Multifiber connector, installation tool and associated methods of validating optical fiber continuity
US6816661B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 22, 2000 |
| Grant date | Nov 9, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 22, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/4458
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Methods are provided for validating the continuity of one or more optical fibers upon which a fiber optic connector is mounted. Typically, the fiber optic connector is mounted upon an optical field fiber by actuating a cam mechanism to secure the optical field fiber in position relative to an optical fiber stub. If subsequent testing indicates that the continuity of the optical field fiber and the optical fiber stub is unacceptable, the cam mechanism can be deactuated, the optical field fiber can be repositioned and the cam mechanism can be reactuated without having to remove and replace the fiber optic connector. In order to determine if continuity has been established between the optical field fibers and respective optical fiber stubs, a method is also provided that introduces light into at least one of each pair of optical field fibers and optical fiber stubs and that only secures the position of each optical field fiber relative to the respective optical fiber stub once the glow associated with each pair of optical field fibers and optical fiber stubs dissipates, which dissipation indicates the establishment of continuity. An improved multifiber connector and installation tool …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.