Apparatus for reducing deformation of a coating on a coated optical fiber

Abstract

A capstan belt (80) is mounted on a pair of pulleys (82,83) for engagement with the surface of a draw capstan (75), the capstan belt (80) being driven for rotation on the pair of pulleys (82,83) by rotational movement of the capstan (75). A coated optical fiber (35) is drawn between the capstan (75) and the capstan belt (80). At least a surface of the capstan belt (80) is manufactured of a very low modulus material which easily deforms when contacting the coated optical fiber (35) such that the belt material deforms rather than the coating on the fiber during contact between the belt and the coated fiber. An idler belt (78) may surround the capstan (75) and an idler pulley (79), at least the surface of the idler belt (78) being manufactured of the same or similar material as the capstan belt (80). The belt material has a modulus of elasticity in the range of 10 to 200 PSI (0.07 to 1.38 MPa) at 10% strain and 200 to 5000 PSI (1.38 to 34.5 MPa) at 100% strain. Additionally, the abrasion resistance of the belt material when tested in accordance with ASTM C501 (1,000 cycles at 1,000 gram load) is in the range of 10 to 200. The tear properties of the belt material (as measured in accordance with ASTM D 624 die C) are in the range of 100 to 1000 lb/linear inch (1.75.times.104 to 1.75.times.105 nt/m). The compression properties of the belt material in accordance with ASTM D395 are in the range of 1 to 20% (set, method A) or in the range of 5 to 50% (set, method B).

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.