Abstract: In accordance with various aspects of the present invention, provided is an extremely compact, simple, and cost-effective approach for aligning optical fibers in an optical fiber fusion splicer. The basis of this alignment method is an “S”-Curve Piezo Bending Actuator. The device comprises a thin strip of elastically flexible material (such as spring steel, beryllium copper, or fiber reinforced polymer) that is coated in four areas with a piezoelectric material (such as barium titanate or other known compounds).

Abstract: In accordance with various aspects of the present invention, provided is an extremely compact, simple, and cost-effective approach for aligning optical fibers in an optical fiber fusion splicer. The basis of this alignment method is an “S”-Curve Piezo Bending Actuator. The device comprises a thin strip of elastically flexible material (such as spring steel, beryllium copper, or fiber reinforced polymer) that is coated in four areas with a piezoelectric material (such as barium titanate or other known compounds).

Abstract: Analog control of a plurality of light sources, such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs), to generate multiple colors of light. An electronic circuit controls three or more analog outputs in response to a single analog input, each of the analog outputs controlling a different one of the light sources.

Abstract: A data collection system that is attachable to an optical fiber splicer and is connectible to the splicer's serial port and/or video output. The device captures text data from the serial port and stores this data along with digitized video images of the fibers before, during, and/or after the splice. This data may be stored on a high-capacity storage medium, which may be removable. The date, time, and/or other external data may be recorded as well. The record of each splice is uniquely identified by a serial number or other indicium that is labeled on the splice. This serial number may be read into the data collection device by a laser scanner or optical wand. This device may also interface with a computer and may have full handshaking and a faster, better configured serial port connection than the splicer itself. Advantages of the data collection system include providing remote access of splice data, accountability for defective or problematic splices, and more efficient troubleshooting.

Abstract: A product package intended to hold a product for sale. The product package includes one or more light sources disposed therein and configured to direct light through one or more openings in the exterior of the product package, in order to entice customers to purchase the product. Various techniques are used such as diffusing light before letting it exit the product package.

Abstract: Analog control of a plurality of light sources, such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs), to generate multiple colors of light. An electronic circuit controls three or more analog outputs in response to a single analog input, each of the analog outputs controlling a different one of the light sources.

Abstract: A product package intended to hold a product for sale. The product package includes one or more light sources disposed therein and configured to direct light through one or more openings in the exterior of the product package, in order to entice customers to purchase the product. Various techniques are used such as diffusing light before letting it exit the product package.

Abstract: A data collection system that is attachable to an optical fiber splicer and is connectible to the splicer's serial port and/or video output. The device captures text data from the serial port and stores this data along with digitized video images of the fibers before, during, and/or after the splice. This data may be stored on a high-capacity storage medium, which may be removable. The date, time, and/or other external data may be recorded as well. The record of each splice is uniquely identified by a serial number or other indicium that is labeled on the splice. This serial number may be read into the data collection device by a laser scanner or optical wand. This device may also interface with a computer and may have full handshaking and a faster, better configured serial port connection than the splicer itself. Advantages of the data collection system include providing remote access of splice data, accountability for defective or problematic splices, and more efficient troubleshooting.

Abstract: A data collection system that is attachable to an optical fiber splicer and is connectible to the splicer's serial port and/or video output. The device captures text data from the serial port and stores this data along with digitized video images of the fibers before, during, and/or after the splice. This data may be stored on a high-capacity storage medium, which may be removable. The date, time, and/or other external data may be recorded as well. The record of each splice is uniquely identified by a serial number or other indicium that is labeled on the splice. This serial number may be read into the data collection device by a laser scanner or optical wand. This device may also interface with a computer and may have full handshaking and a faster, better configured serial port connection than the splicer itself. Advantages of the data collection system include providing remote access of splice data, accountability for defective or problematic splices, and more efficient troubleshooting.

Abstract: A cylindrically shaped rotator is provided that can hold either a fiber or a fiber holder along its central axis. A drive roller running parallel to the central axis of the rotator drives the rotator. The diameter of the portion of the drive roller that operates on the rotator is smaller than the diameter of the rotator, so that even large rotational movement of the drive roller produces only small rotational movement of the rotator. The rotator may have a friction band wrapped about its circumference. The drive roller then contacts the friction band directly to rotate the rotator. Alternately, the drive roller may be connected to the rotator by a belt, chain, gear or the like. The rotator may also have markings on its surface, so that the rotational orientation of the rotator and rotational movement of the rotator can be identified. The markings may be binary markings that can be automatically recognized by, for example, a conventional bar code reader.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus uses an ultrasonically excited cleaning fluid to clean an object disposed in a cleaning chamber that is substantially isolated from a surrounding environment. The apparatus is particularly suited to cleaning a portion of an elongate member, especially (but not necessarily only) an intermediate (i.e., a portion excluding a distal end portion) portion thereof. In one example, the cleaning apparatus is usable to clean only an intermediate portion of an optical fiber stripped of its coating. The cleaning fluid may be, for example and without limitation, an alcohol such as isopropyl alcohol, or acetone. The cleaning fluid may be circulated in a closed circuit. The closed circuit may include one or more of a fluid pump, a vacuum device for further urging the fluid through the system, and a fluid filter for cleaning the used fluid of at least some contaminants before it is reused.

Abstract: A recoating splice sleeve is provided to protect fused or jointed optical fibers, at and adjacent their point of fusion, against environmental damage and to restore adequate strength at the splice after the fusion. The recoating splice sleeve includes an inner tube, and an outer tube having a portion with diminished structure integrity such that the portion is easily broken to facilitate removal of the outer tube. The inner tube is made of a fiber recoating material. The splice sleeve is positioned over the point of fusion of the fibers. The splice sleeve, together with the fused optical fibers, are heated in order to melt the fiber recoating material around the fused fibers. Once the fiber recoating material of the inner tube has cured around the fused fibers, the outer tube is separated along a tube separation assist feature such as a portion having diminished structural integrity, removed and discarded.

Abstract: A method and system for providing precise alignment of optical fiber cores to prepare for the splicing thereof without requiring specialized splicer optical systems or extensive redesigns of existing splicer optical systems. The optical fibers themselves are used to magnify an image of the cores at the splice point of the optical for precise alignment thereof. That is, in an optical fiber splicer having an optical system, the imaging device utilizes the cladding of optical fibers that are to be spliced together to precisely align the axial cores of the optical fibers.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for automatically preparing optical fibers for splicing by automatically positioning an optical fiber at a stripping station, a cleaning station, and a cleaving station. The processing of the optical fiber at the various stations is also preferably automated. The optical fiber may be held by an optical fiber holder and/or a carriage, which may translate and/or rotate the optical fiber amongst the various stations. Where the optical fiber is translated only along a single axis, the unit may be configured to be quite reliable, compact, and inexpensive to manufacture.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for automatically preparing optical fibers for splicing (or for attachment to a connector or an optical component) by automatically positioning a stripping station, a cleaning station, and a cleaving station to process one or more optical fibers substantially simultaneously. The optical fiber may be held at a fixed position during processing. A vacuum system may further be used to automatically collect scrap produced by the cleaving process.

Abstract: The present invention introduces system and method for an enhanced mass splice measurement system for testing a plurality of optical fiber splices and also the reliability of the mass fusion splicer itself. In one embodiment, a first light signal may be transmitted through each of a plurality of optical fibers at one end. At the other end, the plurality of optical fibers may be optically coupled to an integrating sphere using a fiber holder and an adapter. A light meter may be coupled to the integrating sphere for measuring the first light signal received at the integrating sphere. Once the first light signal has been measured, the fiber holder having the ends of the optical fiber may be removed from the integrating sphere and/or adapter and installed in a mass fusion splicer. A second fiber holder having ends of a second fiber cable may be installed in the mass fusion splicer.

Abstract: A fiber-splice protection label or sleeve for one or more optical fiber fusion splices. The label is provided with a unique indicium such as a serial number in alphanumeric and/or barcoded forms. The indicium may be in the form of a strip of paper, plastic, foil, or other suitable material inserted between the inner and outer sleeve or otherwise embedded in the unit. The serial number may also be printed directly on the inner sleeve, outer sleeve, or support rod, and/or in the form of a sleeve. A hologram and/or other security feature may be used to prevent tampering or creation of counterfeit units. The number of digits are preferably chosen to allow a large number of units to be sold without duplication of numbers. Special standardized prefixes or other indicia may be chosen for government or other special applications. Serial numbers may further be encoded into a micro-miniature memory “chip” embedded in, e.g., the outer sleeve.

Abstract: The present invention introduces an arc shaping member to be used in fiber optic fusion splicers. The use of the an arc shaping member may minimize the undesirable effects of grunge and/or deposits than can buildup on arc electrodes. The buildup of grunge or other deposits can cause formation of an irregular electrical arc possibly resulting in an undesirable splice. The arc shaping member may be a passive or active. In a fiber optic splicer, the arc shaping member may be mounted in a plane parallel to the optical fiber(s) being spliced and in a plane perpendicular to the arc electrodes. The arc shaping member may be installed such that the member surrounds the electric arc created by the arc electrodes. The presence of the arc shaping member causes the electric arc to maintain the desired shape and/or intensity. An operator may control, independent of the arc voltage, the shape, size and heat intensity of the electrical arc.

Abstract: An optical fiber ribbon splice tester includes an acoustic sensor. A force applicator applies a tensile force to an optical fiber ribbon that contains a plurality of splices. The acoustic sensor detects sounds generated from the splices when the force is applied. A controller is connected to the acoustic sensor and is programmed to indicate when the sound corresponds to at least one defective splice.