Optical fiber alignment device and method
AssigneeADC Telecommunications, Inc.
InventorMichael James Ott
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A fiber optic alignment device includes two alignment blocks and two gel blocks. A fiber passage is adapted to receive a first optical fiber through the first end and a second optical fiber through the second end. An intermediate portion is adapted to align the first and the second optical fibers between the first and the second alignment blocks. A first portion of the fiber passage extends between the first alignment block and the first gel block. A second portion of the fiber passage extends between the second alignment block and the second gel block. End portions of the first and the second optical fibers may be cleaned when slid between the alignment blocks and the gel blocks. The fiber passage may include an undulating portion.
Claims17
A fiber optic alignment device for connecting a first optical fiber to a second optical fiber, the fiber optic alignment device comprising:
- a fiber passage extending from a first end to a second end, the fiber passage adapted to receive the first optical fiber through the first end of the fiber passage and adapted to receive the second optical fiber through the second end of the fiber passage, the fiber passage including;
- an intermediate portion positioned between the first and the second ends of the fiber passage, the intermediate portion adapted to align the first and the second optical fibers;
- a first portion positioned between the first end of the fiber passage and the intermediate portion of the fiber passage, the first portion of the fiber passage including a first groove;
- and
- a second portion positioned between the second end of the fiber passage and the intermediate portion of the fiber passage, the second portion of the fiber passage including a second groove;
- a first gel member adapted to wipe the first optical fiber when the first optical fiber is slid into the fiber passage along the first groove;
- and
- a second gel member adapted to wipe the second optical fiber when the second optical fiber is slid into the fiber passage along the second groove.
A fiber optic alignment device for connecting a first optical fiber to a second optical fiber, the fiber optic alignment device comprising:
- a fiber passage extending from a first end to a second end, the fiber passage adapted to receive the first optical fiber through the first end of the fiber passage and adapted to receive the second optical fiber through the second end of the fiber passage, the fiber passage including:
- an undulating portion with a first contact adapted to contact the first optical fiber and a second contact adapted to contact the second optical fiber;
- an intermediate portion positioned between the first and the second ends of the fiber passage, the intermediate portion adapted to align the first and the second optical fibers and the intermediate portion including the undulating portion;
- a first portion positioned between the first end of the fiber passage and the intermediate portion of the fiber passage, the first portion of the fiber passage including a first groove;
- and
- a second portion positioned between the second end of the fiber passage and the intermediate portion of the fiber passage, the second portion of the fiber passage including a second groove;
- wherein the first contact urges a first angled end face of the first optical fiber in a first lateral direction, wherein the second contact urges a second angled end face of the second optical fiber in a second lateral direction opposite the first lateral direction, and wherein the first angled end face and the second angled end face are thereby urged to abut each other.
A fiber optic alignment device for connecting a first optical fiber to a second optical fiber, the fiber optic alignment device comprising:
- a fiber passage extending from a first end to a second end, the fiber passage adapted to receive the first optical fiber through the first end of the fiber passage and adapted to receive the second optical fiber through the second end of the fiber passage;
- a first gel member adapted to wipe the first optical fiber when the first optical fiber is slid into the fiber passage along a first groove of the fiber passage;
- and
- a second gel member adapted to wipe the second optical fiber when the second optical fiber is slid into the fiber passage along a second groove of the fiber passage;
- wherein the fiber passage includes an undulating portion with a first contact adapted to contact the first optical fiber and includes a second contact adapted to contact the second optical fiber.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.