Patent · US Expired

Fiber-optic endface cleaning apparatus and method

US7232262B2 · kind B2 · utility

10Cited by
73References
33Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 1, 2003
Grant dateJun 19, 2007
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 21, 2024

Classification

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

Abstract

A cleaning apparatus (1100) for cleaning an endface (1104) of an optical fiber (1106), wherein a portion of the optical fiber is contained within an interface device (1103) is provided. The cleaning apparatus includes a housing (1114) having an interface portion (1124) adapted to be received by the interface device. The cleaning apparatus further includes a fluid dispensing assembly (1116) at least partially disposed within the housing, wherein at least a portion (1112) of the fluid dispensing assembly engages the endface when the interface portion is received by the interface device. The fluid dispensing assembly is operable to deliver a fluid and a solvent upon the endface when the interface portion of the housing is received by the interface device to aid in the removal of contaminants on the endface. The cleaning apparatus may include a contact cleaning assembly (1304) and/or a microscope (1408).

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