Modified zirconia induction furnace
AssigneeAT&T Technologies, Inc.
InventorsUn C. Paek, Charles M. Schroeder, Jr.
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Abstract
A high temperature induction furnace (10) for drawing lightguide fiber (52) from a silica preform (44) has an axially located tubular zirconium dioxide susceptor (34) therein. Prior to use, at least a portion of the inside surface of the susceptor (34) is coated with a vapor deposited silica "soot" (54). The silica soot (54) is then consolidated at an elevated temperature. Surprisingly, such a technique substantially eliminates migration of zirconium dioxide particles from the susceptor (34) to the preform (44) and/or the fiber (52) without deleteriously affecting the susceptor (34) and/or the operation of the furnace (10).
Claims3
A furnace for heating a silica lightguide preform to an elevated temperature in order to draw a fiber therefrom, comprising:
- a housing;
- a tubular zirconium dioxide heating element located within said housing;
- and
- a thin coating of silica on at least a portion of the inside surface of the tubular heating element.
An induction heating furnace for heating a silica lightguide preform to an elevated temperature in order to draw a fiber therefrom, the furnace comprising:
- a tubular zirconium dioxide susceptor;
- a high frequency induction coil surrounding the susceptor;
- and
- a thin coating of silica on at least a portion of the inside surface of the susceptor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.