Ksaria Corporation

Ksaira Corporation

Andre Sharon

Arthur W Johnson, Iii

Anthony J Christopher

Bretton E Anderson

Jon H Appleby

Harold G Watts, Jr

Mark S Aude

Mark S Page

Dale A Herman

Frank Pretzch

Mark J McCann

Holger Wirz

An automated fiber preparation system and method for automatically fabricating an optical fiber. One or more fabrication processes associated with fiber preparation may be performed on an optical fiber without requiring active user input. The fiber preparation system may be configured to automatically carry out each of the process steps for fabricating an optical fiber pigtail. The fiber preparation system may include a fiber preparation module that is configured to automatically prepare one or both ends of an optical fiber in anticipation of one or more subsequent manufacturing processes involving the fiber.

Apparatus and method for automated preparation of an optical fiber

A transport tray for a coiled fiber including one or more coils of fiber and end portions extending from the coils. The transport tray comprises a base and a receptacle disposed on the base to receive the coils of fiber therein. The receptacle may have a circular shape configured to retain the coils without violating the minimum bend radius of the fiber. A locking mechanism may be provided to secure the coiled fiber in the receptacle. The tray may includes one or more retainers to secure the end portions of the fiber, including fibers having any one of a range of diameters, in one or more desired positions. The tray may also include two or more fiber end retainers interchangeably supported on the base to retain fiber ends having different shapes and sizes. A plurality of registration features may be provided to facilitate transporting and positioning the tray at one or more process stations or tools.

Tray for a coiled optical fiber

There is provided a method and apparatus for automatically cleaning a portion of an optical fiber. One embodiment of the apparatus comprises a fluid tank assembly that holds cleaning fluid and comprises an aperture sized and arranged to receive the portion of the optical fiber, an ultrasonic generator, a clamping assembly, and a controller. The clamping assembly, in one position, holds the portion of the optical fiber in a position that is axially aligned with the aperture of the fluid tank assembly and disposed through the aperture of the fluid tank assembly. The clamping assembly further comprises a sealing assembly that forms a fluid seal about the portion of the optical fiber and a fluid seal of the aperture of the fluid tank assembly. The controller controls the ultrasonic generator to provide an ultrasonic signal to the fluid within the fluid tank assembly to clean the portion of the optical fiber.

Method and apparatus for cleaning an optical fiber

Methods and apparatus for automatically processing an optical fiber to create a fiber coil. In one embodiment, the fiber is wound about a continuously curved winding surface. In another embodiment, the winding surface ensures that a minimum bending radius of the optical fiber is not violated. In another embodiment, the fiber is wound about a rotating winding surface including a gripper spaced from the winding surface and rotatable therewith. In another embodiment, the coil is transferred to a transport medium comprising an engagement feature that engages the coil. In another embodiment, the coil is stripped from the winding surface and inserted in the transport medium without gripping the fiber. In another embodiment, the fiber is wound about a mandrel and stripped by moving the coil relative to the mandrel axis. In other embodiments, the coil is stripped by applying equal stripping force to the coil about an entire circumference of the winding surface, and/or by contacting the coil with a stripper that has a contour that matches a contour of the winding surface. In another embodiment, the coil is moved in a single direction to strip it from the winding surface and insert it in the transport medium. In another embodiment, at least one of the winding surface and the transport medium is moved toward the other to facilitate transferring the coil.

Method and apparatus for automatically forming a coiled segment of optical fiber

Growing community of inventors

Newton Centre, MA, United States of America

Andre Sharon