Abstract:
Exemplary embodiments include an improved connector for a fiber-optic cable including: a fiber-optic conductor disposed in a center portion of the fiber-optic connector; one or more flexible end portions disposed on an outer portion of the fiber-optic connector; a swab disposed on an inner surface of at least one flexible end portion; wherein the swab contacts and cleans the fiber-optic conductor when the improved connector is attached to a receptacle.

Description:
TRADEMARKS 
   IBM® is a registered trademark of International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, N.Y., U.S.A. Other names used herein may be registered trademarks, trademarks or product names of International Business Machines Corporation or other companies. 
   BACKGROUND 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   This invention relates generally to fiber-optic cables connectors and more specifically to fiber-optic cable connectors for protecting and cleaning the fiber optic cable. 
   2. Description of Background 
   Fiber-optic cable is very sensitive to dust and dirt at the contact points of the fiber-optic cable. Currently the method for keeping fiber-optic cable ends clean involves manually placing small caps on the ends of the fiber-optic cables when not they are not in use. These caps are easily lost and misplaced, so fiber-optic cables are frequently damaged by dust and dirt. Additionally, the very small diameter of many fiber-optic cables makes the cleaning of connector structures for connecting such cables together very difficult. 
   Swabs for use in the cleaning task must be very small in diameter in order to fit into the tiny openings in the connectors. This makes the manufacture of the swabs very difficult. Swabs to fit into openings as small as 1.25 mm to 2.5 mm have been developed; One, which is known, has a tiny knitted sleeve fitted over the end portion of a swab handle. Other small swabs use tiny knitted strips wound around the tip of the swab handle to form the swab body. This swab configuration is very difficult to scale-down for use in cleaning the very small fiber-optic openings to which this invention is directed. 
   Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to alleviate the foregoing problems and provide a relatively inexpensive system and method for protecting and cleaning fiber-optic connectors and cables. 
   SUMMARY 
   Exemplary embodiments include an improved connector for a fiber-optic cable including: a fiber-optic conductor disposed in a center portion of the fiber-optic connector; one or more flexible end portions disposed on an outer portion of the fiber-optic connector; a swab disposed on an inner surface of at least one flexible end portion; wherein the swab contacts and cleans the fiber-optic conductor when the improved connector is attached to a receptacle. 
   Exemplary embodiments also include a system including: a fiber-optic cable; an improved connector slideably disposed on a distal end of the fiber-optic cable, wherein the improved connector includes: a fiber-optic conductor disposed in a center portion of the fiber-optic connector; one or more flexible end portions disposed on an outer portion of the fiber-optic connector; and a swab disposed on an inner surface of at least one flexible end portion; wherein the swab contacts and cleans the fiber-optic conductor when the improved connector is slid along the axis of the fiber-optic cable. 
   Exemplary embodiments further include A fiber-optic connector for a fiber-optic cable including: a fiber-optic conductor disposed in a center portion of the fiber-optic connector; one or more flexible end portions disposed on an outer portion of the fiber-optic connector; an actuator disposed in the fiber-optic connector in operable communication with at least one flexible end portion; and a swab disposed on an inner surface of at least one flexible end portion, wherein the swab contacts and cleans the fiber-optic conductor when the improved connector is attached to a receptacle, wherein the improved connector is slideably disposed on the fiber-optic cable, the improved connector is configured to properly align the fiber-optic conductor to a receptacle, and the flexible end portions cover the fiber-optic conductor when the fiber optic cable is not is connected to a receptacle. 
   Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present invention. Other embodiments and aspects of the invention are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed invention. For a better understanding of the invention with advantages and features, refer to the description and to the drawings. 
   TECHNICAL EFFECTS 
   As a result of the summarized invention, technically we have achieved a solution, which provides a connector for a fiber-optic cable that protects and cleans the fiber-optic cable during its normal operation. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The subject matter, which is regarded as the invention, is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
       FIG. 1  illustrates one example of a traditional connector for a fiber-optic cable; 
       FIG. 2  illustrates one example of an improved connector for a fiber-optic cable; and 
       FIGS. 3   a - 3   c  illustrate the use of the improved connector of  FIG. 2  for connecting a fiber-optic cable to a receptacle. 
   

   The detailed description explains the preferred embodiments of the invention, together with advantages and features, by way of example with reference to the drawings. 
   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   Fiber-optic cable connectors are made in many different forms.  FIG. 1  illustrates a traditional fiber-optic connector  10 , which accurately aligns a fiber-optic conductor  12  of the fiber-optic cable  14 . Each fiber-optic cable connector  10  has a hollow cylindrical end portion  16 , which fits into a cylindrical end portion of a receptacle. In one embodiment, the end portion of the fiber-optic conductors  12  extends into and beyond the hollow cylindrical end portion  16  along its central axis. In other embodiments, the end portion of the fiber-optic conductor  12  may not extend beyond the hollow cylindrical end portion  16 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 2 , an improved connector  20  is illustrated. The improved connector  20  covers the end of a fiber-optic cable  22  when the fiber-optic cable  22  is not in use. When the fiber-optic cable  22  is being inserted into a receptacle  24 , the improved connector  20  slides open and exposes the end of the fiber-optic conductors  26 . During the process of opening the improved connector  20 , through the use of swab  28 , cleans the fiber-optic conductors  26 . As shown, the swab  28  may be disposed on the inner surface of the improved connector  20  such that it contacts the fiber-optic conductor  26  when the improved connector  20  opens. In one embodiment, the swab  28  may be a small soft cloth used to remove dust and dirt from the end of the fiber-optic conductor  26 . 
   In one embodiment, the improved connector  20  includes a one or move flexible end portions  30  that each may have a swab  28  disposed on the inner surface of the flexible end portions  30 . The flexible end portions  30  are designed to separate from one another and expose the end of the fiber-optic conductor  26  when the improved connector  20  contacts the receptacle  24 . As the flexible end portions  30  separate, the swabs  28  contact the end of the fiber-optic conductor  26  and remove any dust or dirt from the fiber-optic conductor  26 . When the fiber-optic cable is  22  is disengaged from the receptacle  24 , the flexible end portions  30  of the improved connector  20  return to their collapsed state. In the process of returning to their collapsed state, the swabs  28  disposed on the inner surface of the flexible end portions  30  contact and clean the end of the fiber-optic conductor  26 . Additionally, when the fiber-optic cable  22  is not in use the flexible end portions  30  of the improved connector  30  collapse to cover the fiber-optic conductor  26 , which prevents the fiber-optic conductor from becoming damaged or dirty. 
   In another exemplary embodiment, the improved connector  20  may be slideably disposed on the fiber-optic cable  22 . The improved connector  20  can be slid axially along the fiber-optic cable  22  to selectively expose the fiber-optic conductor  26 . Each time the improved connector  20  is moved across the fiber-optic conductor  26 , the swab  28  disposed on the inner surface of the improved connector  20  contacts and cleans the exposed end of the fiber-optic conductor  26 . The range of axial movement along the fiber-optic cable  22  of the improved connector  20  may be limited. For example, the improved connector  20  may be designed such that it may only be moved about the end of the fiber-optic cable  22  to selectively expose the fiber-optic conductor  26 . 
   Turning now to  FIGS. 3   a - 3   c , a series of images illustrate the use of the improved connector  20 .  FIG. 3   a  illustrates the fiber-optic cable  22  including the improved connector  20  in its collapsed state approaching the receptacle  24 .  FIG. 3   b  illustrates the fiber-optic cable  22  in the process of attaching to the receptacle  24 . As is shown, the flexible portions  30  of the connector  20  are separated to expose the fiber-optic conductor  26 . The flexible portions  30  may be opened due to their contact with the receptacle or due to an axial movement of the improved connector  20 . Alternatively, the flexible portions  30  may be spring biased closed and opened by exerting radial pressure on the rearward end of the connector  20 . For example, the rear portion of the improved connector  20  may include an actuator that is designed to open the flexible end portions  30  in response to radial pressure. In the absence of a radial pressure the actuator keeps the flexible end portions  30  in the collapsed state to protect the fiber-optic conductor  26 . As the flexible portions  30  of the improved connector  20  open exposing the fiber-optic conductor  26  a swab  28  disposed on an inner surface of the flexible portions  30  contacts and cleans the fiber-optic conductor  26 .  FIG. 3   c  illustrates the fiber-optic cable engaged with the receptacle  24 . 
   For purposes of illustration, the improved connectors  20  depicted in the above referenced figures have been simplified. It will be recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art that the actual design of the improved connector  20  would include a system for the improved connector  20  and the receptacle  24  to snap together, similar to that used in current fiber-optic connectors. In an exemplary embodiment, the swab  28  disposed on the inner surface of the improved connector  20  would not contact the receptacle  24  during operation of the improved connector  20 . 
   The flow diagrams depicted herein are just examples. There may be many variations to these diagrams or the steps (or operations) described therein without departing from the spirit of the invention. For instance, the steps may be performed in a differing order, or steps may be added, deleted or modified. All of these variations are considered a part of the claimed invention. 
   While the preferred embodiment to the invention has been described, it will be understood that those skilled in the art, both now and in the future, may make various improvements and enhancements which fall within the scope of the claims which follow. These claims should be construed to maintain the proper protection for the invention first described.