MXPA99008155A - Fiber optic cable cleaner - Google Patents

Abstract

A device for cleaning an optical fiber includes a body having a surface. A cleaning substance is deposited on the surface of the body. The body is selectively positionable for selectively contacting the cleaning substance with the optical fiber.

Description

FIBER OPTIC CABLE CLEANING APPARATUS Reciprocal Reference to Related Requests This application is a continuation in part of the US patent application Serial No. 08 / 660,644 (Proxy Registration No. 52353USA5A), filed on June 7, 1996, by Larry R. Cox, et al. , entitled "Fiber Optic Cable Cleaner". This application relates to the US patent application Serial No. 08 / 801,058, (Proxy Registration No. 53184USA3A) filed on February 14, 1997, by Sidney J. Berglund et al, entitled "Fiber Optic Connector Spring" , the related application which was assigned to the assignee of the present invention and with which it is hereby incorporated in its entirety by this reference thereto.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates in general to systems and methods for preparing the terminal ends of communication lines for interconnection and, more particularly, relates to such cleaning apparatuses and methods for cleaning the end face of a fiber. optics to be connected EEF: 031130 with another optical fiber or an optoelectronic device. In fiber optic communications, it is important that the optical fibers provide exceptional optical transmission characteristics. The connection points of the optical fibers to other optical fibers or devices are particularly susceptible to conditions that alter or impair the optical capabilities. Also, the axes of the optical fibers, particularly when the optical fibers are located in notches, are susceptible to the conditions. The optical characteristics are disturbed, for example, by dust, smoke, dirt and other foreign materials that become located on the surfaces of the optical fibers, particularly the end faces of the fibers where the optical connections are made and along the length of the optical fibers. the axes of the fibers. It has been shown that optical connections of the fibers can be made desirable using the connection devices formed with fiber alignment notches. Examples of such devices and connections are described in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 08 / 664,039, filed July 25, 1996, entitled "Active Device Receptacle"; the North American patent application Serial No., (Registration No. of the Representative 53184USA3A) filed on February 14, 1997, by Sidney J. Berglund et al., Entitled "Fiber Optic Connector Spring", and US Patent Application Serial No. 08 / 577,740, filed on December 22, 1995, Barbara L. Birrell et al., Entitled "Optical Fiber Connector Using Fiber Spring Force and Alignment Groove". With such devices, the fiber optic connections are made with the bare fiber ends located and aligned in notches, which are, for example, V-shaped notches. One end of an optical fiber to be connected, is placed in a notch, and the end advances along the notch until the end face splices with the end face of another optical fiber or an optical sensor of an optoelectronic device. It is apparent that the optical transmission capabilities of the optical fiber will depend on the adequacy of the connection of the end face, among other factors. In this way, cleaning the end face of the optical fiber that connects to a splicing end face of another optical fiber or optical device has great significance for the optical performance of the connection. If the end face of the optical fiber is covered with foreign matter, the light that passes through the end face is altered and / or restricted by foreign matter. In addition, the contact separation of the end face of the fiber due to such a material causes unwanted reflection. In this regard, the US patent application Serial No. 08 / 660,644 (Proxy Registration No. 52353USA5A), filed on June 7, 1996, by Larry R. Cox et al., entitled "Fiber Optic Cable Cleaner", provides a device for cleaning the tip of a fiber optic retained in a connecting device. It would be an advantage to provide other systems and methods for cleaning the end faces and shafts of the optical fibers in order to obtain a desired optical performance through the connections of the optical fibers. Other desired advantages of such systems and methods could include that disassembly is not required to conduct cleaning operations. Therefore, what is necessary are systems and methods for cleaning the end faces of the optical fibers, the end faces that are contained within pegs and housings, such as those shown in the related applications and the other applications mentioned above. . The embodiments of the present invention provide such systems and methods for cleaning the end faces of the optical fibers to provide exceptional optical connection characteristics. In this way, the invention improves the optical performance of optical fiber connections and simplifies cleaning operations.

Brief Description of the Invention The embodiments of the present invention, therefore, provide systems and methods for cleaning the end faces of the optical fibers. The systems and methods provide advantages of improved optical performance of fiber optic connections made with those end faces and simplified cleaning operations without disassembly. For this purpose, one embodiment of the invention is a device for cleaning an optical fiber. The device includes a body having a surface and a cleaning substance deposited on the surface. The body can be selectively placed to selectively contact the cleaning substance with the optical fiber.

Another embodiment of the invention is a device for cleaning an optical fiber housed in a notch of fiber alignment. The device includes a body having a surface and a cleaning substance deposited on the surface, the body being selectively configured to conform to the fiber alignment notch. Still another embodiment of the invention is a system for cleaning an optical fiber with a liquid. The system includes a liquid supply unit and a nozzle attached to the liquid supply unit. The nozzle can be selectively positioned to selectively deliver the liquid over the optical fiber. Another embodiment of the invention is a system for cleaning an optical fiber with a liquid. The optical fiber is housed in a notch of fiber alignment of a receptacle. The system includes a liquid supply unit and a nozzle attached to the liquid supply unit. The nozzle is selectively configured to conform to the receptacle. Still another embodiment of the invention is a system for cleaning an optical fiber with a liquid. The optical fiber is kept inside a pin. The system includes a liquid supply unit and a nozzle attached to the liquid supply unit to accept the plug and provide access to the optical fiber inside the plug.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a perspective view of a manual, strip cleaning apparatus having an adhesive on a tip thereof for cleaning an end face or along an axis of an optical fiber, according to with the embodiments of the present invention. Figure 2 is a perspective, front view of a fiber exposure tool of the plug for exposing the optical fibers contained within a plug and allowing access to the end faces of the optical fibers, such as for cleaning, according to the embodiments of the present invention. Figure 3 is a perspective, back view of the fiber exposure tool of the plug of Figure 2, according to the embodiments of the present invention. Figure 4 is a front perspective view of the fiber exposure tool of the plug of Figure 2 and a plug containing terminal ends of two optical fibers, according to the embodiments of the present invention. Figure 5 is a perspective view of the bottom of the fiber exposure tool of the plug and the plug of Figure 4, in use to expose the terminal ends of the two optical fibers contained in the plug, for example, to clean the end faces of the optical fibers, according to the embodiments of the present invention. Figure 6 is a perspective view, schematic with the separated, rear parts of an alternative tool for exposing fibers of the plug, which is injection-moldable, in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention. Figure 7 is a perspective, front view of the alternative fiber tool of the plug, alternative of Figure 6, according to the embodiments of the present invention. Figure 8 is a perspective view, rear of the pin fiber exposure tool, alternative of Figure 6, according to the embodiments of the present invention. Figure 9 is a perspective view of a manual, wedge cleaning apparatus having an adhesive at one end thereof for cleaning an end face of an optical fiber contained within a notch, eg, a notch in the form of a notch. V, according to the embodiments of the present invention. Figure 10 is a perspective view of the manual, wedge cleaning apparatus of Figure 9 with a handle attached, in use for cleaning an end face of an optical fiber contained within a sample of a reccle, such reccle as it is shown in a partial section in the Figure, according to the modalities of the present invention. Figure 11 is a side view of a spray cleaning system, according to the embodiments of the present invention. Figure 12 is a perspective view of an outlet or discharge nozzle of the spray cleaning system of Figure 11, in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention. Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view, sideways along the line A-A 'of the outlet nozzle of Figure 12, according to the embodiments of the present invention. Figure 14 is a rear view of the outlet nozzle of Figure 12, according to the embodiments of the present invention.

Figure 15 is a perspective view of a double-orifice discharge head of the spray-cleaning system of Figure 11, in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention. Figure 16 is a front view of the double-orifice discharge head of Figure 15, according to the embodiments of the present invention. Figure 17 is a rear view of the double-orifice discharge head of Figure 15, in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention. Figure 18 is a side view of the double-orifice discharge head of Figure 15, according to the embodiments of the present invention. Figure 19 is a perspective view of the double-orifice discharge head of the Figure equipped with an extension tube and inserted into a fiber optic receptacle, according to the embodiments of the present invention. Figure 20 is a perspective view of the double-orifice discharge head of Figure 15 equipped with the extension tube and inserted into the fiber optic receptacle, according to the embodiments of the present invention. Figure 21 is a cross-sectional, side view of the double-orifice discharge head of Figure 15, with the extension tube attached, located in the fiber optic receptacle, according to the embodiments of the present invention. Figure 22 is a front perspective view of a double orifice discharge head, injection moldable in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention. Figure 23 is a rear perspective view of the injection-moldable double-port discharge head of Figure 22, in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention. Figure 24 is a perspective view of a double-hole adapter of the plug, and double-orifice discharge head and plug, in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention. Figure 25 is a perspective view of the double-hole adapter of the plug of the Figure 24, in use with the double-hole discharge head and the plug, according to the embodiments of the present invention.

Figure 26 is a cross-sectional, side view of the double-hole adapter of the plug, the double-hole discharge head and the plug of Figure 25, as in use, in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Hereby reference is made to the original and related applications for the details of the optical fiber connection devices, including the pins and receptacles, wherein the optical fiber connections are made in notches of fiber alignment. Because the details are given in those requests for the connecting devices, including the pins and receptacles, the designs of the pins and receptacles are not discussed in detail herein. The discussion herein focuses primarily on systems modalities and methods for cleaning end faces of optical fibers to be connected to other optical fibers or optoelectronic devices. With reference to Figure 1, the manual strip cleaning apparatus 10 includes a body 12 having a tip 14. The body 12 is a slender, thin strip. One end of the body 12 forms a point 14, which decreases or narrows to a rounded point. A portion of the point at the tip 14 contains a coating of adhesive 16 on one side of the body 12. The body 12 is formed of, for example, a Petg of 15 thousand. (ie, a comonomer of poly (ethylene terephthalate) glycol) available from Plite of Des Plaines, Illinois, or some other semi-rigid, thin plastic, metal or other material. The adhesive coating 16 is an adhesive, for example, an acrylic adhesive, such as the Model 3M966MR adhesive available from the Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company, St. Paul, Minnesota (3M), or some other adherent or cleansing substance. The adhesive coating 16 is located only on one surface of the tip 14. In operation, the manual strip cleaning apparatus 10 is used to clean an end face 18 or along an axis of an optical fiber 20. For cleaning the end face 18, the tip 14 of the manual, strip cleaning apparatus is directed towards the end face 18 with the adhesive coating 16 facing the end face 18. The adhesive coating 16 at the tip 14 is placed against the end face 18 of the optical fiber 20, for example, at an angle of approximately 90 ° to the axis of the optical fiber 20. When the adhesive coating 16 touches the end face 18, the foreign material, such as dirt, dust, smoke or other residue or material, is adhered with the adhesive coating 16. The adhesive coating 16 of the tip 14 can be brought into contact with the end face 18 one or more times to ensure that the face of extreme 18 this lim pia After cleaning the end face 18 in this manner, the end face 18 can be examined through a microscope or other optical device to ensure that the foreign material has been desirably removed from the end face 18. The face end of this cleaned way provides preferable optical connection characteristics. The optical fiber 20 is cleaned along its axis in a similar manner by contacting the adhesive coating 16 with the circumference of the optical fiber 20 along the length. With reference to Figures 2-5, in conjunction, a fiber exposure tool of the plug 30 includes a tool body 32 having an opening 34 within a portion of the receptacle 35. The opening 34 is suitable to accommodate a pin 36 (Figures 4 and 5) of the type accommodating the first and second optical fibers 40 and 42, respectively, described in the original and related applications. The receptacle 25 is formed in the opening 34 with the guide devices 44 to ensure that the pin 36 is properly oriented and retained in the body of the tool 32. A cam surface 46 is provided to lightly move a door 48 of the pin 36 when the plug 36 is inserted, so that the first and second optical fibers 40 and 42 contained within the plug 36 are accessible. The tool body 32 also includes an access opening 56 which meets the opening 34 inside the tool body 32. The fiber exposure tool the pin 30 includes a driving member 50. The driving member 50 slides within the tool body 32. The springs (not shown) tend to moving the drive member 50 away from the tool body 32 (i.e., upwards in Figures 2-3) when not driven by a downward force to overcome the forces of the springs, however, the drive member 50 is retained within the body of the tool 32 by the tool body 32. The drive member 50 includes drive rods 52 (also shown in Figure 6) which serve to pass through the holes 54 in the door 48 of the plug 36 in the drive, when the plug 36 is inserted in the opening 34 with which the door 48 slides to reveal the first and second optical fibers 40 and 42. The driving rods 52 , when passed in this manner through the holes 54, they make contact "and move the first and second optical fibers 40 and 42 away from the pin 36 to expose the end faces of the optical fiber 40 and 42 in the aperture of the optical fiber 40 and 42. access 56 of the body of the tool 32. The tool 30 can be machined, for example, of plastic, metal or other materials, to provide the various features. In operation, the pin 36 is properly oriented by means of the guide devices 44 and is pressed into the opening 34. When it is fully inserted into the opening 34, the pin 36 is located with the door 48 slid away from the holes 54 to expose the first and second optical fibers 40 and 42. The holes 54 whereby they align with the driving rods 52, so that the driving rods 52 they pass into and through the holes 54 when the drive member 50 is pressed and slid into the tool body 32. The first and second optical fibers 40 and 42 are pushed by the driving rods 52 when these rods 52 pass through. through the holes 54. The push rods 52 lift the first and second optical fibers 40 and 42 of the pin 36 and expose the end faces of the first and second optical fibers 40 and 42 within the access opening 56. The end faces of the first and second optical fibers 40 and 42, as discussed, are accessed for cleaning or other purposes. For example, using the manual strip cleaning apparatus 10 of Figure 1, the tip 14 of the manual strip cleaning apparatus 10 is placed in the access opening 56 with the adhesive coating 16 directed towards the end face. of one of the first and second optical fibers 40 or 42. Because the first and second optical fibers 40 and 42 are exposed and lifted from the plug 36 within the access opening 56, the adhesive coating 16 of the tip 14 can be brought into contact with one of the end faces, for example, at an angle of approximately 90 ° to the axis. That contact causes the foreign material on the end face to adhere to the adhesive coating 16 and be removed from the end face when the manual, strip cleaning apparatus 10 moves away from that contact. The end faces of the first and second optical fibers 40 and 42 can thus be cleaned using the fiber exposure tool of pin 30 in this manner. Similarly, other cleaning devices, substances and processes, for example, solvent sprinklers as described below, can be employed in conjunction with the fiber exposure tool of pin 30 with similar advantages of exposure of the faces of end of the optical fibers for accessibility to them for cleaning. With reference to Figures 6-8, in conjunction, a tool for exposing fibers of the plug, alternative 60 includes a front body part 62, a back body part 64, and a drive member 66. The body part front 62 and rear body part 64 can be joined to form a tool body 68. The front body part includes a receptacle 70 with an opening 72. Rear body part 64 includes an access opening 74. The body of the tool 68, with the receptacle 70, the opening 72, and the access opening 74, is substantially similar to and functions substantially the same as the tool body 32 of Figures 2-5. The alternate 60 fiber exposure tool also includes the drive member 66. The springs 67 (shown in Figure 6) tend to move the drive member 66 away from the tool body 68. The springs are placed in the body. the guides 69 and are brought into contact with the tool body 68 when the driving member 66 is placed on the tool body 68. The driving member 66 includes the guide posts 52. The guide posts 52 have tips grooves 76. The drive member 66 is substantially similar to and substantially the same as the drive member 50 of Figures 2-5. When the driving member 66 is pressed into the tool body 68 by overcoming the forces of the spring 67, the guide posts 52 pass through the holes of a fiber optic pin placed in the aperture 72, the optical fibers contained in the fiber optic plug becomes captured in respective openings of the slotted tips 76, and the optical fibers are raised from the pin and exposed for access through the access opening 74, all as previously described. The alternative fiber 60 exposure tool, in this manner, can serve to expose the optical fibers contained within a plug, for example, to allow access to clean the end faces of the optical fiber. The tool 60 - can, for example, be formed of injection molded plastic, metal or other materials, to provide the various features. With reference to Figures 9-10, in conjunction, a manual wedge cleaning apparatus 80 includes a wedge head 82 and a handle 83. The wedge head 82 is a block generally flat and in square shape with an arc. raised 84 running along a length of the block. The raised arch 84 includes an inverted V-shaped apex. One end of the wedge head 82 is coated with an adhesive coating 86. The adhesive coating 86 is an adhesive, for example, an acrylic adhesive, such as the Model 3M966MR adhesive available from Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company, St. Paul , Minnesota (3M), or some other adherent or cleansing substance. The adhesive coating 86 is located only on the end surface of the wedge head 82. The handle 83 is attached to a surface of the wedge head 82, for example, opposite the surface with the raised arch 84. The handle 83 is angled in relation to the surface to which it is attached, for example, at an angle of about 0o to about 90 °. The handle 83 is of a pin or pin shape, or alternatively, it may have a rectangular, triangular or other cross section. The handle 83 is sufficiently long to provide for manipulation of the wedge head 82 within a closure, for example, a fiber optic receptacle 90, when the handle 83 is outside the closure. The handle 83 is also semi-flexible so that the user can flex the handle 83 when the wedge head 82 is directed against a surface, such as a V-shaped notch, in order to maintain a desired force against the surface in contact with the wedge head 82. In any case, the adhesive coating 86 on the surface of the end of the wedge head 82 serves the same purpose as the tip 14 of the manual cleaning apparatus, strip 10 of Figure 1 , that is, the adhesive coating 86 can make contact with an end face of an optical fiber to clean the end face of foreign materials. In operation, the manual wedge cleaning apparatus 80 cleans the end face of an optical fiber, for example, the optical fiber 92 contained within the receptacle 90, and / or cleans a fiber alignment notch 96, such as a V-shaped notch, in which an optical connection of the end faces of the fibers must be made. To clean the end face, the end of the manual wedge cleaning apparatus 80 is directed towards the end face of the optical fiber 92 with the adhesive coating 86 facing the end face. The adhesive coating 86 is placed against the end face of the optical fiber 92. When the adhesive coating 86 touches the end face, the foreign material, such as dirt, dust, smoke, or other debris or material, adheres with the adhesive coating 86. The adhesive coating 86 may be in contact with the end face one or more times to ensure that the end face is clean. After cleaning the end face in this manner, the end face can be examined through a microscope or other optical device to ensure that the foreign material has been desirably removed from the end face. The end face of this cleaned manner provides optical connection characteristics, preferable. The raised arch 84 of the manual cleaning apparatus, wedge 80 is particularly noteworthy in that it is dimensioned to fit within the fiber alignment notch 96 or other fiber alignment notch. In Figure 10, the manual wedge cleaning apparatus 80 is used to clean the optical fiber 92 within the fiber alignment notch of the receptacle 90. The receptacle 90 is of the type accommodating the first and second optical fibers 92. and 94, respectively, described in the original and related applications. The receptacle 90 includes the fiber alignment slots in which the connections of the first and second optical fibers 92 and 94 are to be made. As described in the original and related applications, the receptacle 90 includes a door (not shown) which must be introduced to access the fiber alignment notches and the first and second optical fibers 92 and 94. The handle 83 allows the wedge head 82 to be selectively positioned within the receptacle 90 in one of the alignment notches. of fibers in order to contact the adhesive coating 86 with the end face of the optical fiber 92 or 94. A semi-rigid, flexible material for the handle 83 will allow pressure to be applied with the wedge head 82 within the the notch of fiber alignment if that is desired in the application. With reference to Figure 11, a spray-cleaning system 200 includes a double-orifice discharge head 202 equipped with an extension tube 204 and an exhaust nozzle 205. The spray-cleaning system 200 also includes an assembly of the conventional spray bottle 210. The conventional spray bottle assembly 210 includes a solvent bottle 212, for example, a polyethylene bottle identified as Model No. 53008, sold by the Ler an Container Company, of Naugatuck, Connecticut. The solvent bottle 212 is equipped with a spray head 214. such as a spray head of the type sold by The Afa Corporation of Forest City, North Carolina, Model No. 8710AT. The dew head 214 has a connection device 215 with internal threading. The internal threading corresponds to the external threading of the opening of the solvent bottle 212. The spray head 214 includes a feed tube 216 extending from the connection device 215 of the spray head 214 in the solvent bottle 212 and the liquid contents 218 of it. A handle 220 and a piston 222 of the spray head 214 is operable by compression to cause the liquid contents 218 to be drawn into the feed tube 216, through the spray head 214 and out into a conduit 224 of the spray head 214. With reference to Figures 11-14, the outlet nozzle 205 of the spray-cleaning system 200 is particularly notable in that it is specially designed to open and close the conduit 224 to selectively allow or prevent passage of the liquid contents of the solvent bottle 212 and the assembly of the spray head 214. The outlet nozzle 205 is generally a hollow, frusto-conical piece with a front part 205a and a rear part 205b. The rear part 205b forms a larger hollow chamber 240. The front part 205a forms a smaller hollow chamber 242 which connects to the larger hollow chamber 240 and includes an outlet 244. The larger hollow chamber 240 has internal threading 246 which corresponds to the threading contained in the conduit 224 of the spray head 214. The internal threading 248 is also contained in the smaller hollow chamber 242. The larger hollow chamber 240 is screwable in the conduit 224. With reference to FIGS. 11 and 15 -18, the double-hole discharge head 202 has an outlet end 202a and an entry end 202b. The inlet end 202b includes a coupling 250 which is hollow with internal threading. Coupling 250 is connected to a body 252. Body 252 is formed with a protrusion or stop 256 and a guide 254. Exit end 202a includes various chamfered surfaces 258. Exit holes 260 are formed at outlet end 202a . The exit holes 260 are connected to the interior hollow of the coupling 250 by the channels 251 (shown in phantom in Figure 18). With reference to Figures 11 and 15-21, the double orifice discharge head 202 is connected to the extension tube 204 which is connected to the outlet nozzle 205. The outlet nozzle 205, as mentioned previously, is joined to the spray head 214. The external thread is formed at each end of the extension tube 204 when the extension tube 204 is screwed into the internal threading of the coupling 250 and the internal threading of the smaller hollow chamber 242 into the outlet 244. All the threaded seals, as well as the The spray head 214 and the solvent bottle assembly 212 are liquid-tight, so that the liquid contents 218 of the solvent bottle 212 will only pass from the solvent bottle 212 through the spray head 214 and the outlet nozzle 205, extension tube 204, and the assembly of the double-orifice discharge head 202. The outlet nozzle 205, when it is screwed tightly with the spray head 214, prevents the contents from liquids pass from the dew head 214. However, when the outlet nozzle 205 is rotated, for example, a half turn, the liquid contents 218 pass out of the outlet nozzle 205, the extension tube 204, and the head of double-hole discharge 202 when handle 220 is pressed. In operation, the double-orifice discharge head 202 fits within the opening 91 of the receptacle 90. As mentioned previously, the receptacle 90 is described in greater detail in the original and related applications. When the double-orifice discharge head 202, equipped as part of the spray-cleaning system 200, is inserted into the opening 91, each of the outlet orifices 260 is directly aligned with the fiber alignment notches, and from this Thus, the optical fibers placed inside those fiber alignment slots, contained in the receptacle 90. The liquid contents 218 can be any of a variety of liquid cleaners or solvents that serve to clean the foreign material of the optical fibers, for example , on their end faces or along the fiber axes, and the receptacle 90, such as a hydrofluoric ether similar to the solvent cleaning solution HFE-7100MR available from 3M. By compressing the handle 220, the piston 222, which contains a portion of the liquid contents, forces the liquid contents 218 out of the piston 222 and the spray head 214 due to a check valve of the spray head 214. The contents liquids 218 then pass through the outlet nozzle 205, the extension tube 204, and the double-orifice discharge head 202 and wet the optical fibers or other materials in the aligned position with the exit orifices 260. In this way , the solvent or cleaner is placed in select locations, such as the fiber optic end faces, to provide cleaning. When the handle 220 is allowed to return to its uncompressed position (returns to the position by the spring or other force), the piston 222 removes another portion of the liquid contents 218 in the vacuum piston 222 for additional drive of the piston 222 and the expression of dew. With reference to Figures 22 and 23, an alternate double-port discharge head 270 includes a coupling 272 sufficient to accommodate the extension tube 204. The coupling 272 includes an internal thread for screwing the discharge head coupling 270 with the extension tube 204. The discharge head 270 is formed with door guides 276 at an end opposite the coupling 272. The door guides 276 and body portions 278 of the discharge head 270 are formed to fit within of the opening 91 of the receptacle 90 (shown in Figures 19-21), in a manner similar to that described above with respect to the double-orifice discharge head 202. In operation, the double-orifice, alternative 270 discharge head substantially the same works as the double-orifice discharge head 202. With reference to Figures 24-26, in conjunction with a double-hole adapter of the plug 300 includes an inlet receptacle 302 which forms a hole 304 of sufficient size to accommodate the double-port discharge head 202. The double-hole adapter of the plug 300 is formed with the door guides 306 adjacent the entrance receptacle 302 within the adapter 300. The door guides 306 and the portions of the body 308 of the adapter 300 are formed to be joined to the plug of the optical fiber 36 (also shown in the Figures 4 and 5 and in the original and related applications) in such a way that the door 48 of the plug 36 slides to allow access to the optical fibers 316 contained within the plug 36. The dual-hole adapter of the plug 300 includes holes 310 and internal fluid passages 312 of a projection 307 of the adapter 300. The orifices 310 connect to the internal fluid passages 312 with the hole 304 and align with the orifices outlet 260 of the double-port discharge head 202. The projection 307 of the adapter 200 fits into the slot of the door 48 and accepts the optical fibers 316, respectively in the holes 310 and the internal fluid passages 314 of the 307. In operation, the double-orifice discharge head 202 of the spray-cleaning system 200 is placed in the hole 304. This is aligned with the outlet orifices 260 of the double-orifice discharge head 202 with the passages of internal fluids 312 and, thus, the holes 310 of the double-hole discharge head of the plug 300. A plug 36 joins the door guides 306 and other features of the body portions 308 of the head of the head 306. double-hole discharge of the plug 300. The compression of the handle 220 then drives the spray-cleaning system 200, causing the liquid contents 218 to flow out of the holes 310. Because the orifices 310 are aligned With the optical fibers 316 contained in the plug 36, the liquid contents are selectively dispersed over the optical fibers 316, for example, on the end faces and along the axes thereof contained within the internal fluid passages 314 This effects the cleaning of the end faces of the optical fibers and the outer surface. Numerous variations are possible in the above modalities. For example, different configurations of the manual cleaning apparatus, of the strip and the manual, wedge cleaning apparatus are possible. A possible variation in the configuration is to form those cleaning apparatuses in particular shapes that are specifically adapted within the desired spaces, for example, notches, with some alignment and positioning that provides a desired contact of the adhesive with the external face or other surface for be cleaned Of course, with respect to the liquid or solvent cleaner embodiments, multiple additional holes or even a few holes could be provided for the particular application. The materials, solvents, cleaners, adhesives and other aspects can also be widely varied. Although the illustrative embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, a wide range of modifications, changes and substitutions are contemplated in the foregoing description and, in some examples, some features of the present invention may be employed without a corresponding use of the others. characteristics. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be constructed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the invention.

