Patent ID: 8235322
Filing Date: 2012-08-07
Classification: B65H,G02B

Abstract:
1. An optical fiber storage unit, comprising: a stationary unit; a ring adapted to rotate relative to the stationary unit; a pair of walls on opposite sides of the ring; and an optical fiber confined within a volume defined by the walls and the ring fixedly attached at a first point to the stationary unit and at a second point to the ring, such that the optical fiber portion between the first and second points is arranged as a spiral which changes its number of rounds when the ring is rotated relative to the stationary unit and preserves a bending radius above a critical bending radius of the optical fiber, but the optical fiber portion beyond the first point is not twisted by rotation of the ring, wherein a first one of the walls rotates with the ring and a second one of the walls is stationary relative to the ring.