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US 2025/0083990 A1Published application
Microgravity crucible-controlled manufacturing
AssigneeDSTAR Communications, Inc.
InventorDmitry Starodubov
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Embodiments are directed to systems and methods for material processing in a low gravity environment, and an optical fiber formed in a low gravity environment. The system established the control of both the temperature and the temperature gradients to compensate for the effects of microgravity environment. The control of the neck-down region during the fiber draw in microgravity through the controlled temperature distribution in the work volume delivers steady-state process for microgravity manufacturing.
Claims20
A system comprising:
- a work volume for material processing;
- one or more heating elements coupled to the work volume;
- and
- controller circuitry to control the one or more heating elements to provide a non-uniform heat distribution along a length of the work volume.
1 more element
A method of forming an optical fiber comprising:
- applying a non-uniform heat distribution along a length of a work volume;
- and
- moving a preform through the work volume to yield an optical fiber.
A system comprising:
- a work volume for material processing;
- means for providing a providing a non-uniform temperature distribution along a length of the work volume.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.