# US 8,771,039 B2 · Optical fiber polishing jig for use with optical connectors of differing sizes and types > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,771,039 B2 - Document ID: US8771039B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/115,217 - Filed: 2011-05-25 - Published: 2012-11-29 - Granted: 2014-07-08 - Earliest claimed: 2011-05-25 - Assignees: Avago Technologies General IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. - Applicants: Tobias Bitter; Frank Weberpals - Inventors: Tobias Bitter; Frank Weberpals - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8771039B2 ## CPC - B24B 19/226: {of the ends of optical fibres} - G02B 6/3863: {fabricated by using polishing techniques (grinding of the fibre ends B24B19/226)} - G02B 6/25: Preparing the ends of light guides for coupling, e.g. cutting - B24B: MACHINES, DEVICES, OR PROCESSES FOR GRINDING OR POLISHING (grinding of gear teeth B23F, of screw-threads B23G1/36; by electro-erosion B23H; abrasive or related blasting B24C; tools for grinding, buffing or sharpening B24D; polishing compositions C09G1/00; abrasives C09K3/14; electrolytic etching or polishing C25F3/00; grinding arrangements for use on assembled railway tracks E01B31/17); DRESSING OR CONDITIONING OF ABRADING SURFACES; FEEDING OF GRINDING, POLISHING, OR LAPPING AGENTS - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS ## Abstract A polishing jig is provided that is capable of being used with different types, styles, and numbers of optical axes. For example, the polishing jig may be used with a variety of simplex connectors and with duplex connectors of at least first and second types. The first and second types of duplex connectors have different distances between the optical axes of their respective ferrules. The polishing jig may also be used with optical connectors having three or more ferrules having three or more respective optical axes. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A polishing jig for use in polishing ends of optical fibers connected to optical connectors, the jig comprising: at least first, second and third tube structures disposed on a front side of the jig, the first, second and third tube structures having first, second and third openings, respectively, formed therein that extend from the front side of the jig to a backside of the jig, the openings being generally cylindrical in shape and having first, second and third diameters, the first, second and third openings having first, second and third longitudinal axes, respectively, corresponding to first, second and third optical axes, respectively, of the first, second and third tube structures, respectively, wherein the first, second and third longitudinal axes are substantially parallel to one another, wherein the first and second longitudinal axes are separated from each other by a first distance, D1, wherein the second and third longitudinal axes are separated from each other by a second distance, D2, wherein the first and third longitudinal axes are separated from each other by a third distance, D3, and wherein the first and second distances D1 and D2 are unequal, and wherein the polishing jig is suitable for use with simplex optical connectors and with at least a first type of optical duplex connector, the first type of optical duplex connector having a first distance between first and second ferrules of the first type of optical duplex connector, the first distance between the first and second ferrules of the first type of optical duplex connector being substantially equal to the first distance D1. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The polishing jig of claim 1, wherein the polishing jig is also suitable for use with at least a second type of optical duplex connector, the second type of optical duplex connector having a second distance between first and second ferrules of the second type of optical duplex connector, the second distance between the first and second ferrules of the second type of optical duplex connector being substantially equal to the second distance D2. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The polishing jig of claim 2, wherein second and third distances D2 and D3 are equal. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The polishing jig of claim 2, wherein second and third distances D2 and D3 are unequal. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The polishing jig of claim 1, wherein the front and back sides of the jig are generally parallel to one another. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The polishing jig of claim 1, wherein first distance D1 is equal to approximately 10 millimeters (mm). ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The polishing jig of claim 1, wherein second distance D2 is equal to approximately 7 millimeters (mm). ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The polishing jig of claim 7, wherein second and third distances D2 and D3 are equal to one another. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The polishing jig of claim 1, wherein the polishing jig is suitable for use with optical connectors having at least first, second and third ferrules having first, second and third optical axes, respectively, such that if the optical connector is engaged with the polishing jig, the first, second and third ferrules are received within the first, second and third tube structures of the polishing jig. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The polishing jig of claim 1, wherein the polishing jig is made of a single, unitary piece of plastic material. ### Claim 11 A method for using a polishing jig, the method comprising: providing a polishing jig having a front side and a back side and at least first, second and third tube structures disposed on the front side, the first, second and third tube structures having first, second and third openings, respectively, formed therein that extend from the front side of the jig to a backside of the jig, the openings being generally cylindrical in shape and having first, second and third diameters, the first, second and third openings having first, second and third longitudinal axes, respectively, corresponding to first, second and third optical axes, respectively, of the first, second and third tube structures, respectively, wherein the first, second and third longitudinal axes are substantially parallel to one another, wherein the first and second longitudinal axes are separated from each other by a first distance, D1, wherein the second and third longitudinal axes are separated from each other by a second distance, D2, wherein the first and third longitudinal axes are separated from each other by a third distance, D3, and wherein first and second distances D1 and D2 are not equal to one another, and wherein the optical connector is selected from a group of optical connectors including optical simplex connectors and at least a first type of optical duplex connector, the first type of optical duplex connector having a first distance between first and second ferrules of the first type of optical duplex connector, the first distance between the first and second ferrules of the first type of optical duplex connector being substantially equal to the first distance D1; placing an end of an optical simplex connector or an optical duplex connector of the first type in abutment with one or more ends of one or more of the tube structures such that one or more ferrules of the optical connector pass through one or more of the openings and one or more optical fibers disposed within the ferrules extend from the back side of the jig; and polishing the end or ends of the optical fiber or fibers extending away from the back side of the jig. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein group also includes a second type of optical duplex connector, the second type of optical duplex connector having a second distance between first and second ferrules of the second type of optical duplex connector, the second distance between the first and second ferrules of the second type of optical duplex connector being substantially equal to the second distance D2. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the second and third distances D2 and D3 are equal. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the second and third distances D2 and D3 are unequal. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the front and back sides of the jig are generally parallel to one another. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein first distance D1 is equal to approximately 10 millimeters (mm). ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the second distance D2 is equal to approximately 7 millimeters (mm). ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein second and third distances D2 and D3 are equal to one another. ### Claim 19 A polishing jig for use in polishing ends of optical fibers connected to optical connectors, the jig comprising: at least first, second and third tube structures disposed on a front side of the jig, the first, second and third tube structures having first, second and third openings, respectively, formed therein that extend from the front side of the jig to a backside of the jig, the openings being generally cylindrical in shape and having first, second and third diameters, and wherein the first, second and third openings have first, second and third longitudinal axes, respectively, corresponding to first, second and third optical axes, respectively, of the first, second and third tube structures, respectively, wherein the first and second longitudinal axes are parallel to one another and are separated from one other by a first distance, D1, wherein the second and third longitudinal axes are parallel to one another and are separated from one another by a second distance, D2, wherein the first and third longitudinal axes are parallel to one another and are separated from one another by a third distance, D3, and wherein the polishing jig is suitable for use with simplex optical connectors and with at least first and second types of optical duplex connectors, wherein first and second optical axes of first and second ferrules, respectively, of the first type of optical duplex connector are separated by a distance that is substantially equal to the first distance D1, and wherein first and second optical axes of first and second ferrules, respectively, of the second type of optical duplex connector are separated by a distance that is substantially equal to the second distance D2. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The polishing jig of claim 19, wherein the first and second distances D1 and D2 are unequal. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The polishing jig of claim 20, wherein second and third distances D2 and D3 are equal. ### Claim 22 (depends on 20) The polishing jig of claim 20, wherein second and third distances D2 and D3 are unequal. ### Claim 23 A method for using a polishing jig, the method comprising: providing a polishing jig that is suitable for use with simplex optical connectors and with at least first and second types of optical duplex connectors, wherein first and second optical axes of first and second ferrules, respectively, of the first type of optical duplex connector are separated by a distance, and wherein first and second optical axes of first and second ferrules, respectively, of the second type of optical duplex connector are separated by a distance, the polishing jig having a front side and a back side and at least first, second and third tube structures disposed therein that are defined by first, second and third openings, respectively, formed in the polishing jig and extending from the front side of the jig to a backside of the jig, the first, second and third tube structures having first, second and third optical axes, respectively, wherein the first and second optical axes are parallel to one another and are separated from one another by a first distance, D1, that is equal to the distance between the first and second optical axes of the first and second ferrules, respectively, of the first type of optical duplex connector, and wherein the second and third optical axes are parallel to one another and are separated from one another by a second distance, D2, that is equal to the distance between the first and second optical axes of the first and second ferrules, respectively, of the second type of optical duplex connector, and wherein the first and third optical axes are separated from each other by a third distance, D3; placing an end of an optical simplex connector, a first type of optical duplex connector, or a second type of optical duplex connector in abutment with one or more ends of one or more of the tube structures such that one or more ferrules of the abutting optical connector pass through one or more of the openings and such that one or more optical fibers disposed within the ferrules extend from the back side of the jig; and polishing the end or ends of the optical fiber or fibers extending from the back side of the jig. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The method of claim 23, wherein first and second distances D1 and D2 are not equal to one another. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The method of claim 24, wherein second and third distances D2 and D3 are equal. ### Claim 26 (depends on 24) The method of claim 24, wherein second and third distances D2 and D3 are unequal.