Patent ID: 11860434
Assignee: TELESCENT INC.
Field: Optics (Instruments)
Classification: CPC G | IPC G

Claim 15:
16. A robotic fiber optic cross-connect system for configuring connectivity of fiber interconnects across an array of connections, the system comprising:
a controller executing a Knots, Braids and Strands (KBS) algorithm and machine instructions;
a robot subsystem with a first translatable platform carrying an extendable robot arm that extends along a first axis with a gripper attached to end of the arm;
a cleaning cartridge attached to a second translatable platform; and
a multiplicity of fibers with connectors that are carried by the gripper, each fiber independently tensioned and retracted within an arrayed storage and tensioning device incorporating a multiplicity of spring-powered retractors and a linear backbone of low friction, flexible guides along a second axis,
wherein the first axis and the second axis are substantially parallel, and
wherein the cleaning cartridge comprises a cleaning cartridge system, the cleaning cartridge system comprising:
a spool of cleaning fabric;
an actuator that drives a fabric advance roller;
a pressure sensor that detects when a fiber end face is in contact with fabric and outputs a contact-indicating signal;
an internal control circuit that drives the actuator to advance the cleaning fabric in time-relation to the contact-indicating signal; and
an external controller that determines proper advance of the cleaning fabric and consumption of the cleaning fabric over time.