Brushing – scrubbing – and general cleaning – Machines – Wiping
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-26
2001-04-03
Spisich, Mark (Department: 1744)
Brushing, scrubbing, and general cleaning
Machines
Wiping
C015S210100, C385S147000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06209162
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention generally relates to the art of fiber optic connectors and, particularly, to a system for cleaning the end of a ferrule of a fiber optic connector mounted on a backplane of a chassis adapted for receiving a printed circuit board.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Fiber optic connectors of a wide variety of designs have been employed to terminate optical fiber cables and to facilitate connection of the cables to other cables or other optical fiber transmission devices. A typical fiber optic connector includes a ferrule which mounts and positions an optical fiber or fibers within the connector. The ferrule may be fabricated of such material as ceramic or glass filled resin. A ferrule holder or other housing component of the connector embraces the ferrule and may be fabricated of such material as molded plastic. A spring may be disposed within the housing or ferrule holder such that the ferrule is yieldably biased forwardly for engaging another fiber-mounting ferrule of a mating connecting device.
Such fiber optic connectors typically are connected end-to-end. In other words, two opposite end surfaces of opposing ferrules are mated to directly connect opposing end surfaces of the optical fibers to each other. The connectors should provide excellent connection characteristics. However, major problems are encountered if the ferrule end surfaces become contaminated by dust, oil or other contaminants which will cause the connection characteristics to become markedly deteriorated.
In order to solve the contamination problems, cleaners have been provided to clean the ferrule end surfaces of fiber optic connectors. The cleaners typically include some form of soft cloth or paper which is moved over the ferrule end surfaces. The cloth or paper may be dampened with a cleaning solution such as ethanol. Fluorocarbon gas may also be used to remove excessive ethanol and any cloth or paper dust.
While cleaners of the character described above have proven effective for their intended purposes, they have limitations in that the fiber optic connectors typically are “brought to” the cleaner or there is easy access of the cleaner to the connectors. In other words, the connectors are easily moved to positions in engagement with the cleaner. Such cleaners are extremely difficult to use and, often, are not effective where there is limited access to the connectors, such as where the connectors are located in a remote or confined area. Still further, it is difficult, if not impossible, to use most existing cleaners on the ferrule end surfaces of connectors which are mounted in adapter assemblies. The connectors must be removed from the adapters in order to be cleaned. This problem equally exists when a ferrule end surface is located inwardly or recessed within a mating end face of a connector. The present invention is directed to solving this myriad of interrelated problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object, therefore, of the invention, is to provide a new and improved system for cleaning fiber optic connectors, such as cleaning the end of a ferrule of a fiber optic connector.
Another object of the invention is to provide such a cleaning system wherein the fiber optic connector is mounted on a backplane of a chassis adapted for receiving a printed circuit board having a mating connector mateable with the fiber optic connector.
In the exemplary embodiment of the invention, the system includes a dummy circuit board receivable by the chassis. A cleaner is mounted on the dummy circuit board for cleaning the end of the ferrule of the fiber optic connector when the dummy circuit board is received by the chassis. Therefore, the actual printed circuit board can be removed from the chassis and the dummy circuit board, along with the cleaner, inserted into the chassis for cleaning purposes, whereafter the actual printed circuit board can be repositioned.
As disclosed herein, the dummy circuit board includes a cut-out portion within which at least a portion of the cleaner is mounted. Complementary interengaging mounting means are provided between the cleaner and the dummy circuit board for mounting the cleaner on the board at different positions to accommodate the fiber optic connector being mounted at different locations on the backplane. The mounting means include a plurality of mounting holes in the dummy circuit board for receiving fastening means from the cleaner.
The cleaner includes a mating portion for mating the cleaner with the fiber optic connector on the backplane. As disclosed herein, the mating portion is formed by a mating nose for insertion into a mating receptacle of the fiber optic connector. The nose includes an opening in a distal end thereof at which a cleaning medium of the cleaner is exposed.
Specifically, the cleaner includes a cleaning tape and an advancing mechanism for advancing the cleaning tape past the ferrule end of the fiber optic connector when the dummy circuit board is received by the chassis. A supply reel is provided for supplying the cleaning tape, and a take-up reel is provided for taking-up the cleaning tape from the supply reel. A ratcheting mechanism rotates one of the reels for incrementally advancing the cleaning tape. A pawl prevents rotation of at least the one reel. Gear means interconnect the supply reel and the take-up reel for conjoint rotation.
Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2851008 (1958-09-01), Rochester
patent: 4428092 (1984-01-01), Lipari
patent: 5117528 (1992-06-01), Kanayama et al.
patent: 5220703 (1993-06-01), Kanayama et al.
patent: 5768738 (1998-06-01), Lee
patent: 5863211 (1999-01-01), Sobotta et al.
patent: 5878458 (1999-03-01), Higginbotham
NTT International Product Specification for Optical Fiber Connector Cleaner. Date received Apr., 1995.
Clairadin Xavier
Grois Igor
Marrapode Thomas R.
Roth Richard F.
Sun Maurice X.
Molex Incorporated
Spisich Mark
Tirva A. A.
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