Method of and apparatus for securing elongate members of generally cylindrical form in end-to-end relationship
AssigneeTektronix, Inc.
InventorJohn H. Mitch
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for securing enlongatge members of generally cylindrical form in end-to-end relationship, particularly for forming an optic fiber splice. Optic fibers are spliced by pressing a form, preferably an optic fiber of the same diameter as those to be spliced, into a deformable body to create a groove for receiving the ends of the optic fibers in close alignment. To secure the optic fibers, an index matching adhesive is cured by UV irradiation through a glass cover plate bonded to the deformable body.
Claims16
A method of placing an end portion of a generally cylindrical elongate member in a predetermined position, said method comprising the steps of:
- providing a plastically deformable body, which comprises a layer of plastically deformable material and a layer of ductile material, relatively harder than the plastically deformable material,
- disposing a form, which corresponds in its external cross-sectional shape to the end portion of the elongate member, in contact with the layer of ductile material,
- applying pressure to the form so as to create a groove in the deformable body,
- removing the form from the groove, and
- placing the end portion of the elongate member in the groove.
A method of splicing end portions of optic fibers, said method comprising the following steps, not necessarily in the order stated:
- providing a plastically deformable body which comprises a layer of plastically deformable material and a layer of ductile material relatively harder than the plastically deformable material, said layer of ductile material having a generally flat surface;
- placing a form upon said layer of ductile material, said form corresponding in its external cross-section to the end portions of said optic fibers;
- pressing said form into said body so as to create a groove in said body of deformable material;
- placing said end portions of said optic fibers in said groove in end-to-end relationship;
- bonding a cover plate to said body of deformable material so that it covers said groove;
- and
- bonding said end portions of said optic fibers together.
An optic fiber splice comprising:
- a plastically deformable body which comprises a layer of plastically deformable material and a layer of ductile material relatively harder than the plastically deformable material and is formed with a groove in a surface thereof, said groove being bounded at its interior by said layer of ductile material;
- optic fibers each having an end portion received in said groove, said end portions being in end-to-end relationship;
- and
- means which bond said end portions together.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.