US4659355A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Processes of manufacture of fluoride glass fibers and optical components
Assignee: LE VERRE FLUORE SA ZI DU CHAMP MARTIN VERN-SUR SEICHE 35230 SAINT ERBLON
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Filing: 1985-05-01
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Granted: 1987-04-21
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Expires: 2005-05-01
Abstract
Abstract A process for manufacturing optical fibers and components from bars or molds of fluoride glass draws out optical quality molds from highly pure glass. The glass is stretched or fibered into optical fibers in a dry atmosphere free of dust, organic, metallic or mineral vapors. The process leads to a low hydroxyl content fluoride glass which is used in the manufacture of optical fibers and components. The dehydration of the fluoride mixture occurs during the steps of prolonged heating at under 450° C. in the presence of fluoride or ammoniumbifluoride, and of holding the molten mixture at a high temperature until dehydration occurs. The drawing out, stretching, and fibering are carried out in a vacuum.
Inventors
- 👤 Gwenael Maze
- 👤 Vincent Cardin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 06:59
CPC Classifications
C; C03; C03B; C03B37/00; C03B37/01; C03B37/012; C03B37/01205; C03B37/01225; C03B37/0124; C03B37/01245; C03B19/00; C03B19/04; C03B37/01211; C03B37/01265; C03B37/01268; C03B37/01271; C03B37/01274; C03B37/02; C03B37/025; C03B37/027; C03B37/028; C03C; C03C13/00; C03C13/04; C03C13/041; C03C13/042; C03B2201/00; C03B2201/80; C03B2201/82; C03B2205/00; C03B2205/08; C03B2205/09; Y; Y02; Y02P; Y02P40/00; Y02P40/50; Y02P40/57; Y10; Y10S; Y10S65/00; Y10S65/15; Y10S65/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
75 words
A process to manufacture optical fibers and components from bars or molds of fluoride glass consisting in the drawing out of optical quality molds from highly pure fluoride glass and the stretching or the fibering of said molds into optical fibers characterized in that these operations on PG,27 fluoride glass are carried out in a dry atmosphere free of dust, organic, metallic or mineral vapors under high temperatures until dehydration of the fluoride glass occurs.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
75 words
A process to manufacture optical fibers and components from bars or molds of fluoride glass consisting in the drawing out of optical quality molds from highly pure fluoride glass and the stretching or the fibering of said molds into optical fibers characterized in that these operations on PG,27 fluoride glass are carried out in a dry atmosphere free of dust, organic, metallic or mineral vapors under high temperatures until dehydration of the fluoride glass occurs.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
A manufacturing process in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the drawing out operations of the mold and the stretching and fibering are carried out in a vacuum.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
A manufacturing process in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the process of drying out the molds, stretching and fibering are carried out in a helium atmosphere.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
48 words
A process to manufacture fluoride glass optical fibers in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the mold is obtained by pouring sheath glass into a slightly conical revolving mold, then removing the liquid core and pouring at the center of the tube thus forming the core glass.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
A process to manufacture fluoride glass optical fibers in accordance with claim 4, characterized in that the mold is externally corrected and polished in order to keep the same ratio between the core diameter and the sheath diameter over the whole length used for fibering.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
74 words
A process to manufacture fluoride glass optical fibers in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the mold is obtained by pouring the sheath glass in the lower portion of a preheated mold and the core glass its upper portion, then by opening the bottom of the mold such that the core glass is transferred inside the sheath glass tube, by replacing the liquid sheath glass which escaped through the bottom of the mold.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
A process to manufacture fluoride glass optical fibers in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the mold is obtained by simultaneously extruding soft core glass and sheath glass through an orifice of the size of the required
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
A process to manufacture fluoride glass optical fibers and components in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that it is applicable to fluorizoconate, fluorozincate, fluoroaluminate, glass or glass derived from transition metal fluorides, from lanthanides or actinides.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
A process to manufacture glass optical fibers in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the heating system allowing the fibering and stretching consists of a hot gas flow.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
A process to manufacture fluoride glass optical fibers in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the mold or the tube are obtained by contraction of a larger diameter tube.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
68 words
A process to manufacture fluoride glass optical fibers in accordance with claim 10, characterized in that the mold is the fluoride glass tube whose ends are held in chucks that can translate and rotate around the connecting axis, an oven being placed between the chucks and surrounding the tube, the floride glass tube 16 being linearly displaced and turned in front of the oven by the said trunks.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
39 words
A process to manufacture fluoride glass optical fibers in accordance with claim 10, characterized in that the mold is obtained from a tube made by pouring different layers of glass in a cylindrical cone mold rotating about its generator.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
39 words
A process to manufacture fluoride glass optical fibers in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the mold or the tube used to manufacture the mold are obtained by stretching either a tube or a mold of larger diameter.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
A process to manufacture complex structured fluoride glass wave guides in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that it consists of the complex structured bar obtained by surface melting of elementary fibers.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
A process to manufacture fluoride glass optical components, characterized in that they are obtained by stretching, contracting or fibering the components in accordance with claim 14.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
38 words
A process to manufacture complex structured fluoride glass molds, in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that it is made by assembling bars, tubes, molds, fibers, and capillaries, the assembly being obtained by surface fusion of adjacent components.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
137 words
A process for manufacturing optical fibers and components from bars or molds or fluoride glass, said process consisting in drawing out optical quality molds from highly pure fluoride glass and stretching or fibering said molds into optical fibers characterized in that these operations are carried out in a dry atmosphere free of dust, organic, metallic or mineral vapors; said process further being for the preparation of a low hydroxyl content fluoride glass to be used in the manufacturing of optical fibers and components, characterized in that the dehydration of the fluoride mixture to obtain the glass is done by the steps of prolonged heating at under 450° C. in the presence of fluoride or ammoniumbifluoride, and holding the molten mixture at a high temperature until dehydration occurs, these different steps being carried out in an anhydrous atmosphere.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
137 words
A process for manufacturing optical fibers and components from bars or molds or fluoride glass, said process consisting in drawing out optical quality molds from highly pure fluoride glass and stretching or fibering said molds into optical fibers characterized in that these operations are carried out in a dry atmosphere free of dust, organic, metallic or mineral vapors; said process further being for the preparation of a low hydroxyl content fluoride glass to be used in the manufacturing of optical fibers and components, characterized in that the dehydration of the fluoride mixture to obtain the glass is done by the steps of prolonged heating at under 450° C. in the presence of fluoride or ammoniumbifluoride, and holding the molten mixture at a high temperature until dehydration occurs, these different steps being carried out in an anhydrous atmosphere.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
29 words
A process to obtain low hydroxyl content fluoride glass in accordance with claim 17, characterized in that the dehydration or fluorization stage is carried about under a reduced pressure.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
33 words
A process to obtain low hydroxil content fluoride glass in accordance with claim 17, characterized in that the atmosphere above the material being dehydrated or fluorized contains between 1 and 25% of oxygen.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
89 words
A process to prepare low hydroxyl content fluoride glass from metal oxides, intended to be used in the manufacturing of optical fibers and components in accordance with one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the fluoridation of the oxide is carried out by prolonged heating below 450° C. in the presence of fluoride or ammoniumbofluoride and such that a later refinement stage is carried out by holding the molten mixture at a high temperature until dehydration occurs, these various operations being carried out in an anhydrous atmosphere.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
150 words
A process for manufacturing optical fibers and components from bars or molds of fluoride glass, said process consisting in drawing out optical quality molds from highly pure fluoride glass and stretching or fibering said molds into optical fibers characterized in that these operations are carried out in a dry atmosphere free of dust, organic, metallic or mineral vapors; said process further being for the preparation of a low hydroxyl content fluoride glass to be used in the manufacturing of optical fibers and components, characterized in that the dehydration of the fluoride mixture to obtain the glass is done by the steps of prolonged heating at under 450° C. in the presence of fluoride or ammoniumbifluoride, and holding the molten mixture at a high temperature until dehydration occurs, and further characterized in that the drawing out operations of the mold and the stretching and fibering are carried out in a vacuum.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
150 words
A process for manufacturing optical fibers and components from bars or molds of fluoride glass, said process consisting in drawing out optical quality molds from highly pure fluoride glass and stretching or fibering said molds into optical fibers characterized in that these operations are carried out in a dry atmosphere free of dust, organic, metallic or mineral vapors; said process further being for the preparation of a low hydroxyl content fluoride glass to be used in the manufacturing of optical fibers and components, characterized in that the dehydration of the fluoride mixture to obtain the glass is done by the steps of prolonged heating at under 450° C. in the presence of fluoride or ammoniumbifluoride, and holding the molten mixture at a high temperature until dehydration occurs, and further characterized in that the drawing out operations of the mold and the stretching and fibering are carried out in a vacuum.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
149 words
A process for manufacturing optical fibers and components from bars or molds of fluoride glass, said process consisting in drawing out optical quality molds from highly pure fluoride glass and stretching or fibering said molds into optical fibers characterized in that these operations are carried out in a dry atmosphere free of dust, organic, metallic or mineral vapors; said process further being for the preparation of a low hydroxyl content fluoride glass to be used in the manufacturing of optical fibers and components, characterized in that the dehydration of the fluoride mixture to obtain the glass is done by the steps of prolonged heating at under 450° C. in the presence of fluoride or ammoniumbifluoride, and holding the molten mixture at a high temperature until dehydration occurs, and further characterized in that the process of drying out the molds, stretching and fibering are carried out in a helium atmosphere.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
149 words
A process for manufacturing optical fibers and components from bars or molds of fluoride glass, said process consisting in drawing out optical quality molds from highly pure fluoride glass and stretching or fibering said molds into optical fibers characterized in that these operations are carried out in a dry atmosphere free of dust, organic, metallic or mineral vapors; said process further being for the preparation of a low hydroxyl content fluoride glass to be used in the manufacturing of optical fibers and components, characterized in that the dehydration of the fluoride mixture to obtain the glass is done by the steps of prolonged heating at under 450° C. in the presence of fluoride or ammoniumbifluoride, and holding the molten mixture at a high temperature until dehydration occurs, and further characterized in that the process of drying out the molds, stretching and fibering are carried out in a helium atmosphere.
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) | 1990-04-20 | 1990-10-20 | 1991-04-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-04-20 | 1994-10-20 | 1995-04-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-04-20 | 1998-10-20 | 1999-04-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |