Method of midspan and/or end entry to access selected optical fibers within an optical ribbon fiber
US5460682A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 16, 1994 |
| Grant date | Oct 24, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 16, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T156/1168
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method of midspan or end entry accessing of one or more selected optical fibers carried by an optical ribbon fiber. The top and bottom surfaces of a first selected span of the optical ribbon fiber are friction abraded to initiate delamination of the bond between the optical fibers and the matrix encapsulant. The delamination is completed by applying a rolling force to the circumference of the first selected span, and the delamination is then propagated by introducing the first selected span into the bore of a die element and urging the die element along a relatively longer second selected span of the optical ribbon fiber. With the delamination completed, the tip of an elongated tool is inserted through the encapsulant within the second selected span and between one or more selected optical fibers and the remaining optical fibers within the optical ribbon fiber. Next, the tip of the elongated tool is lifted from within the encapsulant so as to remove the one or more selected optical fibers from the encapsulant, and the elongated tool inserted between the encapsulant and the one or more selected optical fibers. Finally, the elongated tool is slidably urged along the length of the d…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.