METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLING A FIBER OPTIC SPLICE
First Claim
1. An apparatus for splicing an optical fiber, the apparatus comprising:
- a first clamp movably secured to a casing, wherein the first clamp retains a first optical fiber end and wherein the first clamp moves along a first plane;
a second clamp movably secured to the casing, wherein the second clamp retains a second optical fiber end and wherein the second clamp moves along the first plane;
a curing chamber secured to the casing, wherein the curing chamber is situated between the first clamp and the second clamp on the first plane and wherein the curing chamber retains a capillary tube;
wherein the casing comprises a microcontroller and a plurality of motors, wherein the plurality of motors move the first clamp and the second clamp based on one or more signals from the microcontroller.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for assembling a fiber optic splice is provided. A first optical fiber end is inserted into a first clamp of the apparatus and a second optical fiber end is inserted into a second clamp of the apparatus. Situated between the first clamp and the second clamp is a curing chamber comprising a capillary tube containing resin and an ultra violet light. The first clamp moves a first distance, based on a first measured strain, towards the curing chamber. The second clamp is moved a second distance, based on a second measured strain, towards the curing chamber. The first clamp is then moved a third distance, based on a third measured strain, towards the curing chamber. The ultraviolet light is activated to cure the resin in the capillary tube.
4 Citations
11 Claims
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1. An apparatus for splicing an optical fiber, the apparatus comprising:
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a first clamp movably secured to a casing, wherein the first clamp retains a first optical fiber end and wherein the first clamp moves along a first plane; a second clamp movably secured to the casing, wherein the second clamp retains a second optical fiber end and wherein the second clamp moves along the first plane; a curing chamber secured to the casing, wherein the curing chamber is situated between the first clamp and the second clamp on the first plane and wherein the curing chamber retains a capillary tube; wherein the casing comprises a microcontroller and a plurality of motors, wherein the plurality of motors move the first clamp and the second clamp based on one or more signals from the microcontroller. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method of splicing optical fiber, the method comprising:
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preparing a first optical fiber end and a second optical fiber end; in response to a used interaction with an actuator, inserting, by a first motor assembly, the first prepared optical fiber end a first distance into a capillary, wherein the capillary comprises a resin; inserting, by a second motor assembly, the second prepared optical fiber end a second distance into the capillary; moving, by the first motor assembly, the first prepared optical fiber end a third distance in the capillary wherein the third distance is determined, at least in part, by a force measurement; and activating an ultraviolet light, such that the ultraviolet light cures the resin. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification