US4600422A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for making and coating optical fibres
Assignee: STC PLC
•
Filing: 1985-03-25
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Granted: 1986-07-15
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Expires: 2005-03-25
Abstract
Abstract Infrared optical fibres are provided with hermetic coatings (6) by decomposition or reaction of volatile compounds of the coating material at the surface of the fibre. Materials having melting points greater than the fibre's glass transition temperatures may thus be applied at temperatures lower than the glass transition temperatures. The fibre (1) may be sufficiently hot from a preceding fibre formation (2,3) process in line with the coating process to enable the decomposition or reaction, or additional heating of the fibre by radiation may be necessary in the reaction chamber (7).
Inventors
- 👤 Michael G. Scott
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 14:38
CPC Classifications
C; C03; C03C; C03C25/00; C03C25/10; C03C25/12; C03C25/22; C03C25/223; C03C25/104; C03C25/106; C03C25/1061; C03C25/1063
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
123 words
A method of manufacturing a metallic coated infrared optical fibre, the metal having a melting point greater than the glass transition temperature of the fibre material, the fibre including a core of infrared transmitting glass and a cladding of infrared transmitting glass, including the steps of fabricating the core/cladding structure of the fibre by a method including the application of heat and drawing, and in-line with the fibre fabrication causing, at the surface of the fibre whilst it is still hot from the fabrication thereof, the decomposition or reaction of a volatile compound of the metal, whereby to provide a hermetic coating on the surface of the fibre, which decomposition or reaction takes place at a temperature lower than the glass transition temperature.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
123 words
A method of manufacturing a metallic coated infrared optical fibre, the metal having a melting point greater than the glass transition temperature of the fibre material, the fibre including a core of infrared transmitting glass and a cladding of infrared transmitting glass, including the steps of fabricating the core/cladding structure of the fibre by a method including the application of heat and drawing, and in-line with the fibre fabrication causing, at the surface of the fibre whilst it is still hot from the fabrication thereof, the decomposition or reaction of a volatile compound of the metal, whereby to provide a hermetic coating on the surface of the fibre, which decomposition or reaction takes place at a temperature lower than the glass transition temperature.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the infrared fibre is fabricated by drawing from a preform and including the step of maintaining the freshly drawn fibre in an inert atmosphere prior to the decomposition or reaction step.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the heat retained in the fibre following the fabrication process is sufficient to cause said decomposition or reaction.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, further including the step of providing the fibre with additional heat by radiation whereby to raise it to a temperature sufficient to cause said decomposition or reaction.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, including the step of coating the fibre provided with the hermetic coating with a polymeric coating.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hermetic coating is of cobalt and provided by the decomposition of cobalt acetyl acetonate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hermetic coating is of nickel and provided by the decomposition of nickel carbonyl.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hermetic coating is of aluminium and provided by the decomposition of tri-isobutyl aluminium.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-07-14 | 1990-01-13 | 1990-07-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-07-14 | 1994-01-13 | 1994-07-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-07-14 | 1998-01-13 | 1998-07-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |