Cleaning device for fiber optic connectors

Abstract

A cleaning device for fiber optic connectors that includes a cleaning head, a cleaning fluid reservoir for holding cleaning fluid, a pressurization source and a switching mechanism. The cleaning head has a cleaning fluid passage and a vacuum passage. The switching mechanism has at least a first position and a second position. In the first position, the switching mechanism initiates the pressurization source such the cleaning fluid is pressurized and the cleaning fluid leaves the cleaning fluid reservoir and enters the cleaning head via the cleaning fluid passage and exits the cleaning head via the cleaning fluid passage as a spray. In the second position, the switching mechanism initiates the pressurization source such that air and expended cleaning fluid is drawn into the vacuum passage.

Description

BACKGROUND

[0002] The present invention relates to a cleaning device for fiber optic connectors. More specifically, but without limitation, the present invention relates a hand held cleaning device for fiber optic connectors, that is self contained and does not require an external power source.

[0003] Currently there are suitcase sized automated cleaning devices for fiber optic connectors. These cleaning devices are typically powered by an external power source such as an electrical source of 110 volts (60 cycle). These cleaning devices are designed as laboratory or manufacturing floor units and cannot be easily moved. Alternatively, the cleaning devices can be powered by compressed gas cylinders, which are cumbersome and difficult to transport.

[0004] Thus, there is a need for a hand held cleaning device for fiber optic connectors.

SUMMARY

[0005] It is a feature of the invention to provide a cleaning device for fiber optic connectors that includes a cleaning head, a cleaning fluid reservoir for holding cleaning fluid, a pressurization source and a switching mechanism. The cleaning head has a cleaning fluid passage and a vacuum passage. The switching mechanism has at least a first position and a second position. In the first position, the switching mechanism initiates the pressurization source such the cleaning fluid is pressurized and the cleaning fluid leaves the cleaning fluid reservoir and enters the cleaning head via the cleaning fluid passage and exits the cleaning head via the cleaning fluid passage as a spray. In the second position, the switching mechanism initiates the pressurization source such that air and expended cleaning fluid is drawn into the vacuum passage.

[0006] It is a feature of the invention to provide a cleaning device for fiber optic connectors that is portable and is able to be moved easily.

[0007] It is a feature of the invention to provide a cleaning device for fiber optic connectors that is capable of chemically and/or mechanically cleaning a fiber optic connector.

[0008] It is a further feature of the invention to provide a device for application of a surface treatment (i.e. coating).

[0009] It is a feature of the invention to provide a cleaning device for fiber optic connectors that is easy to use and inexpensive to manufacture.

DRAWINGS

[0010] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims, and accompanying drawings wherein:

[0011] FIG. 1 is an internal side view of an embodiment of the cleaning device for fiber optic connectors;

[0012] FIG. 2 is a side internal view of an embodiment of the cleaning head;

[0013] FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of an embodiment of the cleaning device for fiber optic connectors; and,

[0014] FIG. 4 is a flow chart depicting the operation of an embodiment of the cleaning device for fiber optic connectors.

DESCRIPTION

[0015] The preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated by way of example below and in FIGS. 1-4. As shown in FIG. 1, the cleaning device for fiber optic connectors 1 includes a cleaning head 100, a cleaning fluid reservoir 200 for holding cleaning fluid 210 (the cleaning fluid 210 may be, but without limitation, a cleaning solvent, a polish, a surface treatment, or any type of cleaner), a pressurization source 300 and a switching mechanism 400. As seen in FIG. 2, the cleaning head 100 has a cleaning fluid passage 105 and a vacuum passage 110. The switching mechanism 400 has at least a first position and a second position. In the first position, the switching mechanism 400 initiates the pressurization source 300 such the cleaning fluid 210 in the cleaning fluid reservoir 200 is pressurized and the cleaning fluid 210 leaves the cleaning fluid reservoir 200 and enters the cleaning head 100 via the cleaning fluid passage 105 and exits the cleaning head 100 via the cleaning fluid passage 105 as a spray. In the second position, the switching mechanism 400 initiates the pressurization source 300 such that ambient air and expended cleaning fluid 210 (specifically expended cleaning fluid 210 that is on or near the fiber optic connector being cleaned) is drawn into the vacuum passage 110. Optionally, the vacuum passage 110 can lead directly to a waste reservoir 250, or as shown in FIG. 1, the vacuum passage 100 may lead to a vacuum line 251 that leads to the switching mechanism 400 and then to the waste reservoir 250. In other embodiments of the invention, any waste fluid/contaminants may enter the waste reservoir 250 directly or indirectly via the switching mechanism 400 and/or additional plumbing.

[0016] In the discussion of the present invention, the invention will be discussed in a fiber optic connector environment; however, this invention can be utilized for any type of need that requires use of a cleaning mechanism, such as, but without limitation, precision cleaning or coating application.

[0017] As seen in FIG. 1, the cleaning device for fiber optic connectors 1 may also include a housing 50. The housing 50 is preferably constructed of a lightweight, plastic material such as a vinyl resin or polyethylene, or any other lightweight plastic material. The cleaning fluid reservoir 200, the switching mechanism 400 and any additional components may be disposed within the housing 50. A supply line 75 may allow fluid communication between the switching mechanism 400 and the pressurization source 300. The supply line 75 may be a flexible tube or the like.

[0018] The cleaning head 100 (particularly the cleaning fluid passage 105) and the cleaning fluid reservoir 200 are flowably connected or in fluid communication via a reservoir tube 215. The cleaning head 100 is attached to the outside of the housing 50. As shown in FIG. 1, in one of the embodiments of the invention, the reservoir tube 215 may flow from the cleaning fluid reservoir 200 into and through the switching mechanism 400 prior to communicating with the cleaning head 100.

[0019] In operation, when the switching mechanism 400 is in the first position (or position 1), pressurized gas 60 is supplied to the cleaning device 1, particularly to the cleaning fluid reservoir 200, via the supply line 75. In the preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the pressurized gas 60 exits the pressurization source 300, and then enters the switching mechanism 400 via the supply line 75. The switching mechanism 400 controls the flow of pressurized gas 60 to the cleaning fluid reservoir 200. Pressurized gas 60 flows from the switching mechanism 400 to the cleaning fluid reservoir 200 via a reservoir supply line 76.

[0020] Generally, pressurized gas 60 is provided in the form of standard commercially available CO.sub.2, dry nitrogen, air cartridges, or any other manner practicable. The pressurization source 300 may also be, but without limitation, filtered air cans, dry filtered carbon dioxide or nitrogen cylinders or micropumps. The pressurization source 300 may be disposed within the housing 50 (not shown) or disposed outside the housing 50 (shown in FIG. 1). Preferably, if the pressurization source 300 is disposed outside the housing 50, the cleaning head 100 and the supply line 75 are disposed at opposite sides of the housing 50.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 4, when the cleaning fluid 210 is pressurized (the switching mechanism 400 is in the first position or position 1), the cleaning fluid 210 flows from the cleaning fluid reservoir 200, through the reservoir tube 215, through the cleaning fluid passage 105, and out the cleaning fluid passage 105 as a spray. This spray can then be directed towards and applied to a fiber optic connector. FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of the invention, whereby, the cleaning fluid 210 passes through the switching mechanism 400 prior to entering the cleaning fluid passage 105.

[0022] The cleaning fluid reservoir 200 is disposed within housing 50 of the portable cleaning device 1. The cleaning fluid reservoir 200 is fillable and resealable by a standard screw mechanism or quick disconnect (not shown), so that the cleaning fluid reservoir 200 can be easily refilled with cleaning fluid 210, and then resealed. The screw mechanism or quick disconnect must be capable of sealing securely such that the cleaning fluid reservoir 200 can store the cleaning fluid 210 therein under pressure. In another embodiment, the cleaning fluid reservoir 200 may be replaceable, and/or disposed outside the housing 50.

[0023] The cleaning fluid reservoir 200, the supply line 75, the reservoir tube 215 and any piping or plumbing connecting the components are made from materials which are compatible with the cleaning fluid 210 and pressurized gas 60.

[0024] The switching mechanism 400 controls the flow of pressurized gas 60 used to push cleaning fluid 210 from the cleaning fluid reservoir 200 to the cleaning head 100. In the preferred embodiment, the switching mechanism 400 includes a valve 405 and a Venturi nozzle 410. As shown in FIG. 4 (another embodiment shown in FIG. 3), when the switching mechanism is in the second position (or position 2), the Venturi nozzle 410 produces a vacuum utilizing the Bernoulli Effect. The vacuum then draws in expended cleaning fluid (from an area near or at the fiber optic connector) via the vacuum passage 110, then via the vacuum line 251 to the waste reservoir 250 (as shown in FIG. 1, in one of the embodiments the expended cleaning fluid may pass through the switching mechanism 400 prior to entering the waste reservoir 250). The valve 405 controls flow of pressurized gas 60 to the Venturi nozzle 410 and to the cleaning fluid reservoir 200. The first position (or position 1) of the switching mechanism 400 allows flow of pressurized gas 60 to the cleaning fluid reservoir 200, while the second position (or position 2) allows flow of pressurized gas 60 to the Venturi nozzle 410. A control device 500 may be electrically connected to and activates the switching mechanism 400, particularly the valve 405, to control the flow of pressurized gas 60 to the cleaning fluid reservoir 200 or to the Venturi nozzle 410. The switching mechanism 400, the control device 500 and the pressurization source 300 are electrically connected and all in electrical communication with other.

[0025] The control device 500 preferably includes a power source, such as a battery 505, and electronics 510, such as an electrical timer 511. The electronic timer 511 is electrically connected to the valve 405 of the switching mechanism 400, and sends an electrical signal to the valve 405 to control the flow of pressurized gas 60 to the cleaning fluid reservoir 200 or the Venturi nozzle 410 for predetermined periods of time.

[0026] Preferably, the control device 500 controls (via the valve 405) the flow of cleaning fluid 210 from the cleaning fluid reservoir 200, so as to furnish cleaning fluid 210 or solvent to the cleaning head 100 for about a five-second interval (in the first position of the switching mechanism 400), then switches the flow of pressurized gas 60 to the Venturi nozzle 410 to create a vacuum for about five seconds (in the second position of the switching mechanism 400), or for a period sufficient to vacuum up and remove cleaning fluid 210 or solvent and contaminants from the fiber optic connector being cleaned. Thereafter, the control device 500 (via the valve 405) shuts off the flow of pressurized gas 60 to the cleaning device 1 and resets for another cleaning cycle.

[0027] The switching mechanism 400 can be either electrically or mechanically controlled.

[0028] Mechanical means can be broken down into manual or automatic. A preferred mechanical option includes a conventional multi-position switch actuator 450, as shown in FIG. 1. The actuator 450 allows a user to change the switching mechanism 400 from the first position to the second position. In another embodiment of the invention, the switching mechanism 400 may include a third position, an off position, which turns the cleaning device 1 off.

[0029] In one of the embodiments of the invention, in operation, once the switch or actuator 450 (e.g. a trigger or button) is depressed or put in the first position, cleaning fluid 210 (or solvent) and pressurized gas 60 are supplied to the cleaning head 100 for a predetermined amount of time by releasing cleaning fluid 210 or solvent and sending compressed or pressurized gas 60 through the cleaning fluid reservoir 200. As the switch or actuator 450 is further depressed or put in the second position, the supply of the cleaning fluid 210 is switched off, and the supply of pressurized gas 60 is switched to the Venturi nozzle 410, so that the vacuum remains on for a pre-determined amount of time. After the cleaning fluid 210 is vacuumed up, the switch or actuator 450 is turned off and reset for the next utilization.

[0030] In a manual configuration, switching from position to position is preferably controlled by the operator. In a manual configuration of the switching mechanism 400, cleaning of fiber optic connector alignment pin holes, which may eventually accumulate enough contamination to require cleaning, is possible. In another embodiment of the switching mechanism 400, a simple, small electronic pneumatic switch may be utilized, so as to enable control of the flow of pressurized gas 60.

[0031] The cleaning head 100 may be designed to fit into a hole in a female connector and/or be adapted to fit into a recess in a female fiber optic connector. In an embodiment of the invention, the cleaning device 1 may include an adaptor 150 for a male cleaning head. The adapter 150 may be removable and include a first end 151 and a second end 152. As seen in FIG. 1, the first end 151 of the adapter 150 may be attachable to the cleaning head 100, and the second end 152 fits over (or is attachable to) and on top of a pin of a male fiber optic connector (not shown) thus allowing for hermaphroditic cleaning. The cleaning device I may include a number of different adapter types so that different connector types may be cleaned.

[0032] The cleaning device 1 may also include a safety interlock. A safety interlock, may be defined, but without limitation, as a mechanism that prevents accidental spraying. The safety interlock could be, but without limitation, a cover, a lock or a trigger grip which requires a reasonable amount of force to allow spraying.

[0033] By proper selection of the cleaning fluid 210 or solvent, the anticipated contaminating materials on the fiber optic connector can be dissolved, as well as the standard foreign particulates removed, both of which can prevent contact or block light transmitted within the fiber optic connector. The preferred embodiment of the cleaning fluid 210 is a cleaner or solvent that will easily evaporate. A number of formulated/engineered cleaning fluids or solutions exist which dissolve both petrochemical based contaminants as well as water based foreign material such as salt from salt spray. Additionally, these cleaning fluids are preferably selected to present a limited health hazard as well as being environmentally friendly.

[0034] A particulate may be added to the cleaning fluid 210. The particulate may be a polishing compound, and which help remove hard to remove contaminants. The contaminates are mechanically dislodged by the particulate(s) so that the cleaning fluid can then remove them. The particulate may also be a specifically designed nano-particle; the nano-particle is delivered to the surface so that it attaches itself to the connector end face providing improved connector performance such as preventing contaminants from attaching to the surface.

[0035] When introducing elements of the present invention or the preferred embodiment(s) thereof, the articles "a," "an," "the," and "said" are intended to mean there are one or more of the elements. The terms "comprising," "including," and "having" are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements.

[0036] Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to a certain preferred embodiment thereof, other embodiments are possible. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred embodiment(s) contained herein.

Claims

1. A cleaning device, comprising: a cleaning head, the cleaning head having a cleaning fluid passage and a vacuum passage; a cleaning fluid reservoir for holding cleaning fluid; and a switching mechanism, the switching mechanism having at least a first position and a second position, in the first position the switching mechanism initiates pressurized gas such cleaning fluid in the cleaning fluid reservoir is pressurized and the cleaning fluid leaves the cleaning fluid reservoir and enters the cleaning head via the cleaning fluid passage and exits the cleaning head via the cleaning fluid passage as a spray, in the second position the switching mechanism initiates pressurized gas such that air and expended cleaning fluid is drawn into the vacuum passage.

2. The cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the switching mechanism includes a Venturi nozzle and a valve, the valve able to divert pressurized gas flow to the cleaning fluid reservoir or to the Venturi nozzle, the Venturi nozzle when pressurized able to create a vacuum in the vacuum passage to enable vacuuming up and removal of cleaning fluid and contaminants from the fiber optic connectors.

3. A cleaning device, comprising: a cleaning head, the cleaning head having a cleaning fluid passage and a vacuum passage; a cleaning fluid reservoir for holding cleaning fluid; a pressurization source; and a switching mechanism, the switching mechanism having at least a first position and a second position, in the first position the switching mechanism initiates the pressurization source such cleaning fluid in the cleaning fluid reservoir is pressurized and the cleaning fluid leaves the cleaning fluid reservoir and enters the cleaning head via the cleaning fluid passage and exits the cleaning head via the cleaning fluid passage as a spray, in the second position the switching mechanism initiates the pressurization source such that air and expended cleaning fluid is drawn into the vacuum passage.

4. The cleaning device of claim 3, wherein the switching mechanism includes a Venturi nozzle and a valve, the valve able to divert pressurized gas flow to either the cleaning fluid reservoir or to the Venturi nozzle, the Venturi nozzle when pressurized able to create a vacuum in the vacuum passage to allow vacuuming up and removal of cleaning fluid and contaminants from the fiber optic connectors.

5. The cleaning device of claim 4, wherein the cleaning device further includes a control device, the control device activates the valve to control flow of pressurized gas to the cleaning fluid reservoir or to the Venturi nozzle for a pre-determined amount of time.

6. The cleaning device of claim 5, wherein the cleaning device further includes a multi-position actuator, the actuator allowing the user to change the switching mechanism from the first position to the second position.

7. The cleaning device of claim 3, wherein the switching mechanism includes a third position, the third position being an off position.

8. The cleaning device of claim 7, wherein the cleaning device further includes a multi-position actuator, the actuator allowing the user to change the switching mechanism to the first position, the second position or the third position.

9. The cleaning device of claim 8, wherein the cleaning device further includes an adapter, the adapter attachable to the cleaning head such that other types of fiber optic connectors may be cleaned.

10. The cleaning device of claim 9, wherein the cleaning device further includes a waste reservoir for storing expended cleaning fluid, the waste reservoir fluidly communicating with the vacuum passage such that the drawn in expended cleaning fluid can be stored in the waste reservoir.

11. The cleaning device of claim 10, wherein the cleaning device further including a housing, the cleaning fluid reservoir, the switching mechanism and the control device disposed within the housing.

12. A cleaning device for fiber optic connectors, comprising: a cleaning head, the cleaning head having a cleaning fluid passage and a vacuum passage; a cleaning fluid reservoir for holding cleaning fluid; a pressurization source; a switching mechanism, the switching mechanism having at least a first position and a second position, in the first position the switching mechanism initiates the pressurization source such cleaning fluid in the cleaning fluid reservoir is pressurized and the cleaning fluid leaves the cleaning fluid reservoir and enters the cleaning head via the cleaning fluid passage and exits the cleaning head via the cleaning fluid passage as a spray, in the second position the switching mechanism initiates the pressurization source such that air and expended cleaning fluid is drawn into the vacuum passage, the switching mechanism further including a Venturi nozzle and a valve, the valve able to divert pressurized gas flow to either the cleaning fluid reservoir or to the Venturi nozzle, the Venturi nozzle when pressurized able to create a vacuum in the vacuum passage to enable vacuuming up and removal of cleaning fluid and contaminants from the fiber optic connectors; a control device, the control device activates the valve to control flow of pressurized gas from the pressurization source to the cleaning fluid reservoir or to the Venturi nozzle for a pre-determined amount of time; a waste reservoir for storing expended cleaning fluid, the waste reservoir fluidly communicating with the vacuum passage such that the drawn in expended cleaning fluid can be stored in the waste reservoir; a housing, the housing, the cleaning fluid reservoir, the switching mechanism, the control device and the waste reservoir disposed within the housing.

13. The cleaning device of claim 12, wherein the cleaning device further includes an adapter, the adapter attachable to the cleaning head such that a male fiber optic connector may be cleaned.

14. The cleaning device of claim 13, wherein the cleaning device further includes a multi-position actuator, the actuator allowing the user to change the switching mechanism from the first position to the second position.

15. The cleaning device of claim 13, wherein the switching mechanism includes a third position, the third position being an off position.

16. The cleaning device of claim 15, wherein the cleaning device further includes a multi-position actuator, the actuator allowing the user to change the switching mechanism to the first position, the second position or the third position.