US4039309A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for breaking optical fibers
Assignee: AT&T Inc
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Filing: 1976-07-28
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Granted: 1977-08-02
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Expires: 1996-07-28
Abstract
Abstract The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for breaking optical fibers. The present method comprises the steps of: clamping an optical fiber at two spaced-apart peripheral areas on opposite sides of the area of intended break; heating the area of the intended break to at least the annealing temperature of the fiber; scoring the fiber along the line of intended break; and either bending and pulling or pulling the fiber apart to produce a break with a flat end surface. The heating step may also be advantageously employed to melt or evaporate a jacket surrounding the optical fiber adjacent to the area of intended break.
Inventors
- 👤 Andres Albanese
- 👤 Louis Maggi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 17:28
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/25; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T225/00; Y10T225/10; Y10T225/12; Y10T225/30; Y10T225/304; Y10T225/307; Y10T225/321; Y10T225/325; Y10T225/35; Y10T225/357
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
A method of breaking an optical fiber comprising the steps of: a. clamping the optical fiber at two spaced-apart peripheral areas on opposite sides of the intended break; b. heating the optical fiber in the area of the intended break to at least the annealing temperature of the fiber and in a manner to cause a thermal gradient to be produced within said fiber along the line of the intended break; c. scoring the optical fiber on the line of the intended break; and d. applying a force along the longitudinal axis of the optical fiber at each said two spaced-apart peripheral areas in a manner to cause the fiber to break.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
112 words
A method of breaking an optical fiber comprising the steps of: a. clamping the optical fiber at two spaced-apart peripheral areas on opposite sides of the intended break; b. heating the optical fiber in the area of the intended break to at least the annealing temperature of the fiber and in a manner to cause a thermal gradient to be produced within said fiber along the line of the intended break; c. scoring the optical fiber on the line of the intended break; and d. applying a force along the longitudinal axis of the optical fiber at each said two spaced-apart peripheral areas in a manner to cause the fiber to break.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein: e. in performing step (d), applying a pulling force in a direction away from the line of intended break to cause the fiber to break.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein: f. in performing step (d), applying a bending force to said fiber in the area of the intended break concurrent with applying a pulling force in a direction away from the line of intended break to cause the fiber to break.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein the optical fiber includes a protective jacket surrounding the optical fiber, comprising the additional step of: g. after step (a), heating the protective jacket in the area of the intended break to at least the melting temperature of the jacket.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
118 words
Apparatus for breaking an optical fiber comprising: means for clamping the optical fiber at two spaced-apart peripheral areas on opposite sides of a line of intended break; means in contact with a portion of the peripheral surface of the optical fiber for heating the optical fiber along the line of intended break to at least the annealing temperature of the optical fiber and in a manner to cause a thermal gradient to be produced within said fiber along said line of intended break; means for scoring the optical fiber along a portion of line of intended break; and means for applying a force along the longitudinal axis of the optical fiber in a manner to break the fiber.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
118 words
Apparatus for breaking an optical fiber comprising: means for clamping the optical fiber at two spaced-apart peripheral areas on opposite sides of a line of intended break; means in contact with a portion of the peripheral surface of the optical fiber for heating the optical fiber along the line of intended break to at least the annealing temperature of the optical fiber and in a manner to cause a thermal gradient to be produced within said fiber along said line of intended break; means for scoring the optical fiber along a portion of line of intended break; and means for applying a force along the longitudinal axis of the optical fiber in a manner to break the fiber.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus according to claim 5 wherein: said means for heating comprises a heating element in point contact with the peripheral surface of said optical fiber along the line of intended break.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said force applying means is capable of: applying a pulling force in a direction away from the line of intended break to cause the fiber to break.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
50 words
The apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said force applying means is capable of: applying a bending force to said fiber in the area of the intended break concurrent with applying a pulling force in a direction away from the line of intended break to cause the fiber to break.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the optical fiber includes a protective jacket surrounding the optical fiber, wherein: the means for heating the optical fiber is placed in contact with the protective jacket to heat the protective jacket to the melting temperature thereof.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3880637A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-08-01 | 1981-01-31 | 1981-08-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-08-01 | 1985-01-31 | 1985-08-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-08-01 | 1989-01-31 | 1989-08-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |