Title: Systems and devices for fusing and fracturing fiber optic cables
Abstract: Systems, devices and methods for compiling and fracturing optical fibers are disclosed. In one aspect, a device is disclosed for coupling and for fracturing optical fibers, comprising a housing for receiving a first end of a first optical fiber and a second end of a second optical fiber, a moveable member capable of moving with respect to the housing, a first electrode coupled to the moveable member and having a first electrode surface, a second electrode connected to the housing and having a second electrode surface, the first and second electrodes being positioned so that the first and second ends of the first and second optical fibers, respectively, are located adjacent to each other and between the first and second electrode surfaces of the first and second electrodes, the first and second electrodes are capable of receiving an electrical signal and passing a current through the first and second ends of the first and second optical fibers, the current fusing the first and second ends of the first and second optical fibers together to form a single optical fiber, and a cutting surface positioned such that upon movement of the moveable member, the single fiber is cut to form the first and second optical fibers having the first and second ends, respectively.
Patent Number: 6,993,938 Issued on 02/07/2006 to Stewart, II
| Inventors:
|
Stewart, II; William L. (Benbrook, TX)
|
| Assignee:
|
Lockheed Martin Corporation (Bethesda, MD)
|
| Appl. No.:
|
685035 |
| Filed:
|
October 14, 2003 |
| Current U.S. Class: |
65/501; 65/406; 65/407; 385/96; 385/98 |
| Current Intern'l Class: |
G02B 6/25.5 (20060101) |
| Field of Search: |
65/501,433
|
References Cited [Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
| 6769823 | Aug., 2004 | Morita et al.
| |
| 2001/0053268 | Dec., 2001 | Takahashi et al.
| |
| 2002/0031323 | Mar., 2002 | Hattori et al.
| |
| 2002/0067893 | Jun., 2002 | Uken.
| |
| 2002/0176673 | Nov., 2002 | Kasuu et al.
| |
| 2004/0031173 | Feb., 2004 | Kobayashi et al.
| |
| Foreign Patent Documents |
| 41 02 459 | Jul., 1992 | DE.
| |
| 0 211 221 | Feb., 1987 | EP.
| |
| 0 528 636 | Feb., 1993 | EP.
| |
| 1 260 840 | Nov., 2002 | EP.
| |
| 2 118 319 | Oct., 1983 | GB.
| |
Primary Examiner: Walls; Dionne A.
Assistant Examiner: Herring; Lisa L.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Kilpatrick Stockton LLP
Claims
What we claim:
1. A device for coupling and for fracturing optical fibers, comprising:
a housing for receiving a first end of a first optical fiber and a second end
of a second optical fiber;
a moveable member capable of moving with respect to the housing;
a first electrode coupled to the moveable member and having a first electrode surface;
a second electrode connected to the housing and having a second electrode surface;
the first and second electrodes being positioned so that the first and second
ends of the first and second optical fibers, respectively, are located adjacent
to each other and between the first and second electrode surfaces of the first
and second electrodes;
the first and second electrodes are capable of receiving an electrical signal
and passing a current through the first and second ends of the first and second
optical fibers;
the current fusing the first and second ends of the first and second optical
fibers together to form a single optical fiber; and
a cutting surface positioned such that upon movement of the moveable member,
the single fiber is cut to form the first and second optical fibers having the
first and second ends, respectively.
2. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the fist electrode is an anode
and the second electrode is a cathode.
3. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the cutting surface is positioned
on the first electrode surface, the second electrode surface, or both.
4. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the moveable member moves in a
circular motion.
5. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the moveable member moves in a
linear motion.
6. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the moveable member is comprised
of a conductive material.
7. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the housing includes a port extending
to the first and second ends of the first and second optical fibers for directing
a fluid or gas to the first and second ends of the first and second optical fibers.
8. The device as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a fluid dispensing
device for delivering a fluid or gas to the port.
9. The device as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a signal generator
for providing the electrical signal to the first and second electrodes.
10. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the housing is for receiving
a plurality of optical fibers each having an end, the first and second electrodes
positioned adjacent to the ends of multiple pairs of optical fibers, and the first
and second electrodes for fusing the pairs of optical fibers to form single fibers.
11. The device as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a sleeve for receiving
the first and second ends of the first and second optical fibers, wherein the sleeve
is positioned between the first and second electrodes.
12. A system for coupling and fracturing optical fibers, comprising:
a housing for receiving a first end of a first optical fiber and a second end
of a second optical fiber;
a moveable member capable of moving with respect to the housing;
a first electrode coupled to the moveable member and having a first electrode surface;
a second electrode connected to the housing and having a second electrode surface;
the first and second electrodes being positioned so that the first and second
ends of the first and second optical fibers, respectively, are located adjacent
to each other and between the first and second electrode surfaces of the first
and second electrodes;
the first and second electrodes are capable of receiving an electrical signal
and passing a current through the first and second ends of the first and second
optical fibers;
the current fusing the first and second ends of the first and second optical
fibers together to form a single optical fiber;
a cutting surface positioned such that upon movement of the moveable member,
the single fiber is cut to form the first and second optical fibers having the
first and second ends, respectively;
a fluid dispensing device for delivering a fluid or gas to the first and second
ends of the first and second optical fibers; and
a signal generator for providing an electrical signal to the first and second electrodes.
13. The system as set forth in claim 12, further comprising a sleeve for receiving
the first and second ends of the first and second optical fibers, wherein the sleeve
is positioned between the first and second electrodes.
14. The system as set forth in claim 12, wherein the housing is for receiving
a plurality of optical fibers each having an end, the first and second electrodes
positioned adjacent to the ends of multiple pairs of optical fibers, and the first
and second electrodes for fusing the pairs of optical fibers to form single fibers.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to systems, devices, and methods for connecting and disconnecting
optical links and, more particularly, to systems, devices, and methods for fusing
optical fibers to make connections and for fracturing the optical fibers to disconnect.
BACKGROUND
Optical systems have many advantages over systems that transmit electrical
signals. For one, electrical signals are susceptible to electromagnetic noise whereby
great care must be taken to shield those signals from sources of electromagnetic
radiation. On the other hand, optical signals are immune to electromagnetic radiation
and do not require shielding during transmission. Additionally, electrical signals
can be transmitted for only relatively small distances since they incur losses
proportional to the distance. Optical signals, on the other hand, can be transmitted
for great distances with little or no loss. For these and other reasons, many systems
incorporate optical signals.
Many optical systems employ optical fibers as the medium for carrying the optical
signals. In general, the optical fibers are comprised of an optical core through
which the optical signals pass and an outer cladding having a different index of
refraction so as to restrict the path of the optical signals to within the core.
Optical fiber cables additionally have some sheathing and/or cables running along
the length of the cable in order to provide some structural rigidity and to minimize
damage to the fiber itself Typically, to join two fibers together, each fiber is
separated from the rest of the cable and is terminated in a connector. The fiber
ends need to be prepared before being joined with the connector, such as by polishing,
convexing, and/or angle cutting. The connector may have a ferrule with an angled
surface which aligns itself with the angled surface of the ferrule for a mating connector.
A challenge with these connectors is that they must be precisely aligned and
in
direct contact with each other to minimize signal loss. The contact points between
the connectors, however, may receive dirt, oil, and/or other contaminants that
can degrade the connection to the point of being unusable. Furthermore, in addition
to contaminants degrading the performance of the connection, vibration, jarring,
or other movement of the connectors may cause them to no longer be precisely aligned
with each other. If the connectors are not aligned, the connection allows the loss
of photonic signals due to misdirection of the signals through the connector ends
and due to refraction of the signals.
SUMMARY
The invention addresses the problems above by providing systems, methods, and
devices for fusing and fracturing optical fibers. One aspect of an embodiment of
the present invention comprises a device for coupling and for fracturing optical
fibers, comprising a housing for receiving a first end of a first optical fiber
and a second end of a second optical fiber, a moveable member capable of moving
with respect to the housing, a first electrode coupled to the moveable member and
having a first electrode surface, a second electrode connected to the housing and
having a second electrode surface, the first and second electrodes being positioned
so that the first and second ends of the first and second optical fibers, respectively,
are located adjacent to each other and between the first and second electrode surfaces
of the first and second electrodes, the first and second electrodes are capable
of receiving an electrical signal and passing a current through the first and second
ends of the first and second optical fibers, the current fusing the first and second
ends of the first and second optical fibers together to form a single optical fiber,
and a cutting surface positioned such that upon movement of the moveable member,
the single fiber is cut to form the first and second optical fibers having the
first and second ends, respectively.
Rather than using connectors, the systems, methods, and devices according
to the invention provide a higher performance connection between two fiber ends.
Because the fiber ends are fused together, debris and other contaminants can not
position themselves along the signal path which would result in the loss of signal.
By fusing the ends of two fibers together, the single fiber thus formed is not
as susceptible to movement and is thus not prone to any misalignment errors as
is the case with the use of connectors. In addition to fusing two fiber ends together
the device also offers a convenient way to separate a fiber into two different
fiber strands. The device therefore enables a fiber to be fractured to facilitate
removal of one or more of the fibers.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of the specification,
illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention and, together with the
description, disclose the principles of the invention. In the drawings:
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of one embodiment of a system for fusing and fracturing
optical fibers;
FIG. 2 is a perspective diagram of one embodiment of a device for fusing and
fracturing fibers for use with the system of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a side view of the device of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4(A) is a cut-away view of the device of FIG. 2 with a moveable member
in a first position;
FIG. 4(B) is a cut-away view of a device of FIG. 2 with the moveable member
in a second position;
FIG. 5 is a perspective diagram of another embodiment of a device for fusing
and fracturing fiber for use with the system of FIG. 1;
FIG. 6(A) is a cut-away view of the device of FIG. 5 with a moveable member
in a first position;
FIG. 6(B) is a cut-away view of the device of FIG. 5 with the moveable member
in a second position; and
FIG. 7 is a cut-away view of a sheath for use in one embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Reference will now be made in detail to preferred embodiments of the invention,
non-limiting examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
With reference to FIG. 1, a system
5 for fusing and fracturing optical
fibers includes a fiber fuse and fracture device
10, a signal generator
12, and a fluid dispensing device
16. The fiber fuse and fracture
device
10, which will hereinafter be referred to as simply the device
10,
receives ends of at least two fibers. In the example shown, the device
10
receives multiple pairs of fibers
14a and
14b to
14y
and
14z. One skilled in the art would appreciate that the device
10 can receive any number of pairs of fibers, including a single pair of fibers.
Within the device
10, the ends of the fibers
14 are placed adjacent
to each other and are placed in between a pair of electrodes. The electrodes can
be, for example, an anode and a cathode. The signal generator
12 provides
the electrodes with an electrical signal that causes a current to pass through
the fiber ends. In one embodiment, the signal generator is a DC device, but can
be an AC device. The current caused by the signal generator melts the fiber ends
and fuses them together to form a single optical fiber. One of the electrodes is
preferably mounted to a housing while the other electrode is coupled to a moveable
member. The device can include a cutting member for cutting a fiber when the moveable
member is moved from a first position to a second position. A device according
to one embodiment of the invention offers the ability of both fusing optical fibers
together as well as fracturing a fiber into two separate fibers.
In the embodiment shown, the system also includes a fluid dispensing device
16
for delivering a fluid or a gas during or after fusing the ends of two or more
optical fibers. The fluid or gas may be a fluid or gas that assists in removing
contaminants and other debris while the current passes through the fiber ends,
may be a fluid or gas that assists in the fusing of the optical fiber ends, or
may be a fluid or gas that provides an outer cladding to the optical fiber.
FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of the device
10. The device
10
contains a housing
100. In this embodiment, the housing
100 is cylindrical.
Fibers
14a,
14c,
14w, and
14y
are received in one end of the housing
100 and fibers
14b,
14d,
14x, and
14z are received at the
other end of housing
100. The ends of fibers
14a,
14b,
14c,
14d,
14w,
14x, and
14y,
14z are aligned in a fuser and cutter assembly
102. Signal wires
19a-d and ground wire
18 can be connected
to the signal generator
12 to provide an electrical signal to the electrodes.
In one embodiment, the wires
18 and
19 are copper wires. The housing
100 can include a port extending to the ends of the optical fibers
14
for directing fluid or gas from the fluid dispensing device
16 to the ends
of the optical fibers
14. The embodiment shown includes a mounting bracket
104. The mounting bracket
104 can be used to mount the device
10
to a wall structure. FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of a side view of the device
10 mounted with the mounting bracket
104 to a wall structure
106.
In another embodiment, the device
10 can be an in-line coupler and does
not include a mounting bracket
104.
FIGS. 4(A) and 4(B) illustrate an embodiment of a cut-away view of the fuser
and cutter assembly
102. The assembly
102 comprises an outer movable
member
200 and an inner electrode member
202. The outer moveable
member
200 can comprise a conductive material and can be moveable with respect
to the inner electrode member
202. The inner electrode member can be coupled
to or part of the housing
100. The outer movable member
200 includes
first electrodes
201a-d with first electrode surfaces
203a-d.
The electrode member
202 comprises second electrode surfaces
204a-d.
The electrode surfaces
203a-d,
204a-d can be about
three to five times the diameter of the fiber. The assembly
102 receives
fiber pairs
14 positioned in between electrode surfaces
203a-d
and
204a-d. In one embodiment, first electrode surfaces
203a-d
are positive and second electrode surfaces
204a-d are negative.
When fibers pairs
14 are positioned in between electrodes
203a-d
and
204a-d as shown in FIG. 4(A), the signal generator
12
can provide the electrodes with an electrical signal through signal wires
19a-d
that causes current to pass through the fiber ends. This current melts the
fiber ends and fuses them together to form a single optical fiber.
A cutting surface can be provided on either the first electrode surfaces
203a-d
or the second electrode surfaces
204a-d or both so that when
movable member
200 rotates from a first position as shown in FIG. 4(A) to
a second position as shown in FIG. 4(B), the fiber ends
14 are severed.
In one embodiment, this severing is performed by rotating the movable member
200
with respect to the housing
100 and first electrode member
202 in
the direction shown in the arrows in FIG. 4(A), which is a counterclockwise direction.
Alternatively, the assembly
102 could be configured so to move in a clockwise
direction to perform the severing function.
In the embodiment shown, the cutting surface is on the first electrode surface
203a-d. In this embodiment, the first electrode surface can act as
a cleaver and the second electrode surface
204a-d can act as an anvil,
such that when the first electrode surface
203a-d moves toward the
second electrode surface
204a-d the fiber is cut. Alternatively,
the first electrode
201a-d and second electrode
202 may both
contain cutting surfaces that can come together during the movement of the first
electrode
201a-d to the second electrode and cut the fiber. The cut
caused by the cutting surface or surfaces can be flush or can be at an angle so
that the cutting surface is not the same as the electrode surface, which makes
contact with the fiber.
FIG. 5 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the device
10. In this
embodiment, the device
10 has a rectangular housing
500. The fuser
and cutter assembly
502 (not shown in FIG. 5) can be internal to housing
500 and include ground wire
18 and signal wires
19a-d.
The ends of fibers
14a,
14c,
14w, and
14y meet the respective ends of fibers
14b,
14d,
14x, and
14z in the fuser and cutter assembly. The
housing
500 can include a port extending to the ends of the fibers
14
for directing fluid or gas from the fluid dispensing device
16 to the ends
of the fibers
14. In one embodiment, the housing
500 can be coupled
to a mounting bracket
504.
FIGS. 6(A) and 6(B) illustrate a cut-away view of the fuser and cutter assembly
502 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5. The assembly
502 includes
a moveable member
600 and a lower electrode member
602. The moveable
member
600 can move with respect to the housing
500 and the lower
electrode member
602 can be coupled to or part of the housing
500.
The moveable member
600 can comprise a conductive material. The moveable
member
600 includes first electrodes
601a-d with first electrode
surfaces
603a-d. The lower electrode member
602 includes second
electrode surfaces
604a-d. The ends of fibers
14 are positioned
in assembly
502 such that they meet in between electrodes
603a-d
and
604a-d. The signal generator
12 can provide the electrodes
with an electrical signal that causes current to pass through the fiber ends. This
current melts the fiber ends and fuses them together to form a single optical fiber.
In one embodiment, the first electrodes
601 are positive electrodes and
the second electrode
602 is a negative electrode. A cutting surface is placed
on electrode surfaces
603a-d or
604a-d or on both,
so that when movable member moves in the direction indicated by arrow B the fiber
14 is severed into two fibers. The cutting surface can cause a flush cut
or a slanted cut through the fiber. The movable member can move in a linear motion,
for example, from a first position shown FIG. 6(A) to a second position shown in
FIG. 6(B).
In one embodiment, the fiber ends can be positioned in a sleeve, which is placed
between the electrode surfaces. FIG. 7 illustrates a cut away view of two fiber
ends
14a and
14b in a sleeve
700. The sleeve
700 can be a glass sleeve and can help to ensure that the fused glass caused
by a current running in between the electrodes extends to include both fiber ends.
The foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the invention has been
presented only for the purpose of illustration and description and is not intended
to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many
modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments
were chosen and described in order to explain the principles of the invention and
their practical application so as to enable others skilled in the art to utilize
the invention and various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited
to the particular use contemplated.
*
