US 12,280,467 B1
Multi-fiber fiber optic ferrule polishing systems and methods
Matthew Cameron Watson, Morganton, NC (US)
Assigned to Legrand DPC, LLC, West Hartford, CT (US)
Filed by Ortronics, Inc., New London, CT (US)
Filed on Nov. 25, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/104,315.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/961,045, filed on Jan. 14, 2020.
Int. Cl. B24C 1/08 (2006.01); B24B 19/22 (2006.01)
CPC B24C 1/08 (2013.01) [B24B 19/226 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of polishing multi-fiber fiber optic ferrules with a polishing device, the polishing device including a polishing component with a polishing surface and a surface for securing multi-fiber fiber optic ferrules such that endfaces of the multi-fiber fiber optic ferrules are oriented to face and be positioned against the polishing surface, the method comprising:
orienting an application device with a spray nozzle about 8 inches to about 12 inches away from the polishing surface of the polishing component;
orienting the spray nozzle of the application device at a downward angle of about 20° to about 30° relative to horizontal and the polishing surface;
applying a fine mist of fluid from the spray nozzle toward the polishing surface to completely coat the polishing surface with the fluid, wherein the application device and the polishing surface are maintained stationary to each other during application of the fine mist; and
positioning the endfaces of the multi-fiber fiber optic ferrules against the polishing surface and polishing the endfaces.
 
17. A multi-fiber fiber optic ferrule polishing system, comprising:
a polishing device including a surface for securing multi-fiber fiber optic ferrules such that endfaces of the multi-fiber fiber optic ferrules are oriented to face and be positioned against a polishing surface of a polishing component, the polishing device including a mounting platform;
the polishing component positioned on the mounting platform of the polishing device;
an application device including a spray nozzle for dispensing of fluid in a fine mist onto the polishing surface of the polishing component to completely coat the polishing surface with the fluid;
wherein an orientation of the application device is adjustable relative to the polishing device such that (i) the spray nozzle of the application device is positionable about 8 inches to about 12 inches away from the polishing surface of the polishing component, and (ii) the spray nozzle of the application device is positionable at a downward angle of about 20° to about 30° relative to horizontal and the polishing surface; and
wherein the orientation of the application device relative to the polishing surface is maintained stationary during dispensing of the fine mist onto the polishing surface.