Patent Description:
A method according to the present invention is set out in appended Claim <NUM>.

The circuit component may comprise an air filter, and wherein performing the one or more actions may include causing the message to be displayed to the user, wherein the message may include an indication that the air filter needs inspection.

The circuit component may comprise at least one of: an air filter, a valve of the one or more valves, the pressure regulator, or a vacuum generator.

The circuit component may be a first circuit component, wherein the pressure difference across the first circuit component may be a first pressure difference, wherein the threshold may be a first threshold, and wherein the method may further include: receiving a third pressure signal from a third pressure sensor, wherein the second pressure sensor and the third pressure sensor may be positioned, in the pneumatic circuit, on opposite sides of a second circuit component of the one or more circuit components, determining, based on the second pressure signal and the third pressure signal, whether a second pressure difference across the second circuit component satisfies a second threshold, and performing, based on the second pressure difference across the second circuit component not satisfying the second threshold, at least one of the one or more actions.

The circuit component may be a vacuum generator, wherein the pneumatic circuit may include a valve, of the one or more valves, positioned between the pressure supply port and the vacuum generator, wherein the method may further include causing the valve to open, and wherein performing the one or more actions may include: causing, after causing the valve to open and based on the pressure difference across the vacuum generator not satisfying the threshold, the message to be displayed to the user.

The method may further comprise: receiving, at the pressure supply port, the input air flow; and providing, via the pressure output port, the output air flow to the end face of the optical fiber.

The method may further comprise determining, by the device and based on the first pressure signal, whether the input air flow satisfies a third threshold, performing, by the device and based on the input air flow not satisfying the third threshold and based on the pressure difference across the circuit component not satisfying the first threshold, one or more actions, wherein the one or more actions include: causing a message to be displayed to a user, causing one or more valves in the pneumatic circuit to close, causing the one or more valves in the pneumatic circuit to open, or causing a pressure regulator in the pneumatic circuit to be adjusted.

The message may include at least one of: a first indication that a pressure of the input air flow is low, or a second indication that a volumetric flow rate of the input air flow is low.

The device may further comprise a vacuum port and a vacuum generator for providing, at the vacuum port, a vacuum for cleaning the end face of the optical fiber, and wherein the method may further comprise providing, via the vacuum port, the vacuum to the end face of the optical fiber.

A device for cleaning an end face of an optical fiber according to the present invention is set out in appended Claim <NUM>.

The message may include at least one of: a first indication that a pressure of the input air flow is low, a second indication that a volumetric flow rate of the input air flow is low, or a third indication that the circuit component needs maintenance.

The circuit component may be a vacuum generator, wherein the pneumatic circuit may comprise a valve, of the one or more valves, positioned between the first pressure sensor and the vacuum generator, wherein the one or more processors may be configured to cause the valve to open, and wherein performing the one or more actions may include: causing, after causing the valve to open and based on the pressure difference across the vacuum generator not satisfying the second threshold, the message to be displayed to the user.

The circuit component may include at least one of an air filter or the pressure regulator, wherein the pneumatic circuit may include: a first valve of the one or more valves positioned between the second pressure sensor and the pressure output port, a vacuum generator, a second valve for controlling air flow to the vacuum generator, a vacuum port for providing a vacuum, from the vacuum generator, for cleaning the end face of the optical fiber, and a third pressure sensor for generating a third pressure signal, wherein the third pressure sensor may be positioned between the vacuum port and the vacuum generator. The pressure difference across the circuit component may be a first pressure difference, and wherein the one or more processors may be configured to: cause the second valve to open, receive the third pressure signal, determine, based on the third pressure signal and the second pressure signal, whether a second pressure difference across the vacuum generator and the second valve satisfies a third threshold, and perform, based on causing the second valve to open and the second pressure difference not satisfying the third threshold, at least one of the one or more actions.

The first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor are positioned on opposite sides of the circuit component.

Fiber cleaning devices may include a bench-top assembly and a handset connected to the bench-top assembly (e.g., via an umbilical cord and/or the like). The bench-top assembly may include a solvent tank for holding solvent used to clean end faces of optical fibers, a pneumatic circuit, a controller, a display, and one or more user-input mechanisms (e.g., buttons, knobs, switches, and/or the like). The pneumatic circuit may be connected via a pressure supply port to a user-provided compressed air supply. The pneumatic circuit may include a vacuum generator that uses air flow from the compressed air supply to generate a vacuum at a vacuum port. The pneumatic circuit may also use the compressed air flow to provide a pressurized air flow at a pressure output port. The handset may receive, via the umbilical cord, vacuum from the vacuum port, pressurized air flow from the pressure port, and solvent from the solvent tank. A user may manipulate the handset to use the vacuum, pressurized air, and solvent to clean end faces of optical fibers.

In addition to the pressure supply port, the vacuum generator, the vacuum port, and the pressure output port, the pneumatic circuit may include other circuit components, such as a pressure regulator, air filters, valves, and/or the like. One or more of the air filters may become dirty, clogged, and/or the like over time and prevent the pneumatic circuit from providing a sufficient pressure and/or volumetric flow of pressurized air to the pressure output port. A dirty and/or clogged filter may also prevent the vacuum generator from generating a sufficient vacuum via the vacuum port. Additionally, or alternatively, one or more of the circuit components, such as the regulator, the vacuum generator, or the valves within the pneumatic assembly, may fail and prevent the device from functioning properly. Furthermore, the customer-provided compressed air supply may not be supplying a sufficient pressure and/or volumetric flow of air to the pressure supply port. When an air filter becomes dirty and/or clogged or a circuit component fails, a user must detect that the fiber cleaning device is not working properly, and either attempt to troubleshoot the problem without any knowledge of the cause of the problem or ship the device to a repair shop, which must then troubleshoot the problem without any knowledge of the cause of the problem.

Some implementations described herein provide a fiber cleaning device and/or a method performed by a fiber cleaning device that include receiving pressure signals from pressure sensors positioned in the pneumatic circuit. In some implementations, the fiber cleaning device and/or the method may, using the sensors, detect pressure differences across circuit components, and may notify the user and/or take other actions (e.g., close valves, adjust a pressure regulator, and/or the like). For example, the fiber cleaning device may detect if an air filter is becoming dirty and/or clogged and may provide a message to the user indicating that an air filter is dirty and/or clogged and which air filter in the system is dirty and/or clogged.

Additionally, or alternatively, the fiber cleaning device and/or the method may, using the sensors, detect whether the customer-provided compressed air supply is insufficient and notify the user and/or take other actions. In this way, the fiber cleaning device and/or the method may detect problems in the pneumatic circuit, control the pneumatic circuit to prevent further problems and/or damage to the pneumatic circuit, and/or provide messages to a user regarding the problems in the pneumatic circuit. Furthermore, the messages may prevent the user from performing ineffective maintenance on the fiber cleaning device, such as replacing an air filter when the customer-provided compressed air supply is insufficient and/or a circuit component other than the air filter is not working properly.

<FIG> is a diagram of an example implementation <NUM> of a fiber cleaning device <NUM> including a pneumatic circuit <NUM> for monitoring air pressure and flow described herein. As shown in <FIG>, the fiber cleaning device <NUM> includes the pneumatic circuit <NUM>, a controller <NUM>, a pressure supply port <NUM>, a pressure output port <NUM>, a pressure regulator <NUM>, an input air filter <NUM>, an output air filter <NUM>, an output valve <NUM>, a vacuum generator <NUM>, a vacuum port <NUM>, an exhaust port <NUM>, a vacuum control valve <NUM>, a supply pressure sensor <NUM>, an input pressure sensor <NUM>, an internal pressure sensor <NUM>, an output pressure sensor <NUM>, and a vacuum pressure sensor <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the pneumatic circuit <NUM> may include the pressure supply port <NUM>, the pressure output port <NUM>, the pressure regulator <NUM>, the input air filter <NUM>, the output air filter <NUM>, the output valve <NUM>, the vacuum generator <NUM>, the vacuum port <NUM>, the exhaust port <NUM>, the vacuum control valve <NUM>, the supply pressure sensor <NUM>, the input pressure sensor <NUM>, the internal pressure sensor <NUM>, the output pressure sensor <NUM>, and the vacuum pressure sensor <NUM>. The fiber cleaning device <NUM> and/or the pneumatic circuit <NUM> receive air flow from a compressed air supply through the pressure supply port <NUM> and use the air flow to provide a pressurized air flow at the pressure output port <NUM>, a vacuum at the vacuum port <NUM> (e.g., via the vacuum generator <NUM>), and output exhaust (e.g., from the vacuum generator <NUM>) at the exhaust port <NUM>.

In some implementations, during an optical fiber end face cleaning process, a user may operate the fiber cleaning device <NUM> to use pressurized air flow from the pressure output port <NUM>, vacuum from the vacuum port <NUM>, and/or solvent from a solvent tank in the fiber cleaning device <NUM> to clean an end face of an optical fiber. For example, the fiber cleaning device <NUM> may include a handset connected, via an umbilical cord, to the pressure output port <NUM>, the vacuum port <NUM>, and/or the solvent tank, and the user may manipulate the handset (e.g., via a user-input mechanism) to provide pressurized air flow, vacuum, and/or solvent to the end face of the optical fiber. In some implementations, the controller <NUM> may, based on user manipulation of the handset and/or instructions stored in memory of the controller, control the handset and/or the pneumatic circuit <NUM> to provide pressurized air, vacuum, and/or solvent (e.g., in a pattern and/or series of steps and/or the like).

