Abstract Producing bundles of optical fiber by winding successive layers of the fiber in the same spiral direction on winding apparatus. The apparatus includes a main winding drum over which a second coaxially aligned hollow drum of larger diameter is moveable along the common axis of the drums. A motor-driven lead screw coupled to the hollow drum is actuable to move the hollow drum back and forth along the winding surface of the main drum from one end to the other thereof while both drums are rotated by a common drive shaft. With the hollow drum positioned at one end of the main drum, the fiber is wound from the opposite end of the main drum along its surface up to and onto the hollow drum. Without interruption of the winding process, the fiber is returned to the beginning of the winding surface of the main drum by moving the hollow drum up to the starting point of the first winding. The hollow drum is then retracted causing the fiber to engage the first fiber winding on the main drum and continue therealong in the same spiral direction. A guide roller moved back and forth parallel to the common axis of the drums controls the pitch of spiral winding.
Optical fiber winding apparatus comprising: a main winding drum; a rotatable drive shaft upon which said main drum is mounted for rotation with the drive shaft about its axis; a second hollow winding drum mounted on said drive shaft coaxially with said main drum, said second drum being diametrically larger than said main drum for movement over said main drum along said drive shaft; a number of sleeves coupling said second drum to said drive shaft for rotation herewith, said sleeves being Slideable along said drive shaft as a unit with said second drum; means for moving said sleeves and second drum back and forth along said drive shaft; means for rotating said drive shaft simultaneously with said sliding movement of said sleeves and hollow drum; and a guide roller about which an optical fiber may be directed for winding upon said main and second drums, said guide roller being moveable back and forth along the lengths of said drums in directions parallel to the lengths of said drums.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
169 words
Optical fiber winding apparatus comprising: a main winding drum; a rotatable drive shaft upon which said main drum is mounted for rotation with the drive shaft about its axis; a second hollow winding drum mounted on said drive shaft coaxially with said main drum, said second drum being diametrically larger than said main drum for movement over said main drum along said drive shaft; a number of sleeves coupling said second drum to said drive shaft for rotation herewith, said sleeves being Slideable along said drive shaft as a unit with said second drum; means for moving said sleeves and second drum back and forth along said drive shaft; means for rotating said drive shaft simultaneously with said sliding movement of said sleeves and hollow drum; and a guide roller about which an optical fiber may be directed for winding upon said main and second drums, said guide roller being moveable back and forth along the lengths of said drums in directions parallel to the lengths of said drums.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
An optical fiber-winding apparatus according to claim 1 including cushions on said main drum over which said optical fiber may be directed for winding upon said main drum.