Concave optical fiber ferrule holding plate

Abstract

A concave optical fiber ferrule holding plate for polishing an end face of an optical fiber is disclosed. The holding plate may be used alone for hand polishing or be provided as a component of an optical fiber polishing machine. The circular holding plate comprises a concave interior with one or more concentric wear rings disposed radially inwardly on said interior from the outer periphery of the holding plate to a point surrounding the optical fiber ferrule located in the center. The holding plate contacts a polishing material only at the peripheral wear ring thereby reducing contamination from the material of the holding plate which reduces contamination of the end face of the fiber during polishing. The degree of deterioration of the wear rings can be easily observed to determine when the ferrule holding plate must be replaced. Furthermore, the measuring of the deterioration of the wear rings allows for monitoring of the orientation or tilt of the holding plate, which is required for proper polishing of the optical fibers. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract, which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b).

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.