Ciena Corporation

Other

Nadir Shah

William Keith Chandler

Andrei Csipkes

Thomas R Boyer

Waqar Mahmood

A controller sets polishing parameters and automatically supplies materials needed for polishing to a polishing unit in accordance with a type of connector to be polished. The controller may also control the duration and pressure applied during polishing. Washing and any repeating of polishing may also be automated. Once polishing is complete, the connector may be inspected to determine if it has been satisfactorily polished. If not, the polishing parameters may be altered and the connector is repolished and reinspected.

Automated polishing methods

An optical fiber alignment apparatus for leveling respective distal ends of a plurality of optical fibers prior to commencing a polishing process. The apparatus includes an aligning device having a plurality of receptacles for securing the corresponding plurality of optical fibers such that distal ends of the optical fibers extend below the base of the aligning device. A sensor array contacts the distal ends of the optical fibers and generates sensor alignment signals indicating the position of the fiber distal ends extending below the aligning device relative to a horizontal reference plane. A monitor receives and displays digital signals corresponding to the sensor alignments signals. Those optical fibers that are not aligned are then adjusted to until all the fibers are aligned and leveled with respect to the horizontal reference plane as viewed on the monitor. The precision of the horizontal alignment offered by the sensor array and digital monitor display allows the subsequent polishing process to be performed with a greater degree of reliability and consistency.

Apparatus and method for leveling optical fibers before polishing

A polishing apparatus for polishing optical fibers includes a polishing pad and a polishing arm arranged above the polishing pad and which is selectively brought into contact with the polishing pad. A leveling device is magnetically attached to a lower end of the polishing arm. The leveling device has a plurality of optical fiber ends extending downwardly from a lower surface thereof to contact the polishing pad. The polishing arm also contains a pressure transducer for measuring a pressure applied by the polishing arm when the polishing arm contacts the polishing pad. The magnetic attachment between the polishing arm and leveling device may be carried out using a permanent magnet or electromagnet.

Polishing apparatus for optical fibers having a pressure transducer and

A metrology frame for holding, transporting and aligning optical fibers while interconnecting optical fibers. The metrology frame includes an elongated rail and a pair of brackets slidably attached to the rail. The brackets are interconnected to a drive mechanism for moving the brackets along the rail. Attached to the brackets are aligning devices that orient and secure the optical fibers that are led from a fiber cassette. The metrology frame allows the optical fibers to be transferred through a series of optical fiber interconnection steps without having to re-secure or re-orient the fibers between the steps.

Optical fiber precision handling tool

A calibration apparatus and method for a polishing machine includes a ferrule surrounding a polishing pad and a plurality of sensors attached to the ferrule. Each of the sensors is directed at a location where optical fibers extending downwardly from a leveling device contact the polishing pad. The sensors are infrared sensors that detect a heat signature generated by friction at the contact point between the optical fibers and the polishing pad as the polishing pad spins and revolves relative to the leveling device. The heat signature that is generated corresponds to the pressure existing between the optical fibers and the polishing pad.

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Elkridge, MD, United States of America

Nadir Shah