Optical fiber polishing arm positioning assembly

Abstract

An optical fiber polishing arm positioning assembly for use with an optical fiber polisher, the optical fiber polisher including a first pivot connection interconnecting a base and a proximal end of an arm assembly, comprises a positioning member and an actuator. The positioning member is configured and arranged to be operatively connected to the arm assembly, and the actuator is configured and arranged to move the positioning member thereby moving the arm assembly about the first pivot connection to vary positions of the arm assembly relative to the base.

1 . An optical fiber polishing arm positioning assembly for use with an optical fiber polisher, the optical fiber polisher including a first pivot connection interconnecting a base and a proximal end of an arm assembly, comprising:
 a positioning member configured and arranged to be operatively connected to the arm assembly; and   an actuator configured and arranged to move the positioning member thereby moving the arm assembly about the first pivot connection to vary positions of the arm assembly relative to the base.   
     
     
         2 . The optical fiber polishing arm positioning assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the positioning member is selected from the group consisting of an elongate member or a gear assembly. 
     
     
         3 . The optical fiber polishing arm positioning assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the elongate member is selected from the group consisting of a rod, a screw, a cable, a pulley, a belt, or a shaft. 
     
     
         4 . The optical fiber polishing arm positioning assembly of  claim 3 , further comprising an inclination sensor coupled to the arm assembly and providing angular positioning information of the arm assembly to a processing system. 
     
     
         5 . The optical fiber polishing arm positioning assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a second pivot connection interconnecting the positioning member and the arm assembly. 
     
     
         6 . The optical fiber polishing arm positioning assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the second pivot connection is proximate a distal end of the arm assembly. 
     
     
         7 . The optical fiber polishing arm positioning assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the positioning member is an elongate member having a variable length positioned between the second pivot connection and the actuator to vary positions of the arm assembly relative to the base. 
     
     
         8 . The optical fiber polishing arm positioning assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a shaft operatively connected to the arm assembly proximate the first pivot connection, and wherein the positioning member is operatively connected to the shaft. 
     
     
         9 . The optical fiber polishing arm positioning assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the positioning member is a pulley or a belt. 
     
     
         10 . The optical fiber polishing arm positioning assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the positioning member is a shaft operatively connected to the arm assembly proximate the first pivot connection. 
     
     
         11 . The optical fiber polishing arm positioning assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the proximal end of the arm assembly includes an arm gear configured and arranged to engage the positioning member, the positioning member selected from the group consisting of a positioning gear, a cog, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         12 . The optical fiber polishing arm positioning assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator is selected from the group consisting of a motor, a linear actuator, or an air cylinder. 
     
     
         13 . An optical fiber polisher, comprising:
 a first pivot connection interconnecting a base and a proximal end of an arm assembly;   a positioning member configured and arranged to be operatively connected to the arm assembly; and   an actuator configured and arranged to move the positioning member thereby moving the arm assembly about the first pivot connection to vary positions of the arm assembly relative to the base.   
     
     
         14 . The optical fiber polisher of  claim 13 , wherein the positioning member is selected from the group consisting of an elongate member or a gear assembly, the elongate member is selected from the group consisting of a rod, a screw, a cable, a pulley, a belt, or a shaft. 
     
     
         15 . The optical fiber polisher of  claim 13 , further comprising a second pivot connection interconnecting the positioning member and the arm assembly, wherein the second pivot connection is proximate a distal end of the arm assembly, and wherein the positioning member is an elongate member having a variable length positioned between the second pivot connection and the actuator to vary positions of the arm assembly relative to the base. 
     
     
         16 . The optical fiber polisher of  claim 13 , further comprising an inclination sensor coupled to the arm assembly and providing angular positioning information of the arm assembly to a processing system. 
     
     
         17 . The optical fiber polisher of  claim 13 , further comprising a shaft operatively connected to the arm assembly proximate the first pivot connection, wherein the positioning member is operatively connected to the shaft, and wherein the positioning member is a pulley or a belt. 
     
     
         18 . The optical fiber polisher of  claim 13 , wherein the positioning member is a shaft operatively connected to the arm assembly proximate the first pivot connection. 
     
     
         19 . The optical fiber polisher of  claim 13 , wherein the proximal end of the arm assembly includes an arm gear configured and arranged to engage the positioning member, the positioning member selected from the group consisting of a positioning gear, a cog, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         20 . The optical fiber polisher of  claim 13 , wherein the actuator is selected from the group consisting of a motor, a linear actuator, or an air cylinder. 
     
     
         21 . The optical fiber polisher of  claim 13 , further comprising a fixture positioning module operatively interconnecting the arm assembly and a fixture, the fixture positioning module providing precision positioning of the fixture, wherein the positioning member works in conjunction with the fixture positioning module to assist in preventing the fixture from hitting a platen as the arm assembly is moved toward the platen. 
     
     
         22 . A method of positioning an optical fiber polishing arm assembly for use with an optical fiber polisher, the optical fiber polisher including a first pivot connection interconnecting a base and a proximal end of an arm assembly, the optical fiber polishing arm positioning assembly including a positioning member configured and arranged to be operatively connected to the arm assembly and an actuator configured and arranged to move the positioning member thereby moving the arm assembly about the first pivot connection to vary positions of the arm assembly relative to the base, comprising:
 activating an actuator; and   the actuator moving a positioning member configured and arranged to move the arm assembly.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the actuator is activated using a processor. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the actuator has speed control capabilities to raise and lower the arm assembly at user desired speeds to various positions provided by a system inclination sensor.