Optical fiber centering device

Abstract

A centering device holds an optical fiber along an axis with three fiber receiving sections and a receiving member. The receiving member has a concentric cylindrical cavity for holding assembled sections. Each section, substantially identical, has a uniform cross-sectional configuration at right angles along a major portion of its length forming a boundary of fixed perimeter. One portion of one section contacts another section. Another portion contacts a different section. A third portion contiguous to the first two portions is adapted to engage an optical fiber along its length. A fourth portion contiguous to the first two, but not to the third, engages the cylindrical wall defined by the concentric cavity. The cavity terminates with a planar wall perpendicular to the axis. It can have an axially oriented truncated conical recess. The fourth portion of the boundary engages differing amounts of a cylindrical wall depending upon the shape of the fourth portion. The sections include elastomeric material for a passageway defined by the third portions to expandably receive an optical fiber dimensioned larger than the passageway. The passageway can have a triangular cross-section for receiving a fiber having a circular cross-section. It can flare outwardly from a position interior receiving means to respective ends thereof. Passageway flaring can have various shaped configuration. The assembled three fiber receiving sections can have a polygonal shaped external surface. The receiving member can be transparent.