Optical fiber connector system cleaning machine

• US 20020162582A1
• Filed: 12/13/2000
• Published: 11/07/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/13/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Lightel Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Lightel Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Chu, Ching, Mao, Zhong-Ming, Huang, Shangyuan
• Application Number:
  US09/736,591
• Publication Number:
  US 20020162582A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 134/105
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 2203/0288 Ultra or megasonic jets
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 2230/01 Cleaning with steam
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 2240/02 Optical fibers or optical fiber connectors
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 3/02 Cleaning by the force of jets or sprays
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 3/12 by sonic or ultrasonic vibrations washing or rinsing machines for crockery or tableware using sonic or ultrasonic waves A47L15/13; of natural teeth, of prostheses using ultrasonic techniques similar to those used for natural teeth A61C17/20; application of ultrasonic vibrations to chemical, physical or physico-chemical processes in general B01J19/10
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3807 Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/385 Accessories for testing or observation of connectors means for centering or aligning the light guide within the ferrule with auxiliary facilities for movably aligning or adjusting the fibre within its ferrule, measuring position, eccentricity G02B6/3843; mechanical features associated with the optical testing of optical fibres G01M11/088
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3866 Devices, tools or methods for cleaning connectors cleaning in general B08B

Abstract

Various embodiments of an apparatus and methods capable of cleaning the end surface of an optical fiber connector, particularly a jet of cleaning liquids with vacuum removal system, clean fluid pressure and/or vacuum, plasma discharge, steam jet, and ultrasound field.

Claims

1. A method and apparatus for cleaning by means of a directed stream of droplets of a cleaning liquid, which comprises:

a liquid reservoir for holding the cleaning liquid;

a liquid jet probe body for directing the cleaning liquid toward the optical fiber connector tip;

means for propelling the cleaning liquid; and

means for actively removing the cleaning liquid.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cleaning liquid propelling means includes a liquid droplets generator by which means the cleaning liquid is propellable at high speed toward the optical fiber end surface.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the liquid droplets generator means includes piezo material and a source of power to said piezo material.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cleaning liquid evacuation means includes a vacuum system.

5. A method and apparatus for cleaning by means of an oversize cleaning ferrule, which comprises:

an oversize cleaning ferrule; and

a vacuum source or a pressure source.

6. A method and apparatus for cleaning by means of plasma discharge, which comprises:

a sleeve interface body;

a gas injection passage;

a gas removal passage;

an O-ring seal;

a pressure containment chamber;

a plurality of electrodes; and

a power source.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the pressure containment chamber means is a vacuum/pressure system capable of maintaining pressure between 10 and 0.001 torr.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein oxidized residue of the plasma cleaning process, if any, is removable by introduction of a pressurized gas through the gas injection nozzle and removal of said gas and said oxidized residue through the gas removal nozzle.

9. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the gas injection passage means is used to introduce a mixture of oxidizing gas and ions.

10. A method and apparatus for cleaning by means of a steam cleaning system which comprises:

a liquid transfer tube;

a heater element;

a jet of steam of cleaning liquid

means for introducing said cleaning liquid into the apparatus;

a power supply.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the cleaning liquid introducing means provides the cleaning liquid in a controlled, or metered, manner to the optical fiber end surface to be cleaned, such that heating of the liquid of an optimal cleaning nature occurs.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the steam cleaning liquid means is pure water.

13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the steam cleaning liquid means is a solution of pure water and alcohol.

14. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the steam cleaning liquid means is a solution of pure water and other additive.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the ring assemblies are capable of generating a cavitation effect within the liquid-filled gap to affect the optical fiber end surface.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the frequencies employed are within the range of 47 Hz to 5 MHz, inclusive.

18. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the ultrasonic cleaning liquid is channeled to and from the liquid jet/vacuum probe tip by means of the same channel.

19. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the ultrasonic cleaning liquid is channeled to and from the liquid jet/vacuum probe tip by means of a different channel.

20. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein a probe tip cushioning seal absorbs undesired vibration against the housing and sheath of the optical fiber connector tip.

21. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the liquid jet/vacuum probe tip is interchangeable to adapt the apparatus for use with various optical fiber connector types.

22. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein piezomagnetic vibration is used to generate the ultrasonic or sonic cleaning effect.

23. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein electromagnetic vibration is used to generate the ultrasonic or sonic cleaning effect.

24. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein magnetoelastic vibration is used to generate the ultrasonic or sonic cleaning effect.

25. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein magnetomechanical vibration is used to generate the ultrasonic or sonic cleaning effect.

15. A method and apparatus for cleaning by means of ultrasound field interactive, which comprises:

an ultrasonic cleaning liquid;

means for introducing said ultrasonic cleaning liquid into the apparatus;

a mass;

a plurality of ring assemblies, each comprising a PZT ceramic ring and at least two electrodes;

an ultrasonic power supply;

an impedance transformation means, and

a liquid jet/vacuum probe tip which is capable of non-contact interface with a optical fiber connector tip.