Centralizing clamp for an optical fiber
US6608958B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 6, 2001 |
| Grant date | Aug 19, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 6, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/3636
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A centralizing clamp for positioning each of a plurality of fibers along a predefined clamping axis, each fiber having an outer diameter that differs from an outer diameter of others of the plurality of fibers. The centralizing clamp comprises first and second clamp jaws movably supported, relative to the predefined clamping axis, between an open position and a closed position to hold any one of the fibers therebetween. The clamp jaws may be configured to capture a fiber initially located within a region of uncertainty about the clamping axis that has a diameter that is greater than the outer diameter of the fiber. The clamp may also include an actuator coupled to the clamp jaws to actuate the clamp jaws between the open and closed positions in response to an actuation signal. One or more sensors may be provided to detect a presence of the fiber between the closed clamp jaws, and/or to detect the state of the clamp in the open or closed positions. A fluid seal may be provided on the clamp to seal and hold a fiber in position on a cleaning tank during a fiber cleaning process.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.