Method of and apparatus for splicing optical fibers
AssigneeCSELT - Centro Studi e Laboratori Telecomunicazioni S.p.A.
InventorPietro Di Vita
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Abstract
For the splicing of trunks of optical fibers, confronting trunk ends are closely juxtaposed in a surrounding enclosure which is subjected to vibrations transverse to its axis to generate an oscillating air column setting the trunk ends in vibration, the fiber trunks being clamped at points spaced from these ends by a distance sufficient to give rise to several standing-wave nodes at the applied frequency on the free fiber extremities. With these extremities vibrating in unison but at limited amplitudes compatible with the maximum permissible offset of the trunk axes, the confronting trunk ends are joined by the hardening of a blob of cement matching their refractive index, by electric fusion, or with the aid of a laser beam.
Claims19
A method of splicing trunks of optical fibers, comprising the steps of:
- axially aligning a pair of fiber trunks to be spliced, with ends closely juxtaposed;
- clamping said fiber trunks at points spaced from their juxtaposed ends whereby said fiber trunks have unclamped extremities free to vibrate transversely;
- setting said extremities in joint vibration of limited amplitude and at frequencies higher than their natural frequency, with formation of standing-wave nodes adjacent their juxtaposed ends;
- and
- joining said juxtaposed ends together during their joint vibration.
An apparatus for splicing trunks of optical fibers, comprising:
- stationary support means forming at least one pair of aligned grooves for receiving respective fiber trunks with ends closely juxtaposed in a recess between said grooves;
- retaining means coacting with said support means for exerting a clamping force upon said fiber trunks at locations spaced from their juxtaposed ends, thereby leaving unclamped extremities of said fiber trunks free to vibrate transversely in said recess;
- an enclosure in said recess spacedly surrounding said extremities with limited transverse mobility relative to said support means;
- and
- vibration-inducing means coupled with said enclosure for setting same together with a surrounded air column in transverse oscillation to vibrate said extremities at a frequency exceeding the natural frequency thereof, with formation of standing-wave nodes adjacent their juxtaposed ends to facilitate the joining of said ends to each other during said oscillation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.