US4242118A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical fiber manufacture
Assignee: STC PLC
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Filing: 1979-04-27
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Granted: 1980-12-30
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Expires: 1999-04-27
Abstract
Abstract A method for making an optical fiber solid rod preform wherein a vapor reaction deposit process is used to form a localized deposit on an end face of a rod or disc by relative movement in which the position of the localized deposit is scanned over the end face of the solid rod or disc and at the same time the reaction is progressively changed to cause the deposit building up on the end face to have a radially graded refractive index profile.
Inventors
- 👤 John Irven
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 17:51
CPC Classifications
C; C03; C03B; C03B37/00; C03B37/01; C03B37/012; C03B37/014; C03B37/01413; C03B37/0142; C03B37/01426; C03B37/0148; C03B2203/00; C03B2203/10; C03B2203/22; C03B2203/26; C03B2207/00; C03B2207/50; C03B2207/54; C03B2207/60; C03B2207/66
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
79 words
A method of manufacturing an optical fiber solid rod preform comprising the steps of: forming a localized deposit upon the end face of a rod by a vapor reaction deposition process; scanning the position of the localized deposit over the end face of said rod by means of relative movement; and progressively changing the reaction at the same time so as to cause the deposit building up on the end face to have a radially graded refractive index profile.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
79 words
A method of manufacturing an optical fiber solid rod preform comprising the steps of: forming a localized deposit upon the end face of a rod by a vapor reaction deposition process; scanning the position of the localized deposit over the end face of said rod by means of relative movement; and progressively changing the reaction at the same time so as to cause the deposit building up on the end face to have a radially graded refractive index profile.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rod is rotated about its axis during the deposition.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rod is withdrawn axially at a rate matching the growth rate of material upon its end face.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the deposit is formed by flame hydrolysis.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the deposit is formed by a reaction from which hydrogen or hydrogen containing compounds are excluded.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the deposit is formed by a plasma flame reaction.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method as claimed in claim 1, 2, 3, 5 or 6 wherein the deposit is initially formed in a non-vitreous form which is later vitrified.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method as claimed in claim 1, 2, 3, 5 or 6 wherein vitrifications is performed concurrently with the deposition.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method as claimed in claim 1, 2, 3, 5 or 6 wherein the deposit is formed in non-vitreous form by first means scanned over said end face and wherein a second means scanned with said first means is employed to vitrify the deposit left by the scanning of said first means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method as claimed in claim 1, 2, 3 or 5 wherein the deposit is formed by a plasma flame reaction operated under conditions which cause the deposit to be formed by a heterogeneous surface nucleation reaction.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method as claimed in claim 10 wherein the plasma flame reaction is operated at a pressure within range 1 to 50 torr.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method as claimed in claim 1, 2, 3, 5 or 6 wherein silica is deposited doped with one or more oxides of germanium, phosphorus and boron.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method of making an optical fiber wherein an optical fiber perform is made by the method claimed in claim 1, 2, 3, 5 or 6 comprising the step of: drawing concurrently with its manufacture said preform into fiber.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
An optical fiber preform made by the method claimed in claim 1, 2, 3, 5 or 6.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
29 words
An optical fiber made by the method claimed in claim 1, 2, 3, 5 or 6 comprising the step of: drawing concurrently with its manufacture said preform into fibre.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
An optical fiber made from a preform made by the method claimed in claim 1, 2, 3, 5 or 6.
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) | 1983-12-30 | 1984-06-30 | 1984-12-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-12-30 | 1988-06-30 | 1988-12-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-12-30 | 1992-06-30 | 1992-12-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |