MEMS based handheld fiber optic connector cleaner
First Claim
1. A fiber optic connector cleaner, comprising:
- a double-layer nozzle combining hypodermic needles for delivering and removing compressed, filtered air and solvent to and from an end-surface of a ferrule of a fiber optic connector;
Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) pumps for compressing said filtered air and for retrieving by suction said compressed, filtered air and said solvent; and
MEMS valves for controlling paths of said air, said solvent, and said suction.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) and double-layer nozzle based high efficiency, lightweight, low cost, compact, portable fiber-optic connector cleaning apparatus useful for various fiber optic communications applications such as fiber optic cable plant maintenance. The double-layer nozzle design enables the delivery of compressed, filtered air and solvent to connector surfaces. A built-in MEMS pump sucks the air and solvent back to remove particles and contaminations without leaving residues and without scratching the connector surfaces. An interchangeable external needle allows the cleaner to quickly adapt to all kinds of fiber optic connectors. No disassembly is required. The connector cleaner is therefore both fast and effective at cleaning various male and female fiber optic connectors. The fiber optic connector cleaner with 3–5 cc solvent weighs less than half a pound and can be held and operated by one hand.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A fiber optic connector cleaner, comprising:
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a double-layer nozzle combining hypodermic needles for delivering and removing compressed, filtered air and solvent to and from an end-surface of a ferrule of a fiber optic connector; Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) pumps for compressing said filtered air and for retrieving by suction said compressed, filtered air and said solvent; and MEMS valves for controlling paths of said air, said solvent, and said suction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification