US4222664A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fibre optic cable termination testing
Assignee: Allard Way Holdings Ltd
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Filing: 1978-09-20
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Granted: 1980-09-16
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Expires: 1998-09-20
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for testing a ferruled termination of a fibre optic cable by illuminating the active optical area of the cable at the end of the cable remote from the termination and successively measuring through a series of apertures of different area aligned with the ferrule the light energy output from said termination. The apertures may be provided by a series of apertures in a plate or may be provided by a shutter having an opening which may be discretely set to each of the apertures.
Inventors
- 👤 Robin D. Beasley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 06:03
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01M; G01M11/00; G01M11/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
62 words
A method of testing a ferruled termination of a fibre optic cable comprising the steps of: illuminating the active optical area of the cable at the end of said cable remote from said termination; and successively measuring through each of a series of restrictions each having an aperture of different area aligned with the ferrule the light energy output from said termination.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
62 words
A method of testing a ferruled termination of a fibre optic cable comprising the steps of: illuminating the active optical area of the cable at the end of said cable remote from said termination; and successively measuring through each of a series of restrictions each having an aperture of different area aligned with the ferrule the light energy output from said termination.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein one of said apertures exposes an area substantially greater than that of the desired active optical area of said termination and another of said apertures exposes an area substantially less than the desired active optical area of said termination.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 2 wherein a different one of said apertures exposes an area just less than the desired active optical area of said termination.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein each said restriction has an aperture of the same shape as that of the desired active optical area of said termination.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
68 words
An apparatus for testing a ferruled termination of a fibre optic cable comprising: means for illuminating the active optical area of a termination at the end of said cable remote from said termination; means for successively restricting light output from said termination through a series of apertures each of different area and aligned with the ferrule; and means for measuring the light energy output through each said aperture.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
68 words
An apparatus for testing a ferruled termination of a fibre optic cable comprising: means for illuminating the active optical area of a termination at the end of said cable remote from said termination; means for successively restricting light output from said termination through a series of apertures each of different area and aligned with the ferrule; and means for measuring the light energy output through each said aperture.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
59 words
An apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said restricting means is so arranged as to expose to said measuring means through one of said apertures an area substantially greater than that of the desired active optical area of said termination and through another of said apertures an area substantially less than the desired active optical area of said termination.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
An apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said restricting means is so arranged as to expose to said measuring means through a different one of said apertures an area just less than the desired active optical area of said termination.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said restricting means is so arranged that each said aperture is of the same shape as that of the desired active optical area of said termination.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
67 words
An apparatus according to claim 5 having means for locating said ferruled termination and wherein said means for successively restricting light output from said termination includes a plate having said series of apertures therein and so arranged that each said aperture may be positioned in turn in the light path between said ferruled termination and said means for measuring the light energy output through each said aperture.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
44 words
An apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said plate is movable by rotation so that each said aperture may be positioned in turn in the light path between said ferruled termination and said means for measuring the light energy output through each said aperture.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said means for successively restricting the light output from said termination includes a shutter having an opening which may be discretely set to each of said series of apertures.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3999841A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-09-16 | 1984-03-17 | 1984-09-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-09-16 | 1988-03-17 | 1988-09-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-09-16 | 1992-03-17 | 1992-09-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |