Methods and devices for cleaving optical fibers
AssigneeCorning Optical Communications LLC
InventorsAlvin John McDonald, Jeremy Jason Schermerhorn, Hieu Vinh Tran
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Methods for cleaving an optical fiber that extends from a ferrule are provided herein. The ferrule can be aligned on a first side of a scribe wire and an unconstrained end of the optical fiber on a second side of the scribe wire. Tension can be applied to the scribe wire with the optical fiber. Relative motion between the scribe wire and the optical fiber can be caused, while the tension is applied with the optical fiber. The scribe wire and the optical fiber can be separated. A fiber optic shard can be cleaved from the optical fiber. The fiber optic shard may include the unconstrained end of the optical fiber.
Claims20
A method for cleaving an optical fiber that extends from a ferrule, the method comprising:
- aligning the ferrule on a first side of a scribe wire and an unconstrained end of the optical fiber on a second side of the scribe wire;
- applying tension to the scribe wire with the optical fiber;
- causing relative motion between the scribe wire and the optical fiber, while the tension is applied with the optical fiber;
- and
- separating the scribe wire and the optical fiber, whereby a fiber optic shard comprising the unconstrained end of the optical fiber is cleaved from the optical fiber.
A method for cleaving an optical fiber that extends from a ferrule, the method comprising:
- aligning the ferrule on a first side of a scribe wire and an unconstrained end of the optical fiber on a second side of the scribe wire;
- applying scribing tension to the scribe wire with the optical fiber;
- and
- dragging the scribe wire across the optical fiber and along a separation path that is parallel to an axis of the optical fiber, after the scribing tension is applied to the scribe wire with the optical fiber, whereby a fiber optic shard comprising the unconstrained end of the optical fiber is cleaved from a remainder of the optical fiber.
A device for cleaving at least one optical fiber, the device comprising:
- a guide body;
- a scribe wire engaged with the guide body at a first and second engagement locations of the scribe wire, wherein a spanning section of the scribe wire is disposed between the first and second engagement locations of the scribe wire and aligned with a scribe path;
- a transit member that moves with respect to the scribe wire and along the scribe path, wherein the transit member comprises a port configured to accept a portion of a fiber optic connector having a ferrule and position an end face of the ferrule proximate to the scribe wire;
- and
- a latching member coupled to the transit member and located adjacent to the port, wherein the latching member is configured to apply a force to the portion of the fiber optic connector received by the port as the transit member moves along the scribe path.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.