The present disclosure relates generally to methods for processing fiber optic cables. More particularly, the method is directed towards methods of stripping and connecting optical fibers.
Fiber optic communication systems are prevalent in part because service providers want to deliver high band width communication capabilities (e.g. data and voice) to customers. Fiber optic communication systems employ a network of fiber optic cables to transmit large volumes of data and voice signals over relatively long distances. Optical fibers may be connected by splicing or through the use of connectors.
Optical fibers that are currently commercially available comprises a central glass core, a glass cladding that surrounds the core, and a coating of synthetic polymer material, such as acrylate. Typically, the external diameter of the cladding is about 125 μm and the external diameter of the polymer coating is approximately 250 μm, or approximately 200 μm. The coating is provided to protect the inner core and glass cladding from the external environment.
It is often necessary to remove the coating of synthetic polymer material from the optical fibers. Heat is often applied to remove the coating; however, residue of the coating often remains on at least a portion of the glass cladding of the optical fiber. The residue left behind can cause inaccurate and imprecise splicing or requires further processing of the optical fiber.
Aspects of the present disclosure relate to methods for handling, positioning, and aligning optical fibers in which imprecision related to residue adhesive can be reduced or eliminated.
Another aspect relates to a method for processing an optical fiber having a coating surrounding the cladding and the core. The optical fiber includes a first side and an opposing second side. The method includes stripping the coating from the cladding of the optical fiber using a stripping process. The stripping process includes applying direct heat to the first side of the optical fiber and not applying direct heat to the second side of the optical fiber. After stripping, the optical fiber is inserted into a fiber alignment structure with the second side of the optical fiber engaging a fiber alignment feature of the alignment structure and the first side of the optical fiber not engaging the fiber alignment feature. In this way, coating residue at the first side of the fiber does not negatively impact fiber alignment.
A variety of additional aspects will be set forth in the description that follows. The aspects relate to individual features and to combinations of features. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the broad inventive concepts upon which the embodiments disclosed herein are based.
The following drawings are illustrative of particular embodiments of the present disclosure and therefore do not limit the scope of the present disclosure. The drawings are not to scale and are intended for use in conjunction with the explanations in the following detailed description. Embodiments of the present disclosure will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like numerals denote like elements;
Aspects of the present disclosure relate to methods for processing optical fibers, and ensuring that the alignment in a fiber alignment structure is precise.
Generally, the method includes placing a first side of an optical fiber in heated contact with a stripping device, and after stripping, placing a second side of the optical fiber in contact with a fiber alignment structure, such as an alignment structure of a splicing device. A further process includes stripping the coating from the cladding of the optical fiber using a stripping process. The stripping process includes applying direct heat to the first side of the optical fiber and not applying direct heat to the second side of the optical fiber. Then, after stripping, the optical fiber is inserted into a fiber alignment structure with the second side of the optical fiber engaging a fiber alignment feature of the alignment structure.
When optical fibers are stripped a majority of the coating layer is removed. However, residue of the coating layer can remain on the optical fiber, which can cause misalignment in a fiber alignment structure. In an example embodiment, a fiber alignment structure may be integrated with a splicing device. In another example embodiment, a fiber alignment structure is a ferrule.
At operation 102, the at least one optical fiber is inserted into a stripping device. The stripping device includes a heater that applies direct heat to the first side of the at least one optical fiber, but does not apply direct heat to the second side of the at least one optical fiber.
At operation 104, the polymer coating is stripped from the cladding of the at least one optical fiber. During stripping, it is desirable to remove as much of the coating as possible. However, coating residue can remain on the cladding after stripping. Commonly, due to direct heating and pressure, more residue is left on the first side of the optical fiber as compared to the second side of the optical fiber.
At operation 106, the at least one optical fiber is inserted into a fiber alignment structure. The fiber alignment structure may be part of a splicing device, the fiber alignment structure may be part of a ferrule, or may be part of another component or piece of equipment. In certain examples, the alignment device can include a mechanical alignment feature such as a groove (e.g., a V-groove). The second side of the at least one optical fiber, which has no residue or less residue than the first side, is engaged with the fiber alignment feature of the alignment structure. For example, the cladding of the second side of the at least one optical fiber faces the fiber alignment feature and preferably engages the fiber alignment feature. The first side of the at least one optical fiber does not necessarily engage or face the fiber alignment feature.
At optional operation 108, the at least one optical fiber is spliced by a splicing device such as a fusion splicer that heats the ends of aligned optical fibers to fuse the ends together.
The heating element 202 is located at the base 208 of the stripping device 200. Therefore, only a first side of the at least one optical fiber 152 is subject to direct heat provided by the heating element 202. A residue of coating may be left on the cladding of the at least one optical fiber 152 on the first side.
The clip 150 as shown, holds a plurality of optical fiber 152 in a parallel array so that the array of fibers is heated and stripped. In another embodiment, the clip 150 may only hold a single optical fiber 152. The clip 150 is configured to engage with the pocket 210 of the stripping device 200 and can be configured to engage with the pocket of a splicing machine.
