Apparatus for and Method of Terminating a Multi-fiber Ferrule
AssigneeUS Conec Ltd.
InventorsDarrell R. Childers, Jillcha Fekadu Wakjira, Michael E. Hughes, Joseph P. Howard, Arnold Deal, III, Dirk Eric Schoellner
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Abstract
An apparatus allows a plurality of optical fibers to be held together during the termination process. A handling device holds the optical fibers while a cleaving device allows for consistent cleaving of the optical fibers to ensure the ends are cleaved consistently. The handling device may also be used during the fixation of the optical fibers in the fiber optic ferrule. A method for terminating the plurality of optical fiber is also provided.
Claims21
A method of terminating a plurality of optical fibers comprising:
- assembling the plurality of optical fibers in a stack at least two rows of optical fibers;
- securing the stack of a plurality of optical fibers in a handling device to prevent slipping of the rows the optical fibers relative to one another in the stack;
- cleaving the plurality of optical fibers while the plurality of optical fibers are secured in the handling device;
- inserting the plurality of optical fibers into a multi-fiber optical ferrule while the plurality of optical fibers are secured in the handling device;
- and
- securing the plurality of optical fibers in the multi-fiber optical ferrule while the plurality of optical fibers are secured in the handling device.
An apparatus for cleaving a plurality of rows of optical fibers, the plurality of optical fibers being arranged in a stack of optical fibers, the stack of optical fibers having a plurality of rows, comprising:
- a handling device having a base member and a top member, the base member having a channel therein to receive at least along a portion of a length thereof the stack optical fibers and a top member to engage and secure the stack of optical fibers within the channel to prevent the slipping of the plurality of optical fibers relative to one another in the stack;
- and
- a cleaving device having a front end and a back end and being attached by the back end to the handling device, the cleaving device having a plurality of planar members defining a plurality of slots adjacent the front end, each of the plurality of slots configured to receive a single row of the stack of optical fibers, the planar members extending beyond the front end and having a front face directed away from the cleaving device, the front face having a predetermined angle relative to an axis through the slots.
A cleaving device used in cleaving a plurality of rows of optical fibers, the plurality of optical fibers being arranged in a stack of optical fibers, the stack of optical fibers having a plurality of rows, comprising:
- a main body having a front end and a back end and an opening extending therebetween to accept the plurality of rows of optical fibers;
- and
- a plurality of planar members adjacent the front end of the main body defining a plurality of slots extending from the opening adjacent the front end and past the front end of the main body, each of the plurality of slots configured to receive a single row of the stack of optical fibers, the planar members having a front face directed away from the cleaving device, the front face having a predetermined angle relative to an axis through the slots.
A cleaving device used in cleaving a plurality of rows of optical fibers, the plurality of optical fibers being arranged in a stack of optical fibers, the stack of optical fibers having a plurality of rows, comprising:
- a main body having a front end and a back end and an opening extending therebetween to accept the plurality of rows of optical fibers;
- and
- a planar member adjacent the front end of the main body defining a first slot and a second slot, the first and second slots extending from the opening adjacent the front end to the front end of the main body, the first slot configured to receive a single row of the stack of optical fibers and the second slot configured to receive at least two rows of the stack of optical fibers.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.