Magnetic stabilization of spooled fiber optic data links
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
InventorJack E. Holzschuh
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Abstract
A ferromagnetic material on an optical fiber assures that the fiber is held n a proper position on a spool by a magnetic field. This stabilizes the optical fiber during winding to permit an automation of the spooling process and provides a constant force for holding the spooled optical fiber during storage. The constant and predictable holding force helps assure a constant and predictable peel force during deployment of the optical fiber.
Claims10
A spooled optical fiber for transmitting optical data through an optical transmitting portion comprising:
- means for supporting said optical fiber in a spooled configuration thereon;
- means mounted on said supporting means for inducing a magnetic flux encompassing said spooled configuration of said optical fiber;
- and
- means disposed outside of said optical transmitting portion of said optical fiber for magnetically coupling to said magnetic flux to hold said optical fiber in said spooled configuration.
A method of creating a spooled configuration of an optical fiber on a bobbin comprising:
- applying a ferromagnetic material along the length of said optical fiber prior to said spooled configuration;
- providing a source of magnetic flux so that the flux encompasses said spooled configuration of, said optical fiber on said bobbin;
- winding said optical fiber in said spooled configuration on said bobbin;
- and
- magnetically holding said optical fiber in said spooled configuration by the action of said magnetic flux on said ferromagnetic material.
A method for assuring the stability of an optical fiber wound on a bobbin and held thereon with a predetermined force to assure a predictable peel force therefrom comprising:
- applying a ferromagnetic material along the length of said optical fiber;
- providing a source of magnetic flux in a manner such that the flux encompasses said optical fiber that is wound on said bobbin;
- winding of said optical fiber in a predetermined pattern on said bobbin;
- and
- magnetically holding said optical fiber in said predetermined pattern on said bobbin with said predetermined force to assure said predictable peel force.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.