber optic connection termination system
US20120125166A1 (en) Cleavers for cleaving optical fibers, and related blades, components, and methods
US8676018B2 (en) Optical fiber stripper for a fiber optic connection termination system
US20120141082A1 (en) Bladeless optical fiber cleaver
US8408813B2 (en) Fiber optic connector of a fiber optic connection termination system
WO2011047111A1 (fr) Connecteurs de fibre optique et structures pour des fibres optiques à coeur de grande dimension et procédés pour les fabriquer
US8678260B2 (en) Bladeless cleavers having an arcuate exterior surface and related methods for cleaving an optical fiber using an abrasive medium
US8622270B2 (en) Bladeless cleavers having a flexible tongue and related methods for cleaving an optical fiber using an abrasive medium
US20100127034A1 (en) Optical Fiber Cleave Tool
US20140090538A1 (en) Method for stripping long segments of buffered optical fiber and a tool for performing the same
US20120125167A1 (en) Imbedded carrier blades for cleaving optical fibers, and related cleavers and methods
AU2011209790B2 (en) Methods, cleavers, and packagings for cleaving an optical fiber using an abrasive medium
EP2643723A1 (fr) Lames à support intégré pour cliver des fibres optiques, et outils de clivage et procédés associés
US8556682B2 (en) Commercial packaging of disposable cleaver
EP2643722A1 (fr) Outils de clivage de fibres optiques, et lames, composants et procédés associés
WO2011025779A1 (fr) Support de terminaison de fibre optique et leurs procédés d'utilisation

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20130607

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

DAX Request for extension of the european patent (deleted)
17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20150825

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN

18D Application deemed to be withdrawn

Effective date: 20160105