US4309201A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of and apparatus for manufacturing optical fibres
Assignee: US Philips Corp
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Filing: 1980-03-19
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Granted: 1982-01-05
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Expires: 2000-03-19
Abstract
Abstract Method of and apparatus for manufacturing optical fibers in which a preform is heated in a furnace which is provided with a graphite heating element and a fiber is drawn from the heated preform. The fiber is subsequently cooled, provided with a coating, and, after drying of the coating, the fiber is wound onto a reel. During drawing of the fiber, the preform and fiber are flushed with a gas. According to the invention the gas with which the fiber is flushed is passed along a condensation element.
Inventors
- 👤 Marius A. F. Klop
- 👤 Wilhelmus C. P. M. Meerman
- 👤 Jan G. J. Peelen
- 👤 Hermanus N. Tuin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 20:50
CPC Classifications
C; C03; C03C; C03C25/00; C03C25/10; C03C25/104; C03C25/106; C03B; C03B37/00; C03B37/01; C03B37/02; C03B37/025; C03B37/027; C03B37/02718; C03B37/029; C03C25/12; C03B2205/00; C03B2205/60; C03B2205/62; C03B2205/63; C03B2205/70; C03B2205/80; C03B2205/82; C03B2205/90; C03B2205/98; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S118/00; Y10S118/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
100 words
A method of manufacturing fibers comprising the steps of: heating an end of a preform in a furnace until the end of the preform becomes melted; drawing a fiber from the melted end of the preform; flushing the melted end of the preform and the fiber with an inert gas; and withdrawing the fiber from the furnace; CHARACTERIZED IN THAT there is also performed the step of condensing contaminants and gaseous reaction products from the inert gas along a condensation element which surrounds the fiber, substantially all condensed contaminants and gaseous reaction products condensing and settling on the condensation element.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
100 words
A method of manufacturing fibers comprising the steps of: heating an end of a preform in a furnace until the end of the preform becomes melted; drawing a fiber from the melted end of the preform; flushing the melted end of the preform and the fiber with an inert gas; and withdrawing the fiber from the furnace; CHARACTERIZED IN THAT there is also performed the step of condensing contaminants and gaseous reaction products from the inert gas along a condensation element which surrounds the fiber, substantially all condensed contaminants and gaseous reaction products condensing and settling on the condensation element.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
86 words
An apparatus for manufacturing fibers comprising: means for holding and feeding a preform; means for heating the preform received from the holding and feeding means, said heating means having an exit opening surrounding the fiber; and means for drawing a fiber from the heated preform; CHARACTERIZED IN THAT the apparatus further comprises means for condensing contaminants and gaseous reaction products, said means being arranged in the exit opening of the heating means, substantially all condensed contaminants and gaseous reaction products condensing and settling on said means.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
86 words
An apparatus for manufacturing fibers comprising: means for holding and feeding a preform; means for heating the preform received from the holding and feeding means, said heating means having an exit opening surrounding the fiber; and means for drawing a fiber from the heated preform; CHARACTERIZED IN THAT the apparatus further comprises means for condensing contaminants and gaseous reaction products, said means being arranged in the exit opening of the heating means, substantially all condensed contaminants and gaseous reaction products condensing and settling on said means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
52 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the heating means comprises a furnace having a heating chamber communicating with the exit opening, and wherein the condensation means comprises a tubular condensation element which surrounds the fiber, said condensation element extending from within the heating chamber to the outside of the furnace.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the heating chamber and the condensation element are arranged on a single axis.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the condensation element is secured in a central bore of a disc-shaped support which is formed with a plurality of outlet ducts and which is arranged in the exit opening of the furnace.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the condensation element is made of quartz glass.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the condensation element is made of platinum.
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) | 1985-01-04 | 1985-07-06 | 1986-01-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-01-04 | 1989-07-06 | 1990-01-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-01-04 | 1993-07-06 | 1994-01-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |