Method and arrangement for levelling out the tension of optical fibres
AssigneeNK Cables OY
InventorTeuvo Paivinen
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for equalizing the tension of optical fibers to a predetermined value, in which optical fibers (3) are passed from starting reels (1) through an equalizer wheel structure (4) to the next stage of the process. The equalizer wheel structure (4) is formed by two wheels (5, 6) on which the fibers (3) travel in succession. The first wheel (5) is adapted to supply fiber to the second wheel (6) at a greater rate than that which passes on the second wheel and is supplied to the next stage.
Claims17
A method of establishing a determined and equalized tension in a plurality of optical fibres drawn from starting reels and delivered to a subsequent stage of operation, said method comprising:
- passing a plurality of optical fibres from the starting reels through an equalizing wheel structure in which differences in tension in the respective optical fibres are eliminated and the optical fibres are all subjected to the same determined tension and are delivered at the same determined tension to a subsequent stage of operation,
- forming the equalizing wheel structure as first and second wheels on which the optical fibres travel in succession, and
- controlling delivery of said optical fibres from said first and second wheels to cause the optical fibres to be delivered from said first wheel at a linear rate greater than a linear rate of the optical fibres delivered from the second wheel.
Apparatus for equalizing tension to a predetermined value in a plurality of optical fibres drawn from starting reels and delivered to a subsequent stage of operation, said apparatus comprising an equalizer wheel structure including first and second wheels on which the optical fibres pass in sequence in traveling from said starting reels to the subsequent stage of operation, said first and second wheels being constructed and arranged so that said first wheel delivers the optical fibres to said second wheel at a linear rate greater than a linear rate of the optical fibres delivered from the second wheel to said subsequent stage to cause differences in tension in the plurality of optical fibres to be first eliminated and then the tension in the plurality of optical fibres is equalized to said Predetermined value.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.