Method and apparatus for breaking an optical fiber
US4413763A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 13, 1981 |
| Grant date | Nov 8, 1983 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 13, 2001 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T225/357
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
In a method of breaking an optical fiber, wherein the fiber is scored transversely and tensioned to cause a crack to propagate completely across the fiber, tension sufficient to cause the crack to propagate is applied after, but not during, the scoring step. During the scoring step the fiber is subjected to a controlled tension insufficient to sever the scored fiber. The resulting broken fiber ends generally are flat and perpendicular, and thus suitable for making low-loss interconnections. Preferred apparatus for breaking the fiber has a common actuator providing sequential control of individual means for locating, scoring and tensioning the fiber. The common actuator may be rotational, facilitating powered operation by a drive motor, and may be adjustable axially to enable accurate adjustment of the position at which the fiber is scored. In one, preferred, embodiment suitable for breaking a fiber at a predetermined distance from a connector already attached to it, the connector skirt screws onto a bush. The projecting end extends through the bush and is gripped by a gripping jaw carried by a member spaced from the bush and movable away there from to sever the fiber.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.