Method And Apparatus For Making An Optical Fiber Array

摘要

An apparatus for manufacturing an array of optical fiber using a handling tool, a clamp element, a cutter and an adhesive reservoir. The handling tool is capable of moving a portion of an optical fiber in a three-dimensional space and hold the portion of the optical fiber together with the clamp element to allow the cutter to produce a cleaved end in the optical fiber. The handling tool is further configured for immersing the cleaved end of the optical fiber in the adhesive reservoir and inserting the cleaved end of the optical fiber with adhesive adhered thereto inside a ferrule of an array of ferrules. A structure comprising the array of ferrules and a method of manufacturing an array of optical fibers are also disclosed.

主权项

1. An apparatus comprising:
a handling tool configured to hold and move a portion of an optical fiber in a three-dimensional space, said portion having a free end; a clamp element configured to clamp the free end of the optical fiber; a cutter configured to cleave the portion of the optical fiber to produce a cleaved portion of the optical fiber having a cleaved end; an adhesive reservoir;wherein the handling tool is configured to:
move the portion of the optical fiber toward the clamp element; hold the portion of the optical fiber, with the free end of the optical fiber clamped by the clamp element, to allow the cutter to produce the cleaved portion of the optical fiber having a cleaved end; immerse the cleaved portion of the optical fiber in the adhesive reservoir; and insert the cleaved portion of the optical fiber with adhesive adhered thereto inside a ferrule of an array of ferrules.