Method for producing optical fiber using linear non-contact fiber centering
AssigneeCorning Incorporated
InventorsAndrey V. Filippov, Robert C. Moore, Bruce Warren Reding, David Andrew Tucker
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An optical fiber production system and method are provided for producing optical fiber. An optical fiber is drawn from a preform in a furnace and passes through a treatment device under a controlled reduced pressure or partial vacuum in the range of 0.01 to 0.8 atm. The treatment device cools the bare optical fiber as it cools to a temperature range of at least 1,600° C. to 1,300° C. A non-contact fiber centering device is located near an exit of the treatment device to provide linear centering of the optical fiber as it exits the treatment device.
Claims24
A method for producing an optical fiber, said method comprising the steps of:
- drawing a bare optical fiber from a preform in a furnace;
- centering the bare optical fiber downstream of the furnace with a linear non-contact centering device, said step of centering including applying forced fluid onto the optical fiber to float the optical fiber;
- and
- coating the bare optical fiber.
A method for producing an optical fiber, said method comprising the steps of:
- drawing a bare optical fiber from a preform in a furnace;
- and
- centering the bare optical fiber downstream of the furnace with a linear non-contact centering device comprising a channel defined by at least two tapered side walls for receiving forced fluid and the optical fiber, wherein the fiber is retained and centered within a region of said channel having the forced fluid which is sufficient to cause the fiber to be levitated within the channel substantially as a result of a pressure differential which is present below the fiber within the channel, wherein the side walls have an angle with respect to each other in the range of 10° to 60°.
A method for producing an optical fiber, said method comprising;
- drawing a bare optical fiber from a preform in a furnace;
- pulling the bare optical fiber through a tube having a side wall defining a cylindrical opening and first and second ends;
- and
- injecting high pressure fluid from a plurality of locations around a perimeter of the tube so as to maintain the optical fiber substantially in the center of the tube and prevent contact with the side wall of the tube.
A linear non-contact fiber centering device comprising:
- a channel having a region defined by at least two tapered side walls having an angle between the two side walls in the range of 10° to 60°, wherein fluid is forced in the region such that an optical fiber is retained within the region of the channel and levitated within the channel substantially as a result of a pressure differential which is present below the fiber within the channel and wherein the fiber is self-located and centered within the channel.
A linear non-contact fiber optic centering device comprising:
- a tube having a side wall defining a cylindrical opening and first and second ends for receiving an optical fiber;
- and
- a plurality of fluid injection ports radially located around a perimeter of the tube for directing high pressure fluid radially inward toward the optic fiber so as to maintain the optic fiber substantially centered within the tube and prevent contact with the side wall of the tube.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.