As shown in <FIG>, the supply pressure sensor <NUM> is be positioned in the pneumatic circuit <NUM> between the pressure supply port <NUM> and the input air filter <NUM>. The supply pressure sensor <NUM> senses pressure provided, by the compressed air supply, to the pressure supply port <NUM> and generates, based on the sensed pressure, a pressure supply signal.

As shown in <FIG>, the input air filter <NUM> is positioned in the pneumatic circuit <NUM> between the supply pressure sensor <NUM> and the input pressure sensor <NUM>. The input air filter <NUM> may filter air provided by the compressed air supply to the pneumatic circuit <NUM> to remove contaminants (e.g., dust particles, humidity, and/or the like) that may damage and/or affect performance of the pneumatic circuit <NUM> and/or the fiber cleaning device <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the input pressure sensor <NUM> may be positioned in the pneumatic circuit <NUM> between the input air filter <NUM> and the pressure regulator <NUM>. The supply pressure sensor <NUM> may sense pressure input to the pressure regulator <NUM> and may generate, based on the sensed pressure, an input pressure signal.

In some implementations, and as shown in <FIG>, the pressure regulator <NUM> may be positioned in the pneumatic circuit <NUM> between the input pressure sensor <NUM> and the internal pressure sensor <NUM>. The pressure regulator <NUM> may control the pressure of air flow provided, by the compressed air supply, to the pneumatic circuit <NUM> to provide a system pressure to the other circuit components (e.g., the output air filter <NUM>, the output valve <NUM>, the vacuum generator <NUM>, the vacuum port <NUM>, the vacuum control valve <NUM>, and/or the like). For example, the pressure regulator <NUM> may decrease pressure of the air flow provided by the compressed air supply to prevent damage to the other circuit components and/or may increase pressure of the air flow provided by the compressed air supply to ensure that the other circuit components, the pneumatic circuit <NUM>, and/or the fiber cleaning device <NUM> function properly. In some implementations, the pressure regulator <NUM> may be adjustable such that the system pressure provided by the pressure regulator <NUM> may be adjustable.

As shown in <FIG>, the internal pressure sensor <NUM> may be positioned in the pneumatic circuit <NUM> between the pressure regulator <NUM> and the output air filter <NUM> and between the pressure regulator <NUM> and the vacuum control valve <NUM>. The internal pressure sensor <NUM> may sense pressure provided by the pressure regulator <NUM> and may generate, based on the sensed pressure, an internal pressure signal.

In some implementations, and as shown in <FIG>, the output air filter <NUM> may be positioned in the pneumatic circuit <NUM> between the internal pressure sensor <NUM> and the output pressure sensor <NUM>. The output air filter <NUM> may filter air provided by the pneumatic circuit <NUM> to an end face of an optical fiber to remove contaminants (e.g., dust particles, humidity, and/or the like) that may damage and/or increase signal loss of the optical fiber, which may negatively impact network performance.

As shown in <FIG>, the output pressure sensor <NUM> may be positioned in the pneumatic circuit <NUM> between the output air filter <NUM> and the output valve <NUM>. The output pressure sensor <NUM> may sense pressure provided to the pressure output port <NUM> and may generate, based on the sensed pressure, an output pressure signal.

In some implementations, and as shown in <FIG>, the output valve <NUM> may be positioned in the pneumatic circuit <NUM> between the output pressure sensor <NUM> and the pressure output port <NUM>. The output valve <NUM> may control the flow of pressurized air provided by the pressure output port <NUM>. For example, the controller <NUM> may cause the output valve <NUM> to open and/or close (e.g., in a pattern and/or series of steps and/or the like).

As shown in <FIG>, the vacuum control valve <NUM> may be positioned in the pneumatic circuit <NUM> between the internal pressure sensor <NUM> and the vacuum generator <NUM>. In some implementations, the vacuum control valve <NUM> may control the flow of pressurized air from the pressure regulator <NUM> to the vacuum generator <NUM>. For example, the controller <NUM> may cause the vacuum control valve <NUM> to open and/or close (e.g., in a pattern and/or series of steps and/or the like).

In some implementations, and as shown in <FIG>, the vacuum generator <NUM> may be positioned in the pneumatic circuit <NUM> between the vacuum control valve <NUM> and the vacuum pressure sensor <NUM> and between the vacuum control valve <NUM> and the exhaust port <NUM>. The vacuum generator <NUM> may use the flow of pressurized air from the pressure regulator <NUM> to generate a vacuum at the vacuum port <NUM> and output exhaust air through the exhaust port <NUM>. In some implementations, the fiber cleaning device <NUM> may use the vacuum, generated by the vacuum generator <NUM> at the vacuum port <NUM>, during an optical fiber end face cleaning process.

As shown in <FIG>, the vacuum pressure sensor <NUM> may be positioned between the vacuum generator <NUM> and the vacuum port <NUM>. The vacuum pressure sensor <NUM> may sense pressure (e.g., a negative pressure) provided, by the vacuum generator <NUM>, at the vacuum port <NUM> and may generate, based on the sensed pressure, a vacuum pressure signal.

As used herein, the pressure supply signal from the supply pressure sensor <NUM>, the input pressure signal from the input pressure sensor <NUM>, the internal pressure signal from the internal pressure sensor <NUM>, the output pressure signal from the output pressure sensor <NUM>, and/or the vacuum pressure signal from the vacuum pressure sensor <NUM> may be collectively referred to as the pressure signals. Similarly, the supply pressure sensor <NUM>, the input pressure sensor <NUM>, the internal pressure sensor <NUM>, the output pressure sensor <NUM>, and/or the vacuum pressure sensor <NUM> may be collectively referred to as the pressure sensors.

As described herein, the controller <NUM> is configured to receive one or more of the pressure signals from one or more of the pressure sensors and, based on the one or more pressure signals, determine whether air flows satisfy thresholds, determine whether pressure differences across circuit components satisfy thresholds, and/or perform one or more actions, such as causing messages to be displayed to a user, causing one or more valves to close, causing one or more valves to open, causing the pressure regulator <NUM> to be adjusted, and/or the like.

In some implementations, the controller may receive a pressure signal, determine, based on the pressure signal, whether an air flow satisfies a threshold, and perform, based on the air flow not satisfying the threshold, one or more actions. For example, the controller <NUM> may receive the pressure supply signal from the supply pressure sensor <NUM> and determine, based on the pressure supply signal, whether an input air flow provided to the pressure supply port <NUM> satisfies a threshold. The controller <NUM> may perform, based on the input air flow not satisfying a threshold, one or more actions, such as causing a message (e.g., "insufficient input air flow," "check air supply connection," and/or the like) to be displayed to a user, causing the output valve <NUM> and/or the vacuum control valve <NUM> to close or open, causing the pressure regulator <NUM> to be adjusted, and/or the like.

As another example, the controller <NUM> may receive the output pressure signal from the output pressure sensor <NUM> and determine, based on the output pressure signal, whether an output air flow satisfies a threshold. The controller <NUM> may perform, based on the output air flow not satisfying the threshold, one or more actions, such as causing a message (e.g., "insufficient output air flow," "check air filters," and/or the like) to be displayed to a user, causing the output valve <NUM> and/or the vacuum control valve <NUM> to close or open, causing the pressure regulator <NUM> to be adjusted, and/or the like.

In this way, the fiber cleaning device <NUM>, using the controller <NUM> and the pressure sensors, may monitor (e.g., in real-time) pressure levels within the pneumatic circuit <NUM> and, when a pressure level does not satisfy a threshold, perform one or more actions to notify the user of a problem, provide the user with information to correct the problem, adjust functioning of the pneumatic circuit <NUM> (e.g., by opening and/or closing valves, by adjusting the pressure regulator, and/or the like) to correct the problem, to prevent damage to the fiber cleaning device <NUM>, and/or to prevent the fiber cleaning device <NUM> from damaging an end face of an optical fiber, and/or the like.

In some implementations, the controller may receive a first pressure signal and a second pressure signal, determine, based on the first pressure signal and the second pressure signal, whether a pressure difference across a circuit component satisfies a threshold, and perform, based on the pressure difference across the circuit component not satisfying the threshold, one or more actions. For example, the controller <NUM> may receive the pressure supply signal from the supply pressure sensor <NUM> and the input pressure signal from the input pressure sensor <NUM> and determine, based on the pressure supply signal and the input pressure signal, whether a pressure difference across the input air filter <NUM> satisfies a threshold. The controller <NUM> may perform, based on the pressure difference across the input air filter <NUM> not satisfying the threshold, one or more actions, such as causing a message (e.g., "check input air filter," "input air filter dirty/clogged," "replace input air filter," and/or the like) to be displayed to a user, causing the output valve <NUM> and/or the vacuum control valve <NUM> to close or open, causing the pressure regulator <NUM> to be adjusted, and/or the like.

As another example, the controller <NUM> may receive the input pressure signal from the input pressure sensor <NUM> and the internal pressure signal from the internal pressure sensor <NUM> and determine, based on the input pressure signal and the internal pressure signal, whether a pressure difference across the pressure regulator <NUM> satisfies a threshold. The controller <NUM> may perform, based on the pressure difference across the pressure regulator <NUM> not satisfying the threshold, one or more actions, such as causing a message (e.g., "pressure regulator malfunction," "inspect pressure regulator," "replace pressure regulator," and/or the like) to be displayed to a user, causing the output valve <NUM> and/or the vacuum control valve <NUM> to close or open, causing the pressure regulator <NUM> to be adjusted, and/or the like.

