US 12,135,458 B2
Arrayed visual inspectors for fiber connectors and adapters
Yu Huang, Orland Park, IL (US); Jose M. Castro, Naperville, IL (US); and Andrew R. Matcha, Chicago, IL (US)
Assigned to Panduit Corp., Tinley Park, IL (US)
Filed by Panduit Corp., Tinley Park, IL (US)
Filed on Sep. 14, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/447,603.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/080,971, filed on Sep. 21, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2022/0091342 A1, Mar. 24, 2022
Int. Cl. G02B 6/38 (2006.01); G02B 21/00 (2006.01); G02B 21/36 (2006.01)
CPC G02B 6/385 (2013.01) [G02B 6/3879 (2013.01); G02B 21/0016 (2013.01); G02B 21/0032 (2013.01); G02B 21/361 (2013.01)] 9 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An inspection apparatus for inspecting a first end-face and a second end face of a duplex fiber optic connector installed into a duplex adapter of a cassette without decoupling the duplex fiber optic connector from the duplex adapter, the inspection apparatus comprising:
a first microscope probe comprising:
a first light source configured to emit a first light;
a first beam splitter configured to receive the first light and direct at least a portion of the first light to a first fixed lens system towards the first end-face and direct at least a portion of the first light to a first variable focus lens system towards a first image sensor;
the first fixed lens system configured to receive the portion of the first light and direct it towards the first end-face;
the first variable focus lens system configured to receive the portion of the first light and direct it towards the first image sensor; and
the first image sensor configured to receive the portion of the first light and capture an image of the first end-face;
a second microscope probe comprising:
a second light source configured to emit a second light;
a second beam splitter configured to receive the second light and direct at least a portion of the second light to a second fixed lens system towards the second end-face and direct at least a portion of the second light to a variable focus lens system towards a second image sensor;
the second fixed lens system configured to receive the portion of the second light and direct it towards the second end-face;
the second variable focus lens system configured to receive the portion of the second light and direct it towards the second image sensor; and
the second image sensor configured to receive the portion of the second light and capture an image of the second end-face; and
a first securing portion configured to directly secure to a second securing portion of a secondary inspection apparatus to form an array including at least the inspection apparatus and the secondary inspection apparatus, wherein the secondary inspection apparatus includes a first secondary microscope probe and a second secondary microscope probe for inspecting a first end-face and a second end face of a secondary duplex fiber optic connector installed into a secondary duplex adapter of the cassette without decoupling the secondary duplex fiber optic connector from the secondary duplex adapter.