A mobile robot system for automated operation of a data center or telecommunications office, includes a moveable robotic platform with a multiplicity of tools integrated therein, to operate on a network element within a bay, with integrated RFID (radio-frequency identification) tags and visual alignment markers attached to fiber optic connectors and ports of the network elements. The mobile robot system positions a robot probe arm with an RFID probe for proximity detection to identify a cable and associated fiber optic connector based on a unique RF identifier of a tag on the fiber optic connector. The robot probe arm has a connector gripper to engage and unplug the associated fiber optic connector.

A cleaning nozzle includes an outer housing having a central axis and an inner surface that defines an outer housing interior. An inner housing resides within the outer housing interior along the central axis and has an inner surface that defines an inner flow channel. The inner flow channel supports flow of the cleaning fluid and has a converging taper and a flow disrupter element. The nozzle assembly may include an adapter that receives a front end of the nozzle and that also holds a ferrule that supports an optical fiber having an end face. The nozzle assembly allows the nozzle to direct a jet stream of cleaning fluid to the ferrule end face and the fiber end face. The flow disrupter causes the jet stream to have a time-varying direction that enhances the cleaning of the ferrule end face and the optical fiber end face.

An inspection tool for allowing visual inspection of an end face of a fiber optic ferrule. The inspection tool includes a passage for allowing a camera to view the end face. The inspection tool also includes light directing structure for first directing ferrule illumination light axially along the inspection tool, and then reflecting the axial light across the end face of the fiber optic ferrule.

An apparatus for processing a ferrule with an abrasive element. The apparatus includes a first mount configured to secure the ferrule. A second mount includes a holding plate configured to secure the abrasive element. A controller is operatively coupled to the second mount for controlling the movement of the holding plate. The second mount includes a non-stacked multi-axis frame for moving the holding plate within a plane. The multi-axis frame includes a first stage movable along a first axis and a second stage movable along a second axis, wherein the first and second axes are substantially parallel to each other but provide for two-dimensional movement of the holding plate within the plane. A method of processing a ferrule is also disclosed.

An optical fiber cleaning assembly includes a cleaning tape, a first spool having the cleaning tape wound thereon, and a second spool onto which the cleaning tape is drawn. The optical fiber cleaning assembly further includes a drive mechanism for moving the cleaning tape from the first spool onto the second spool. A face of an optical fiber may be placed into contact with the cleaning tape, such that a portion of the cleaning tape wipes the face of the optical fiber as the drive mechanism moves the cleaning tape from the first spool onto the second spool.

The present disclosure relates to system and method for cleaning an end face of a bare optical fiber (100). The system and methods include inserting the end face of the bare optical fiber (100) through a layer of material (500) that includes electrospun fibers.

Aspects and techniques of the present disclosure relate to a fiber optic connector assembly including a fiber optic connector with a front end and a back end. A ferrule positioned at the front end. The ferrule has a distal end face with a central region and recessed regions on opposite sides of the central region. The assembly includes a dust cap mounted on the ferrule. The dust cap has an open end and an opposite closed end. The fiber optic connector assembly also includes a tape member that covers the central region of the ferrule. The tape member can be secured to the dust cap such that when the dust cap is removed, the tape member simultaneously comes off with the dust cap.

An ultrasonic cleaning system comprises a cleaning tank containing a cleaning liquid, a moving and holding device configured to move a carrier into the cleaning tank and hold the carrier in the cleaning tank, and an ultrasonic wave generator mounted in the cleaning tank. A plurality of fiber optic ferrules are mounted on the carrier and are immersed in the cleaning liquid when the moving and holding device holds the carrier in the cleaning tank. The ultrasonic wave generator is adapted to emit an ultrasonic wave into the cleaning liquid to clean the fiber optical ferrules immersed in the cleaning liquid.

An optical connector cleaning tool includes: a tool body; and an extension that moves relatively with respect to the tool body. The extension extends out of the tool body and includes a head that presses a cleaning element formed with a tape-like adhesive element onto an optical connector. A relative movement of the extension with respect to the tool body carries the cleaning element to the head, and after carrying the cleaning element to the head, enables the cleaning element to contact the optical connector.

A cleaning device (10, 110, 210) may be a card-like member such as a flap (16, 116), integrally formed with a dispenser container (12), or a slotted member (36) mounted on a stand-alone cleaning device (110). A cleaning wipe fabric (22, 122) has a modulus of stiffness which is high enough to bridge a plurality of cleaning slots (26a-26d, 126a-126d) and hold the fabric out of contact with the slot floor surfaces (26a′), and low enough to be deflected by a fiber optic end being cleaned to sag within the cleaning slot to better enclose and clean the tip of the fiber optic end. Used cleaning fabric (22, 122) can easily be advanced or removed as needed to avoid using the same area of fabric for cleaning more than once.