US4608273A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical fibres
Assignee: STC PLC
•
Filing: 1985-07-03
•
Granted: 1986-08-26
•
Expires: 2005-07-03
Abstract
Abstract An optical fibre (1) is provided with a coating (2) which varies in thickness along its length, for use, for example, in optical fibre sensor systems, by applying layer of liquid coating material, and permitting surface tension to cause beading of the coating on the fibre before curing the coating material whereby to maintain the beaded structure.
Inventors
- 👤 Roger J. Brambley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 13:51
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/10; G02B6/14; C; C03; C03C; C03C25/00; C03C25/10; C03C25/12; G01; G01D; G01D5/00; G01D5/26; G01D5/32; G01D5/34; G01D5/353; G01D5/35338; G01D5/35341; G01D5/35345; G01D5/3537; G01D5/35377; G01D5/3538
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
98 words
A method of providing an optical fibre with a coating which varies in thickness along the length of the optical fibre, including steps of applying a first coating layer to the optical fibre, subsequently applying a layer of a liquid coating material to said first coating layer on the optical fibre, permitting the liquid coating material to form into beads on said first coating layer on the optical fibre and curing the coating material whereby to maintain the beaded structure, said first coating layer serving to ensure the presence of a minimum coating thickness on the optical fibre.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
98 words
A method of providing an optical fibre with a coating which varies in thickness along the length of the optical fibre, including steps of applying a first coating layer to the optical fibre, subsequently applying a layer of a liquid coating material to said first coating layer on the optical fibre, permitting the liquid coating material to form into beads on said first coating layer on the optical fibre and curing the coating material whereby to maintain the beaded structure, said first coating layer serving to ensure the presence of a minimum coating thickness on the optical fibre.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first coating layer is of a uniform thickness.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said liquid coating material comprises a thermally cured polymeric material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the optical fibre is a single mode fibre.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said liquid coating material comprises a UV light cured polymeric material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the optical fibre is a multimode fibre.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3888645A
Cited
US4211591A
Cited
US4277272A
Cited
US4311726A
Cited
US4264649A
Cited
US4532160A
Cited
US4488773A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-08-25 | 1990-02-24 | 1990-08-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-08-25 | 1994-02-24 | 1994-08-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-08-25 | 1998-02-24 | 1998-08-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |