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Fiber-optic cable connector

a technology of fiber optic cables and connectors, which is applied in the direction of optics, instruments, optical light guides, etc., can solve the problems of fiber optic cables being easily lost and misplaced, fiber optic cables are frequently damaged, and fiber optic cables are sensitive to dust and dir

Inactive Publication Date: 2007-09-20
IBM CORP
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention is an improved connector for a fiber-optic cable that includes a fiber-optic conductor, flexible end portions, and a swab on the inner surface of at least one flexible end portion. The swab contacts and cleans the fiber-optic conductor when the connector is attached to a receptacle. Additionally, the invention includes an actuator and a swab on the inner surface of at least one flexible end portion, which is slideably disposed on the fiber-optic cable and is configured to properly align the fiber-optic conductor to a receptacle. The flexible end portions cover the fiber-optic conductor when the cable is not connected to a receptacle. The invention provides a solution to protect and clean the fiber-optic cable during its normal operation.

Problems solved by technology

Fiber-optic cable is very sensitive to dust and dirt at the contact points of the fiber-optic cable.
These caps are easily lost and misplaced, so fiber-optic cables are frequently damaged by dust and dirt.
Additionally, the very small diameter of many fiber-optic cables makes the cleaning of connector structures for connecting such cables together very difficult.
This makes the manufacture of the swabs very difficult.

Method used

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Examples

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Embodiment Construction

[0018] Fiber-optic cable connectors are made in many different forms. FIG. 1 illustrates a traditional fiber-optic connector 10, which accurately aligns a fiber-optic conductor 12 of the fiber-optic cable 14. Each fiber-optic cable connector 10 has a hollow cylindrical end portion 16, which fits into a cylindrical end portion of a receptacle. In one embodiment, the end portion of the fiber-optic conductors 12 extends into and beyond the hollow cylindrical end portion 16 along its central axis. In other embodiments, the end portion of the fiber-optic conductor 12 may not extend beyond the hollow cylindrical end portion 16.

[0019] Referring now to FIG. 2, an improved connector 20 is illustrated. The improved connector 20 covers the end of a fiber-optic cable 22 when the fiber-optic cable 22 is not in use. When the fiber-optic cable 22 is being inserted into a receptacle 24, the improved connector 20 slides open and exposes the end of the fiber-optic conductors 26. During the process o...

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PUM

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Abstract

Exemplary embodiments include an improved connector for a fiber-optic cable including: a fiber-optic conductor disposed in a center portion of the fiber-optic connector; one or more flexible end portions disposed on an outer portion of the fiber-optic connector; a swab disposed on an inner surface of at least one flexible end portion; wherein the swab contacts and cleans the fiber-optic conductor when the improved connector is attached to a receptacle.

Description

TRADEMARKS [0001] IBM® is a registered trademark of International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, N.Y., U.S.A. Other names used herein may be registered trademarks, trademarks or product names of International Business Machines Corporation or other companies. BACKGROUND [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] This invention relates generally to fiber-optic cables connectors and more specifically to fiber-optic cable connectors for protecting and cleaning the fiber optic cable. [0004] 2. Description of Background [0005] Fiber-optic cable is very sensitive to dust and dirt at the contact points of the fiber-optic cable. Currently the method for keeping fiber-optic cable ends clean involves manually placing small caps on the ends of the fiber-optic cables when not they are not in use. These caps are easily lost and misplaced, so fiber-optic cables are frequently damaged by dust and dirt. Additionally, the very small diameter of many fiber-optic cables makes the cleaning of conne...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Applications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): G02B6/36G02B6/38
CPCG02B6/3866G02B6/3807
Inventor KOBRIN, ERIC L.
Owner IBM CORP