Optical fiber draw furnace system and method
AssigneeCorning Incorporated
InventorsTammy Michelle Hoffmann, John Michael Jewell, Nikolaos Pantelis Kladias
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An optical fiber draw system and method of operating thereof. The method includes positioning a downfeed handle for supporting an optical fiber preform within a furnace such that the downfeed handle is movable within the furnace. The method further includes operating one or more heating elements to thermally heat at least a portion of an upper muffle extension disposed within the furnace, the one or more heating elements being moveable with the downfeed handle.
Claims20
A method of operating an optical fiber draw furnace, the method comprising:
- positioning a downfeed handle for supporting an optical fiber preform within a furnace such that the downfeed handle is movable within the furnace;
- and
- operating one or more heating elements to thermally heat at least a portion of an upper muffle extension disposed within the furnace, the one or more heating elements being moveable with the downfeed handle.
An optical fiber draw furnace system comprising:
- a muffle comprising an upper muffle extension and forming an inner cavity;
- a downfeed handle moveably positioned within the inner cavity;
- and
- an upper heater comprising one or more heating elements moveable with the downfeed handle within the inner cavity.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.