Tool for finishing terminated fiber optic cable
AssigneeThe Whitaker Corporation
InventorsVinod J. Franklin, James D. Kevern
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A fixture for positioning and holding fiber optic cables for polishing is disclosed. The fixture includes a cable clamping mechanism consisting of a pair of links that are pivotally attached to movable portions of a nest that receives and holds the terminated end of the cable. A holding member is positioned above the nests to steady and hold the cables in rough position while the nest accurately positions the fiber optic end for polishing. A dovetail member is provided to accurately attach the fixture to the polishing machine. The fixture is arranged to not contact the abrasive material during polishing.
Claims25
A fixture for positioning and holding, in a polishing machine having abrasive material, an end of a terminated fiber optic cable having an optical fiber disposed along a longitudinal axis therein, said fixture arranged to hold said optical fiber in polishing engagement with said abrasive material, comprising:
- (a) a base;
- (b) a nest in said base for positioning and holding said terminated end of said cable, said nest having first and second portions of which said first portion is attached at one end to said base in cantilever fashion and having a free end that is movable toward said second portion to a clamping position to clampingly engage and hold said terminated end of said cable and is movable away therefrom to a release position to release said terminated end of said cable;
- (c) a clamping mechanism interactive with said portion for effecting said movement toward and away from said second portion;
- and
- (d) means for positioning and securing said fixture to said polishing machine so that said longitudinal axis is arranged at a predetermined angle to said abrasive material.
A fixture for positioning and holding, in a polishing machine having abrasive material, the ends of terminated fiber optic cables, each having an optical fiber disposed along a longitudinal axis therein, said fixture arranged to hold said optical fibers in polishing engagement with said abrasive material, comprising:
- (a) a base;
- (b) a plurality of nests in said base for positioning and holding said terminated ends of said cables, each said nest having first and second portions of which said first portion is attached at one end to said base in cantilevered fashion and having a free end that is movable toward said second portion to a clamping position to clampingly engage and hold one of said terminated ends of said cables and is movable away therefrom to a release position to release said terminated end of said cable;
- (c) a clamping mechanism interactive with said first portion for effecting said movement toward and away from said second portion;
- and
- (d) means for positioning and securing said fixture to said polishing machine so that said tips of said terminated cable ends form a plane that is substantially planar to said abrasive material.
In a fixture for positioning and holding, in a polishing machine having abrasive material, the ends of terminated fiber optic cables, each having an optical fiber disposed along a longitudinal axis therein, a clamping mechanism for positioning and holding said terminated end of said cable comprising:
- a plurality of nests, each of which has first and second portions of which said first portion is attached at one end to said fixture in cantilevered fashion and having a free end that is movable toward said second portion to a clamping position to clampingly engage and hold one of said terminated ends of said cables and is said one terminated end of said cable, and means interactive with said first portion for effecting said movement toward and away from said second portion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.