US 5,634,236 AGranted

Non-contact fiber cleaning and tensioning device

AssigneeLucent Technologies Inc.

InventorRalph J. Darsey

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Abstract

A noncontact fiber cleaning and tensioning device for cleaning optical fibers of dust and other particulate matter collected thereon. The noncontact fiber cleaning and tensioning device includes a housing formed from a cleaning and an exhaust section and includes a fiber passage formed therethrough and through which the optical fibers are passed. A series of spray nozzles are mounted to the cleaning section of the housing, and communication with the fiber passage and direct fluid sprays under pressure against the fiber as the fiber moves through the fiber passage to dislodge dust and particulate matter therefrom. A vacuum means is connected to the exhaust section and draws the dust and particulate matter dislodged from the fibers by the fluid sprays through the fiber passage and out through the exhaust housing to exhaust the dislodged particulate matter for collection and removal under controlled conditions.

An optical fiber cleaning and tensioning device for removing particulate matter from an optical fiber having a cross-sectional dimension therethrough from an upstream end to a downstream end, comprising:

a substantially hollow housing having an upstream end and a downstream end and means defining a passage through said housing for the optical fiber to be passed therethrough, said passage having a cross-sectional dimension greater than the cross-sectional dimension of the fiber;
said upstream end having a first opening therein for permitting ingress of the optical fiber into said housing, said first opening having a cross-sectional dimension greater than the cross-sectional dimension of the fiber;
first means in said first opening for protecting the fiber to be passed therethrough from abrasion, said first means forming an internal passage having a cross-sectional dimension greater than the cross-sectional dimension of the fiber;
said downstream end of said housing having a second opening therein for permitting egress of the optical fiber from said housing, said second opening having a cross-sectional dimension greater than the cross-sectional dimension of the fiber;
second means in said second opening for protecting the fiber to be passed therethrough from abrasion, said second means forming an internal passage having a cross-sectional dimension greater than the cross-sectional dimension of the fiber;
said housing having a cleaning section adjacent one end thereof, said cleaning section including a fiber passage having a cross-sectional dimension greater than the cross-sectional dimension of the fiber;
said cleaning section including means for applying one or more fluid sprays toward the fiber passage at an angle thereto;
said housing further having an exhaust section adjacent the other end thereof and in series with the cleaning section, said exhaust section including means for exhausting from said housing at least a portion of the fluid sprayed into said housing.

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Abstract

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