Fiber inspection tool

Abstract

A module housing case is described. The modular housing case includes a fiber optic component housing defined as a cavity that is sized to receive a fiber optic connector. Within the cavity is a ferrule guide. The module housing case also has an internal cavity that is at least partially enclosed. Components to assist in magnification may be disposed at least partially within the internal cavity. Finally, the module housing case employs a camera lens alignment feature.

Claims

1. A module housing case comprising: a fiber optic component housing defining a cavity, said cavity sized to receive a fiber optic connector; a ferrule guide disposed within said cavity; an internal cavity formed at least partially into said module housing case; magnification components disposed at least partially within said internal cavity; and a camera lens alignment feature coupled to said module housing case.

2. The module housing case of claim 1, wherein there are a plurality of said cavity.

3. The module housing case of claim 1, wherein said cavity includes a mating component.

4. The module housing case of claim 3, wherein said mating component is mirrored across said cavity.

5. The module housing case of claim 3, wherein said mating component is selected from a group comprised of a guide, a locking component, and a locking guide.

6. The module housing case of claim 1, wherein said camera lens alignment feature is selected from a group comprised of a snap on mechanism, a slide on mechanism, a partial case, a full case, an adhesive, and a spring attached case.

7. The module housing case of claim 1, wherein said cavity is interchangeable.

8. The module housing case of claim 1, wherein there is a cover for said cavity.

9. A module housing case comprising: a plurality of interchangeable fiber optic component housings defining a plurality of cavities, each sized to receive a fiber optic connector; a plurality of ferrule guides disposed within said cavities; an internal cavity formed at least partially into said module housing case; magnification components disposed at least partially within said internal cavity; and a camera lens alignment feature coupled to said module housing case.

10. The module housing case of claim 9, wherein said cavities each include a mating component.

11. The module housing case of claim 10, wherein said mating component is mirrored across said cavities.

12. The module housing case of claim 10, wherein said mating component is selected from a group comprised of a guide, a locking component, and a locking guide.

13. The module housing case of claim 9, wherein said camera lens alignment feature is selected from a group comprised of a snap on mechanism, a slide on mechanism, a partial case, a full case, an adhesive, and a spring attached case.

14. The module housing case of claim 9, wherein there is a cover for said cavities.

15. A module housing case comprising: a plurality of interchangeable fiber optic component housings defining a plurality of cavities, each sized to receive a fiber optic connector and retain said fiber optic connector with a frictional force; a plurality of ferrule guides disposed within said cavities; an internal cavity formed at least partially into said module housing case; magnification components disposed at least partially within said internal cavity, said magnification components comprising: a lens, a light source, a battery, a switch; and a camera lens alignment feature coupled to said module housing case.

16. The module housing case of claim 15, wherein said cavities each include a mating component.

17. The module housing case of claim 16, wherein said mating component is mirrored across said cavities.

18. The module housing case of claim 16, wherein said mating component is selected from a group comprised of a guide, a locking component, and a locking guide.

19. The module housing case of claim 15, wherein said camera lens alignment feature is selected from a group comprised of a snap on mechanism, a slide on mechanism, a partial case, a full case, an adhesive, and a spring attached case.

20. The module housing case of claim 15, wherein there is a cover for said cavities.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

(1) FIG. 1 is a first perspective view of the cell phone microscope slide on adapter with built-in fiber optic plug jack cavities showing the application of said invention and Its mating with a cell phone camera and multi-function LED.

(2) FIG. 2 is a second perspective view of the cell phone microscope slide on adapter with built-in fiber optic plug jack cavities showing the application mentioned in FIG. 1 with the addition of a hinged/opening and closure function to protect the fiber jack connector cavity and or cavities from dust and or debris when not in service.

(3) FIG. 3 is the detail perspective view of the cell phone microscope adapter with built in with fiber optic jacks showing the application of said invention molded in a full-size protective cell phone case.

(4) FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a version of a slide on half case.

(5) FIG. 5A is a detail perspective view from the underside of the adhesive base version and application with ancillary snap-in microscope and light source.

(6) FIG. 5B is a second detail perspective view of FIG. 5 (A) with an internal built-in magnifying lens and LED or an equivalent light source and or light reflector.

(7) FIG. 5C is a perspective view of 5A or 5B applied to cell phone case.

(8) FIG. 5D Is a perspective view of 5A or 5B attached to tablet.

(9) FIG. 5E Is a perspective view of 5A or 5B attached to a laptop Computer.

(10) FIG. 6 Is a cross sectional view of the module outlined in the claims of this patent with the fiber plug cavities molded into an insert and or inserts that can be exchanged while not removing the module body from its permanent or semipermanent placement.

(11) FIG. 7 is a cross sectional perspective view of the female fiber optic plug cavities and or cavity module with a larger internal cavity shown in a dotted line for the purpose of supporting and housing components shown in FIGS. 8A and B and supported in FIGS. 5A and 5B.

(12) FIG. 8A is a cross sectional view of the module with the internal cavity outlined in FIG. 7 to support and contain internal components to illuminate and or magnify said fiber end faces when aligned in position with said ancillary equipment camera lens.

(13) FIG. 8B is a cross sectional view of the module showing the same as FIG. 8A but with the addition of an inserted fiber connector pictured and outlined in description 22 and 16.

(14) FIG. 8C is a cross sectional view of the module with the internal cavity outlined in FIG. 7 to support and contain an aftermarket devise to illuminate and or magnify said fiber end faces when aligned in position with said ancillary equipment camera lens.

(15) FIG. 9A is a perspective view presentation of a male plug fiber plug ready for insertion into said invention outlined in the figures above.

(16) FIG. 9B is a perspective view presentation of the male fiber single plug inserted/mated to said invention described above.

(17) FIG. 9C is a perspective view of a duplex (double) fiber ready for insertion. After Insertion and initial insertion said duplex (dual) plug. Duplex fiber plug must be removed, rotated 180 degrees and reinserted for visual inspection of said second fiber end faces. 14a allows for this function.

(18) FIG. 10 is a schematic overhead view of the cavity floor 14 with the ferrule alignment guide 15 with magnification lens 10 positioned below while the second fiber cavity support system on the right is a storage cavity during duplex plug inspection.

(19) FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a cell phone screen displaying a fiber plug-in end face 17 picture magnified 400× to present clear fiber end face visual 24 of the fiber core, the cladding and the ferrule 18 for the purpose inspection.

(20) FIG. 12 is a schematic view of a clean fiber end face on a monitor screen 24a.

(21) FIG. 13 Is a schematic view of a dirty fiber end face on a monitor screen 24b that needs to be cleaned.

(22) FIG. 14 is a schematic view of a scratched fiber end face on a monitor screen 24c that need to be replaced.

(23) FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a version of a simplex (single) fiber plug 22 that displays alignment guide and locking guide 29 affixed to the plug body of the connectorized fiber plug, with ferrule 16 and fiber end face 17 displayed.

(24) FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a version duplex (dual) fiber plugs 23 that displays alignment guide and locking guides 29 affixed to the plug bodies of the connectorized plug. Also shown on the lower right side of FIG. 16 is one of many new style fiber plug types that house numerous fibers but features a larger end face 17 with multiple fibers. The alignment concept 29 is still necessary in this and future fiber plug body housings of the purpose of fiber count and location identification on multiple fiber core plugs.

EXPLANATION OF NUMBERED PICTURE DESCRIPTIONS IN FIGURES

(25) 1) Slide on module housing with female insert cavities 2) Slide on module housing with dust cover with female insert cavities 3) Slide on full phone case module housing with female insert cavities 4) Slide on half case module housing with female insert cavities 5) Adhesive backed module housing with female insert cavities 6) Cell phone 7) Fiber component female insert/inserts 8) After market device module 9) Module component cavity 10) Magnification lens 11) Light sources 12) Battery 13) Push on/off switch 14) Fiber plug cavity support mechanism 15) Ferrule alignment guide system 16) Ferrule 17) Fiber end face 18) Fiber core, cladding, ferrule 19) Cell phone camera 20) Camera lens 21) Cell Phone light source 22) Connectorized fiber plug-ins “simplex” single plug 23) Connectorized fiber plug-ins “duplex” single and or dual plug 24) End face visuals (includes 24a, 24b, 24c depicted in FIG. 11-14 25) Cell phone camera picture 26) Modular inserts male 27) Modular insert housing module 28) Spring clip 29) Align guides/locking and non-locking