Patent ID: 6718099
Filing Date: 2004-04-06
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
An apparatus for preparing a fiberoptic connector for interferometric profiling of an endface of the fiberoptic connector, the fiberoptic connector having a precision guide pin hole for receiving a guide pin to precisely mate the fiberoptic connector with a like fiberoptic connector, the apparatus comprising:(a) a reference guide pin for insertion into a guide pin receiving hole in the endface, the reference guide pin having on one end thereof a polished reference surface oriented at a predetermined angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the reference guide pin; and (b) an insertion tool adapted to grin the reference guide pin and insert the reference guide pin a predetermined depth into the guide pin hole of the fiberoptic connector prior to the interferometric profiling, the insertion tool including (i) a connector support mechanism supporting the fiberoptic connectors, and; ii. a reference guide pin support mechanism, the reference guide pin support mechanism having an end portion for receiving and retaining the end portion of the polished reference guide pin, iii. the reference guide pin support mechanism supporting the end portion of the polished reference guide pin to hold the reference guide pin in axial alignment with the guide pin receiving hole as one of the connector support mechanism and the reference guide pin support mechanism is moved toward the other to insert the reference guide pin into the guide pin receiving hole, the reference guide pin support mechanism releasing the polished reference guide pin before one of the reference guide pin support mechanism and the connector support mechanism is moved away from the other.