GB2458107A

GB2458107A - Method and apparatus for cleaning fibre optic connectors

Info

Publication number: GB2458107A
Application number: GB0803917A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Richard Alan Kershaw
Original assignee: ALKER OPTICAL EQUIPMENT Ltd
Current assignee: ALKER OPTICAL EQUIPMENT Ltd
Priority date: 2008-03-03
Filing date: 2008-03-03
Publication date: 2009-09-09
Also published as: GB0803917D0

Abstract

The invention provides a method for cleaning fibre optic connectors 20 comprising providing controlled dampening of a cleaning cloth 4 arranged on cleaning head 2 adapted to correspond to a connector 20. The cleaning head 2 and wetted cleaning cloth 4 are then inserted into the connector 20 and the cleaning cloth 4 used to wipe the interior of the connector 20. The invention also provides kit for cleaning fibre optic connectors 20 comprising a cleaning gun (1, fig 1) comprising a cleaning head 2, a cleaning cloth 4 mounted on the cleaning gun (1, fig 1) and movable over the cleaning head 2, a fluid dispenser (10, fig 2) comprising a fluid reservoir (11, fig 2) and pump means (13, fig 2) and a cleaning fluid (12, fig 2). The method and kit enable improved cleaning of fiber optic connectors to be carried out effectively.

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CLEANING FIBRE OPTIC

CONNECTORS

The invention relates to methods and apparatus for cleaning fibre optic connectors such as ferrules and adaptors, fibre optic sensors, receivers and transmitters and similar types of fibre optic elements.

The term "connector" as used herein refers to all forms of connection means for fibre optics including ferrules and adaptors.

It is important that the interior of connectors such as ferrules and adaptors for connecting optical fibres are clean as the presence of dirt or dust can damage the fibres or affect the transmission of signals. A means of cleaning such connectors is by the insertion of a cleaning head holding a lint-free cloth in position to clean the interior of the connector. A useful cleaning means is in the form of a "cleaning gun" in which the cloth can be moved incrementally over the cleaning head such that the cloth is used to clean the inside of the connector and is then moved so that dirt or dust that has adhered to the cloth is moved out of the connector. These types of cleaning gun have a head adapted to fit different types of ferrule and adaptor and the cloth is moved incrementally over the head by a simple click system.

The problem with this type of dry cleaning of connectors is that some dirt and dust is not dislodged from the interior of the connector by the cloth and some that is loosened is then not removed by the cloth. Additionally, there may be a build up of static charge created by the cleaning process.

It is an object of the present invention is to provide an improved method of cleaning fibre optic connectors. A further object of the invention is to provide a means for cleaning fibre optic connectors that provides improved cleaning and reduced problems with static build up than has been achieved by prior art cleaning systems.

L

The invention provides a method of cleaning a fibre optic connector comprising: providing a cleaning cloth arranged on cleaning head adapted to correspond to a connector; dampening the cloth with a fluid; inserting the cleaning head with the dampened cloth into the connector interior; and wiping the interior of the connector with the dampened cloth.

Preferably the dampening is carried out to provide a controlled amount of fluid to dampen the cloth. Advantageously the cloth is moved over the cleaning head to move dirt away from the connector. Usefully the method may include the further step of polishing the connector with a dry portion of cloth.

Preferably a fluid dispenser is provided with adaptors for different cleaning heads such that a cleaning head and portion of cloth can be inserted into an adaptor to receive a controlled amount of fluid to dampen the cloth. Preferably the fluid dispenser is provided with a number of different adaptors to correspond to a number of different cleaning heads.

The invention further provides a kit for cleaning fibre optic connector comprising a cleaning gun comprising a cleaning head; a cleaning cloth mounted on the cleaning gun and movable over the cleaning head; a fluid dispenser; and a cleaning fluid.

Preferably the cleaning gun is of the type that has a cleaning head that corresponds to different types of connector. The head may comprise a different head with or without an associated cap for different applications.

Advantageously the cloth comprises a lint-free material arranged to pass over the cleaning head. Advantageously the cloth may be in the form of a tape held on a cassette that is fed incrementally over the head by means of a simple ratchet system.

Preferably the fluid dispenser comprises a fluid reservoir. Preferably the fluid dispenser dispenses a controlled amount of fluid for dampening the cloth.

Advantageously the dispenser may comprise a cap with at least one adaptor corresponding to the shape of a desired cleaning head. Advantageously the dispenser may be provided with more than one adaptor corresponding to different types of cleaning head. Preferably the dispenser includes a pump means to expel a predetermined amount of fluid and advantageously it is arranged so that the fluid is pumped onto a filter pad to disperse the fluid and create a controlled amount of dampness for dampening the cloth.

