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 configured to apply the vacuum,
- the solvent tank,
- a capacitive sensor in the solvent tank, and
- a float sensor in the solvent tank;
- receiving, by the device, from a solvent reservoir, and in response to applying the vacuum, solvent with the solvent tank;
- transmitting, by the device and via the capacitive sensor based on a capacitance of liquid in the solvent tank, a capacitance signal;
- transmitting, by the device and via the float sensor based on a level of the liquid in the solvent tank, a liquid-level signal,
- wherein the capacitance signal and the liquid-level signal indicate that the solvent tank is contaminated;
- and
- performing, by the device and based on the capacitance signal and the liquid-level signal indicating that the solvent tank is contaminated, a set of actions,
- wherein performing the set of actions comprises:
- stopping the vacuum from being applied.
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 configured to apply the pressure,
- a solvent tank,
- a capacitive sensor in the solvent tank, and
- a float sensor in the solvent tank;
- receiving, by the device, from the solvent reservoir, and in response to applying the pressure, solvent with the solvent tank;
- transmitting, by the device and via the capacitive sensor based on a capacitance of liquid in the solvent tank, a capacitance signal;
- transmitting, by the device and via the float sensor based on a level of the liquid in the solvent tank, a liquid-level signal,
- wherein the capacitance signal and the liquid-level signal indicate that the solvent tank is contaminated;
- and
- performing, by the device and based on the capacitance signal and the liquid-level signal indicating that the solvent tank is contaminated, a set of actions,
- wherein performing the set of actions comprises:
- stopping the pressure from being applied.
A device for cleaning an end face of an optical fiber, comprising:
- a vacuum generator configured to apply a vacuum for cleaning the end face;
- a solvent tank configured to receive solvent from a solvent reservoir in response to the vacuum being applied;
- a float sensor in the solvent tank configured to transmit a liquid-level signal;
- a capacitive sensor in the solvent tank configured to transmit a capacitance signal,
- wherein the capacitance signal and the liquid-level signal indicate that the solvent tank is contaminated;
- and
- one or more processors configured to:
- determine, based on the capacitance signal and the liquid-level signal, that the solvent tank is contaminated, and
- perform, based on
- determining that the solvent tank is contaminated, a set of actions,
- wherein the one or more processors, to perform the set of actions, are configured to:
- stop the vacuum from being applied to the solvent tank, or
- stop pressurized air from being applied to the solvent reservoir.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.