Ciena Corporation

Nolan Scott Cunningham

Thomas R Boyer

David C Mitchell

A method for tensioning and positioning a fiber optic cable includes providing and securing a first portion of the fiber optic cable in a first support with a first clamp. A second portion of the fiber optic cable is then provided in a second support, and secured thereto with a second clamp. A cam contacting the second support is then rotated, thereby rotating the second support due to its weight and the weight of the second clamp. The rotation of the second support creates a gravity-assisted moment arm that uniformly and repeatably tensions and positions the fiber optic cable. After the fiber optic cable is uniformly tensioned and positioned, a refractive-index grating may be etched in the glass optical fiber portion of the cable. Once the grating is etched, the cable may be removed by reversing the method.

Method for tensioning and positioning a fiber optic cable

A fiber optic cable tensioning and positioning apparatus includes a base, and a vertical support wall integrally connected to the base. A first support connects to a portion of the vertical support wall and supports a first portion of the fiber optic cable. A first clamp attaches to the first support for securing the first portion of the fiber optic cable to the first support. A second support connects to another portion of the vertical support wall and supports a second portion of the fiber optic cable. The second support is pivotally connected to the vertical support wall. A second clamp attaches to the second support for securing the second portion of the fiber optic cable to the second support. A knob also pivotally connects to the vertical support wall, and is connected to a cam. The cam contacts the second support, wherein the second support rotates due to its weight and the weight of the second clamp when the cam is in a predetermined position, thereby uniformly tensioning and positioning the fiber optic cable. The fiber optic cable tensioning apparatus is useful for uniformly and repeatably tensioning a fiber optic cable to precisely position the fiber optic cable prior to creation of a refractive-index grating in the glass optical fiber of a portion of the fiber optic cable.

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Frederick, MD, United States of America

Nolan Scott Cunningham