The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 21, 2003
Filed:
Jul. 07, 1999
Lee L. Blyler, Jr., Basking Ridge, NJ (US);
George John Shevchuk, Old Bridge, NJ (US);
Whitney White, Summit, NJ (US);
Fitel USA Corp, Norcross, GA (US);
Abstract
The invention relates to plastic optical fiber (POF) processes and systems and involves improved non-polishing termination techniques. The techniques provide good physical and optical characteristics, i.e., smoothness, at the termination point, thereby providing lower losses than conventionally obtained. According to one embodiment, POF is cut while the fiber is under compression. According to another embodiment, the POF is notched and then pulled at a relatively high strain rate to induce fracture. The rate is such that the strain remains in the elastic region, i.e., the fiber exhibits brittle, as opposed to ductile, behavior during the strain. The brittle behavior provides a smooth termination surface, as opposed to a plastically-deformed surface.