Fiber optic loop support

• US 6,439,777 B1
• Filed: 08/08/2000
• Issued: 08/27/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Andrew T. Piatek, Joseph C. Harrison
• Original Assignee: Andrew T. Piatek, Joseph C. Harrison
• Inventors: Harrison, Joseph C., Piatek, Andrew T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ullah, Akm E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Doan, Jennifer
• Application Number:
  US09/634,451
• Time in Patent Office: 749 Days
• Field of Search: 385/53, 385/66, 385/134, 385/136, 385/137
• US Class Current: 385/53
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3636 the mechanical coupling means being grooves G02B6/3652 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3827 Wrap-back connectors, i.e. containing a fibre having an U shape
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3879 Linking of individual connector plugs to an overconnector, e.g. using clamps, clips, common housings comprising several individual connector plugs
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3893 Push-pull type, e.g. snap-in, push-on

Abstract

A testing device for fiber optic system devices includes a fiber optic loop support that holds a single-mode optical fiber such that an empirically determined loss characteristic associated therewith is unvarying from use to use. In particular, an optical fiber forms a loop, and the loop is supported within a rigid slotted housing. The housing effectively precludes bending losses. Additionally, the housing is small and portable so that field testing may also be performed.

Claims

1. A testing device for use with a device, said testing device comprising:

a duplex connector pair comprising a yoke, said yoke having a protuberance;

an optical fiber operatively secured to said duplex connector pair; and

a rigid support for holding said fiber such that losses induced in said fiber are substantially nonvarying from use to use of the testing device.

2. The testing device of claim 1 wherein said duplex connector pair comprises at least one LUCENT connector.

3. The testing device of claim 1 wherein said fiber is a single-mode optical fiber.

4. The testing device of claim 1 wherein said support comprises a slotted housing having an interior cavity and said fiber is positioned therein.

5. The testing device of claim 4 wherein said housing includes a first end including a yoke receptacle thereon.

6. The testing device of claim 5 wherein said duplex connector pair comprises at least one LUCENT connector and said yoke receptacle is adapted to receive said yoke positioned on said duplex connector pair.

7. The testing device of claim 1 wherein said duplex connector pair further comprises at least one LUCENT LC connector;

wherein said optical fiber comprises a single-mode optical fiber; and

wherein said rigid support comprises a single molded piece of plastic comprising a generally planar interior portion on which said optical fiber rests;

said rigid support further comprising a yoke receptacle, said yoke receptacle receiving said protuberance of said yoke.

8. A fiber optic loop support comprising:

rigid housing;

connector receptacle positioned on said housing and adapted to receive a yoke secured to an optical duplex connector pair; and

said housing including a surface adapted to receive an optical fiber positioned thereon such that losses induced in said fiber are substantially nonvarying between uses of said fiber.

9. The fiber optic loop support of claim 8 further including a single-mode optical fiber positioned on said surface.

10. The fiber optic loop support of claim 9 wherein said housing includes an interior chamber and said fiber is positioned within said interior chamber.

11. The fiber optic loop support of claim 8 wherein said housing is generally planar.

12. A method of testing a fiber optic system device, comprising:

inserting a yoke secured to a duplex connector pair attached to a fiber optic loop support containing a loop of optical fiber into a yoke receptacle on a first end of the fiber optic system device; and

maintaining the loop substantially free of later introduced bends such that the loss characteristic of the loop is substantially constant.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising removing the connector from the fiber optic system device.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising subsequently inserting the connector into a second fiber optic system device.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the loss characteristic of the loop remains substantially constant for both insertions.

16. A method of manufacturing a fiber optic testing device, comprising:

attaching an optical fiber to a duplex connector pair including a yoke;

inserting the fiber into a loop support having a yoke receptacle such that the fiber has a relatively constant loss characteristic; and

securing the connector to the loop support, such that the yoke receptacle receives the yoke.