Patent · US Expired

Apparatus for cleaning optical fiber connectors and fiber optic parts

US6853794B2 · kind B2 · utility

40Cited by
8References
45Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJul 2, 2002
Grant dateFeb 8, 2005
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 19, 2022

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB08B2240/02
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An apparatus comprising an acoustically resonant ultrasound launcher is provided for cleaning of optical fiber connectors and other optical fiber parts. The resonant ultrasound launcher is designed to transfer and to focus ultrasonic energy from an ultrasound transducer to a relatively small target area with high intensity. Specially designed fluid flow channels allow this apparatus to efficiently clean optical fiber connectors with an exposed end surface or with an end surface concealed in a connector adapter. Circuitry is provided to automatically track the frequency to enhance the ultrasound generation. Another circuitry is provided to program the sequence of the cleaning process, including washing, rinsing and drying.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.