Optical fiber polishing apparatus

U.S. Patent Number: 5349784

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for polishing the end face of an optical fiber encapsulated within a ferrule portion of a fiber optic connector device which terminates the optical fiber. The end of the optical fiber projects from the ferrule portion. A mounting plate has a forward surface and a receptacle for mounting the connector device, with the end of the optical fiber projecting from the forward surface, to permit the end face to be polished by moving the mounting plate over an appropriate polishing surface. A polishing plate forms a substrate having a recess in a forward surface thereof. A polishing film is adhered to the substrate, spanning the recess, to define an air space beneath the film in the recess. Therefore, the mounting plate can be positioned over the polishing plate to align the end of the optical fiber with the recess, in engagement with the polishing film spanning the recess, to permit the end face of the optical fiber to be polished by moving the forward surfaces of the mounting plate and the polishing plate relative to each other.

Inventors: Grois; Igor (Northbrook, IL), Makhlin; Ilya (Skokie, IL), Margolin; Mark (Lincolnwood, IL)

Assignee: Molex Incorporated (Lisle, IL)

Application Number: 07/911,837

Issued: 1994-09-27

Expired: 2006-09-27

Classes: 451/314 ; 451/365; 451/392; 451/41; 451/490; 451/59

Field of search: 51/58,64,121,124R,125,150,151,154,217R,217S,230,237M,283R,328,358

Click the image above to view patent images at uspto.gov within a frame.

Click here for the fulltext page on uspto.gov within a frame.