Patent ID: 6148521
Filing Date: 2000-11-21
Classification: G02B,Y10S

Abstract:
A tool for slitting and removing a cladding layer included in an optical power ground wire, the ground wire including an inner grooved spacer with optical fibers disposed along the grooves, said tool comprisinga central cylindrical member disposed to surround said ground wire;a guide channel disposed at a first end of said tool beyond the central cylindrical member, said guide channel exhibiting a profile sized to fit around and capture a first groove of an optical power ground wire inner spacer, preventing radial movement of the tool with respect to said optical power ground wire;a handle for moving said tool along the length of the optical power ground wire; andat least one cutting wheel disposed between the handle and the guide channel, said at least one cutting wheel held in a manner such that said at least one cutting wheel is free to rotate and engage an optical power ground wire cladding layer so as to slit open said optical power ground wire cladding layer without cutting any optical fibers disposed beneath said optical power ground wire cladding layer.