Patent · US Expired

Apparatus and method for polishing a fiber optic connector

US6918816B2 · kind B2 · utility

23Cited by
64References
15Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJan 31, 2003
Grant dateJul 19, 2005
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 31, 2023

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB24B19/226
  • WIPO fieldMachine tools
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A fiber optic polishing apparatus including a support system, a polishing sub-assembly coupled to the support system including a plurality of pads, and a fixture to hold a plurality of fiber optic connectors. The fixture is positioned adjacent to the plurality of pads so that an end surface of each of the plurality of fiber optic connectors is held in contact with a corresponding pad. A drive mechanism is coupled to the support system to move the fixture to polish the end surface of each of the plurality of fiber optic connectors. Each of the plurality of pads may travel independently in a vertical direction. The polishing sub-assembly may further include a web polishing film, a fluid injection module configured to direct water onto the film, and a rinsing module to rub against a face of each of the plurality of fiber optic connectors to remove debris.

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