Patent · US Expired

Apparatus and methods for verifying an acceptable splice termination

US8094988B2 · kind B2 · utility

15Cited by
25References
16Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 15, 2005
Grant dateJan 10, 2012
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 15, 2025

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG02B6/3846
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for verifying an acceptable splice termination include propagating light energy into the stub optical fiber of a fiber optic connector, detecting and collecting the amount of optical power emanating from the stub optical fiber at a termination area of the connector, converting the optical power to an electrical signal proportional to the amount of collected optical power, and displaying the electrical signal on a feedback monitor, such as an optical power meter, an LCD bar graph, or an LED. An initial (i.e., reference) value is obtained with the field optical fiber not in physical contact with the stub optical fiber. A final (i.e., terminated) value is obtained with the field optical fiber in physical contact with the stub optical fiber and terminated to the connector. The final value is compared to the initial value to determine whether the change (i.e., difference) is sufficient. Alternatively, the final value is compared to a predetermined limit or threshold.

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