Monitoring solvent in a fiber cleaning device
AssigneeViavi Solutions Inc.
InventorsGordon MacKay, Kevin Cassady, Peter Kriofske, William Shawn Rosenau, Brad Basler
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A device for cleaning an end face of an optical fiber may apply a vacuum to a solvent tank, where the device includes a vacuum generator to apply the vacuum and the solvent tank. The device may receive, from a solvent reservoir and in response to applying the vacuum, solvent with the solvent tank. Additionally, or alternatively, a device for cleaning an end face of an optical fiber may apply a pressure to a solvent reservoir, where the device includes a pressure port to apply the pressure and a solvent tank. The device may receive, from the solvent reservoir and in response to applying the pressure, solvent with the solvent tank.
Claims20
A method, comprising:
- applying, by a device for cleaning an end face of an optical fiber, a vacuum to a solvent tank,
- wherein the device includes:
- a vacuum generator to apply the vacuum, and
- the solvent tank;
- and
- receiving, by the device, from a solvent reservoir, and in response to applying the vacuum, solvent with the solvent tank;
- determining, by the device and when applying the vacuum and based on a signal of a capacitive sensor of the device, a rate of change of capacitance of fluid in the solvent tank;
- and
- performing, by the device and based on the rate of change of the capacitance of fluid in the solvent tank, one or more actions,
- wherein the one or more actions include:
- stopping applying the vacuum,
- displaying information regarding fluid in the solvent tank, and
- providing at least one of a first visual alert or a first audible alert.
A method, comprising:
- applying, by a device for cleaning an end face of an optical fiber, a pressure to a solvent reservoir,
- wherein the device includes:
- a pressure port to apply the pressure, and
- a solvent tank;
- receiving, by the device, from the solvent reservoir, and in response to applying the pressure, solvent with the solvent tank;
- determining, by the device and based on a capacitance signal and a liquid-level signal, whether the solvent tank is contaminated,
- wherein the capacitance signal is generated by a capacitive sensor of the device based on a capacitance of fluid in the solvent tank, and
- wherein the liquid-level signal is generated by a float sensor based on a level of liquid in the solvent tank;
- and
- performing, by the device and based on determining that the solvent tank is contaminated, one or more actions,
- wherein the one or more actions include:
- stopping applying the pressure, and
- providing at least one of a first visual alert or a first audible alert.
A device for cleaning an end face of an optical fiber, comprising:
- a vacuum generator to generate a vacuum for cleaning the end face;
- a solvent tank to store solvent for cleaning the end face;
- and
- one or more processors configured to:
- apply, using the vacuum generator, the vacuum to the solvent tank;
- receive, from a solvent reservoir, and in response to applying the vacuum, solvent with the solvent tank;
- determine, when applying the vacuum and based on a signal of a capacitive sensor of the device, a rate of change of capacitance of fluid in the solvent tank;
- and
- perform, based on the rate of change of the capacitance of fluid in the solvent tank, one or more actions,
- wherein the one or more actions include:
- stopping applying the vacuum,
- displaying information regarding fluid in the solvent tank, and
- providing at least one of a visual alert or an audible alert.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.