Any suitable fluid can be used such as water. deionised water, anti-static fluids etc. Advantageously water can be used as it is cheap and easily available.

Preferably the fluid dispenser comprises a pump means, spray means, a filter pad, at least one adaptor into which a cleaning head and cloth can be inserted and contact means to allow contact between the cloth and the dampened filter pad.

in use, the fluid dispenser is operated to dampen the filter pad with a controlled amount of fluid. The cloth on the cleaning head is inserted into the adaptor on the fluid dispenser and is brought into contact with the dampened filter pad. This provides a controlled amount of fluid to the cloth, which is then removed from the adaptor and used to clean a connector such as a fibre optic ferrule or other connector. The damp cloth is inserted into the connector and loosens any dirt in the connector interior, it is then moved over cleaning head and moves dirt away from the connector interior. Because the cloth is damp, more dirt adheres to the cloth than with the presently used dry system. The dampness of the cloth also enables any static build up to be reduced or eliminated. Drier cloth is then moved into connector and can be used to dry the interior of the connector if desired.

The controlled damping of the cloth allows any dirt or debris in the connector to be loosened. It then adheres to the damp cloth and is moved away as the cloth is moved around the head. Each movement of the cloth moves a progressively drier bit of cloth to the end of the head.

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, by reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 shows a side view of a cleaning gun; Figure 2 shows a side view of a fluid dispenser forming part of the present invention; Figures 3a and 3b show a top view of a fluid dispenser lid when open, without a filter pad and with a filter pad in position, respectively; Figure 4 shows a top view of the fluid dispenser lid when closed; Figure 5 shows a side view of a gun head inserted into an adaptor on a dispenser lid; and Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a cleaning gun inserted into a fibre optic connector.

The invention provides a method for cleaning fibre optic connectors and also provides a kit for carrying out such cleaning.

As shown in Figure 1, a cleaning gun 1 comprises a cleaning head 2 with a cap 3.

A cleaning cloth 4 in the form of a tape is held on a cassette 5 mounted on a handle 6 and passes over the head 2. A finger operated button 7 operates a ratchet system (not shown) to move the cloth 4 over the head 2.

Figure 2 shows a fluid dispenser 10 comprising a reservoir 11 containing a fluid 12, a pump head 13 and a locking ring 14. If the locking ring 14 is turned and released, the pump head 13 can be moved up and down to pump fluid 12 out of "-the reservoir 11. If the locking ring 14 is turned to lock position, the pump head 13 is held in position and cannot be moved up and down. The pump head 13 has an openable lid 15 on which are mounted adaptors I 6a, I 6b for different types of cleaning heads 2 of a cleaning gun I such as shown in Figure 1. Figures 3a and 3b show the interior of the lid 15 of the pump head 13. The top 17 of the pump head 13 includes holes 18 through which the fluid 12 is expelled when the pump head 13 is pumped. The fluid 12 will spray through the holes 18 onto a filter pad 19 mounted on the interior of the lid 15. Adaptors I 6a and I 6b are mounted on the lid 15 and include holes 20a, 20b through the lid 15 to provide access between the exterior of the lid 15 and the filter pad 19 on the interior of the lid. The adaptors 1 6a and 1 6b are examples of different types of shape that can be used to accommodate different types of cleaning head 2.

In a preferred form, the cleaning kit of the invention comprises a cleaning gun I as shown in Figure 1 and a fluid dispenser as shown in Figures 2 to 4.

Figure 5 shows a cleaning head 2 inserted into an adaptor 16 on the lid 15 of a fluid dispenser 10 to enable controlled dampening of the cloth 4 by fluid 12.

In use, the dispenser reservoir 11 is filled with fluid 12, such as, for example, water. The locking ring 14 is released and the pump head 13 is pumped two or three times to expel fluid 12 through the holes 17 and to dampen the filter pad 19 with the fluid 12. The locking ring 14 is then turned to the locked position to hold the pump head 13 in position and the head 2 of a cleaning gun I is inserted into a corresponding adaptor 16 on the lid 15. The head 2 is pushed into the adaptor 16 so that the cloth 4 on the head 2 contacts the filter pad 19. The head 2 is held in position for a predetermined length of time and is then removed. The cleaning head 2 is then inserted into a fibre optic connecter 20, as shown in Figure 6, to clean the inside of the connector 20. It is held in place for a short period of time then the button 7 on the gun 1 is clicked a few times to move the cloth 4 over the head 2 inside the connector 20. The head 2 is then removed from the connector 20 and the cloth 4 moved around again, ready to be dampened again and used to clean the next connector.

L

The different adaptors 16 on the dispenser lid 15 enable a number of different types of cleaning gun and head to be used with a variety of different types of connector.

The method and apparatus of the invention have a number of advantages over the prior art system, in particular in that a controlled amount of dampening can be applied to a cleaning head to provide a damp cleaning system which has many advantages over the dry cleaning system that is generally used at present. The damp cleaning system provides improved cleaning and reduced static build up.

The listing or discussion of an apparently prior-published document in this specification should not necessarily be taken as an acknowledgement that the document is part of the state of the art or common general knowledge. I.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A method of cleaning a fibre optic connector comprising: providing a cleaning cloth arranged on cleaning head adapted to correspond to a connector; dampening the cloth with a fluid; inserting the cleaning head with the dampened cloth into the connector interior; and wiping the interior of the connector with the dampened cloth.
2. A method of cleaning a fibre optic connector in accordance with claim I wherein the dampening is carried out to provide a controlled amount of fluid to dampen the cloth.
3. A method of cleaning a fibre optic connector in accordance with claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the cloth is moved over the cleaning head to move dirt away from the connector.
4. A method of cleaning a fibre optic connector in accordance with any one of the preceding claims wherein the method includes the further step of polishing the connector with a dry portion of cloth.
5. A method of cleaning a fibre optic connector in accordance with any one of the preceding claims wherein the fluid is contained in a fluid dispenser and the fluid dispenser is operated to dampen the filter pad with a controlled amount of fluid.
6. A method of cleaning a fibre optic connector in accordance with claim 5 wherein the fluid dispenser is provided with adaptors for different cleaning heads such that a cleaning head and portion of cloth can be inserted into an adaptor to receive a controlled amount of fluid to dampen the cloth.L
7. A method of cleaning a fibre optic connector in accordance with claim 6 wherein the fluid dispenser is provided with a number of different adaptors to correspond to a number of different cleaning heads.
8. A method of cleaning a fibre optic connector in accordance with any one of the preceding claims wherein the damp cloth is inserted into the connector and loosens any dirt in the connector interior.
9. A method of cleaning a fibre optic connector in accordance with claim 8 wherein the cloth is then moved over cleaning head and moves dirt away from the connector interior.
10. A method of cleaning a fibre optic connector in accordance with any one of the preceding claims comprising the steps of filling a fluid dispenser reservoir with fluid, pumping the fluid to dampen a filter pad, inserting the head of a cleaning gun into a corresponding adaptor on a lid of the fluid dispenser so that a cloth on the head contacts the filter pad, holding the head in position for a predetermined length of time to dampen the cloth, removing the head from the adaptor, and inserting the cleaning head into a fibre optic connecter to clean the inside of the connector.
11. A method of cleaning a fibre optic connector in accordance with claim 10 comprising the further steps of moving the cloth over the cleaning head to move the cloth inside the connector and then removing the cloth and cleaning head from the connector.
12. A kit for cleaning a fibre optic connector comprising a cleaning gun comprising a cleaning head; a cleaning cloth mounted on the cleaning gun and movable over the cleaning head; a fluid dispenser; and a cleaning fluid.L
13. A kit according to claim 12 wherein the cleaning gun is of the type that has a cleaning head that corresponds to different types of connector.
14. A kit according to claim 12 or claim 13 wherein the cloth comprises a lint-free material arranged to pass over the cleaning head.
15. A kit according to any one of claims 12 to 14 wherein the fluid dispenser dispenses a controlled amount of fluid for dampening the cloth.
16. A kit according to any one of claims 12 to 15 wherein the dispenser comprises a lid with at least one adaptor corresponding to the shape of a desired cleaning head.
17. A kit according to claim 16 wherein the fluid dispenser is provided with adaptors for different cleaning heads such that a cleaning head and portion of cloth can be inserted into an adaptor to receive a controlled amount of fluid to dampen the cloth.
18. A kit according to any one of claims 12 to 17 wherein the dispenser includes a pump means to expel a predetermined amount of fluid.
19. A kit according to any one of claims 12 to 18 wherein the fluid dispenser further comprises a filter pad to disperse the fluid and create a controlled amount of dampness for dampening the cloth.
20. A kit according to any one of claims 12 to 19 wherein the fluid dispenser comprises a fluid reservoir, a pump means, spray means, a filter pad, at least one adaptor into which a cleaning head and cloth can be inserted and contact means to allow contact between the cloth and the dampened filter pad.
21. A method of cleaning a fibre optic connector as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.L
22. A kit for cleaning a fibre optic connector as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.