Method and apparatus for removing polymeric coatings from optical fiber in a non-oxidizing environment
OwnerRobert F. Swain, Andrew D. Yabloninventors
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Abstract
In accordance with the invention, the polymeric coating is removed from a coated optical fiber by disposing the fiber within a non-oxidizing environment and applying sufficient heat to volatilize at least a portion of the polymeric coating. The result is that the coating material bursts from the fiber, yielding a clean glass surface virtually free of surface flaws. In a preferred embodiment the non-oxidizing environment is inert gas and the heat is provided by resistive filament heaters.
Claims18
A method for removing a coating from a polymeric coated optical fiber comprising the steps of:
- disposing the coated optical fiber within a sealable chamber;
- filling the chamber with non-oxidizing gas;
- and
- exposing the fiber to at least one resistive filament heater heated to a glow temperature in excess of 800° C. to apply to the fiber sufficient heat to cause the coating to burst away from the fiber.
Apparatus for removing a coating from a polymeric coated optical fiber comprising:
- a sealable chamber, comprising a two-part chamber for sealingly engaging together about the coated optical fiber;
- means for filling the chamber with non-oxidizing gas;
- and
- one or more resistive filament heaters heated to a glow temperature in excess of 800° C. for heating the coated fiber along the length of coating to be removed causing the coating to burst away from the fiber.
Apparatus for removing a coating from a polymeric coated optical fiber comprising:
- a sealable chamber;
- means for filling the chamber with non-oxidizing gas;
- and
- one or more heating elements each comprising an open loop resistive filament for heating the coated fiber along a length of coating to be removed.
A method for removing the coating from a polymetric coated optical fiber comprising the steps of:
- disposing the coated optical fiber within a sealable chamber;
- filling the chamber with non-oxidizing gas;
- and
- applying heat from at least one open loop resistive filament to the fiber sufficient to cause at least a portion of the coating to burst away from the fiber.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.