It is noted that in relation to this date, the best method known by the applicant to carry out the aforementioned invention, is the conventional one for the manufacture of the objects to which it relates.

Having described the invention as above, property is claimed as contained in the following:

Claims (21)

1. A device for cleaning an optical fiber, characterized in that it comprises: a body having a surface; a cleaning substance deposited on the surface; wherein the body can be selectively placed to selectively contact the cleaning substance with the optical fiber.

2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the body is a thin strip of a semi-rigid material.

3. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the cleaning substance is an adhesive.

4. The device according to claim 2, characterized in that the body is Petg.

5. The device according to claim 3, characterized in that the adhesive is an acrylic adhesive.

6. A device for cleaning an optical fiber housed in a notch of fiber alignment, characterized in that it comprises: a body having a surface; a cleaning substance deposited on the surface; wherein the body is selectively configured to conform to the notch of fiber alignment.

7. The device according to claim 6, characterized in that the body includes a wedge-shaped portion having an end which is the surface.

8. The device according to claim 6, characterized in that the cleaning substance is an adhesive.

9. The device according to claim 8, characterized in that the adhesive is an acrylic adhesive.

10. A device for cleaning an optical fiber housed in a notch of fiber alignment, characterized in that it comprises: a body of the tool containing the optical fiber; and a drive mechanism for lifting the optical fiber from the fiber alignment notch.

11. The device according to claim 10, characterized in that the tool body selectively places the fiber alignment notch so that the driving mechanism contacts the optical fiber in the fiber alignment notch and moves the optical fiber away from the fiber. the notch of fiber alignment.

12. The device according to claim 10, characterized in that the driving mechanism includes a driving rod that makes contact with the optical fiber when the driving mechanism is driven.

13. A system for cleaning an optical fiber with a liquid, characterized in that it comprises: a liquid supply unit; a nozzle attached to the liquid supply unit; wherein the nozzle can be selectively positioned to selectively deliver the liquid in the optical fiber.

14. The system according to claim 13, characterized in that the liquid supply unit is a spray bottle driven by a piston.

15. The system according to claim 13, characterized in that the nozzle is a discharge head formed with discharge orifices and formed so as, in use, to be inserted in a receptacle for the optical fiber with the discharge orifices oriented to selectively supply the liquid on optical fiber.

16. A system for cleaning an optical fiber with a liquid, the optical fiber that is housed in a notch of fiber alignment of a receptacle, characterized in that it comprises: a liquid supply unit; a nozzle attached to the liquid supply unit; wherein the nozzle is selectively configured to conform to the receptacle.

17. The system according to claim 16, characterized in that the liquid supply unit is a spray bottle operated with a piston. '

18. The system according to claim 16, characterized in that the nozzle is a discharge head formed with the discharge orifices and formed to be inserted in the receptacle with the discharge orifices oriented to selectively deliver the liquid over the optical fiber in the notch fiber alignment.

19. A system for cleaning an optical fiber with a liquid, the optical fiber that is kept inside a pin, characterized in that it comprises: a liquid supply unit; a nozzle attached to the liquid supply unit to accept the plug and provide access to the optical fiber inside the plug.

20. The system according to claim 19, characterized in that the nozzle includes: a discharge head formed with discharge orifices and formed so as, in use, to be inserted in a receptacle for the optical fiber with the discharge orifices oriented to selectively supply the liquid; and an adapter formed with the expression holes aligned to receive the liquid supplied from the discharge ports of the discharge head.

21. The system according to claim 20, characterized in that the adapter is formed so as, in use, to receive a plug for the optical fiber with the oriented expression holes for selectively supplying the liquid on the optical fiber.