Senko Advanced Components, Inc.

Cleaning devices for cleaning fiber optic connectors are disclosed. In one example, a cleaning device housing has a connector port to receive a fiber optic connector having a ferrule, and a gel holder with an insert is positioned within the device housing with cleaning gel supported on the insert to contact the ferrule. An adjustable activation member can activate the gel holder to enable the gel holder to move relative to the device housing to engage the cleaning gel with the ferrule of the fiber optic connector mated with the connector port for cleaning. Another cleaning device has a device housing with a plug portion insertable into one an adapter. The device housing has an internal gel seat that fits inside the adapter. A cleaning gel seated on the internal gel seat contacts a ferrule of a fiber optic connector inserted into an opposite end of the fiber optic adapter.

A method of polishing an optical fiber connector comprises providing a unitary connector housing defining an interior containing a first ferrule and a second ferrule, each ferrule having an angle-polished end face and being located in an original rotational position, the unitary connector housing comprising a perimeter wall extending 360° about the interior, first and second ferrule springs biasing the first and second ferrules forward in the interior of the unitary housing, the unitary connector housing having a contiguous two-ferrule opening through a front end of the unitary connector housing, each of the first and second ferrules extending through the contiguous two-ferrule opening such that the first and second ferrules protrude forwardly from the front end of the unitary connector housing; and using a tool to rotate the first ferrule in the housing about a longitudinal axis while the second ferrule remains in the original rotational position.

An optical connector cleaning tool includes a fitting portion ( 44 ) fitted in the first or second hole ( 36, 37 ) of a connection component ( 32 ) into which a compact dual core optical connector is fitted on one end side and a cleaning medium ( 45 ) projecting from the fitting portion ( 44 ). The fitting portion ( 44 ) is formed to have a shape by which the fitting portion ( 44 ) is fitted in the first or second hole ( 36, 37 ) in each of the first and second postures as postures shifted through 180° with respect to as the center the middle (P 2 ) of a virtual straight line connecting the centers of the two ferrules when viewed from an axial direction of the compact dual core optical connector. The fitting portion ( 44 ) contacts one ferrule in a state in which the fitting portion ( 44 ) is set in the first posture. The fitting portion ( 44 ) contacts the other ferrule in a state in which the fitting portion ( 44 ) is set in the second posture. There can be provided an optical connector cleaning tool by which the connection end faces of the compact dual core optical connector having two ferrules in one housing can be cleaned.

A method of polishing an optical fiber connector comprises providing a unitary connector housing defining an interior containing a first ferrule and a second ferrule, each ferrule having an angle-polished end face and being located in an original rotational position, the unitary connector housing comprising a perimeter wall extending 360° about the interior, first and second ferrule springs biasing the first and second ferrules forward in the interior of the unitary housing, the unitary connector housing having a contiguous two-ferrule opening through a front end of the unitary connector housing, each of the first and second ferrules extending through the contiguous two-ferrule opening such that the first and second ferrules protrude forwardly from the front end of the unitary connector housing; and using a tool to rotate the first ferrule in the housing about a longitudinal axis while the second ferrule remains in the original rotational position.

A holder to polish a fiber optic connector having at least two ferrule assembly. Each ferrule assembly having a ferrule with an optical fiber therein. And a tool to rotate a ferrule assembly within the connector housing to allow opposing ferrules, with an APC surface, to transfer a light signal with minimal surface reflection, or data loss.

A cleaning stick guide for an optical housing having ferrules therein. The cleaning stick guide includes a guide housing having a proximal end and a distal end. The guide housing includes an insert portion sized and shaped to be inserted into the optical housing. The insert portion defines the distal end of the guide housing. The guide housing includes guide passageways. Each guide passageway extends from the proximal end to the distal end. Each guide passageway is arranged in the guide housing to align with one of the ferrules in the optical housing when the guide housing is inserted into the optical housing. Each guide passageway is sized and shaped to receive a cleaning stick and to guide the cleaning stick to said one ferrule for cleaning the ferrule.

An optical connector cleaning tool includes a fitting portion ( 44 ) fitted in the first or second hole ( 36, 37 ) of a connection component ( 32 ) into which a compact dual core optical connector is fitted on one end side and a cleaning medium ( 45 ) projecting from the fitting portion ( 44 ). The fitting portion ( 44 ) is formed to have a shape by which the fitting portion ( 44 ) is fitted in the first or second hole ( 36, 37 ) in each of the first and second postures as postures shifted through 180° with respect to as the center the middle (P 2 ) of a virtual straight line connecting the centers of the two ferrules when viewed from an axial direction of the compact dual core optical connector. The fitting portion ( 44 ) contacts one ferrule in a state in which the fitting portion ( 44 ) is set in the first posture. The fitting portion ( 44 ) contacts the other ferrule in a state in which the fitting portion ( 44 ) is set in the second posture. There can be provided an optical connector cleaning tool by which the connection end faces of the compact dual core optical connector having two ferrules in one housing can be cleaned.

A cleaning device is provided for removing debris from an end surface of a fiber optic connector. The fiber optic connectors may be a Multi Push On (MPO) or Mechanical Transfer (MT). The end surface may have a one or more ferrules with a fiber optic glass cable. The cleaning device includes a housing with a first end open to a gel that adheres to debris. A second end of the housing may be releasably attached to a protrusion or handle to insert and remove the device from an adapter receptacle. The handle may be replaced with a plug frame and protrusion so the device may be inserted into the receptacle of the adapter. The device may be placed over the end surface of the fiber optic connector that is not inserted into an adapter receptacle.

A cleaning stick guide for an optical housing having ferrules therein. The cleaning stick guide includes a guide housing having a proximal end and a distal end. The guide housing includes an insert portion sized and shaped to be inserted into the optical housing. The insert portion defines the distal end of the guide housing. The guide housing includes guide passageways. Each guide passageway extends from the proximal end to the distal end. Each guide passageway is arranged in the guide housing to align with one of the ferrules in the optical housing when the guide housing is inserted into the optical housing. Each guide passageway is sized and shaped to receive a cleaning stick and to guide the cleaning stick to said one ferrule for cleaning the ferrule.