Ciena Corporation

Stocker Yale, Inc.

Gary N Kles

Andrei Csipkes

Thomas R Boyer

William Keith Chandler

Bradley Paul Davidson

David C Mitchell

Edward Joseph Jablonski

Lou Rodriguez

An optical filter aligner/separator device for retaining optical filters in a desired position, the optical filters having an optical filter height, the device includes: a top frame having a top frame cut out section; a bottom frame having a bottom side and a bottom frame cut out section, the bottom frame coupled to the top frame, the bottom frame cut out section aligning with the top frame cut out section; and a wire mesh disposed between the top frame and the bottom frame, the wire mesh disposed at the cut out section, the wire mesh having a height from the bottom side of the bottom frame that is less than the optical filter height.

Optical filter aligner/separator and system using the same

A system and method for removing a predetermined length of coating from a fiber optic cable. The system includes a chemical bath, and a system for forming a loop in a fiber optic cable. The loop forming system includes a vertical column, and a slide arm having a guide collar portion slidably provided on the vertical column, and a distal portion extending away from and integral with the guide collar portion. The loop forming system further includes a mount shaft extending from and connected to the distal portion of the slide arm, the mount shaft having clamps and a tensioning spring for retaining portions of the fiber optic cable. A push rod movably extends through the mount shaft, and connects to a fiber optic cable loop former. The fiber optic cable loop former engages a surface of the mount shaft and is pushed away therefrom by the push rod during formation of the loop in the fiber optic cable. The slide arm is lowered on the vertical column a predetermined height so that the loop formed in the fiber optic cable is provided into the chemical bath to remove a predetermined length of coating from the fiber optic cable.

System for removing a uniform length of coating from a fiber optic cable

A fiber optic cable winding tool having concentric upper and lower disk-shaped bases that are rotatable relative to each other. Four quarter-circle spools are slidably mounted on the upper base, and are radially adjustable towards and from the central axis of the upper base via radial slots formed in the lower base. Each spool has a fiber optic cable contacting surface with a radius of curvature exceeding a minimum bend radius of the fiber optic cable. The radial slots communicate with corresponding arcuate slots formed in the lower base, and roller guides are provided through each radial slot and its corresponding arcuate slot and connects to a corresponding spool. When the upper and lower bases are rotated relative to each other, the spools move either towards or away from the central axis of the upper base, enabling a spool a diameter to be set. A thumb screw is also provided to bear against the rear base and maintain the desired diameter setting. The tool further includes a travel stop guide formed on the periphery of the upper disk-shaped base to prevent the upper and lower disk-shaped bases from rotating relative to each other, enabling predetermined diameters to be set. The radial and arcuate slots permit the spools to be radially collapsed towards the central axis of the upper disk-shaped base after winding the fiber optic cable to permit removal of the fiber optic cable from the spools.

Fiber optic cable winding tool

A fiber optic cable winding assist tool for securing, routing, and storing fiber optic cables in optical communications systems that quickly and simultaneously lifts the retainer fingers of a mandrel, without breaking them, and releases the retainer fingers once the fiber optic cables are safely within the retainer fingers. The winding assist tool is used with a base having at least one mandrel connected thereto, and may have a spacer disk connected to the mandrel. A spider frame is provided on the spacer disk or mandrel and includes a body portion and arm portions extending from the spider frame body portion. Each arm portion engages a corresponding retainer finger of the mandrel. A thumb screw having a head portion and a threaded portion mates with a threaded opening provided through the spider frame body portion and engages a top surface of the spacer disk. An operator need only rotate the thumb screw, and the threaded portion forces the spider frame upwards, which in turn simultaneously lifts the retainer fingers. With the retainer fingers in a raised position, the operator may wind a fiber optic cable around the mandrel. Once the operator ensures that the fiber optic cable is safely within the retainer fingers, the operator may rotate the thumb screw in an opposite direction, and the threaded portion lowers the spider frame, which in turn, simultaneously lowers the retainer fingers. This prevents the fiber optic cable from being pinched and potentially damaged by a retainer finger.

Fiber optic cable winding assist tool

A linear stripper for removing a coating on a fiber optic cable, includes a guide rail and a cutting assembly slidably connected to the guide rail. The cutting assembly has a passage configured to accommodate a fiber optic cable threaded therethrough. A blade assembly has a pair of blades disposed within the cutting assembly, with each of the pair of blades being horizontally positioned on an opposing side of the passage. A cutting tip of each of the blades simultaneously scores an outer coating of a fiber optic cable placed in the passage, as the cutting assembly slides along the guide rail. The outer coating is then peeled away from the fiber optic cable along the scored incisions.

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Eldersbury, MD, United States of America

Gary N Kles