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US 4,544,231 AGranted
Method of joining plastic optical fibers and connections obtained
AssigneeThe United States of America, as represented by the Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services
InventorJohn I. Peterson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Plastic optical fibers are joined by heat-flaring their ends in a first tubular sleeve and joining the flared ends within a tubular sleeve of about the same size with a U.V.-curable optical cement. The fibers may be joined side-by-side or end-to-end. Different diameter tubes may also be joined together by the method of the present invention.
Claims16
A method of making a plastic optical fiber connection, comprising:
- providing non-wettable first tubular means, and first and second optical fibers;
- placing one end of each of said first and second fibers in said tubular means;
- heating the ends of the fibers within said tubular means to cause said fibers to expand and fill the inside diameter of said tubular means, and, when said fiber ends have been placed in said tubular means in a side-by-side relationship, fusing said fiber ends;
- causing the expanded end of said first optical fiber to be within a tubular sleeve so that a space remains within said tubular means;
- filling the space remaining within said tubular sleeve with ultraviolet-curing optical cement;
- contacting, within said tubular expanded end of said sleeve, said second fiber with said optical cement;
- and
- curing said cement.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.