Field termination kit

• US 7,929,819 B2
• Filed: 03/09/2010
• Issued: 04/19/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/13/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bison Patent Licensing, LLC
• Original Assignee: ADC Telecommunications Incorporated (TE Connectivity Limited)
• Inventors: Kachmar, Wayne M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Healy; Brian M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Anderson; Guy G
• Application Number:
  US12/720,361
• Publication Number:
  US 20100272401A1
• Time in Patent Office: 406 Days
• Field of Search: 385/76, 385/85, 385/95, 385 97- 98, 385134-137
• US Class Current: 385/137
• CPC Class Codes: B24B 19/226 of the ends of optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/25 Preparing the ends of light guides for coupling, e.g. cutting
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3807 Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3846 with fibre stubs
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3866 Devices, tools or methods for cleaning connectors cleaning in general B08B

Abstract

A field termination kit includes an optical fiber preparation device for preparing an end of an optical fiber, an optical inspection device for inspecting the end of the optical fiber, and a termination assembly for terminating the end of the optical fiber. A method of using a field termination kit includes rotating an end of a first optical fiber about a center of an abrasive portion of an optical fiber preparation tool. The end is pressed against an adhesive portion of the optical fiber preparation tool to clean contaminants from the end. The end is inserted into an inner passage of an optical fiber inspection device for viewing. The end is inserted into a termination assembly. The end is terminated to an end of a second optical fiber in a termination region of the termination assembly.

Claims

1. A termination assembly comprising:

a carrier having;

a first end;

a second end oppositely disposed from the first end;

a termination region disposed between the first and second ends, the termination region defining a cavity and including a first adhesive region disposed between the cavity and the first end and a second adhesive region disposed between the cavity and the second end;

a V-groove chip disposed in the cavity, the V-groove chip adapted to receive first and second optical fibers for termination;

a first heat responsive adhesive element disposed in the first adhesive region, the first heat responsive adhesive element adapted to secure the first optical fiber to the carrier; and

a second heat responsive adhesive element disposed in the second adhesive region, the second heat responsive adhesive element being adapted to secure the second optical fiber to the carrier.

2. The termination assembly of claim 1, further comprising a first saddle assembly in thermally conductive contact with the first heat responsive adhesive element.

3. The termination assembly of claim 2, wherein the first saddle assembly includes a saddle that is in thermally conductive contact with a resistor.

4. The termination assembly of claim 3, wherein the saddle of the first saddle assembly is in contact with a surface of the first heat responsive adhesive element.

5. The termination assembly of claim 2, further comprising a second saddle assembly in thermally conductive contact with the second heat responsive adhesive element.

6. The termination assembly of claim 5, wherein the second saddle assembly includes a saddle that is in thermally conductive contact with a resistor.

7. The termination assembly of claim 6, wherein the saddle of the second saddle assembly is in contact with a surface of the second heat responsive adhesive element.

8. The termination assembly of claim 1, further comprising a first crimp tube engaged with the first end and a second crimp tube engaged with the second end, wherein the first and second crimp tubes define passageways.

9. A termination assembly comprising:

a first optical fiber having an end;

a second optical fiber having an end;

a carrier having;

a first end;

a second end oppositely disposed from the first end;

a termination region disposed between the first and second ends, the termination region defining a cavity and including a first adhesive region disposed between the cavity and the first end and a second adhesive region disposed between the cavity and the second end;

a V-groove chip disposed in the cavity, wherein the V-groove chip receives the ends of the first and second optical fibers;

a first heat responsive adhesive element disposed in the first adhesive region, the first heat responsive adhesive element securing the first optical fiber to the carrier; and

a second heat responsive adhesive element disposed in the second adhesive region, the second heat responsive adhesive element securing the second optical fiber to the carrier.

10. The termination assembly of claim 9, further comprising a first saddle assembly in thermally conductive contact with the first heat responsive adhesive element.

11. The termination assembly of claim 10, wherein the first saddle assembly includes a saddle that is in thermally conductive contact with a resistor.

12. The termination assembly of claim 11, wherein the saddle of the first saddle assembly is in contact with a surface of the first heat responsive adhesive element.

13. The termination assembly of claim 10, further comprising a second saddle assembly in thermally conductive contact with the second heat responsive adhesive element.

14. The termination assembly of claim 13, wherein the second saddle assembly includes a saddle that is in thermally conductive contact with a resistor.

15. The termination assembly of claim 14, wherein the saddle of the second saddle assembly is in contact with a surface of the second heat responsive adhesive element.

16. The termination assembly of claim 9, further comprising a first crimp tube engaged to a first crimp hole that extends through the first end and a second crimp tube engaged to a second crimp hole that extends through the second end, wherein the first and second crimp tubes define passageways.

17. The termination assembly of claim 9, further comprising index matching gel disposed between the ends of the first and second optical fibers.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein index matching gel is disposed between the ends of the first and second optical fibers in the V-groove chip.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the first optical fiber is secured to the first adhesive region by a first glue pellet and the second optical fiber is secured to the second adhesive region by a second glue pellet.

18. A method for installing optical fibers in a termination assembly, the method comprising:

inserting an end of a first optical fiber through a first end of a carrier;

inserting an end of a second optical fiber through a second end of the carrier;

inserting the ends of the first and second optical fibers into a V-groove of a V-groove chip;

securing the first optical fiber to a first adhesive region of the carrier disposed between the V-groove chip and the first end; and

securing the second optical fiber to a second adhesive region of the carrier disposed between the V-groove chip and the second end.