Patent ID: 9664863
Date: 2017-05-30
CPC Classifications: B29D,G02B

Claim:
1. A method of affixing an optical fiber in a holder comprising: providing a first optical fiber including at least one light carrying core for transmitting a communication signal and an outer layer surrounding the at least one light carrying core; placing the first optical fiber in a first holder located in a first ferrule; providing a body of light curable epoxy in the first holder around at least a portion of the first optical fiber; providing a second optical fiber including at least one light carrying core for transmitting a communication signal and an outer layer surrounding the at least one light carrying core; placing the second optical fiber in a second holder located in the first ferrule; providing a body of light curable epoxy in the second holder around at least a portion of the second optical fiber; providing a machine with a light source for generating a light wavelength usable to cure the light curable epoxy, a fiber optic cable including plural source fibers for transmitting light, said fiber optic cable having a first end attached to the light source so that first ends of the plural source fibers can receive light from the light source, the fiber optic cable having a second end remote from the first end, the second end of the fiber optic cable having a second ferrule presenting second ends of the plural source fibers to supply light to illuminate the outer layers of the first and second optical fibers so that light leaks from the outer layers of the first and second optical fibers into the light curable epoxy in contact with the outer layers of the first and second optical fibers to affix a length of the first and second optical fibers to the first ferrule; and a fiber optic switch disposed between the light source and the second ferrule; mating the second ferrule to the first ferrule; operating the fiber optic switch to select a first source fiber of the plural source fibers so that the respective second end of the first source fiber, as presented by the second ferrule, is illuminated; and transmitting light through the outer layer of the first optical fiber so that light leaking from the outer layer of the first optical fiber into the light curable epoxy at least partially cures the light curable epoxy to affix a length of the first optical fiber to the first holder.