Abstract: A cleaning device (100) for cleaning fiber optic end faces comprises a dispensing nozzle (104) configured to discharge a jet column (118) generated by the Coanda effect with intermittent injection of a cleaning solvent into the jet column (118). The method comprises impinging the jet column (118) onto a fiber optic end face (120) while maintaining a stand-off distance from the end face being cleaned.

Abstract: The axial positions of two or more fibers are simultaneously controlled in three grinding or polishing stages. The fibers (72) are first ground flush with the guide (120) in which they are housed. The fiber ends and faces of the guides are then ground flat and square. The fibers are thereafter polished to their optical quality and required length. The tool for accomplishing these steps includes a retainer (74) which holds the assembly (73) of fiber optic ferrules (70) and their optical fibers (72) therein at a tool surface (16). This tool surface is protected by a guard (18) from being too rapidly ground away while the fibers and fiber/guide combinations are ground flush with the surface. The surface and its retained guides and fibers are then axially moved to an unprotected position (FIG. 3) so that the surfaces and the fibers within their ferrules may be polished on a suitable polishing wheel or similar device.

Abstract: An interchangeable multi-channel hermaphroditic fiber optic connector (10) for cables (12), having different numbers of optical fibers (18) and contacts (22) therefor, comprises a connector shell (34) having a specifically configured interior surface (38) and a plurality of inserts (26) each having an exterior surface (36) which is configured substantially as the connector shell's interior surface. This substantially similar configuration permits interchangeable insertion of any of the inserts within the connector shell. The inserts have different numbers of cavities (28) in order to accommodate any number of optical fibers and their contacts, without needing to change the entire connector structure.

Abstract: The present apparatus and method make it extremely easy for a worker, even when located in a manhole or on a telephone pole, to rapidly achieve a perfect break in an optical fiber and at a precisely predetermined position relative to a connector means. The breaking is the same, regardless of the upright, inverted or inclined position of the tool. Only a single motion of the blade is required at any desired speed, and there is no necessity for the blade to contact the fiber at a pressure within certain limits. These and other major results are obtained by clamping an optical connector element to the optical fiber before breaking is effected, and then removably securing the connector element to the breaker at a precisely known position which is correlated to the location of the scoring blade and to the characteristics of the connector.

Abstract: This invention provides a connector for optical fibers which includes a receptacle within which is a lens member, with plugs being connected to the opposite ends of the receptacle so that optical fibers carried by the two plugs are in a light-transmissive relationship at the lens member. The plugs include forward tapered surfaces which are biased by resilient forces against tapered surfaces of the lens member for directly aligning the plugs with the lens member. Each of the plugs includes a back shell carrying a clamping member in which resilient pads are biased against the fiber to grip it without damaging it. Within the front shell the optical fiber is caused to bow in a predetermined direction which enables compensation to be made for any offset in the axes of the cavities in the lens member.