US4958905A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for forming high strength splices in optical fibers
Assignee: VYTRAN LLC
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Filing: 1989-06-19
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Granted: 1990-09-25
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Expires: 2009-06-19
Abstract
Abstract High strength optical fiber splices are obtained using an inert flowing gas to remove frit and discoloration produced during a fusing process. The fibers being spliced are protected from chemical and particulate contamination by preventing such contaminants from coming into contact with the exposed fiber ends as can occur when the fiber end is place into a solvent to soften the jacket prior to stripping. Finally, a post fusion heat treating step is added after the fibers have been spliced to remove any surface damage that may have been produced.
Inventors
- 👤 Arthur R. Tynes
- 👤 Eric W. Mies
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 07:02
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/255; G02B6/2558; G02B6/245; G02B6/2551; G02B6/36; G02B6/3616; G02B6/362; G02B6/3628; G02B6/3632; G02B6/3636
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
111 words
A method for splicing a pair of silicon based optical fibers comprising the steps of: holding an end of each of two optical fibers to be spliced in a corresponding one of a pair of longitudinally-spaced coaxially-aligned grooves formed in a heat treating holder; coaxially aligning the ends of said fibers held in the heat treating holder; heating said fiber ends situated in a region between said grooves in said heat treating holder to a temperature sufficiently high to fuse said fibers together; and directing, simultaneously with said heating, a flowing non-reactive or inert gas through said region over the ends of the fibers in order to remove evaporated silicon therefrom.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
111 words
A method for splicing a pair of silicon based optical fibers comprising the steps of: holding an end of each of two optical fibers to be spliced in a corresponding one of a pair of longitudinally-spaced coaxially-aligned grooves formed in a heat treating holder; coaxially aligning the ends of said fibers held in the heat treating holder; heating said fiber ends situated in a region between said grooves in said heat treating holder to a temperature sufficiently high to fuse said fibers together; and directing, simultaneously with said heating, a flowing non-reactive or inert gas through said region over the ends of the fibers in order to remove evaporated silicon therefrom.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein heat for fusing said fibers is produced by an electrically heated conductive filament.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said fibers are surrounded by an outer jacket; and wherein said method further comprises the steps of: soaking a length of said fibers in a solvent to soften said jacket; and stripping off said softened jacket prior to the fusing of said fibers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 3 further comprising the step of preventing said solvent from coming into contact with an exposed fiber-jacket interface at the end of each of said fibers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 4 further comprising the step of applying a sealant to an end of said fiber-jacket interface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the exposed fiber-jacket interface is not immersed in said solvent.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 2 further comprising the step of heat treating the fibers following the fusing step.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
76 words
A splicer for use with silicon based optical fibers comprising: a heat treating holder having at least one pair of longitudinally-spaced, coaxially-aligned grooves for receiving ends of optical fibers to be spliced; means for heating the ends of the fibers situated in the region formed by a space between said grooves; and means for directing a flowing non-reactive or inert gas through said region and over the ends of said fibers to remove evaporated silicon therefrom.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
76 words
A splicer for use with silicon based optical fibers comprising: a heat treating holder having at least one pair of longitudinally-spaced, coaxially-aligned grooves for receiving ends of optical fibers to be spliced; means for heating the ends of the fibers situated in the region formed by a space between said grooves; and means for directing a flowing non-reactive or inert gas through said region and over the ends of said fibers to remove evaporated silicon therefrom.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The splicer according to claim 8 wherein the heating means comprises an electric filament heater.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The splicer according to claim 9 wherein said grooves are embedded in graphite, PTFE or another non-abrasive material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The splicer according to claim 10 wherein said filament heater is shaped in the form of an open loop.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The splicer according to claim 9 wherein said holder has a plurality of pairs of V-grooves.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
74 words
Apparatus for imparting a post fusion heat treatment to an optical fiber comprising: a pair of spaced holders for holding said fiber; means, disposed between said holders, for heating said fiber; means for causing a gas to blow over said heated fiber simultaneously while said fiber is being heated; and means for providing relative motion between said fiber and said heating means and said causing means and in a direction oriented along said fiber.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
74 words
Apparatus for imparting a post fusion heat treatment to an optical fiber comprising: a pair of spaced holders for holding said fiber; means, disposed between said holders, for heating said fiber; means for causing a gas to blow over said heated fiber simultaneously while said fiber is being heated; and means for providing relative motion between said fiber and said heating means and said causing means and in a direction oriented along said fiber.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus in claim 13 wherein the heating means comprises a filament heater.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus in accordance with claim 14 wherein said holders contain at least one groove for holding said fiber.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus according to claim 15 wherein said groove is embedded in graphite, PTFE or another non-abrasive material.
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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) | 1993-09-24 | 1994-03-26 | 1994-09-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-09-24 | 1998-03-26 | 1998-09-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-09-24 | 2002-03-26 | 2002-09-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |