Microscope for examining the surface finish of fiber optic ends

• US 4,671,629 A
• Filed: 04/26/1984
• Issued: 06/09/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 04/26/1984
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Buehler Ltd. (Illinois Tool Works Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Buehler Ltd. (Illinois Tool Works Inc.)
• Inventors: Doyle, Ralph R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sikes, William L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HEALY, BRIAN
• Application Number:
  US06/604,045
• Time in Patent Office: 1,139 Days
• Field of Search: 350/96.10, 350/96.20, 350/96.21, 350/96.24, 350/96.25, 350/96.26, 350/96.29, 350/96.30, 350/507, 350/523, 350/526, 362/32, 356/73.1
• US Class Current: 359/385
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 11/31 with a light emitter and a light receiver being disposed at the same side of a fibre or waveguide end-face, e.g. reflectometers
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 21/0008 Microscopes having a simple construction, e.g. portable microscopes
• 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 6/3863 fabricated by using polishing techniques grinding of the fibre ends B24B19/226

Abstract

A surface inspection microscope for examining the surface finish of a fiber optic end, the microscope including a fitting for attaching the end of a fiber optic connector, an eyepiece for viewing the fiber optic end, a light source within the microscope for transmitting light along the length of the optic cable, and reflector means for positioning against the opposite end of the fiber optic cable to reflect light from the light source back along the length of the fiber optic cable thereby enhancing the contrast between the end of the fiber optic core and the cladding material which surrounds the core.

Claims

1. A surface inspection microscope for examining the surface finish of one end of a length of fiber optic of the type having a core surrounded by cladding material, said microscope including, in combination, an elongated housing, a fitting for attaching one end of said length of fiber optic to one end of said housing, an eyepiece attached at the opposite end of said housing to permit visual inspection of the surface of said one end of said length of fiber optic through said eyepiece, a light bulb within said housing to transmit a constant beam of light into said one end of said length of fiber optic, and a flat mirror mounted on an outside wall of said housing against which the opposite end of said length of fiber optic may be manually held for transmitting light from said light bulb back along the length of said fiber optic to facilitate said visual inspection by aiding in the differentiation between said core and said cladding.