Adapter for inspection of fiber optic cables

• US 9,846,281 B2
• Filed: 09/22/2014
• Issued: 12/19/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 09/23/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CommScope Connectivity UK Limited (TE Connectivity Limited)
• Original Assignee: CommScope Connectivity UK Limited (TE Connectivity Limited)
• Inventors: Murray, David Patrick
• Primary Examiner(s): Lepisto, Ryan
• Assistant Examiner(s): ANDERSON, GUY G
• Application Number:
  US15/024,299
• Publication Number:
  US 20160246011A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,184 Days
• Field of Search: 385 60, 385 90, 385133-134, 359368, 359382, 359379, 359694, 359384
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 11/088 of optical fibres; Mechanical features associated with the optical testing of optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3608 Fibre wiring boards, i.e. where fibres are embedded or attached in a pattern on or to a substrate, e.g. flexible sheets optical ribbon cables in support members G02B6/4401
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3825 with an intermediate part, e.g. adapter, receptacle, linking two 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 6/3879 Linking of individual connector plugs to an overconnector, e.g. using clamps, clips, common housings comprising several individual connector plugs
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4471 Terminating devices demountable connectors G02B6/3807; Cable clamps

Abstract

An example system for inspecting fiber optic cables includes: a fixture including a body configured to hold a plurality of fiber optic cables, the fixture including a front portion defining a plurality of apertures positioned adjacent to ends of the fiber optic cables; and an adapter including two or more pin members extending therefrom, the two or more pin members being configured to be positioned in two or more of the plurality of apertures in the fixture to hold the fixture relative to the adapter.

Claims

1. A system for inspecting fiber optic cables, the system comprising:

a fixture including a body configured to hold a plurality of fiber optic cables, the fixture including a front portion defining a plurality of apertures positioned adjacent to ends of the fiber optic cables;

an adapter having a base portion and an upper portion, the adapter including two or more pin members extending therefrom, the two or more pin members being configured to be positioned in two or more of the plurality of apertures in the fixture to hold the fixture relative to the adapter, and wherein the adapter defines one or more openings through which one or more ferrules of the fiber optic cables held by the fixture are configured to extend therethrough; and

an adjustment mechanism that couples the base portion to the upper portion, wherein the adjustment mechanism is configured to move the base portion towards and away from the upper portion so that an amount of the one or more ferrules of the fiber optic cables that extends through the openings is increased or decreased.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the fixture is configured to hold a flexible circuit.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the fixture includes a clamp arm that pivots between open and closed positions, wherein the flexible circuit is positioned in the fixture when the clamp arm is in the open position, and wherein the clamp arm is moved to the closed position to hold the flexible circuit within the fixture.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the fixture further includes a plurality of holders configured to hold a plurality of ferrules of the flexible circuit.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the openings is oversized to allow adjustment of a height of the ferrules.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising an inspection plate, wherein the inspection plate is configured to be coupled to an inspection device.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the inspection plate is coupled to the adapter by an attachment mechanism.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the attachment mechanism includes a plurality of rotatable pins that are received in grooves defined by the adapter.

9. A system for inspecting fiber optic cables, the system comprising:

a fixture including a body configured to hold a plurality of fiber optic cables, the fixture including a front portion defining a plurality of apertures positioned adjacent to ends of the fiber optic cables;

an adapter having a base portion and an upper portion, the adapter including two or more pin members extending therefrom, the two or more pin members being configured to be positioned in two or more of the plurality of apertures in the fixture to hold the fixture relative to the adapter, and wherein the adapter defines one or more openings through which one or more ferrules of the fiber optic cables held by the fixture are configured to extend therethrough;

an adjustment mechanism that couples the base portion to the upper portion, wherein the adjustment mechanism is configured to move the base portion towards and away from the upper portion so that an amount of the one or more ferrules of the fiber optic cables that extends through the openings is increased or decreased, wherein at least one of the openings is oversized to allow adjustment of a height of the ferrules; and

an inspection plate, wherein the inspection plate is configured to be coupled to an inspection device.