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:
Jan. 13, 2004
Filed:
Jul. 06, 2001
Arthur W. Johnson, III, Stoughton, MA (US);
Harold G. Watts, Jr., Holden, MA (US);
Anthony J. Christopher, Andover, MA (US);
Andre Sharon, Newton Centre, MA (US);
Frank Pretzch, Boston, MA (US);
Mark S. Page, Merrimack, NH (US);
kSaira Corporation, Wilmington, MA (US);
Abstract
There is provided a method and apparatus for automatically cleaning a portion of an optical fiber. One embodiment of the apparatus comprises a fluid tank assembly that holds cleaning fluid and comprises an aperture sized and arranged to receive the portion of the optical fiber, an ultrasonic generator, a clamping assembly, and a controller. The clamping assembly, in one position, holds the portion of the optical fiber in a position that is axially aligned with the aperture of the fluid tank assembly and disposed through the aperture of the fluid tank assembly. The clamping assembly further comprises a sealing assembly that forms a fluid seal about the portion of the optical fiber and a fluid seal of the aperture of the fluid tank assembly. The controller controls the ultrasonic generator to provide an ultrasonic signal to the fluid within the fluid tank assembly to clean the portion of the optical fiber.