# US 8,771,042 B2 · Optical fiber polishing apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,771,042 B2 - Document ID: US8771042B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/144,029 - Filed: 2010-01-25 - Published: 2011-11-10 - Granted: 2014-07-08 - Earliest claimed: 2009-02-02 - Assignees: 3M Innovative Properties Company - Applicants: Ronald P. Pepin; Richard L. Simmons - Inventors: Ronald P. Pepin; Richard L. Simmons - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8771042B2 ## CPC - G02B 6/3863: {fabricated by using polishing techniques (grinding of the fibre ends B24B19/226)} - B24B 19/226: {of the ends of optical fibres} - B24B 23/03: the tool being driven in a combined movement - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS - 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 ## Abstract A polishing apparatus is provided for polishing an optical fiber connector. The optical fiber connector includes a connector housing and a ferrule. The polishing apparatus includes a mount to receive and hold the optical connector and a polisher housing supported by a base. The polisher housing houses a polisher that comprises a platen that supports a polishing media, the platen being coupled to a planetary gear system. The mount is disposed on a cover that encloses the polisher housing when the cover is placed in a closed position. A rotatable knob is exposed at an opening of the base, the rotatable knob being engaged with the planetary gear system to move the planetary gear system. The polishing media is disposed proximate to a fiber tip extending from an end face of the ferrule of the optical connector disposed in the mount when the cover is placed in the closed position. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A polishing apparatus for polishing an optical fiber connector, the optical fiber connector including a connector housing and a ferrule, comprising: a mount to receive and hold the optical connector; a polisher housing to house a polisher that comprises a platen that supports a polishing media, the platen being coupled to a planetary gear system, wherein the mount is disposed on a cover that encloses the polisher housing when the cover is placed in a closed position; a base to support the polisher housing, wherein a rotatable input knob is accessible at a portion of the base, the rotatable input knob being engaged with the planetary gear system to move the planetary gear system, wherein the polishing media is disposed proximate to a fiber tip extending from an end face of the ferrule of the optical connector disposed in the mount when the cover is placed in the closed position; and a press-activatable interlock button, wherein the interlock button is depressed to release the rotatable input knob and permit rotation of the rotatable input knob for a predetermined rotation until the interlock is re-engaged to prevent further rotation. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The polishing apparatus of claim 1, wherein one or more compliant backing pads are disposed between the polishing media and the platen. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The polishing apparatus of claim 2, wherein the one or more compliant backing pads comprise a first compliant backing pad disposed between the polishing media and a second compliant backing pad. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The polishing apparatus of claim 3, wherein the first compliant backing pad has a thickness of about 0.8 mm and a hardness of about 60 to about 80 (Shore A) and the second compliant backing pad has a thickness of about 3 mm and a hardness of about 30 to about 50 (Shore 00). ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The polishing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fiber tip experiences a contact force of from about 100 grams force to about 150 grams force when the optical connector is disposed in the mount and the cover is placed in the closed position. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The polishing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the polisher housing and the base are integrally formed as a single unit. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The polishing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the connector is held in the mount at a predetermined angle, the predetermined angle providing for one of a flat polish that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the fiber and an angled polish. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The polishing apparatus of claim 7, wherein the angled polish comprises an angle from perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the fiber and an angled polish from about 2° to about 12°. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The polishing apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a ratchet coupled to the rotatable input knob to permit only one direction of rotation. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The polishing apparatus of claim 1, where in the optical fiber connector is a remote grip optical fiber connector. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The polishing apparatus of claim 1, where in the optical fiber connector is a multi-fiber optical fiber connector. ### Claim 12 A polishing apparatus for polishing an optical fiber connector, the optical fiber connector including a connector housing and a ferrule, comprising: a mount to receive and hold the optical connector; a polisher housing to house a polisher that comprises a platen that supports a polishing media, the platen being coupled to a planetary gear system, wherein the mount is disposed on a cover that encloses the polisher housing when the cover is placed in a closed position; a base to support the polisher housing, wherein a rotatable input knob is accessible at a portion of the base, the rotatable input knob being engaged with the planetary gear system to move the planetary gear system, wherein the polishing media is disposed proximate to a fiber tip extending from an end face of the ferrule of the optical connector disposed in the mount when the cover is placed in the closed position; and a ratchet coupled to the rotatable input knob to permit only one direction of rotation. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The polishing apparatus of claim 12, wherein one or more compliant backing pads are disposed between the polishing media and the platen. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The polishing apparatus of claim 13, wherein the one or more compliant backing pads comprise a first compliant backing pad disposed between the polishing media and a second compliant backing pad. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The polishing apparatus of claim 14, wherein the first compliant backing pad has a thickness of about 0.8 mm and a hardness of about 60 to about 80 (Shore A) and the second compliant backing pad has a thickness of about 3 mm and a hardness of about 30 to about 50 (Shore 00). ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The polishing apparatus of claim 12, wherein the fiber tip experiences a contact force of from about 100 grams force to about 150 grams force when the optical connector is disposed in the mount and the cover is placed in the closed position. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) The polishing apparatus of claim 12, wherein the polisher housing and the base are integrally formed as a single unit. ### Claim 18 (depends on 12) The polishing apparatus of claim 12, wherein the connector is held in the mount at a predetermined angle, the predetermined angle providing for one of a flat polish that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the fiber and an angled polish. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The polishing apparatus of claim 18, wherein the angled polish comprises an angle from perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the fiber and an angled polish from about 2° to about 12°.