As indicated above, the clip 150 holds the plurality of optical fibers 152. The clip 150 is configured to be mounted in the pocket 210 of the stripping device 200. In a first embodiment, only one side of the clip 150 is configured to be able to mount in the pocket 210. In another embodiment, the pocket 210 may include an insert that is configured to allow only one side of the clip 150 to be mounted within the insert. The insert can be configured as an adapter that allows the clip 150 to be mounted in the pocket 210 only with the first side facing the pocket 210. The first side of the clip 150 can correspond to the first side 153 of the optical fiber 152 and the second side of the clip 150 can correspond to the second side 155 of the optical fiber 152. The first and second sides of the clip 150 can face opposite directions.
Referring to
Once heated, the coatings can be pulled axially from the optical fibers 152 as part of the stripping process. After stripping, the coating residue is more likely to be present at the first sides 153 of the optical fibers 152 due to the direct heating.
The base 404 includes the fiber alignment structure 412. In the embodiment shown, the fiber alignment structure 412 includes a plurality of channels 408 that are configured to receive the plurality of optical fibers 152. In an example embodiment, the channels 408 are each shaped as a V-groove. In alternative embodiments the shape of the channels 408 may be different, such as having a C-shape or other similar shape configured to receive an align an optical fiber 152. The plurality of channels 408 are sized to accept the core 154 and the cladding 156 of the optical fiber 152. In use, after the optical fibers 152 have had the coating 158 removed, the coating 158 is only fully or mostly removed from a second side 155 of the optical fiber 152. The second side 155 of the optical fiber 152 is inserted into the plurality of channels 408, so that the cladding 156 touches a sidewall 410 of the plurality of channels 408.
The distance between the holder 504 and the top portion 502 may be changed as needed, based on the diameter of the optical fibers 152. After the optical fibers 152 have been secured between the holder 504 and the top portion 502, the top portion 502 is closed and is secured against the bottom portion 508 by a latch 510.
In an embodiment, the top portion 502 has an interface that is capable of mating with the stripping device 200, while the bottom portion 508 has an interface that is capable with mating with the fiber alignment structure, for example, the splicing device 400, or vice versa. In another embodiment, the interface of the top portion 502 and interface of the bottom portion 508 are the same, and are each capable of mating with the stripping device and the fiber alignment structure.
The clip 500 can be designed, in concert with the pocket of the stripping device and a pocket of a splicing device, such that the first side mates with the pocket of at least one of the stripping device and the splicing device, and the second side mates with the pocket of at least the other of the stripping device and the splicing device. Thus, the clip 500 can be flipped over when transferred between the pockets of the stripping and splicing devices. For example, the first side can be received in the pocket of the stripping device and the second side can be received in the pocket of the splicing device. In certain examples, the pockets and the clip 500 are configured so that the first side of the clip 500 fits within the pocket of only one of the stripping and splicing devices, and the second side of the clip 500 fits within the pocket of only the other of the stripping and splicing devices. Thus, flipping of the clip 500 is required. By flipping the clip 500, the sides of the optical fibers that are heated during stripping face away from the alignment structure of the splicing device.
In certain examples, the pockets can be initially designed to be compatible with the first or second sides of the clip 500. In other examples, inserts can be used in the pockets to make the pocket of the stripping device compatible with the first side of the clip and not compatible with the second side of the clip, and to make the pocket of the splicing device compatible with the second side of the clip and not the first side of the clip.
Aspects of the present disclosure relate to modifying or retrofitting the nest 822 of the hot jacket stripper 816 such that the nest 822 is no longer compatible with the bottom side 814 of the clip 800, but instead is compatible with the top side 812 of the clip 800. As shown at
The splicing machine 840 also includes alignment structures 844 such as v-grooves for aligning the end portions 823 of the optical fibers held by the clips 800 at a splicing region defined between electrodes 848. The splicing machine 840 also includes a cover 850 that can be closed to press the end portions 823 of the optical fibers 152 into alignment grooves of the alignment structures 844 and to hold the clips 800 within the nests 842 when the electrodes 848 are activated to fusion splice the ends of the optical fibers together. The different configurations of the retrofitted nests of the hot jacket stripper 816 of
Embodiments of the present invention, for example, are described above with reference to block diagrams and/or operational illustrations of methods and systems according to embodiments of the invention. The functions/acts noted in the blocks may occur out of the order as shown in any flowchart. For example, two blocks shown in succession may in fact be executed substantially concurrently or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved.
The description and illustration of one or more embodiments provided in this application are not intended to limit or restrict the scope of the invention as claimed in any way. The embodiments, examples, and details provided in this application are considered sufficient to convey possession and enable others to make and use the best mode of claimed invention. The claimed invention should not be construed as being limited to any embodiment, example, or detail provided in this application. Regardless of whether shown and described in combination or separately, the various features (both structural and methodological) are intended to be selectively included or omitted to produce an embodiment with a particular set of features. Having been provided with the description and illustration of the present application, one skilled in the art may envision variations, modifications, and alternate embodiments falling within the spirit of the broader aspects of the claimed invention and the general inventive concept embodied in this application that do not depart from the broader scope.
This application is being filed on Jul. 22, 2020 as a PCT International Patent Application and claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 62/879,244, filed on Jul. 26, 2019, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/US2020/043111 | 7/22/2020 | WO |
Number | Date | Country | |
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62879244 | Jul 2019 | US |