US3901674A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of making optical fiber
Assignee: American Optical Corp
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Filing: 1974-03-22
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Granted: 1975-08-26
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Expires: 1994-03-22
Abstract
Abstract A clad optical fiber having an air space between its core and cladding. The air space allows outgasing of the fiber core and cladding material during fabrication of the fiber and forms an internally reflective interface with the core for transmitting light through the fiber by total internal reflection.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard R Strack
- 👤 Walter P Siegmund
- 👤 Merton L Smith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 21:10
CPC Classifications
C; C03; C03B; C03B37/00; C03B37/01; C03B37/02; C03B37/025; C03B37/027; G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/44; G02B6/4401; G02B6/4402; C03B2203/00; C03B2203/10; C03B2203/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
146 words
THE METHOD OF MAKING A FUSED COMPLETELY CIRCUMFERENTIALLY CLAD LIGHT-CONDUCTING FIBER HAVING CORE AND CLADDING COMPONENTS SPACES APART THROUGHOUT THE MAJOR PORTION OF ITS LENGTH AND CIRCUMFERENCE COMPRISING THE STEPS OF: PLACING A ROD OF RELATIVELY HIGH REFRACTIVE INDEX LIGHTCONDUCTING MATERIAL APPROXIMATELY CENTRALLY WITHIN A SLEEVE OF RELATIVELY LOW REFRACTIVE INDEX MATERIAL HAVING AN INNER TRANSVERSE DIMENSION SUBSTANTIALLY GREATER THAN A CORRESPONDING TRANSVERSE DIMENSION OF SAID CENTRALLY DISPOSED ROD THEREBY LEAVING A SPACE BETWEEN SAID ROD AND SLEEVE CIRCUMFERENTIALLY ABOUT SAID ROD, PLACING A PLURALITY OF LONG AND THIN SPACER MEMBERS LONGITUDINALLY IN SAID SPACE BETWEEN SAID ROD AND SLEEVE IN WIDELY SEPARATED RELATIONSHIP WITH EACH OTHER ABOUT THE CIRCUMFERENCE OF SAID ROD, HEATING ONE END OF THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY OF SAID ROD, SLEEVE AND SPACER MEMBERS TO A FUSING AND DRAWING TEMPERATURE, AND DRAWING SAID ASSEMBLY LONGITUDINALLY TO THE REDUCED CROSSSECTION SIZE OF A FIBER.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
146 words
THE METHOD OF MAKING A FUSED COMPLETELY CIRCUMFERENTIALLY CLAD LIGHT-CONDUCTING FIBER HAVING CORE AND CLADDING COMPONENTS SPACES APART THROUGHOUT THE MAJOR PORTION OF ITS LENGTH AND CIRCUMFERENCE COMPRISING THE STEPS OF: PLACING A ROD OF RELATIVELY HIGH REFRACTIVE INDEX LIGHTCONDUCTING MATERIAL APPROXIMATELY CENTRALLY WITHIN A SLEEVE OF RELATIVELY LOW REFRACTIVE INDEX MATERIAL HAVING AN INNER TRANSVERSE DIMENSION SUBSTANTIALLY GREATER THAN A CORRESPONDING TRANSVERSE DIMENSION OF SAID CENTRALLY DISPOSED ROD THEREBY LEAVING A SPACE BETWEEN SAID ROD AND SLEEVE CIRCUMFERENTIALLY ABOUT SAID ROD, PLACING A PLURALITY OF LONG AND THIN SPACER MEMBERS LONGITUDINALLY IN SAID SPACE BETWEEN SAID ROD AND SLEEVE IN WIDELY SEPARATED RELATIONSHIP WITH EACH OTHER ABOUT THE CIRCUMFERENCE OF SAID ROD, HEATING ONE END OF THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY OF SAID ROD, SLEEVE AND SPACER MEMBERS TO A FUSING AND DRAWING TEMPERATURE, AND DRAWING SAID ASSEMBLY LONGITUDINALLY TO THE REDUCED CROSSSECTION SIZE OF A FIBER.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said rod, sleeve and spacer members are each formed of glass.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method according to claim 1 further including the step of compressing at least one cross-sectional portion of said fiber radially inwardly sufficiently to close and seal said spacing between said core and sleeve.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method according to claim 1 further including the steps of dividing said fiber into a multiplicity of separate lengths and assembling said lengths together in juxtaposed relationship as a bundle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method according to claim 4 further including the step of compressing said bundle radially inwardly throughout one cross-section of its length sufficiently to close and seal all spacings within all fibers of said bundle throughout said one cross-section.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-08-25 | 1979-02-24 | 1979-08-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-08-25 | 1983-02-24 | 1983-08-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-08-25 | 1987-02-24 | 1987-08-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |