US 5,588,086 A · Fiber optic hermetic bulkhead penetrator feedthrough module and method of fabricating same

Abstract

A hermetically sealed fiber optic feedthrough module which comprises a metal or other rigid material connector feedthrough or sleeve feedthrough with a single fiber optic member or with a multitude of optical fibers extending through and protruding out of either side of the connector feedthrough or sleeve feedthrough and a pressure-blocking sealant material of polycrystalline which surrounds the fiber optic member(s) and provides a seal between the fiber optic member(s) and the inside surface of the connector or sleeve feedthrough. The feedthrough module is made by positioning the fiber optic member(s) through the connector or sleeve feedthrough and applying the polycrystalline sealant material between the fiber optic member(s) and the connector or sleeve feedthrough inside diameter to fill all voids between the fiber optic member(s) and connector or sleeve feedthrough. Heat is then applied to "set" the polycrystalline or other material which provides hermetically sealed intimate contact between the various feedthrough module components.

Claims31

Dependent claims

A hermetic pressure differential and temperature differential feedthrough system comprising:

a signal transmitting optical fiber or plurality of optical fibers;
a hermetic sealing material providing an extremely high fluid or gas differential pressure and temperature differential seal;
a feedthrough housing of suitable material to provide a substantial bond between said housing and said hermetic sealing material;
said signal transmitting optical fibers which are suitably cleaned and may be stripped of buffer coatings to provide a substantial bond between said fibers and said hermetic sealing material;
said signal transmitting optical fibers passing through said feedthrough housing which may have a connector interface on either or both sides of said feedthrough comprised of fibers hermetically sealed within a fiber optic terminus or other system requiring interfaces and requiring interconnecting means to couple the feedthrough housing to a connector half;
said bonds between said hermetic sealing material and said signal transmitting optical fiber, between said hermetic sealing material and said fiber optic termini, and between said sealing material and said housing are provided by mechanical, chemical or environmental means.

3 more elements

A hermetic pressure differential and temperature differential feedthrough system comprising:

a signal transmitting optical fiber or plurality of optical fibers;
an insert sleeve;
a hermetic sealing material providing an extremely high fluid or gas differential pressure and temperature differential seal;
a feedthrough housing of suitable material to provide a substantial bond between said housing and said hermetic sealing material;
said insert sleeve providing a substantial bond between said sleeve and said hermetic sealing material;
said signal transmitting optical fibers which are suitably cleaned and may be stripped of buffer coatings to provide a substantial bond between said fibers and said hermetic sealing material;
said signal transmitting optical fibers passing through said feedthrough housing which may have a connector interface on either or both sides of said feedthrough comprised of fibers hermetically sealed within a fiber optic terminus or other system requiring interfaces and requiring interconnecting means to couple the feedthrough housing to a connector half;
said bonds between said hermetic sealing material and said signal transmitting optical fiber, between said hermetic sealing material and said housing, between said hermetic sealing material and said fiber optic termini, and between said hermetic sealing material and said insert sleeve provided by mechanical, chemical or environmental means.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Fiber optic hermetic bulkhead penetrator feedthrough module and method of fabricating same

Life of this patent

Fiber optic hermetic bulkhead penetrator feedthrough module and method of fabricating same

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims31