Cleaning device for fiber optic connectors

Abstract

A cleaning device for fiber optic connectors that includes a cleaning head, a cleaning fluid reservoir for holding cleaning fluid, a pressurization source and a switching mechanism. The cleaning head has a cleaning fluid passage and a vacuum passage. The switching mechanism has at least a first position and a second position. In the first position, the switching mechanism initiates the pressurization source such the cleaning fluid is pressurized and the cleaning fluid leaves the cleaning fluid reservoir and enters the cleaning head via the cleaning fluid passage and exits the cleaning head via the cleaning fluid passage as a spray. In the second position, the switching mechanism initiates the pressurization source such that air and expended cleaning fluid is drawn into the vacuum passage.

1 . A cleaning device, comprising:
 a cleaning head, the cleaning head having a cleaning fluid passage and a vacuum passage;   a cleaning fluid reservoir for holding cleaning fluid; and   a switching mechanism, the switching mechanism having at least a first position and a second position, in the first position the switching mechanism initiates pressurized gas such cleaning fluid in the cleaning fluid reservoir is pressurized and the cleaning fluid leaves the cleaning fluid reservoir and enters the cleaning head via the cleaning fluid passage and exits the cleaning head via the cleaning fluid passage as a spray, in the second position the switching mechanism initiates pressurized gas such that air and expended cleaning fluid is drawn into the vacuum passage.   
   
   
       2 . The cleaning device of  claim 1 , wherein the switching mechanism includes a Venturi nozzle and a valve, the valve able to divert pressurized gas flow to the cleaning fluid reservoir or to the Venturi nozzle, the Venturi nozzle when pressurized able to create a vacuum in the vacuum passage to enable vacuuming up and removal of cleaning fluid and contaminants from the fiber optic connectors. 
   
   
       3 . A cleaning device, comprising:
 a cleaning head, the cleaning head having a cleaning fluid passage and a vacuum passage;   a cleaning fluid reservoir for holding cleaning fluid;   a pressurization source; and   a switching mechanism, the switching mechanism having at least a first position and a second position, in the first position the switching mechanism initiates the pressurization source such cleaning fluid in the cleaning fluid reservoir is pressurized and the cleaning fluid leaves the cleaning fluid reservoir and enters the cleaning head via the cleaning fluid passage and exits the cleaning head via the cleaning fluid passage as a spray, in the second position the switching mechanism initiates the pressurization source such that air and expended cleaning fluid is drawn into the vacuum passage.   
   
   
       4 . The cleaning device of  claim 3 , wherein the switching mechanism includes a Venturi nozzle and a valve, the valve able to divert pressurized gas flow to either the cleaning fluid reservoir or to the Venturi nozzle, the Venturi nozzle when pressurized able to create a vacuum in the vacuum passage to allow vacuuming up and removal of cleaning fluid and contaminants from the fiber optic connectors. 
   
   
       5 . The cleaning device of  claim 4 , wherein the cleaning device further includes a control device, the control device activates the valve to control flow of pressurized gas to the cleaning fluid reservoir or to the Venturi nozzle for a pre-determined amount of time. 
   
   
       6 . The cleaning device of  claim 5 , wherein the cleaning device further includes a multi-position actuator, the actuator allowing the user to change the switching mechanism from the first position to the second position. 
   
   
       7 . The cleaning device of  claim 3 , wherein the switching mechanism includes a third position, the third position being an off position. 
   
   
       8 . The cleaning device of  claim 7 , wherein the cleaning device further includes a multi-position actuator, the actuator allowing the user to change the switching mechanism to the first position, the second position or the third position. 
   
   
       9 . The cleaning device of  claim 8 , wherein the cleaning device further includes an adapter, the adapter attachable to the cleaning head such that other types of fiber optic connectors may be cleaned. 
   
   
       10 . The cleaning device of  claim 9 , wherein the cleaning device further includes a waste reservoir for storing expended cleaning fluid, the waste reservoir fluidly communicating with the vacuum passage such that the drawn in expended cleaning fluid can be stored in the waste reservoir. 
   
   
       11 . The cleaning device of  claim 10 , wherein the cleaning device further including a housing, the cleaning fluid reservoir, the switching mechanism and the control device disposed within the housing. 
   
   
       12 . A cleaning device for fiber optic connectors, comprising:
 a cleaning head, the cleaning head having a cleaning fluid passage and a vacuum passage;   a cleaning fluid reservoir for holding cleaning fluid;   a pressurization source;   a switching mechanism, the switching mechanism having at least a first position and a second position, in the first position the switching mechanism initiates the pressurization source such cleaning fluid in the cleaning fluid reservoir is pressurized and the cleaning fluid leaves the cleaning fluid reservoir and enters the cleaning head via the cleaning fluid passage and exits the cleaning head via the cleaning fluid passage as a spray, in the second position the switching mechanism initiates the pressurization source such that air and expended cleaning fluid is drawn into the vacuum passage, the switching mechanism further including a Venturi nozzle and a valve, the valve able to divert pressurized gas flow to either the cleaning fluid reservoir or to the Venturi nozzle, the Venturi nozzle when pressurized able to create a vacuum in the vacuum passage to enable vacuuming up and removal of cleaning fluid and contaminants from the fiber optic connectors;   a control device, the control device activates the valve to control flow of pressurized gas from the pressurization source to the cleaning fluid reservoir or to the Venturi nozzle for a pre-determined amount of time;   a waste reservoir for storing expended cleaning fluid, the waste reservoir fluidly communicating with the vacuum passage such that the drawn in expended cleaning fluid can be stored in the waste reservoir;   a housing, the housing, the cleaning fluid reservoir, the switching mechanism, the control device and the waste reservoir disposed within the housing.   
   
   
       13 . The cleaning device of  claim 12 , wherein the cleaning device further includes an adapter, the adapter attachable to the cleaning head such that a male fiber optic connector may be cleaned. 
   
   
       14 . The cleaning device of  claim 13 , wherein the cleaning device further includes a multi-position actuator, the actuator allowing the user to change the switching mechanism from the first position to the second position. 
   
   
       15 . The cleaning device of  claim 13 , wherein the switching mechanism includes a third position, the third position being an off position. 
   
   
       16 . The cleaning device of  claim 15 , wherein the cleaning device further includes a multi-position actuator, the actuator allowing the user to change the switching mechanism to the first position, the second position or the third position.