Centralizing clamp for an optical fiber

A centralizing clamp for positioning a length of optical fiber along a predefined clamping axis, the optical fiber having an optical fiber axis and an outer diameter, the centralizing clamp comprising:

• a base;
• and
• first and second clamp jaws movably supported by the base relative to the predefined clamping axis between an open position and a closed position to hold the optical fiber therebetween, the jaws being constructed and arranged to capture the optical fiber with the optical fiber axis initially located within a region of uncertainty about the clamping axis and position the optical fiber coaxial with the clamping axis as the first and second jaws are moved toward the closed position, the region of uncertainty having a diameter that is greater than the outer diameter of the optical fiber;
• wherein the first and second clamping jaws are constructed and arranged to exert a radial compressive force on the optical fiber, when in the closed position, substantially without exerting any shear forces on the optical fiber.

A centralizing clamp for positioning a length of fiber along a predefined clamping axis, the centralizing clamp comprising:

• a base;
• first and second clamp jaws movably supported by the base relative to the predefined clamping axis between an open position and a closed position, the first and second jaws being constructed and arranged to form a fiber receptacle as the first and second clamp jaws are moved toward the closed position, the fiber receptacle being configured to position the fiber coaxial with the predefined clamping axis;
• and
• a sensor supported adjacent at least one of the first and second clamp jaws, the sensor being adapted to detect a presence of the fiber within the fiber receptacle.

A centralizing clamp for positioning each of a plurality of optical fibers along a predefined clamping axis, each of the plurality of optical fibers having an outer diameter that differs from an outer diameter of others of the plurality of optical fibers, the centralizing clamp comprising:

• means for capturing any one of the plurality of optical fibers initially located within a region of uncertainty about the clamping axis, the region of uncertainty having a diameter that is greater than the diameter of the optical fiber;
• means for positioning each one of the plurality of optical fibers coaxial with the clamping axis;
• and
• means for exerting a radial compressive force on the optical fiber, when in the closed position, substantially without exerting any shear forces on the optical fiber.

A centralizing clamp for positioning a length of optical fiber, having an outer diameter, along a predefined clamping axis, the centralizing clamp comprising:

• means for capturing the optical fiber initially located within a region of uncertainty about the clamping axis, the region of uncertainty having a diameter that is greater than the diameter of the optical fiber;
• means for positioning the optical fiber coaxial with the clamping axis;
• means for exerting a radial compressive force on the optical fiber, when in the closed position, substantially without exerting any shear forces on the optical fiber;
• and
• means for actuating the means for capturing between open and closed positions in response to an actuation signal.