Patent ID: 6259517
Filing Date: 2001-07-10
Classification: G01M

Abstract:
A system for testing an optical fiber adapted to carry laser light, the system comprising:a laser outputting a beam of light having a wavelength at a first location;a first optical fiber having a first end supported to receive the light from the laser and a second end to deliver the light to a remote location;a source of an optical test signal;a detector at the first location for detecting the optical test signal; andoptical elements for injecting the optical test signal into the first optical fiber and for recovering the optical test signal from the first optical fiber while the first optical fiber carries the laser light, and a second optical fiber having a first end at the first location and second end at the remote location, wherein:a) the optical test signal is injected into the first end of the optical fiber at the first location, recovered at the remote location, and returned to the first location through the second optical fiber for detection, orb) the optical test signal is carried to the remote location through the second optical fiber, injected into the second end of the first optical fiber, and recovered at the first location for detection; andelectrical circuitry for performing a function if the detected test signal falls below a predetermined value.