Patent Application
20160334584
The present invention relates to cleaning devices for mechanically cleaning the end surfaces of an optical fiber. More particularly the present invention relates to a single use cleaning device for cleaning the end surfaces of optical fibers which are to be placed in abutting relationship by a conductor structure.
In fiber optic networks, optical fiber strands are connected by encasing the strands in protective jackets to form cables and butting two cable ends together. To do this, the ends of the cable may be stripped of the jacket and bonded and encased in the center of a rod-like ceramic ferrule, thereby providing an enlarged surface area for finished polishing of the exposed end face of the optical fiber cable. The ferrules generally conform to standard sizes having end faces with diameters of 1.25 millimeters (mm), 1.6 mm, 2.0 mm or 2.5 mm. The ferrule end faces are polished. These ferrules are fitted into variations of connector housings which precisely interconnect with similar devices via a coupler or bulkhead insure the exact alignment of the butted optical fiber strands. In many connections the optical fiber connection will form a male and female connection with the end of one cable recessed in the connector and the end of the other cable exposed for insertion into the connector.
When connecting an optical connector, if a foreign material contaminates an end face, the foreign material causes damage at the time of connection and disconnection, an increase in transmission loss. Sources of such contamination include smoke, dust, dirt, moisture and other ambient contaminates; oils, salts and particles transferred from the skin of technicians during connector manufacture and assembly, cable installation, or job site service work. Small amounts of contamination in the form of particles or haze will significantly increase light attenuation across the butted connection. For this reason, it is necessary to clean the joining end face prior to the butted optical fiber connection. For cleaning of the joining end face of the optical connector, an optical connector cleaning tool that wipes away grime or the like by bringing a cleaning body such as a fabric into contact with the joining end face is used.
A general object of the invention is to provide a disposal fiber optic cleaning tool that can be used by installation and repair personnel. Another object of the invention is to provide a disposable fiber optic tool that can provide a wet dry cleaning capability for both ends of abutting fiber optic cables. Yet another object of the invention is to provide a disposable fiber optic cleaning device that is easy to use and can be easily manipulated by a technician.
In one embodiment, the device is formed with a flat center section and two cylindrical end sections. The end sections have swabs of material attached thereto for insertion into the female portion of the fiber optic cable connection and the flat center section has similar material secured thereto to engage the male portion of the fiber optic cable connection. In this embodiment a wet/dry cleaning capability can be achieved through the packaging of the product with one end lightly coated with a wetting solvent.
In accordance with another embodiment, the base includes a flat end and a swab end. The flat end supports a wrapped cleaning material for cleaning the male end of the connection while the swab end supports swabbing material for cleaning the female end of the connection.
Referring to the drawings which are appended hereto and which form a portion of this disclosure, it may be seen that:
One or more of the above objects can be achieved, at least in part, by providing a plastic or wooden disposable item that will be wrapped on both of the ends by a cotton, polyester, pulp blend of swab material. The material could be non-woven polyester cellulose blend fabric, non-woven melt blown polypropylene fabric or a knitted or woven microfiber fabric. The material need the properties of (1) softness not to scratch the end face, (2) cushioning to permit the wipe surface to conform to the end face, (3) absorbency to draw soiled solvent from the fiber optic end face and (4) inherent cleanliness to not contribute to contamination.
The same material can be used to wrap the two flat sides of the stick intermediate the ends as a cleaning surface. Instead of a single layer, the wrap may be multiple layers of single sheets to provide the necessary cushioning and absorbency. This embodiment will have four cleaning surfaces along the flat sides of the stick for the fiber end face and two swabs at the ends to clean the adapter. In one embodiment we lightly pre-saturate one end with a solvent and leave the other side dry which will provide a “wet to dry” cleaning process. A variety of solvents are contemplated to saturate the material, including alcohol, water, ketones, esters, aliphatic hydrocarbons or various blends of these solvents. It will be understood that the foregoing cleaning tools may be packaged individually or as bundles in suitable packing arrangements that protect them from their ambient surroundings until needed for use. The packaging film that will wrap the Fiber Swab Stick is proprietary as well in that it will separate the wet end from the dry end.
This product is used to clean fiber optic connectors and adapters. The connector, as used herein is, the male end which will “strike” like a match on the flat portion of the cloth wrapped stick to clean any contamination from the fiber end face. The adapter, as used herein, is the female part of the fiber connection that the swab portion of the stick will clean. The adapter is 2.5 mm in size therefore the swab portion of the fiber cleaning stick will be 2.5 mm.
Referring to the Figures for a clearer understanding of the invention it may be seen in
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While in the foregoing specification this invention has been described in relation to certain embodiments thereof, and many details have been put forth for the purpose of illustration, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention is susceptible to additional embodiments and that certain of the details described herein can be varied considerably without departing from the basic principles of the invention.
