US4017288A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for making optical fibers with helical gradations in composition
Assignee: AT&T Inc
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Filing: 1975-12-15
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Granted: 1977-04-12
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Expires: 1995-12-15
Abstract
Abstract This application discloses a technique for producing optical fibers with longitudinal variations in index of refraction. The deposition apparatus is arranged to allow for the formation of an intertwined double helix of two different materials. The technique does not require imposing any time dependent conditions on the fabrication apparatus.
Inventors
- 👤 William George French
- 👤 John Burnette MacChesney
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 00:18
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/02; C; C03; C03B; C03B37/00; C03B37/01; C03B37/012; C03B37/014; C03B37/01413; C03B37/0142; C03C; C03C13/00; C03C13/001; C03C13/04; C03B2203/00; C03B2203/10; C03B2203/18; C03B2203/20; C03B2203/32; C03B2203/36; C03B2207/00; C03B2207/04; C03B2207/06; C03B2207/20; C03B2207/50; C03B2207/60; G02B6/02057; G02B6/02076; G02B6/0208; G02B6/02085; G02B2006/0209; G02B6/028; G02B6/0288
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
127 words
In a method of producing optical fibers with longitudinal gradations in index of refraction comprising: rotating a substantially flat starting member about an axis perpendicular to the flat face of the said member; forming thermochemically at least two different materials capable of being consolidated into a glass of optical loss less than 50 db/km and having two different indices of refraction; depositing axially the material on the starting member; consolidating the structure so formed into a unitary glass body; and drawing the consolidated structure into an optical fiber the improvement comprising forming the said materials into at least two different streams of different composition; and depositing the material by directing each of the material streams onto the starting member to positions differing from each other in azimuth.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
127 words
In a method of producing optical fibers with longitudinal gradations in index of refraction comprising: rotating a substantially flat starting member about an axis perpendicular to the flat face of the said member; forming thermochemically at least two different materials capable of being consolidated into a glass of optical loss less than 50 db/km and having two different indices of refraction; depositing axially the material on the starting member; consolidating the structure so formed into a unitary glass body; and drawing the consolidated structure into an optical fiber the improvement comprising forming the said materials into at least two different streams of different composition; and depositing the material by directing each of the material streams onto the starting member to positions differing from each other in azimuth.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the materials are thermochemically formed using at least two flame hydrolysis burners.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the materials are capable of being consolidated into a glass of optical loss less than 4 db/km.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the composition of at least one of the material streams is varied in time.
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) | 1980-04-11 | 1980-10-11 | 1981-04-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-04-11 | 1984-10-11 | 1985-04-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-04-11 | 1988-10-11 | 1989-04-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |