Compressive wedge cleaving of optical fibers
AssigneeCorning Optical Communications LLC
InventorSteven Joseph Gregorski
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Lengths of an optical fiber may be broken apart from one another while a cross-sectional region of the optical fiber is in a state of multi-axial compressive stress, and the multi-axial compressive stress extends across the optical fiber. The breaking can include propagating a crack across the optical fiber. The crack can be positioned in sufficiently close proximity to the cross-sectional region so that the multi-axial compressive stress restricts the crack from penetrating the cross-sectional region. At least a portion of the optical fiber may be in tension during the breaking.
Claims25
A method for at least separating lengths of an optical fiber from one another, comprising:
- propagating at least one crack across the optical fiber at a position between the lengths of the optical fiber, the propagating occurring while
- a cross-sectional region of the optical fiber is in a state of multi-axial compressive stress, and
- the multi-axial compressive stress of the cross-sectional region extends across the optical fiber;
- and
- the at least one crack being positioned in sufficiently close proximity to the cross-sectional region while the cross-sectional region is in the state of multi-axial compressive stress so that the multi-axial compressive stress in the cross-sectional region restricts the at least one crack from penetrating the cross-sectional region.
A method for at least separating lengths of an optical fiber from one another, comprising:
- causing compressive radial stress substantially throughout a cross-sectional region of the optical fiber, wherein the cross-sectional region extends crosswise to a lengthwise axis of the optical fiber, and the cross-sectional region includes an annular portion of an outermost surface of the optical fiber;
- causing tension in at least a portion of the optical fiber;
- and
- propagating at least one crack across the optical fiber at a position between the lengths, and the at least one crack being positioned in sufficiently close proximity to the cross-sectional region, so that the compressive radial stress that is present substantially throughout the cross-sectional region restricts the at least one crack from penetrating the cross-sectional region, and the propagating occurs while both:
- the compressive radial stress is present substantially throughout the cross-sectional region;
- and
- the tension is present in the at least the portion of the optical fiber.
A method for at least separating lengths of an optical fiber from one another, comprising:
- causing relative movement between the optical fiber and a ferrule while the optical fiber through a bore of the ferrule, wherein:
- the optical fiber includes a cross-sectional region;
- the cross-sectional region includes an annular portion of an outermost surface of the optical fiber;
- and
- the causing of the relative movement is carried out so that both:
- the cross-sectional region is wedged at least partially into the bore and the cross-sectional region is placed in a state of compressive stress;
- and
- at least a portion of the optical fiber is in tension;
- and
- breaking the lengths of the optical fiber apart from one another while the cross-sectional region is wedged at least partially into the bore and in the state of compressive stress and while the at least the portion of the optical fiber is in tension, so that a terminal end of the optical fiber is formed at a predetermined position, and the predetermined position is both:
- positioned proximate the opening of the bore;
- and
- positioned outside of the bore.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.