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US 6,251,311 B1Granted
Optical fibers and processes and apparatus for making the same
AssigneeLumenyte International Corporation
InventorsJames R. Zarian, Scott D. Dill
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A large core polymeric optical fiber having improved light transmitting characteristics includes a cladding filled with a light transmitting core. The core is formed during a polymerization reaction within the cladding in which the pressure internal to the cladding is greater than the pressure external to the cladding to form a pressure differential supported by the cladding.
Claims2
A method for preparing a large core polymeric optical fiber in a vessel comprising the steps of:
- filling a cladding with a monomer mixture;
- and
- simultaneously polymerizing said monomer mixture to form a light transmitting core, pressurizing the monomer mixture to an internal pressure and pressurizing the cladding external surface to an external pressure;
- said external pressure being less than said internal pressure, whereby said internal and external pressures are increased progressively over time until desired pressure values are reached for each while maintaining a pressure difference between the internal and the external pressure within a desired range.
1 more element
A large core polymeric optical fiber production vessel comprising:
- a reaction vessel having an open end;
- a closing hatch adapted to seal the open end;
- a manifold positioned inside of the vessel adjacent the hatch, having a gas inlet tube adapted for connection to a gaseous pressure source, extending through the hatch and having at least one tubular outlet;
- at least two fittings adapted for connection to open ends of one or more cladding assemblies;
- and
- means to apply and regulate progressively over time pressure inside said reaction vessel and pressure inside said manifold and to maintain within a desired range a difference between the internal and external pressures applied to said cladding assemblies.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.