US3713729A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process for production of optical fiber bundles
Assignee: Nippon Sheet Glass Co Ltd
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Filing: 1971-08-03
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Granted: 1973-01-30
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Expires: 1991-08-03
Abstract
Abstract A process for producing a bundle of optical fibers aligned in a highly parallel and compact state, which comprises tying a bundle of a number of optical fibers at a small portion in the vicinity of its one end, holding the tied portion and suspending the nontied substantial portion of the bundle vertically with said substantial portion being exposed to air, applying a liquid pressure to the tied end portion of said bundle to allow liquid to flow through the interspaces among the individual fibers from the tied end to the free end of the bundle, and imparting a mechanical vibration to the fiber bundle simultaneously with the application of the liquid pressure, and an apparatus for performing said process.
Inventors
- 👤 T Inoue
- 👤 S Noguchi
- 👤 K Mukai
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 12:01
CPC Classifications
C; C03; C03B; C03B37/00; C03B37/10; C03B37/14; G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/04; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S29/00; Y10S29/046; Y10S65/00; Y10S65/04; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49801; Y10T29/4981; Y10T29/49812
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
138 words
A process for producing a bundle of optical fibers aligned in a highly parallel and compact state, which comprises tying a bundle of a number of optical fibers at a small portion in the vicinity of its one end, holding the tied portion and suspending the non-tied substantial portion of the bundle vertically with said substantial portion being exposed to air, applying a liquid pressure to the tied end portion of said bundle to allow liquid to flow through the interspaces among the individual fibers from the tied end to the free end of the bundle, and while substantially the entire length of the fiber bundle remains suspended in air imparting a mechanical vibration to the fiber bundle simultaneously with the application of the liquid pressure, said mechanical vibration being applied to the tied portion of the bundle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
138 words
A process for producing a bundle of optical fibers aligned in a highly parallel and compact state, which comprises tying a bundle of a number of optical fibers at a small portion in the vicinity of its one end, holding the tied portion and suspending the non-tied substantial portion of the bundle vertically with said substantial portion being exposed to air, applying a liquid pressure to the tied end portion of said bundle to allow liquid to flow through the interspaces among the individual fibers from the tied end to the free end of the bundle, and while substantially the entire length of the fiber bundle remains suspended in air imparting a mechanical vibration to the fiber bundle simultaneously with the application of the liquid pressure, said mechanical vibration being applied to the tied portion of the bundle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
138 words
A process for producing a bundle of optical fibers aligned in a highly parallel and compact state, which comprises tying a bundle of a number of optical fibers at a small portion in the vicinity of its one end, holding the tied portion and suspending the non-tied substantial portion of the bundle vertically with said substantial portion being exposed to air, applying a liquid pressure to the tied end portion of said bundle to allow liquid to flow through the interspaces among the individual fibers from the tied end to the free end of the bundle, and while substantially the entire length of the fiber bundle remains suspended in air imparting a mechanical vibration to the fiber bundle simultaneously with the application of the liquid pressure, said mechanical vibration being applied to the tied portion of the bundle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
138 words
A process for producing a bundle of optical fibers aligned in a highly parallel and compact state, which comprises tying a bundle of a number of optical fibers at a small portion in the vicinity of its one end, holding the tied portion and suspending the non-tied substantial portion of the bundle vertically with said substantial portion being exposed to air, applying a liquid pressure to the tied end portion of said bundle to allow liquid to flow through the interspaces among the individual fibers from the tied end to the free end of the bundle, and while substantially the entire length of the fiber bundle remains suspended in air imparting a mechanical vibration to the fiber bundle simultaneously with the application of the liquid pressure, said mechanical vibration being applied to the tied portion of the bundle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
A process of claim 1 wherein the pressure of the liquid is 0.5 to 5 kg/cm2.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
A process of claim 1, wherein in the early stage of the process, the liquid pressure and the vibration energy are maintained relatively large, and with the passage of time, they are gradually reduced.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
171 words
An apparatus for aligning the individual fibers of a bundle of optical fibers compactly and in parallel to one another, said apparatus comprising a wall element for defining a closed space; holding means connected to said wall element for holding the outer peripheral portion of the upper end of the downward fiber bundle and suspending the unheld substantial portion of the bundle in the vertical direction, said holding means including an opening for exposure of the upper end face of the fiber bundle, and said wall element, said holding means, and the end face of the fiber bundle exposed from the opening together forming the closed space; means for introducing liquid pressure, said means being connected to said wall element and introducing liquid into the closed space whereby the liquid passes downwardly from the exposed end face through the interspace among the individual optical fibers; and vibrating means for imparting vibration to said fiber bundle during the flowing of the liquid, said vibration means being in contact with said holding means.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
171 words
An apparatus for aligning the individual fibers of a bundle of optical fibers compactly and in parallel to one another, said apparatus comprising a wall element for defining a closed space; holding means connected to said wall element for holding the outer peripheral portion of the upper end of the downward fiber bundle and suspending the unheld substantial portion of the bundle in the vertical direction, said holding means including an opening for exposure of the upper end face of the fiber bundle, and said wall element, said holding means, and the end face of the fiber bundle exposed from the opening together forming the closed space; means for introducing liquid pressure, said means being connected to said wall element and introducing liquid into the closed space whereby the liquid passes downwardly from the exposed end face through the interspace among the individual optical fibers; and vibrating means for imparting vibration to said fiber bundle during the flowing of the liquid, said vibration means being in contact with said holding means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-01-30 | 1976-07-31 | 1977-01-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-30 | 1980-07-31 | 1981-01-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-30 | 1984-07-31 | 1985-01-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |