Hermetic seal for optical fibers
AssigneeHoneywell International Inc.
InventorsMatthew Olson, Charles Lange, Esten Heringer
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods and apparatus are provided for a seal assembly that includes a first plate, a second plate, and compliant material. The first and second plates each have a first side, a second side, and a channel extending therebetween. The channel includes a first cross-sectional area proximate the first side and a second cross-sectional area that is proximate the second side. The first cross-sectional area is greater than a second cross-sectional area. The compliant material is disposed between the first and second plates and is at least partially within the first plate channel and the second plate channel.
Claims19
A seal assembly comprising:
- a first plate having a first side, a second side, and a channel extending therebetween, the channel having at least a first cross-sectional area adjacent the first side and a second cross-sectional area adjacent the second side, the first cross-sectional area greater than the second cross-sectional area;
- a second plate coupled to the first plate, the second plate having a first side, a second side, and a channel extending therebetween, the channel having at least a first cross-section area proximate the first side and a second cross-sectional area proximate the second side, the first cross-sectional area greater than the second cross-sectional area;
- and
- a compliant material disposed between the first and second plate first sides and at least partially within the first and second channels.
A method of sealing a fiber to a vessel with a seal, the seal comprising a first plate and a second plate, the first plate having a first side, a second side, and a channel, the channel extending therebetween, the channel having a first cross-sectional area adjacent the first side and a second cross-sectional area adjacent the second side, the first cross-sectional area greater than the second cross-sectional area, the second plate having a first side, a second side, and a channel extending therebetween, the channel having a first cross-sectional area adjacent the first side and a second cross-sectional area adjacent the second side, the first cross-sectional area greater than the second cross-sectional area, the vessel defining a chamber within which the fiber is at least partially disposed, the vessel including a port in communication with the chamber, the method comprising:
- coupling the first plate first side to the port;
- threading the fiber through the first plate channel;
- applying a compliant material to a portion of the fiber and coupling the compliant material thereto;
- disposing a first portion of the compliant material at least partially in the first plate channel;
- threading the fiber through the second plate channel, such that the second plate first side is facing the first plate first side;
- and
- disposing a second portion of the compliant material at least partially in the second plate channel.
A method of sealing a fiber to a vessel with a seal, the seal comprising a first plate and a second plate, the first plate having a first side, a second side, and a channel, the channel extending therebetween, the channel having a first cross-sectional area adjacent the first side and a second cross-sectional area adjacent the second side, the first cross-sectional area greater than the second cross-sectional area, the second plate having a first side, a second side, and a channel extending therebetween, the channel having a first cross-sectional area adjacent the first side and a second cross-sectional area adjacent the second side, the first cross-sectional area greater than the second cross-sectional area, the vessel defining a chamber within which the fiber is at least partially disposed, the vessel including a port in communication with the chamber, the method comprising:
- coupling a sheet of compliant material between the first and second plates;
- and
- threading the fiber through the first plate channel, the compliant material, and the second plate channel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.