US4465708A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Technique for fabricating single mode lightguide soot-forms
Assignee: Furukawa Electric North America Inc
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Filing: 1983-05-31
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Granted: 1984-08-14
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Expires: 2003-05-31
Abstract
Abstract A torch (24) used in the Vapor-phase Axial Deposition (VAD) process to form small diameter cores for single mode lightguide preforms. The torch (24) is comprised of a plurality of concentrically mounted, spaced, glass tubes (62, 63, 64, 65, 66) through which reactants and combustible materials are passed. A tapered shroud (68) is mounted about the end of the torch (24) and a shield gas directed along the inner surface thereof to confine and direct the gases and reactants to the surface of the soot form (12).
Inventors
- 👤 Ronald E. Fanucci
- 👤 Maria J. Yuen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 20:21
CPC Classifications
C; C03; C03B; C03B37/00; C03B37/01; C03B37/012; C03B37/014; C03B37/01413; C03B37/0142; C03B2207/00; C03B2207/04; C03B2207/06; C03B2207/14; C03B2207/20; C03B2207/40; C03B2207/42
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
102 words
A method of forming a core of a single mode lightguide soot-form, comprising the steps of: directing combustible gases and reactants through a plurality of spaced, concentric cylinders; igniting the combustible gases to form a flame to heat the reactants to form a soot stream; forming a tapered shield of gas at the output of the concentric cylinders to confine and direct the soot stream at a starting member to initially deposit the soot-form core thereon; and moving the starting member, with the soot-form core thereon, relative to the soot stream while depositing soot on the core to increase the length thereof.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
102 words
A method of forming a core of a single mode lightguide soot-form, comprising the steps of: directing combustible gases and reactants through a plurality of spaced, concentric cylinders; igniting the combustible gases to form a flame to heat the reactants to form a soot stream; forming a tapered shield of gas at the output of the concentric cylinders to confine and direct the soot stream at a starting member to initially deposit the soot-form core thereon; and moving the starting member, with the soot-form core thereon, relative to the soot stream while depositing soot on the core to increase the length thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method as set forth in claim 1 comprising the step of: directing a stream of soot onto the outer surface of the moving soot-form core to form a cladding about the soot-form core.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method as set forth in claim 2, comprising the steps of: consolidating the soot-form core with the cladding thereon into a non-porous glass billet.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method as set forth in claim 3, comprising the steps of: stretching the billet into an elongated rod; positioning the rod inside a glass tube; and heating the tube, with the rod therein, to form a single mode lightguide preform.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method as set forth in claim 4, comprising: heating the preform to reflow a portion thereof; and drawing a lightguide fiber from the reflow portion.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
114 words
A method of fabricating a single mode lightguide preform, comprising the steps of: (a) directing combustible gases and reactants through a plurality of spaced, concentric cylinders; (b) igniting the combustible gases to form a flame to heat the reactants to form a soot stream; (c) forming a tapered shield of gas at the output of the concentric cylinders to confine and direct the soot stream as a bait rod to fabricate the soot-form; (d) consolidating the soot-form into a clear glass billet; (e) stretching the billet into an elongated rod; (f) positioning the rod inside a glass tube; and (g) heating the tube, with the rod therein, to form the single mode lightguide preform.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
114 words
A method of fabricating a single mode lightguide preform, comprising the steps of: (a) directing combustible gases and reactants through a plurality of spaced, concentric cylinders; (b) igniting the combustible gases to form a flame to heat the reactants to form a soot stream; (c) forming a tapered shield of gas at the output of the concentric cylinders to confine and direct the soot stream as a bait rod to fabricate the soot-form; (d) consolidating the soot-form into a clear glass billet; (e) stretching the billet into an elongated rod; (f) positioning the rod inside a glass tube; and (g) heating the tube, with the rod therein, to form the single mode lightguide preform.
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) | 1987-08-14 | 1988-02-13 | 1988-08-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-08-14 | 1992-02-13 | 1992-08-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-08-14 | 1996-02-13 | 1996-08-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |