Optical fibre handling apparatus and method of using same

Optical waveguides – With optical coupler – Input/output coupler

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25022711, 385 50, 385 25, 385134, G02B 626, H01J 516

Patent

active

050695193

DESCRIPTION:

BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to apparatus for handling optical fibres, and in particular to a mechanism that can pick up an optical fibre for subsequent testing purposes.
It is often necessary to test optical fibres to check whether optical energy is passing therethrough, or to measure the level of optical energy passing therethrough. Typically, such testing procedures are used in the maintenance of optical transmission paths and for fault finding. Known testing methods require a cleaved fibre end. This requirement entails not only disruption of the system, but it is time consuming and requires the use of special tools and a high level of skill by the operator.
Recently, a testing method has been proposed (see the specification of our copending U.K. patent application no. 8706929), corresponding to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 399,503, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,983,007, which utilises optical energy tapped from a curved portion of an optical fibre. In practice, tapping optical energy from a curved optical fibre requires the fibre to be handled very carefully, otherwise the fibre coating can be damaged, which would adversely affect the transmission characteristics of the fibre.
The aim of the invention is to provide optical fibre handling apparatus which handles optical fibres sufficiently gently to avoid damage thereto.


SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides apparatus for handling an optical fibre, the apparatus comprising a casing defining a substantially light-proof enclosure surrounding an optical fibre operating position defined by a secondary waveguide, and mechanical means for picking up an optical fibre and transporting that optical fibre to the operating position, wherein the secondary waveguide defines a curved optical waveguiding path, and the mechanical means is such as to position the optical fibre in a curved position which at least substantially conforms to the inner side of the curved optical waveguiding path, whereby optical energy passing along the optical fibre is tapped into the curved optical waveguiding path.
Preferably, the secondary waveguide has a straight waveguiding portion at each end of the curved waveguiding path, each of the straight waveguiding portions leading to a transducer.
In a preferred embodiment the casing is of two-part construction, a first part of the casing being fixed and including the light-proof enclosure, and the second part of the casing being movable relative to the first casing part to permit insertion of the optical fibre. Advantageously, the mechanical means is housed in the second casing part, the mechanical means including a plunger and a pair of guide wheels, the plunger being reciprocable towards, and away from, the operating position. Preferably, the peripheral portions of the guide wheels are made of soft resilient material, the guide wheels being positioned symmetrically with respect to the direction of movement of the plunger and at such a spacing that, during movement of the plunger between the guide wheels, the guide wheels roll the optical fibre towards, or away from, the operating position in a tension-free manner. Conveniently, the plunger is provided with an operating lever which projects through, and is movable along, an elongate slot in the second casing part.
Advantageously, the mechanical means further comprises a pair of V-shaped jaws each of which is carried at one end of a respective arm, the other ends of the arms being fixed reciprocably to an operating bar, and the operating bar being reciprocably mounted for movement towards, and away from, the operating position. Preferably, the operating bar is spring biased towards the operating position. Conveniently, the V-shaped jaws carried by the arms are cooperable with complementary V-shaped jaws associated with the first casing part, the two sets of V-shaped jaws cooperating, in use, to grip the optical fibre lightly in such a manner as to permit the optical fibre to slide therebetween.
The plunger may be provided with stop means engageable with

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