US5127929A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process for the manufacturing of optical waveguides with fusion of a sleeving tube onto a mother preform
Assignee: Alcatel Lucent NV
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Filing: 1991-09-12
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Granted: 1992-07-07
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Expires: 2011-09-12
Abstract
Abstract An optical waveguide preform is fabricated by inserting a rod inside a tube and collapsing the tube. The inner diameter of the tube is adjusted before inserting the rod to provide a predetermined gap width between the inner surface of the tube and the outer surface of the rod. The gap width is selected as a function of the cross sectional area of the tube in order to minimize core eccentricity in the finished waveguide.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert Gunther
- 👤 Ulrich Siemers
- 👤 Manfred Wittmann
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 12:43
CPC Classifications
C; C03; C03B; C03B37/00; C03B37/01; C03B37/012; C03B37/01205; C03B37/01225; C03B23/00; C03B23/04; C03B23/07; C03B37/01211; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S65/00; Y10S65/15; Y10S65/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
162 words
A method of manufacturing optical waveguides, comprising the steps of: fabricating a rod-shaped mother preform having a core and a cladding; measuring the outside diameter of the mother preform; obtaining a sleeving tube having an inside diameter and a cross sectional area, said sleeving tube to be shrunk onto the mother preform; depending upon the measured outside diameter of the mother preform, expanding or shrinking said sleeving tube before said mother preform is inserted into said sleeving tube, so that the inside diameter of the sleeving tube is greater than the measured outside, diameter of the mother preform by a predetermined gap width amount, said predetermined gap width amount being selected as a function of said cross sectional area so as to minimize core eccentricity in said optical waveguides; thereafter inserting the mother preform into the sleeving tube; shrinking the sleeving tube onto the mother preform to form a composite preform; and drawing the composite preform thus obtained into the optical waveguide.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
162 words
A method of manufacturing optical waveguides, comprising the steps of: fabricating a rod-shaped mother preform having a core and a cladding; measuring the outside diameter of the mother preform; obtaining a sleeving tube having an inside diameter and a cross sectional area, said sleeving tube to be shrunk onto the mother preform; depending upon the measured outside diameter of the mother preform, expanding or shrinking said sleeving tube before said mother preform is inserted into said sleeving tube, so that the inside diameter of the sleeving tube is greater than the measured outside, diameter of the mother preform by a predetermined gap width amount, said predetermined gap width amount being selected as a function of said cross sectional area so as to minimize core eccentricity in said optical waveguides; thereafter inserting the mother preform into the sleeving tube; shrinking the sleeving tube onto the mother preform to form a composite preform; and drawing the composite preform thus obtained into the optical waveguide.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as described in claim 1, wherein the predetermined gap width amount is selected to minimize core eccentricity in said optical waveguide to less than 0.5 um.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as described in claim 1, wherein the predetermined gap width amount is controlled by the cross-sectional area of the sleeving tube.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
A method as described in claim 1, wherein the predetermined gap width amount is equal to twice the width of an initial gap between the mother preform and the inside of the sleeving tube, and said gap width 15 in the range of 0.6 to 2.5 mm.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method as described in claim 4, wherein the gap width is in the range of 0.6 to 1.5 mm when the sleeving tube is circular and the inner and outer surfaces of the sleeving tube are concentric.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as described in claim 4, wherein the gap width becomes constant after the cross-sectional area of the sleeving tube reaches approximately 1000 mm 2 .
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as described in claim 4, wherein gap widths up to 2.5 mm are used when the sleeving tube is not circular and the inner and outer surfaces are not concentric.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
63 words
A method as described in claim 1, wherein the step of expanding or shrinking a sleeving tube comprises the steps of: rotating the sleeving tube about its longitudinal axis in a glass lathe; moving a heat source along the tube's outside surface; passing a gas through the tube from one side; and blowing an auxiliary gas into the tube from the other side.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method as claimed in claim 8, additionally including the step of controlling the flow rate of the auxiliary gas blown into the tube, so that a given pressure is adjusted in the tube which ensures that the desired expansion or shrinkage takes place.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the gas flowing through the tube comprises constituents which cause the inside surface of the tube to be cleaned and/or etched.
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) | 1995-07-07 | 1996-01-06 | 1996-07-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-07-07 | 2000-01-06 | 2000-07-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-07-07 | 2004-01-06 | 2004-07-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |