Patent ID: 7014372
Filing Date: 2006-03-21
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
1. A method of splicing optical fibres, the method comprising: affixing a first fibre to a first keying element having a particular radial orientation, inserting the first keying element in a support which receives the first keying element only in a specific radial orientation, cleaving the fibre affixed to the inserted first keying element at a predetermined angle (α) relative to the support to form an angled fibre end face, removing the first keying element from the support, inserting the first keying element into a splicing body which receives the keying element only in a specific radial orientation such that the angled fibre end face has a predictable radial orientation with respect to the splice body, and repeating affixing, inserting, cleaving, removing and inserting for a second fibre and a second keying element, whereby the first angled fibre end face and the second angled fibre end face abut in a substantially parallel orientation.