US3884585A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fiber break detection methods for cables using multi-fiber optical bundles
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 1974-02-25
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Granted: 1975-05-20
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Expires: 1994-02-25
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for detecting and assessing the light transmitting integrity of the individual fibers in a multi-fiber optic cable bundle is achieved by edge illuminating the bared fiber ends at an input terminal cable end, and detecting the quality of transmitted light emanating from the bared ends of the fibers at a receiving terminal cable end. The transmitted light emitting from the face of the receiving cable end is magnified by a microscope or the like. A second light source illuminates the surface of the receiving cable end to enable the faces of the broken fibers to be distinguishable from the remaining background. The end faces of the broken fibers will appear as dark. spots since the input illumination is absent, being interrupted by the break in the fiber somewhere along its length. The faces of the light transmitting unbroken fibers will appear as bright spots. A suitable camera attachment may be provided in conjunction with the microscope to obtain a permanent record of the magnified image of the output cable end.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert L Lebduska
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 02:46
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01M; G01M11/00; G01M11/30; G01M11/33; G01N; G01N21/00; G01N21/84; G01N21/88; G01N21/8803
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
95 words
A method of diagnostically assessing the breakage of individual fiber filaments in a composite fiber glass cable bundle comprising the steps of: illuminating an input terminal end of said cable for transmission of the light therethrough to an output terminal end of said cable: illuminating the surface of the output terminal end of the cable; magnifying the face of the output terminal end of said cable; whereby the integrity of light transmission through said cable can be assessed by determining the number of fiber filament ends which appear dark indicating the absence of transmitted light.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
95 words
A method of diagnostically assessing the breakage of individual fiber filaments in a composite fiber glass cable bundle comprising the steps of: illuminating an input terminal end of said cable for transmission of the light therethrough to an output terminal end of said cable: illuminating the surface of the output terminal end of the cable; magnifying the face of the output terminal end of said cable; whereby the integrity of light transmission through said cable can be assessed by determining the number of fiber filament ends which appear dark indicating the absence of transmitted light.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 which includes the step of diffusing the light introduced at the input terminal end.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1 which includes the step of photographing the magnified face of the output terminal end of the cable to obtain a permanent record of the fiber breakage.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
87 words
Apparatus for diagnostically testing the light transmission integrity of a multi-fiber optic cable which comprises: a light source for illuminating an input end of said cable; a second light source for illuminating the surface of the output end of the cable; a microscope for viewing the transmitted light through said cable being emitted from an output end of said cable; whereby the ends of the broken fibers will appear as dark spots readily distinguishable from the light spots of the unbroken fibers from which the light emits.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
87 words
Apparatus for diagnostically testing the light transmission integrity of a multi-fiber optic cable which comprises: a light source for illuminating an input end of said cable; a second light source for illuminating the surface of the output end of the cable; a microscope for viewing the transmitted light through said cable being emitted from an output end of said cable; whereby the ends of the broken fibers will appear as dark spots readily distinguishable from the light spots of the unbroken fibers from which the light emits.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein means are provided for supporting each of the input and output ends of the cable.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein a diffusing means is provided between the first named light source and the input end of the cable.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said second light source is oriented at an angle with respect to the face of the output end of the cable.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein a photographic means is associated with the microscope to obtain a permanent record of the illumination emitted from the output end of the cable.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3565536A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-05-19 | 1978-11-18 | 1979-05-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-05-19 | 1982-11-18 | 1983-05-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-05-19 | 1986-11-18 | 1987-05-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |