Optical fiber pay-off system and optical fiber proof test system

A position detection device comprising:

• a base structure;
• a first proximity sensor and a second proximity sensor mounted on the base structure;
• a pivot fixed to the base structure;
• a tilting support rotatably mounted on the base structure by the pivot and having a first end portion and a second end portion that are on opposite sides with respect to the pivot;
• an activation body fixed to the first end portion of the tilting support and extending along a first direction between the first and second proximity sensors to be selectively detected by the first and second proximity sensors according to positions assumed by the tilting support;
• and
• first and second contacts fixed to the second end portion of the tilting support and defining an intermediate space in which an optical fiber portion can move,
• wherein the first and the second contacts comprise a first discrete rod-shaped bar and a second discrete rod-shaped bar that are separated from each other by a gap, wherein the first discrete rod-shaped bar and the second discrete rod-shaped bar are not connected to each other and are each independently and separately fixed to the tilting support at respective spaced-apart mounting locations on the tilting support, and wherein the first discrete rod-shaped bar and the second discrete rod-shaped bar extend from the tilting support in a direction opposite to the first direction of the activation body;
• and
• wherein the tilting support is rotatable under a corresponding action of the optical fiber portion on the first and the second contacts and is configured to selectively assume:
• a first detection position in which the activation body is detected by the second proximity sensor, and
• a second detection position in which the activation body is detected by the first proximity sensor.

A proof test system for an optical fiber, the system comprising:

• a pay-off system comprising:
• a draw spool around which the optical fiber is wound and defining a longitudinal axis;
• a pay-off arm movable parallel to the longitudinal axis and engaged with a pay-off portion of the optical fiber;
• a controller configured to receive position signals and instruct the pay-off arm to selectively move in opposite directions;
• a position detection device comprising:
• a base structure mounted on the pay-off arm;
• first and second proximity sensors mounted on the base structure;
• a tilting support rotatably mounted on the base structure by a pivot;
• an activation body fixed to a first portion of the tilting support and extending along a first direction between the first and second proximity sensors;
• and
• first and second rod-shaped contacts fixed to a second portion of the tilting support and separated from each other to define an intermediate space in which the pay-off portion of the optical fiber moves, wherein the first and the second rod-shaped contacts comprise a first discrete rod-shaped bar and a second discrete rod-shaped bar that are separated from each other by a gap, wherein the first discrete rod-shaped bar and the second discrete rod-shaped bar are not connected to each other and are each independently and separately fixed to the tilting support at respective spaced-apart mounting locations on the tilting support, and wherein the first discrete rod-shaped bar and the second discrete rod-shaped bar extend from the tilting support in a direction opposite to the first direction of the activation body;
• a test apparatus configured to subject the optical fiber unwound from the draw spool to a proof test procedure, the test apparatus comprising:
• an input capstan driven by a first drive motor;
• an output capstan driven by a second drive motor;
• and
• a plurality of intermediate pulleys between the input and the output capstans;
• a fiber break cell configured to detect a break of the optical fiber and send a corresponding break detection signal to the controller;
• and
• a take-up apparatus configured to wind the optical fiber exiting the test apparatus onto a shipping spool;
• and
• wherein the controller is configured to initiate a stop of movement of the optical fiber towards the take-up apparatus based on the break detection signal.