Patent EP0449491A1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
EP0449491A1
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EP
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Testing of optical fiber by introducing multiple simulated peel location bends
Assignee: Raytheon Co
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Filing: 1991-03-20
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2011-03-20
Abstract
Abstract The optical characteristics of an optical fiber (28) are studied by simultaneously introducing multiple small-radius bends into a short length of the optical fiber (28). Since there is a small loss of light associated with each bend, those losses are added and made easier to measure and analyze when multiple bends are used. The optical fiber (24) is wound over a mandrel (10, 50) that is shaped to include at least two simulated peel location bends of the optical fiber (28) wound onto the mandrel (10, 50), and, preferably, four or more simulated peel location bends per turn of optical fiber (28) around the mandrel (10, 50).
Inventors
- 👤 Vincent L. Jones
- 👤 Ronald B. Chesler
- 👤 George W. Lecompte
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 16:35
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01M; G01M11/00; G01M11/30; G01M11/33; G01M11/08; G01M11/088
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
95 words
A process for testing an optical fiber, comprising the steps of: providing a bending mandrel having at least two simulated peel point bending locations disposed such that an optical fiber wound around the mandrel passes over the bending locations, each peel point bending location bending the optical fiber in a manner simulating the bending that an optical fiber undergoes when paid out from a fiber canister; and winding the optical fiber over the bending mandrel, thereby simultaneously applying multiple simulated peel point bends to the length of the optical fiber in contact with the mandrel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process of claim 1, wherein the bending mandrel is a cylindrical rod having opposing flat surfaces symmetrically formed therein along a cylindrical diameter.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 1, wherein the bending mandrel is an equilateral triangular prism.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The process of claim 1, wherein the optical fiber is bent through a total angle of from about 60 degrees to about 120 degrees at each of the bending locations.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The process of claim 1, further including the additional step of applying a tension to the optical fiber while it is wound over the bending mandrel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The process of claim 5, further including the additional step of ensuring that the tension is applied substantially equally at each of the bending locations.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The process of claim 1, further including the additional step of measuring the transmission of light through the optical fiber while it is wound over the bending mandrel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
A process for testing an optical fiber, comprising the steps of: providing a bending mandrel formed from a cylinder having two flat surfaces therein perpendicular to a cylindrical diameter; and winding an optical fiber around the bending mandrel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 8, wherein the optical fiber is wound around the bending mandrel at least twice.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 8, wherein tension is applied to the optical fiber while it is wound around the mandrel.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 8, wherein the spacing between the flat surfaces is about one-half the diameter of the cylinder.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 8, wherein the cylindrical diameter of the mandrel is about 1 inch.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
The process of claim 8, further including the additional step of measuring the transmission of light through the optical fiber while it is wound over the optical fiber.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
40 words
A process for testing an optical fiber, comprising the steps of: providing a bending mandrel formed with a portion thereof being an equilateral triangular prism; and winding an optical fiber around the equilateral triangular prism portion of the bending mandrel.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 14, wherein the optical fiber is wound around the bending mandrel at least twice.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 14, wherein tension is applied to the optical fiber while it is wound around the mandrel.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
The process of claim 14, further including the additional step of measuring the transmission of light through the optical fiber while it is wound over the optical fiber.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
78 words
Apparatus for testing optical transmission of an optical fiber, comprising: a bending mandrel having at least two simulated peel point bending locations thereon; and means for sending a beam of light through an length of an optical fiber wound over the bending mandrel, for receiving that portion of the beam of light transmitted through the length of the optical fiber wound over the bending mandrel, and for comparing the intensities of the light received and the light sent.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 18, further including: means for applying a tension to the optical fiber wound over the bending mandrel.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 18, further including: means for manipulating the optical fiber wound over the mandrel to ensure that the tension in the optical fiber at all simulated peel point bending locations is substantially the same.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the bending mandrel is mounted on a support that permits the mandrel to rotate about its axis.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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