Patent ID: 6676763
Filing Date: 2004-01-13
Classification: B08B,G02B

Abstract:
An automated cleaning device for cleaning a portion of an optical fiber, comprising:a fluid tank assembly that holds a cleaning fluid, comprising an aperture sized and arranged to receive the portion of the optical fiber; an ultrasonic generator, mechanically coupled to the fluid tank assembly, that, in response to a first state of a control signal, provides an ultrasonic signal to the fluid within the fluid tank assembly; a clamping assembly adapted for holding the portion of the optical fiber along a clamping axis that is axially aligned with the aperture of the fluid tank assembly, and that is constructed and arranged to hold the portion of the optical fiber such that in a first position, the portion of the optical fiber is disposed through the aperture of the fluid tank assembly and is disposed within the fluid tank assembly, the clamping assembly comprising a sealing assembly that is constructed and arranged to form a fluid seal about the optical fiber and to form a fluid seal of the aperture of the fluid tank assembly; a controller, responsive to a sensor signal, that provides the control signal; and a sensor that provides the sensor signal and that is mechanically coupled to the aperture of the fluid tank assembly, that senses a sealed condition for which the clamping assembly is in the fluid seal engagement with the aperture of the fluid tank assembly.