Dual blade cleaver

#The invention relates to methods and apparatus for cleaving optical fibers. More particularly, the invention relates to cleaving of optical fibers using dual, opposing cutter means*. * The terms “cutting” and “cutter” as used herein are intended to refer to the action of the cutter means resulting in the cleaving of the fiber.

#Optical fibers are gaining increasing use in diverse applications, particularly in telecommunications and waveguides, wherein light energy is transmitted through long distances within the optical fibers with little or no concomitant energy losses. Devices which employ optical fibers often must be coupled one to another, and such coupling requires the severance and the reconnecting thereof of the transmitting fibers. Optical fibers are, generally, made of glass, which material presents a unique set of problems associated with the severing and reconnecting of such fibers. Loss of light energy at a coupling is detrimental to most transmissions and is to be avoided.

#A junction between light fibers should be as near-perfect as possible; that is, the glass-to-glass interface should abut precisely one fiber to another, to minimize energy losses and signal imperfections at these junctures. To accomplish precise joining, a precision cleaving tool must be employed.

#In the accompanying drawings:

#FIG. 1 is an elevational, cross-sectional view, enlarged, of the basic components of one embodiment of the dual bladed optical fiber cleaver of the invention, viewed just prior to cleaving a fiber.

#FIG. 2 depicts the cleaving apparatus shown in FIG. 1 just after the fiber has been cleaved.

#Dual bladed apparatus for cleaving optical fibers is provided. The apparatus includes a housing having an opening therein for receiving an optical fiber, with or without insulation thereon and whether or not contained within a ferrule, the apparatus having dual, opposing, cooperatively operable cutters reciprocally moveable transversely to the fiber. The cutters are positioned in adjacent proximity to the exit of the opening. On insertion of a fiber through the opening and upon actuation of the cutters, the fiber is cleaved. Fibers having diameters up to 3 millimeters can be cleaved, and angled cleaves are achievable.

#A detailed description of the invention and preferred embodiments is best provided by reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein FIG. 1 is an exploded, cross-sectional view of the basic components according to one preferred embodiment of the invention, illustrating their relative interactions. A more detailed description of the complete cleaving apparatus, including auxiliary components, is provided below in connection with describing the remaining figures.

#In FIG. 1, an optical fiber 42 to be cleaved, with or without a connecting ferrule (not shown), having insulation 40, or, alternatively, the bare fiber 42, is inserted into opening 30 having optional tapered entry 32 as shown. Enough of the insulation 40 and/or ferrule, if any, is stripped/removed to expose the required length of bare fiber 42, sufficiently in excess of the final cut length desired, such that upon insertion into opening 30 the fiber extends longitudinally downwardly through the opening 30, and through the bore 34, having predetermined length Z2, shown expressly in further detail in FIG. 4, and outwardly and downwardly from the exit of bore 34 in the guidance insert 16. The separate z-dimension lengths, z1 and z2, for the guidance insert 16, are fashioned by machining, casting or otherwise so as to provide predetermined cleave lengths of fibers to be cut. Use of a plurality of guidance inserts 16, each with its separate, predetermined combinations of dimensions, z1 and z2, enables the provision of several possible cleave lengths to be used interchangeably, to provided cleaved fibers adaptable to fit various connectors and splices.