US 2007/0175242 A1 · Method and device for producing optical fiber matrix

Abstract

A method and apparatus capable of suppressing fluctuation in shrinkage of a silica glass pipe such that an optical fiber preform uniform in the longitudinal direction can be produced are provided. In the step of depositing a glass layer in the silica glass pipe, at least the amount of the exhaust gas or buffering gas is feedback-controlled, and at least other one of them is pattern-controlled according to a flow rate pattern corresponding to heating positions on the silica glass pipe. The apparatus includes two or more in total of an exhaust portion and a buffering gas inlet portion, a heat source, a position detecting means for detecting a heating position, a first control means for controlling at least the amount of the exhaust gas or buffering gas according a flow rate pattern corresponding to heating positions, and second control means for feedback-controlling at least other one of them.

Claims13

Dependent claims

A method of producing an optical fiber preform, comprising a deposition step of depositing a glass layer in a silica glass pipe by charging a gas containing at least a glass raw material into the silica glass pipe while the silica glass pipe is heated from the outside by a heat source relatively moving in the longitudinal direction of the silica glass pipe,

wherein in the deposition step, one or more each of an exhaust portion and a buffering gas inlet portion are connected to the silica glass pipe, and at least the amount of the exhaust gas from the exhaust portion or the amount of the buffering gas introduced in the buffering gas inlet portion is feedback-controlled, and at least the other one of the amount of the exhaust gas from the exhaust portion and the amount of the buffering gas introduced in the buffering gas inlet portion is pattern-controlled according to a flow rate pattern corresponding to heating positions on the silica glass pipe.

An apparatus for producing an optical fiber preform, comprising:

a gas supply system for introducing a gas containing at least a glass raw material into a silica glass pipe from one of the ends thereof;
two or more in total of an exhaust portion and a buffering gas inlet portion, all of which can be connected to the other end of the silica glass pipe;
a heat source which can move relatively in the longitudinal direction of the silica glass pipe;
a position detecting means for detecting a heating position of the heat source on the silica glass pipe;
a first control means for controlling, according to a flow rate pattern corresponding to the heating positions, at least the amount of the exhaust gas from the exhaust portion or the amount of the gas introduced into the buffering gas inlet portion;
and
a second control means for feedback-controlling at least the other one of the amount of the exhaust gas from the exhaust portion and the amount of the gas introduced into the buffering gas inlet portion.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and device for producing optical fiber matrix

Life of this patent

Method and device for producing optical fiber matrix

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims13