US4468117A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Integrated optical fiber testing device
Assignee: Hughes Missile Systems Co
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Filing: 1982-02-22
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Granted: 1984-08-28
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Expires: 2002-02-22
Abstract
Abstract An integrated optical fiber testing device includes means for accurately aligning one end of a fiber optic cable with a laser beam generator and the other end with a beam detector. The cable is positioned in a test chamber wherein it is exposed to various mechanical and thermal stresses to determine its ability to withstand these stresses while light is passing through the cable. The testing is completed in one integrated operation.
Inventors
- 👤 Edward Hartouni
- 👤 Craig R. Duda
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 01:29
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01M; G01M11/00; G01M11/08; G01M11/088
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
140 words
A device for performing multiple tests on an optical fiber cable in one integrated operation, comprising: means for holding one end of a fiber optic cable in alignment with a light source means; light source means for introducing a light beam into one end of said fiber optic cable; means for holding the opposite end of said fiber optic cable in alignment with detecting means for continuously measuring the light transmission through said fiber optic cable; and means for simultaneously conducting multiple mechanical tests on said fiber optic cable as light transmission therethrough is continuously measured, including means for simultaneously vibrating, imparting shock to, flexing, twisting, and imparting a tensile load on the cable, during one positioning of the cable and in one operation; whereby the light transmission characteristics of said fiber optic cable are continuously checked during the testing.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
140 words
A device for performing multiple tests on an optical fiber cable in one integrated operation, comprising: means for holding one end of a fiber optic cable in alignment with a light source means; light source means for introducing a light beam into one end of said fiber optic cable; means for holding the opposite end of said fiber optic cable in alignment with detecting means for continuously measuring the light transmission through said fiber optic cable; and means for simultaneously conducting multiple mechanical tests on said fiber optic cable as light transmission therethrough is continuously measured, including means for simultaneously vibrating, imparting shock to, flexing, twisting, and imparting a tensile load on the cable, during one positioning of the cable and in one operation; whereby the light transmission characteristics of said fiber optic cable are continuously checked during the testing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A device for testing a fiber optic cable according to claim 1 including means for recording said light transmission characteristics.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
A device for testing a fiber optic cable according to claim 1 or 2 wherein means is provided for varying the temperature of the fiber optic cable while it is being subjected to mechanical tests.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A device for testing a fiber optic cable according to claim 1 wherein the ends of said fiber optic cable are enclosed in vacuum chambers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
64 words
A device for testing a fiber optic cable according to claim 3 wherein said light source means and detecting means are mounted on an optical table; mechanical and thermal testing means is mounted on a separate main table; and the light source means and detecting means are resiliently coupled to the testing means to avoid vibration in the light source means and detecting means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
92 words
A device for testing a fiber optic cable according to claim 5 wherein vibration generating means is provided for engaging and vibrating said fiber optic cable; shocking means is provided for engaging and shocking said fiber optic cable; cyclic flexing means is provided for engaging and flexing said fiber optic cable; twisting means is provided for engaging and twisting said fiber optic cable; and tensile load means is provided for engaging and providing tensile stress on said fiber optic cable; said shocking, flexing, twisting and tensile stress being conducted in one operation.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
A device for testing a fiber optic cable according to claim 6 wherein the several tests are conducted in a test chamber on said main table; and said test chamber is connected to heating and cooling means for varying the temperature in said chamber.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
70 words
A device for testing a fiber optic cable according to claim 7 wherein clamping means is provided for clamping one end of said cable in alignment with the light source means; a reciprocating rod extends into said test chamber for gripping said fiber optic cable; said fiber optic cable is passed around pulley means that travels in a helical path; and said fiber optic cable is gripped by vibrating means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
A device for testing a fiber optic cable according to claim 8 including resistance means for resisting displacement of said pulley means along its helical path.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
A device for testing a fiber optic cable according to claim 9 wherein said pulley means includes pulley sections of different diameters to provide different degrees of bending.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
45 words
A device for testing a fiber optic cable according to claim 9 wherein said pulley means is mounted on a rod having pawl means thereon; and a helical track is provided upon which said pawl means rides to impart twisting movement to said pulley means.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
198 words
A device for testing a fiber optic cable, comprising: means defining a light source for introducing a beam of light into one end of a fiber optic cable; means for holding one end of said fiber optic cable in alignment with the light source; first gripping means for gripping said fiber optic cable and imparting reciprocating movement thereto to flex the cable; pulley means for accepting said fiber optic cable from said first gripping means, said pulley means being movable in a helical path to impart twisting movement to said fiber optic cable and including weight means coupled thereto to resist such movement and impart a tensile load on the cable, said pulley means and weight means functioning simultaneously with the first gripping means; second gripping means for gripping said fiber optic cable after it passes around said pulley means and imparting shock and vibratory movement thereto simultaneously with the first gripping means and in one operation during one positioning of the cable; and means for holding the other end of said fiber optic cable in alignment with a beam detector for detecting the light transmission characteristics of the fiber optic cable continuously as it is being tested.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
198 words
A device for testing a fiber optic cable, comprising: means defining a light source for introducing a beam of light into one end of a fiber optic cable; means for holding one end of said fiber optic cable in alignment with the light source; first gripping means for gripping said fiber optic cable and imparting reciprocating movement thereto to flex the cable; pulley means for accepting said fiber optic cable from said first gripping means, said pulley means being movable in a helical path to impart twisting movement to said fiber optic cable and including weight means coupled thereto to resist such movement and impart a tensile load on the cable, said pulley means and weight means functioning simultaneously with the first gripping means; second gripping means for gripping said fiber optic cable after it passes around said pulley means and imparting shock and vibratory movement thereto simultaneously with the first gripping means and in one operation during one positioning of the cable; and means for holding the other end of said fiber optic cable in alignment with a beam detector for detecting the light transmission characteristics of the fiber optic cable continuously as it is being tested.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
55 words
A device for testing a fiber optic cable according to claim 12 wherein said first gripping means, pulley means and second gripping means are enclosed in a test chamber; and temperature varying means is connected with said chamber for varying the temperature to test the thermal characteristics of said cable while it is transmitting light.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
31 words
A device for testing a fiber optic cable according to claim 13 wherein said reciprocating movement, twisting movement, vibratory movement and temperature variation are imparted to said fiber optic cable simultaneously.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
54 words
The method of testing a fiber optic cable comprising the steps in one integrated operation of: measuring light transmission through the cable; vibrating said fiber optic cable; imparting shock to said fiber optic cable; flexing said fiber optic cable; twisting said fiber optic cable; and imparting a tensile load on said fiber optic cable.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
54 words
The method of testing a fiber optic cable comprising the steps in one integrated operation of: measuring light transmission through the cable; vibrating said fiber optic cable; imparting shock to said fiber optic cable; flexing said fiber optic cable; twisting said fiber optic cable; and imparting a tensile load on said fiber optic cable.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of testing a fiber optic cable according to claim 15 including the step of varying the temperature of said fiber optic cable during said mechanical testing operation.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
JPS55156830A
Cited
DE3039088A1
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-08-28 | 1988-02-27 | 1988-08-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-08-28 | 1992-02-27 | 1992-08-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-08-28 | 1996-02-27 | 1996-08-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |