US4540601A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Aluminum oxide optical fiber coating
Assignee: AETNA TELECOMMUNICATIONS LABORATORIES A PARTNERSHIP OF CONNECTICUT
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Filing: 1984-07-31
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Granted: 1985-09-10
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Expires: 2004-07-31
Abstract
Abstract A process whereby an optical fiber is hermetically coated with a layer of aluminum oxide. The fiber is reacted pyrolytically with organo aluminum derivatives or other aluminum compounds, either in the form of vapor or atomized spray, to produce the desired coating. The thickness can be varied by changing reaction parameters. A buffer is also applied to the coated fiber. The end product is a glass fiber impervious to gases and fluids in the environment, especially H 2 O, and one of improved abrasion resistance, hardness and strength.
Inventors
- 👤 Dilip K. Nath
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 16:44
CPC Classifications
C; C03; C03C; C03C25/00; C03C25/10; C03C25/12; C03C25/22; C03C25/223; C03C25/104; C03C25/106; C03C25/1061; C23; C23C; C23C16/00; C23C16/22; C23C16/30; C23C16/40; C23C16/403; G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/02; G02B6/02395; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S359/00; Y10S359/90
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
62 words
A process for providing a coated optical fiber comprising: providing a glass preform of a type adapted to be drawn into an optical fiber; drawing the preform into the dimensions of an optical fiber; and pyrolytically decomposing an aluminum ester or derivative thereof in the presence of said optical fiber immediately after drawing said fiber to form an aluminum oxide coating thereon.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
62 words
A process for providing a coated optical fiber comprising: providing a glass preform of a type adapted to be drawn into an optical fiber; drawing the preform into the dimensions of an optical fiber; and pyrolytically decomposing an aluminum ester or derivative thereof in the presence of said optical fiber immediately after drawing said fiber to form an aluminum oxide coating thereon.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The process of claim 1, wherein the step of pyrolytically decomposing includes providing an H 2 O limited atmosphere in the environment of the drawn fiber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process of claim 2, wherein said step of pyrolytically decomposing includes the step of leading the fiber through a multi-temperature zone reaction chamber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The process of claim 3, further including applying a non-reactive carrier gas to transport said aluminum ester to said drawn optical fiber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 4, further including the step of controlling the feed rate of said carrier gas.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process of claim 5, further including the step of scrubbing said carrier gas prior to the application thereof to said optical fiber.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process of claim 1, performed according to the equation: 2Al(OC.sub.3 H.sub.7).sub.3 →Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 +3C.sub.3 H.sub.6 +3C.sub.3 H.sub.8 O.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process of claim 1, wherein the step of pyrolytically reacting includes pyrolytically decomposing aluminum isopropoxide at a temperature at or near 400° C.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The process of claim 1, wherein the step of pyrolytically reacting includes the step of pyrolytically decomposing aluminum butoxide at a temperature at or near 450° C.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
66 words
An optical fiber having a high purity aluminum oxide coating produced according to the process comprising: providing a glass preform of a type adapted to be drawn into an optical fiber; drawing the preform into the dimensions of an optical fiber; and coating said optical fiber immediately after drawing with a pyrolytically decomposed aluminum ester compound or derivative thereof to form an aluminum oxide coating thereon.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
66 words
An optical fiber having a high purity aluminum oxide coating produced according to the process comprising: providing a glass preform of a type adapted to be drawn into an optical fiber; drawing the preform into the dimensions of an optical fiber; and coating said optical fiber immediately after drawing with a pyrolytically decomposed aluminum ester compound or derivative thereof to form an aluminum oxide coating thereon.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The product of claim 10, wherein the process includes the step of limiting H 2 O in the environment of the drawn fiber coating.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The product of claim 11, wherein the process includes the step of leading the fiber through a multi-temperature zone reaction chamber.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
The product of claim 12, wherein the process includes the step of applying a non-reactive carrier gas to transport said aluminum ester to said drawn optical fiber.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The product of claim 13, wherein the process includes the step of controlling the feed rate of said carrier gas.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
The product of claim 14, wherein the process includes the step of scrubbing said carrier gas prior to the application thereof to said optical fiber.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
28 words
The product of claim 10, wherein the process includes the step of performing the process according to the equation: 2Al(OC.sub.3 H.sub.7).sub.3 →Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 +3C.sub.3 H.sub.6 +3C.sub.3 H.sub.8 O.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
28 words
The product of claim 10, wherein the process includes the step of pyrolytically decomposing aluminum isopropoxide in a reaction chamber having a temperature at or near 400° C.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
28 words
The product of claim 10, wherein the process includes the step of pyrolytically decomposing aluminum butoxide in a reaction chamber at a temperature at or near 450° C.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4465739A
Cited
US4473599A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-09-09 | 1989-03-11 | 1989-09-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-09-09 | 1993-03-11 | 1993-09-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-09-09 | 1997-03-11 | 1997-09-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |