GB2151043A - Jointing optical fibre ribbon - Google Patents
Jointing optical fibre ribbon Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2151043A GB2151043A GB08430923A GB8430923A GB2151043A GB 2151043 A GB2151043 A GB 2151043A GB 08430923 A GB08430923 A GB 08430923A GB 8430923 A GB8430923 A GB 8430923A GB 2151043 A GB2151043 A GB 2151043A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- lengths
- optical fibre
- longitudinally extending
- clamp
- fibre ribbon
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
- G02B6/36—Mechanical coupling means
- G02B6/3628—Mechanical coupling means for mounting fibres to supporting carriers
- G02B6/3632—Mechanical coupling means for mounting fibres to supporting carriers characterised by the cross-sectional shape of the mechanical coupling means
- G02B6/3636—Mechanical coupling means for mounting fibres to supporting carriers characterised by the cross-sectional shape of the mechanical coupling means the mechanical coupling means being grooves
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
- G02B6/36—Mechanical coupling means
- G02B6/38—Mechanical coupling means having fibre to fibre mating means
- G02B6/3801—Permanent connections, i.e. wherein fibres are kept aligned by mechanical means
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
- G02B6/36—Mechanical coupling means
- G02B6/3628—Mechanical coupling means for mounting fibres to supporting carriers
- G02B6/3648—Supporting carriers of a microbench type, i.e. with micromachined additional mechanical structures
- G02B6/3652—Supporting carriers of a microbench type, i.e. with micromachined additional mechanical structures the additional structures being prepositioning mounting areas, allowing only movement in one dimension, e.g. grooves, trenches or vias in the microbench surface, i.e. self aligning supporting carriers
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
- G02B6/36—Mechanical coupling means
- G02B6/38—Mechanical coupling means having fibre to fibre mating means
- G02B6/3807—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs
- G02B6/3833—Details of mounting fibres in ferrules; Assembly methods; Manufacture
- G02B6/3855—Details of mounting fibres in ferrules; Assembly methods; Manufacture characterised by the method of anchoring or fixing the fibre within the ferrule
- G02B6/3857—Crimping, i.e. involving plastic deformation
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
- G02B6/36—Mechanical coupling means
- G02B6/38—Mechanical coupling means having fibre to fibre mating means
- G02B6/3807—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs
- G02B6/3833—Details of mounting fibres in ferrules; Assembly methods; Manufacture
- G02B6/3855—Details of mounting fibres in ferrules; Assembly methods; Manufacture characterised by the method of anchoring or fixing the fibre within the ferrule
- G02B6/3858—Clamping, i.e. with only elastic deformation
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
- G02B6/36—Mechanical coupling means
- G02B6/38—Mechanical coupling means having fibre to fibre mating means
- G02B6/3807—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs
- G02B6/3873—Connectors using guide surfaces for aligning ferrule ends, e.g. tubes, sleeves, V-grooves, rods, pins, balls
- G02B6/3885—Multicore or multichannel optical connectors, i.e. one single ferrule containing more than one fibre, e.g. ribbon type
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Optics & Photonics (AREA)
- Mechanical Coupling Of Light Guides (AREA)
Abstract
In a method of effecting an end-to-end joint between two lengths 1 of optical fibre ribbon comprising optical fibres 2 surrounded by plastics material 3, each ribbon is transversely cut to provide an end in which the end faces of the fibres 2 are flat and lie in a common plane normal to the fibre axes. The two lengths 1 of ribbon are aligned on the support surface 6 of a first part 5 of a two- part clamp the support surface having longitudinally extending, upstanding ribs 7 so transversely spaced apart that corresponding optical fibres of the two ribbons extend between two ribs. The second part 15 of the clamp, with corresponding ribs 17, is applied over the aligned lengths 1 of ribbon and the two parts of the clamp are drawn together in a direction normal to the plane common to the axes of the optical fibres. The surfaces of the ribs 7, 17 are of such a shape that, as the two parts 5, 15 of the clamp are drawn together, the ribs deform the plastics material 3 of the two ribbons to such an extent that corresponding optical fibres 2 of the ribbons are clamped in axial alignment. <IMAGE>
Description
SPECIFICATION
Jointing optical fibre ribbon
This invention relates to optical fibre ribbon of the kind comprising a plurality of optical fibres arranged side by side with their axes lying in a substantially common plane and embedded in an elongate body of plastics material. Optical fibre ribbons of this kind will, for convenience, hereinafter be referred to as "of the kind described".
Whilst, in theory, optical fibres of an optical fibre ribbon of the kind described are arranged with their axes lying in a substantially common plane, we have found that, in practice, this is generally not the case and, as a consequence, in order to effect satisfactory end-to-end joints between optical fibres of two lengths of optical fibre ribbon of the kind described, it is necessary to separate optical fibres of each length of the ribbon and to effect individually each optical fibre joint. This procedure is both time consuming and expensive.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved method of effecting an end-to-end joint between two lengths of optical fibre ribbon of the kind described, which method can be readily effected in the field or in the laboratory and by semi-skilled or unskilled personnel.
According to the invention, the method comprises transversely cutting each length of optical fibre ribbon in such a way as to provide the length with an end in which end faces of the optical fibres are substantially flat and lie in a common plane substantially normal to the axes of the optical fibres; aligning the two lengths of optical fibre ribbon on the support surface of a first part of a two-part clamp in such a way that said cut ends of the lengths of optical fibre ribbon abut or are spaced a short distance apart and corresponding optical fibres of the two lengths are in approximate alignment, which support surface has a plurality of longitudinally extending, upstanding ribs so transversely spaced apart that corresponding optical fibres of the two lengths of ribbon extend between two longitudinally extending ribs: applying the second part of said two-part clamp over the aligned lengths of optical fibre ribbon in such a way that longitudinally extending, upstanding ribs on a surface of said second part overlie the longitudinally extending, upstanding ribs of said first part of the two-part clamp: and drawing one or each part of the two-part clamp towards the other part in a direction substantially normal to the plane substantially common to the axes of the optical fibres to clamp the two lengths of optical fibre ribbon in substantial alignment, the surfaces of the longitudinally extending, upstanding ribs being of such a shape that, as the two parts of the clamp are draw in together, the ribs deform the plastics material of the two lengths of optical fibre ribbon to such an extent that corresponding optical fibres of the two lengths of ribbon are clamped in substantially axial alignment.
It will be appreciated that, since the longitudinally extending ribs deform the plastics material of the two lengths of optical fibre ribbon to such an extent that corresponding optical fibres are clamped in substantially axial alignment, the necessity to separate the optical fibres of each length of ribbon is eliminated and end-to-end joints between the optical fibres of two optical fibre ribbons of the kind described can be effected both simply and quickly.
Preferably, each length of optical fibre ribbon is transversely cut by the method and apparatus which are the subject of our copending Patent Application No: 84/ filed on the same day as the present application. This method comprises supporting a length of optical fibre ribbon on a substantially smooth surface; effecting a rectilinear cut substantially normal to the axes of the optical fibres across the whole transverse width of the optical fibre ribbon to a depth sufficient to effect a transverse score in each optical fibre; and thereafter bending the optical fibre ribbon about an axis extending substantially normal to the axes of the optical fibres to such an extent that the fibres of the ribbon cleave to form on the fibres end faces which are substantially flat and lie in a common plane radial to the axes of the fibres.
Each longitudinally extending rib preferably has a transverse cross-section of inverted V- or approximately parabolic-shape and each longitudinally extending trough bounded by adjacent longitudinally extending ribs is preferably of V- or approximately parabolic-shape.
The means by which the two parts of the two-part clamp are drawn together may take any convenient form but preferably it is of such a form that the two parts are drawn together under a pressure which is substantially constant throughout the entire length and width of the clamp.
The invention also includes an end-to-end joint between two lengths of optical fibre ribbon of the kind described effected by the improved method hereinbefore described.
The invention is further illustrated by a description, by way of example, of the preferred method of effecting an end-to-end joint between two lengths of optical fibre ribbon of the kind described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a transverse cross-sectional view, drawn on an enlarged scale, of an optical fibre ribbon of the kind described;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of two lengths of optical fibre ribbon supported on the surface of a first part of a two-part clamp;
Figure 3 is a transverse cross-sectional view, drawn on an enlarged scale, taken on a line Ill-Ill in Figure 2;;
Figure 4 is a transverse cross sectional view of the two-part clamp after the second part of the clamp has been applied over the aligned lengths of optical fibre ribbon, and
Figure 5 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the two-part clamp after the two parts of the clamp have been drawn together to clamp the two lengths of optical fibre ribbon in substantial alignment.
Referring to the drawings, the optical fibre ribbon 1 shown in Figure 1 comprises a plurality of optical fibres 2 arranged side-byside with their axes lying in a substantially common plane and embedded in an elongate body 3 of plastics material. As has been explained, in practice the axes of optical fibres of an optical fibre ribbon of this kind usually do not all lie in a common plane and this has been exaggerated in Figure 1.
In effecting an end-to-end joint between two lengths of optical fibre ribbon of the kind shown in Figure 1, each length 1 of optical fibre ribbon is transversely cut in such a way as to provide the length with an end in which end faces of the optical fibres 2 are substantially flat and lie in a common plane substantially normal to the axes of the optical fibres and, as shown in Figure 2, the two lengths of optical fibre ribbon are aligned on the support surface 6 of a first part 5 of a two-part clamp in such a way that the cut ends of the lengths of optical fibre ribbon abut and corresponding optical fibres of the two lengths are in approximate alignment.As will be more clearly seen in Figure 3, the support surface 6 of the first part 5 of the two-part clamp has a plurality of longitudinally extending, upstanding ribs 7 each of inverted V-shape and so transversely spaced apart that corresponding optical fibres 2 of the two lengths 1 of ribbon extend between two longitudinally extending ribs of the support surface. As shown in Figure 4, a second part 1 5 of said two-part clamp is then applied over the aligned lengths 1 of optical fibre ribbon in such a way that longitudinally extending upstanding ribs 1 7 on a surface 1 6 of the second part, each of inverted V-shape, overlie the longitudinally extending ribs 7 of the first part 5 of the two-part clamp. The parts 5, 1 5 of the two-part clamp are now drawn towards one another in a direction substantially normal to the plane substantially common to the axes of the optical fibres 2 to clamp the two lengths 1 of optical fibre ribbon in substantial alignment. As will be seen on referring to Figure 5, the surfaces of the longitudinally extending ribs 7, 1 7 are of such a shape that, as the two parts 5, 1 5 of the clamp are drawn together, the ribs deform the plastics material 3 of the two lengths 1 of optical fibre ribbon to such an extent that corresponding optical fibres of the two lengths of ribbon are clamped in substantially axial alignment.
Claims (6)
1. A method of effecting an end-to-end joint between two lengths of optical fibre ribbon of the kind described, which method comprises transversely cutting each length of optical fibre ribbon in such a way as to provide the length with an end in which end faces of the optical fibres are substantially flat and lie in a common plane substantially normal to the axes of the optical fibres; aligning the two lengths of optical fibre ribbon on the support surface on a first part of a two-part clamp in such a way that said cut ends of the lengths of optical fibre ribbon abut or are spaced a short distance apart and corresponding optical fibres of the two lengths are in approximate alignment, which support surface has a plurality of longitudinally extending. upstanding ribs so transversely spaced apart that corresponding optical fibres of the two lengths of ribbon extend between two longitudinally extending ribs; applying the second part of said two-part clamp over the aligned lengths of optical fibre ribbon in such a way that longitudinally extending, upstanding ribs on a surface of said second part overlie the longitudinally extending, upstanding ribs of said first part of the two-part clamp; and drawing one or each part of the two-part clamp towards the other part in a direction substantially normal to the plane substantially common to the axes of the optical fibres to clamp the two lengths of optical fibre ribbon in substantial alignment, the surfaces of the longitudinally extending, upstanding ribs being of such a shape that, as the two parts of the clamp are drawn together, the ribs deform the plastics material of the two lengths of optical fibre ribbon to such an extent that corresponding optical fibres of the two lengths of ribbon are clamped in substantially axial alignment.
2. A method as claimed in Claim 1, wherein each longitudinally extending upstanding rib has a transverse cross-section of inverted V-shape and each longitudinally extending trough bounded by adjacent longitudinally extending ribs is of V-shape.
3. A method as claimed in Claim 1, wherein each longitudinally extending rib has a transverse cross-section of approximately parabolic-shape and each longitudinally extending trough bounded by adjacent longitudinally extending ribs is of approximately parabolic-shape.
4. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the means by which the two parts of the two-part clamp are drawn together is of such a form that the two parts are drawn together under a pressure which is substantially constant throughout the entire length and width of the clamp.
5. A method of effecting an end-to-end joint between two lengths of optical fibre ribbon substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings
6. An end-to-end joint between two lengths of optical fibre ribbon effected by the method claimed in any one of the preceding Claims.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB838332699A GB8332699D0 (en) | 1983-12-07 | 1983-12-07 | Jointing optical fibre ribbon |
Publications (3)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB8430923D0 GB8430923D0 (en) | 1985-01-16 |
| GB2151043A true GB2151043A (en) | 1985-07-10 |
| GB2151043B GB2151043B (en) | 1987-05-20 |
Family
ID=10552974
Family Applications (2)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB838332699A Pending GB8332699D0 (en) | 1983-12-07 | 1983-12-07 | Jointing optical fibre ribbon |
| GB08430923A Expired GB2151043B (en) | 1983-12-07 | 1984-12-07 | Jointing optical fibre ribbon |
Family Applications Before (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB838332699A Pending GB8332699D0 (en) | 1983-12-07 | 1983-12-07 | Jointing optical fibre ribbon |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (2) | GB8332699D0 (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2197089A (en) * | 1986-11-03 | 1988-05-11 | Gen Electric | Optical fiber holder |
| US6324323B1 (en) * | 1999-01-07 | 2001-11-27 | Nu-Wave Photonics Inc. | Adhesive-free lens-attached optical fibers to optical waveguide packaging system |
-
1983
- 1983-12-07 GB GB838332699A patent/GB8332699D0/en active Pending
-
1984
- 1984-12-07 GB GB08430923A patent/GB2151043B/en not_active Expired
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2197089A (en) * | 1986-11-03 | 1988-05-11 | Gen Electric | Optical fiber holder |
| GB2197089B (en) * | 1986-11-03 | 1991-07-31 | Gen Electric | Optical fiber holder |
| US6324323B1 (en) * | 1999-01-07 | 2001-11-27 | Nu-Wave Photonics Inc. | Adhesive-free lens-attached optical fibers to optical waveguide packaging system |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB8332699D0 (en) | 1984-01-11 |
| GB2151043B (en) | 1987-05-20 |
| GB8430923D0 (en) | 1985-01-16 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCNP | Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |
Effective date: 19931207 |