As another example, the controller <NUM> may cause the vacuum control valve <NUM> to open and receive the internal pressure signal from the internal pressure sensor <NUM> and the vacuum pressure signal from the vacuum pressure sensor <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may determine, based on the internal pressure signal and the vacuum pressure signal, whether a pressure difference across the vacuum generator <NUM> satisfies a threshold. The controller <NUM> may perform, based on the pressure difference across the vacuum generator <NUM> not satisfying the threshold, one or more actions, such as causing a message (e.g., "vacuum generator malfunction," "inspect vacuum generator," "inspect vacuum control valve," "replace vacuum generator," "replace vacuum control valve," and/or the like) to be displayed to a user, causing the output valve <NUM> and/or the vacuum control valve <NUM> to close or open, causing the pressure regulator <NUM> to be adjusted, and/or the like.

In this way, the fiber cleaning device <NUM>, using the controller <NUM> and the pressure sensors, may monitor (e.g., in real-time) pressure differences across circuit components within the pneumatic circuit <NUM> and, when a pressure difference does not satisfy a threshold, perform one or more actions to notify the user of a problem, provide the user with information to correct the problem, adjust functioning of the pneumatic circuit <NUM> (e.g., by opening and/or closing valves, by adjusting the pressure regulator, and/or the like) to correct the problem, to prevent damage to the fiber cleaning device <NUM>, and/or to prevent the fiber cleaning device <NUM> from damaging an end face of an optical fiber, and/or the like. For example, the fiber cleaning device <NUM> may identify, for the user, the circuit component across which the pressure difference does not satisfy the threshold, thereby preventing the user from performing ineffective and/or wasteful maintenance on the fiber cleaning device <NUM>, such as replacing an air filter when the vacuum generator is malfunctioning and/or the like.

In some implementations, the fiber cleaning device <NUM> may include a filter bowl for receiving water that condenses in the input air filter <NUM> and/or the output air filter <NUM>. For example, the compressed air supply may provide an air flow including water (e.g., in the form of humidity, water vapor, and/or the like), and the input air filter <NUM> and/or the output air filter <NUM> may filter the water out of the air flow, such that the water condenses and precipitates into the filter bowl. In some implementations, the filter bowl may include a straw extending from a top of the filter bowl into the filter bowl (e.g., to half a depth of the filter bowl, to three-quarters of the depth of the filter bowl, and/or the like), and water may precipitate from the input air filter <NUM> and/or the output air filter <NUM> through the straw into the filter bowl. By including the straw in the filter bowl, the fiber cleaning device <NUM> may prevent water in the filter bowl from flowing out of the filter bowl into the fiber cleaning device <NUM> when the unit is inverted (e.g., during transport, shipping, and/or the like).

Other examples are contemplated and may differ from what is described with regard to <FIG>. For example, some implementations may include a physical differential sensor for sensing a pressure difference across a circuit component (e.g., an air filter) and for generating, based on the pressure difference, a pressure differential signal. In such an example, the controller <NUM> may be configured to receive the pressure differential signal and, based on the pressure differential signal, determine whether air flows satisfy thresholds, determine whether pressure differences across the circuit component satisfies a threshold, and/or perform one or more actions, such as causing messages to be displayed to a user, causing one or more valves to close, causing one or more valves to open, causing the pressure regulator <NUM> to be adjusted, and/or the like.

As another example, some implementations may include a controller <NUM> configured to receive one or more dynamic pressure signals from one or more of the pressure sensors when the fiber cleaning device <NUM> is performing a cleaning process and receive one or more static pressure signals from one or more of the pressure sensors when the fiber cleaning device <NUM> is not performing the cleaning process. The controller <NUM> may be configured to, based on the one or more dynamic pressure signals and the one or more static pressure signals, determine whether air flows satisfy thresholds, determine whether pressure differences between dynamic pressures (e.g., based on the one or more dynamic pressure signals) and static pressures (e.g., based on the one or more static pressure signals) satisfy thresholds, and/or perform one or more actions, such as causing messages to be displayed to a user, causing one or more valves to close, causing one or more valves to open, causing the pressure regulator <NUM> to be adjusted, and/or the like. In some implementations, the controller <NUM> may be configured to determine whether pressure differences between dynamic pressures and static pressures satisfy thresholds by comparing the pressure differences and historical data (e.g., a historical baseline, a lookup table, and/or the like).

<FIG> is a diagram of example components of a device <NUM>. Device <NUM> may correspond to fiber cleaning device <NUM>. In some implementations, fiber cleaning device <NUM> may include one or more devices <NUM> and/or one or more components of device <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, device <NUM> may include a bus <NUM>, a processor <NUM>, a memory <NUM>, a storage component <NUM>, an input component <NUM>, an output component <NUM>, and a communication interface <NUM>.

Bus <NUM> includes a component that permits communication among multiple components of device <NUM>. Processor <NUM> is implemented in hardware, firmware, and/or a combination of hardware and software. Processor <NUM> is a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), an accelerated processing unit (APU), a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a digital signal processor (DSP), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or another type of processing component. In some implementations, processor <NUM> includes one or more processors capable of being programmed to perform a function. Memory <NUM> includes a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), and/or another type of dynamic or static storage device (e.g., a flash memory, a magnetic memory, and/or an optical memory) that stores information and/or instructions for use by processor <NUM>.

For example, storage component <NUM> may include a hard disk (e.g., a magnetic disk, an optical disk, and/or a magneto-optic disk), a solid state drive (SSD), a compact disc (CD), a digital versatile disc (DVD), a floppy disk, a cartridge, a magnetic tape, and/or another type of non-transitory computer-readable medium, along with a corresponding drive.

Additionally, or alternatively, input component <NUM> may include a component for determining location (e.g., a global positioning system (GPS) component) and/or a sensor (e.g., an accelerometer, a gyroscope, an actuator, another type of positional or environmental sensor, and/or the like). Output component <NUM> includes a component that provides output information from device <NUM> (via, e.g., a display, a speaker, a haptic feedback component, an audio or visual indicator, and/or the like).

Communication interface <NUM> includes a transceiver-like component (e.g., a transceiver, a separate receiver, a separate transmitter, and/or the like) that enables device <NUM> to communicate with other devices, such as via a wired connection, a wireless connection, or a combination of wired and wireless connections. Communication interface <NUM> may permit device <NUM> to receive information from another device and/or provide information to another device. For example, communication interface <NUM> may include an Ethernet interface, an optical interface, a coaxial interface, an infrared interface, a radio frequency (RF) interface, a universal serial bus (USB) interface, a Wi-Fi interface, a cellular network interface, and/or the like.

Device <NUM> may perform one or more processes described herein. Device <NUM> may perform these processes based on processor <NUM> executing software instructions stored by a non-transitory computer-readable medium, such as memory <NUM> and/or storage component <NUM>. As used herein, the term "computer-readable medium" refers to a non-transitory memory device. A memory device includes memory space within a single physical storage device or memory space spread across multiple physical storage devices.

When executed, software instructions stored in memory <NUM> and/or storage component <NUM> cause processor <NUM> to perform one or more processes described herein. Additionally, or alternatively, hardware circuitry may be used in place of or in combination with software instructions to perform one or more processes described herein.

<FIG> is a flow chart of an example process <NUM> relating to monitoring air pressure and flow in a fiber cleaning device. One or more process blocks of <FIG> may be performed by a device for cleaning an end face of an optical fiber (e.g., fiber cleaning device <NUM>, device <NUM>, and/or the like). In some implementations, one or more process blocks of <FIG> may be performed by another device or a group of devices separate from or including the device for cleaning an end face of an optical fiber, such as a controller (e.g., the controller <NUM> and/or the like), a pneumatic circuit (e.g., the pneumatic circuit <NUM> and/or the like), and/or the like.

As shown in <FIG>, process <NUM> includes receiving, by a device for cleaning an end face of an optical fiber, a first pressure signal from a first pressure sensor, wherein the device includes a pneumatic circuit, wherein the pneumatic circuit includes a pressure supply port for receiving an input air flow, a pressure output port for providing an output air flow for cleaning the end face of the optical fiber, one or more circuit components, the first pressure sensor, and a second pressure sensor (block <NUM>). The device for cleaning an end face of an optical fiber (e.g., using controller <NUM>, processor <NUM>, memory <NUM>, storage component <NUM>, input component <NUM>, output component <NUM>, communication interface <NUM>, and/or the like) receives a first pressure signal from a first pressure sensor, as described above. The device includes a pneumatic circuit. The pneumatic circuit includes a pressure supply port for receiving an input air flow, a pressure output port for providing an output air flow for cleaning the end face of the optical fiber, one or more circuit components, the first pressure sensor, and a second pressure sensor.

As further shown in <FIG>, process <NUM> includes receiving a second pressure signal from the second pressure sensor (block <NUM>). The device for cleaning an end face of an optical fiber (e.g., using controller <NUM>, processor <NUM>, memory <NUM>, storage component <NUM>, input component <NUM>, output component <NUM>, communication interface <NUM>, and/or the like) receives a second pressure signal from the second pressure sensor, as described above. T first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor are positioned, in the pneumatic circuit, on opposite sides of a circuit component of the one or more circuit components.

As further shown in <FIG>, process <NUM> may include determining, based on the first pressure signal and the second pressure signal, whether a pressure difference across a circuit component, of the one or more circuit components, satisfies a threshold (block <NUM>). The device for cleaning an end face of an optical fiber (e.g., using controller <NUM>, processor <NUM>, memory <NUM>, storage component <NUM>, input component <NUM>, output component <NUM>, communication interface <NUM>, and/or the like) determines, based on the first pressure signal and the second pressure signal, whether a pressure difference across a circuit component, of the one or more circuit components, satisfies a threshold, as described above.

As further shown in <FIG>, process <NUM> includes performing, based on the pressure difference across the circuit component not satisfying the threshold, one or more actions, wherein the one or more actions include causing a message to be displayed to a user, causing one or more valves in the pneumatic circuit to close, causing the one or more valves in the pneumatic circuit to open, or causing a pressure regulator in the pneumatic circuit to be adjusted (block <NUM>). For example, the device for cleaning an end face of an optical fiber (e.g., using controller <NUM>, processor <NUM>, memory <NUM>, storage component <NUM>, input component <NUM>, output component <NUM>, communication interface <NUM>, and/or the like) may perform, based on the pressure difference across the circuit component not satisfying the threshold, one or more actions, as described above. In some implementations, the one or more actions include causing a message to be displayed to a user, causing one or more valves in the pneumatic circuit to close, causing the one or more valves in the pneumatic circuit to open, or causing a pressure regulator in the pneumatic circuit to be adjusted.

In a first implementation, the circuit component comprises an air filter, and performing the one or more actions includes causing the message to be displayed to the user, wherein the message includes an indication that the air filter needs inspection.

In a second implementation, alone or in combination with the first implementation, the circuit component comprises at least one of: an air filter, a valve of the one or more valves, the pressure regulator, or a vacuum generator.

In a third implementation, alone or in combination with one or more of the first and second implementations, the circuit component is a first circuit component, the pressure difference across the first circuit component is a first pressure difference, the threshold is a first threshold, and process <NUM> further includes: receiving a third pressure signal from a third pressure sensor, wherein the second pressure sensor and the third pressure sensor are positioned, in the pneumatic circuit, on opposite sides of a second circuit component of the one or more circuit components, determining, based on the second pressure signal and the third pressure signal, whether a second pressure difference across the second circuit component satisfies a second threshold, and performing, based on the second pressure difference across the second circuit component not satisfying the second threshold, at least one of the one or more actions.

In a fourth implementation, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through third implementations, the circuit component is a vacuum generator, the pneumatic circuit includes a valve, of the one or more valves, positioned between the pressure supply port and the vacuum generator, process <NUM> further includes causing the valve to open, and performing the one or more actions includes: causing, after causing the valve to open and based on the pressure difference across the vacuum generator not satisfying the threshold, the message to be displayed to the user.

In a fifth implementation, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through fourth implementations, process <NUM> includes receiving, at the pressure supply port, the input air flow; and providing, via the pressure output port, the output air flow to the end face of the optical fiber.

<FIG> is a flow chart of an example process <NUM> associated with monitoring air pressure and flow in a fiber cleaning device. In some implementations, one or more process blocks of <FIG> may be performed by a device for cleaning an end face of an optical fiber (e.g., fiber cleaning device <NUM>, device <NUM>, and/or the like). In some implementations, one or more process blocks of <FIG> may be performed by another device or a group of devices separate from or including the device for cleaning an end face of an optical fiber, such as a controller (e.g., the controller <NUM> and/or the like), a pneumatic circuit (e.g., the pneumatic circuit <NUM> and/or the like), and/or the like.

As shown in <FIG>, process <NUM> may include receiving, by a device for cleaning an end face of an optical fiber, a pressure signal from a pressure sensor, wherein the device includes a pneumatic circuit, wherein the pneumatic circuit includes a pressure supply port for receiving an input air flow, a pressure output port for providing an output air flow for cleaning the end face of the optical fiber, one or more circuit components, and the pressure sensor, wherein the pressure sensor is positioned, in the pneumatic circuit, between the pressure supply port and at least one circuit component of the one or more circuit components (block <NUM>). For example, the device for cleaning an end face of an optical fiber (e.g., using controller <NUM>, processor <NUM>, memory <NUM>, storage component <NUM>, input component <NUM>, output component <NUM>, communication interface <NUM>, and/or the like) may receive a pressure signal from a pressure sensor, as described above. In some implementations, the device includes a pneumatic circuit. In some implementations, the pneumatic circuit includes a pressure supply port for receiving an input air flow, a pressure output port for providing an output air flow for cleaning the end face of the optical fiber, one or more circuit components, and the pressure sensor. In some implementations, the pressure sensor is positioned, in the pneumatic circuit, between the pressure supply port and at least one circuit component of the one or more circuit components.

As further shown in <FIG>, process <NUM> may include determining, based on the pressure signal, whether the input air flow satisfies a threshold (block <NUM>). For example, the device for cleaning an end face of an optical fiber (e.g., using controller <NUM>, processor <NUM>, memory <NUM>, storage component <NUM>, input component <NUM>, output component <NUM>, communication interface <NUM>, and/or the like) may determine, based on the pressure signal, whether the input air flow satisfies a threshold, as described above.

As further shown in <FIG>, process <NUM> may include performing, based on the input air flow not satisfying the threshold, one or more actions, wherein the one or more actions include causing a message to be displayed to a user, causing one or more valves in the pneumatic circuit to close, causing the one or more valves in the pneumatic circuit to open, or causing a pressure regulator in the pneumatic circuit to be adjusted (block <NUM>). For example, the device for cleaning an end face of an optical fiber (e.g., using controller <NUM>, processor <NUM>, memory <NUM>, storage component <NUM>, input component <NUM>, output component <NUM>, communication interface <NUM>, and/or the like) may perform, based on the input air flow not satisfying the threshold, one or more actions, as described above. In some implementations, the one or more actions include causing a message to be displayed to a user, causing one or more valves in the pneumatic circuit to close, causing the one or more valves in the pneumatic circuit to open, or causing a pressure regulator in the pneumatic circuit to be adjusted.

In a first implementation, the message includes at least one of: a first indication that a pressure of the input air flow is low, or a second indication that a volumetric flow rate of the input air flow is low.

In a second implementation, alone or in combination with the first implementation, the pressure sensor is a first pressure sensor, the pressure signal from the first pressure sensor is a first pressure signal, the threshold is a first threshold, the pneumatic circuit includes a second pressure sensor, the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor are positioned on opposite sides of a circuit component of the one or more circuit components, and process <NUM> further includes: receiving a second pressure signal from the second pressure sensor, determining, based on the first pressure signal and the second pressure signal, whether a pressure difference across the circuit component satisfies a second threshold, and performing, based on the pressure difference across the circuit component not satisfying the second threshold, at least one of the one or more actions.

In a third implementation, alone or in combination with one or more of the first and second implementations, the circuit component is an air filter.

In a fourth implementation, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through third implementations, the circuit component is a first circuit component, the pressure difference across the first circuit component is a first pressure difference, the pneumatic circuit includes: a second circuit component of the one or more circuit components, and a third pressure sensor, the second pressure sensor and the third pressure sensor are positioned on opposite sides of the second circuit component, and process <NUM> further includes: receiving a third pressure signal from the third pressure sensor, determining, based on the second pressure signal and the third pressure signal, whether a second pressure difference across the second circuit component satisfies a third threshold, and performing, based on the second pressure difference across the second circuit component not satisfying the second threshold, at least one of the one or more actions.

In a fifth implementation, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through fourth implementations, the second circuit component comprises at least one of an air filter, a valve of the one or more valves, the pressure regulator, or a vacuum generator.

In a sixth implementation, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through fifth implementations, the device further comprises a vacuum port and a vacuum generator for providing, at the vacuum port, a vacuum for cleaning the end face of the optical fiber, and process <NUM> further comprises providing, via the vacuum port, the vacuum to the end face of the optical fiber.

As used herein, satisfying a threshold may, depending on the context, refer to a value being greater than the threshold, more than the threshold, higher than the threshold, greater than or equal to the threshold, less than the threshold, fewer than the threshold, lower than the threshold, less than or equal to the threshold, equal to the threshold, etc., depending on the context.

Claim 1:
A method, comprising:
receiving, by a device (<NUM>) for cleaning an end face of an optical fiber, a first pressure signal from a first pressure sensor (<NUM>),
wherein the device includes a pneumatic circuit (<NUM>),
wherein the pneumatic circuit (<NUM>) includes:
a pressure supply port (<NUM>) for receiving an input air flow,
a pressure output port (<NUM>) for providing an output air flow for cleaning the end face of the optical fiber,
one or more circuit components,
the first pressure sensor (<NUM>), and
a second pressure sensor (<NUM>);
receiving, by the device (<NUM>), a second pressure signal from the second pressure sensor (<NUM>);
determining, by the device (<NUM>) and based on the first pressure signal and the second pressure signal, whether a pressure difference across a circuit component, of the one or more circuit components, satisfies a first threshold;
causing, by the device and based on the pressure difference across the circuit component not satisfying the first threshold, a message to be displayed to a user specifying the circuit component; and
performing, by the device and based on the pressure difference across the circuit component not satisfying the first threshold, one or more actions,
wherein the one or more actions include:
causing one or more valves (<NUM>, <NUM>) in the pneumatic circuit (<NUM>) to close,
causing the one or more valves (<NUM>, <NUM>) in the pneumatic circuit to open, or
causing a pressure regulator (<NUM>) in the pneumatic circuit (<NUM>) to be adjusted.