Claims
- 1. An adapter used as an interface between a probe and a connector, said connector holding an optical fiber end having a surface, said adaptor comprising:
a) a positioning mechanism having an attachment portion for releasable attachment to said connector; and b) a fixture adapted for releasable attachment to said probe, said fixture being mounted to said positioning mechanism and moveable relative to said attachment portion; wherein said positioning mechanism permits movement of said probe for inspection of said surface.
- 2. The adapter of claim 1 wherein said surface is substantially parallel to an end surface plane, said probe for obtaining an image of said surface, and wherein said positioning mechanism permits movement of said probe substantially in parallel to the end surface plane.
- 3. The adapter of claim 2 wherein said fixture comprises a hollow coupling portion, and wherein said probe is mounted within said hollow coupling portion.
- 4. The adapter of claim 3 wherein said positioning mechanism further permits movement of said probe substantially perpendicularly to the end surface plane.
- 5. The adapter of claim 4 wherein said fixture is slidably mounted to said positioning mechanism.
- 6. The adapter of claim 5 wherein said positioning mechanism further comprises horizontal and vertical sliding rails on which said fixture is slidably mounted.
- 7. The adapter of claim 6 wherein said positioning mechanism further comprises an adjustment means for selecting a horizontal and a vertical position of said fixture on said sliding rails.
- 8. The adapter of claim 7 wherein said adjustment means comprises a micrometric screw.
- 9. The adapter of claim 7 wherein said adjustment means comprises an electric stepper motor.
- 10. An apparatus for inspecting end surfaces of an optical fiber assembly, said assembly being mounted within a connector body, comprising:
a) abase; b) the adapter of claim 1 mounted to said base; and c) an imaging device comprising said probe for obtaining a focused image of said optical fiber end surfaces.
- 11. A method for inspecting an optical fiber end having a surface, said optical fiber end being mounted within a connector, said method comprising:
a) releasably attaching a positioning mechanism having an attachment portion to said connector; b) releasably attaching a probe to a fixture mounted to said positioning mechanism, said fixture being moveable relative to said attachment portion; and c) selecting a position of said fixture for inspection of said surface.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C § 119 from U.S. Patent Application No. 60/382,562 filed on May 24, 2002, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference as if set forth in full in this document.
Provisional Applications (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
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60382562 |
May 2002 |
US |