System and method for the vacuum assisted insertion of optical fibers
OwnerDonald Brunsinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system and method for the vacuum assisted insertion of optical fibers includes a plate with one or more fiber alignment holes and a vacuum-sealed region on the exit end of the alignment holes. A vacuum source is connected to the vacuum-sealed region and creates a partial vacuum which draws air through the alignment holes creating an airstream into the alignment hole. As a fiber is moved toward the alignment hole, the airstream converging on the hole creates a centering force which acts to pull the fiber into alignment with the hole and the fiber passes directly into the hole. The use of a vacuum produces a precise alignment of a fiber or fibers that can be automated and is significantly quicker and more efficient than any other existing apparatus.
Claims17
A system for insertion of an optical fiber into an alignment hole, comprising:
- a plate formed with an alignment hole having an insertion side and an exit side;
- a partial vacuum source in fluid communication with said exit side of said alignment hole creating an airstream through said alignment hole from said insertion side to said exit side;
- and
- wherein said airstream provides a centering force and draws an optical fiber into said alignment hole.
A system for insertion of an optical fiber into an alignment hole, comprising:
- a plate formed with a plurality of alignment holes, each alignment hole having an insertion side and an exit side;
- a vacuum source in communication with said exit side of two or more said alignment holes creating an airstream through each said alignment hole from said insertion side to said exit side;
- and
- wherein said airstream provides a centering force and draws an optical fiber simultaneously into each of said two or more said alignment holes.
A method for inserting an optical fiber into an alignment hole having an insertion side and an exit side, comprising the steps of:
- applying a partial vacuum to the exit side of said alignment hole to create an airstream through said alignment hole from said insertion side to said exit side;
- positioning said optical fiber adjacent said alignment hole on said insertion side;
- advancing said optical fiber toward said alignment hole wherein said airstream draws said optical fiber into said alignment hole.
A method for inserting two or more optical fibers into a corresponding number of alignment holes, each alignment hole having an insertion side and an exit side, comprising the steps of:
- applying a partial vacuum to the exit side of each said alignment hole to create an airstream through each said alignment hole from said insertion side to said exit side;
- positioning each said optical fiber of said two or more optical fibers adjacent a corresponding alignment hole on said insertion side;
- advancing each optical fiber of said two or more optical fibers simultaneously toward said corresponding alignment hole wherein said airstream draws one said optical fiber into each said alignment hole.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.