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Method of producing optical-fiber coupler

Assignee: Sumiden Opcom Ltd
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Filing: 1992-02-18
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Granted: 1993-01-05
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Expires: 2012-02-18
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Abstract

Abstract The invention provides a method for producing an optical-fiber coupler with a preset branching ratio. The present invention relates to a method in which part of a plurality of optical fibers are made to closely contact with each other so as to form a coupler. The coupler is heated to thereby obtain a predetermined branching ratio; the flow rate of a gas to be supplied to a heat source is increased/decreased by a quantity proportional to a difference between the drawing speed and a preset drawing speed while predetermined tension is applied to the optical fibers.

Inventors

  • 👤 Hiroshi Suganuma
  • 👤 Hiroaki Takimoto
  • 👤 Hiroshi Yokota
  • 👤 Kazuhiko Arimoto

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-08 08:16
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/26; G02B6/28; G02B6/2804; G02B6/2821; G02B6/2835

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim 96 words
A method of producing an optical-fiber coupler comprising the steps of: contacting a plurality of optical fibers to form a coupler forming portion; heating the coupler forming portion with a flaming gas from a heat source; drawing the optical fibers at a drawing speed under constant tension; measuring the branching ratio of said coupler continuously during said drawing; measuring said drawing speed; and regulating the quantity of said flaming gas proportional to the difference between said drawing speed and a preset drawing speed, wherein said preset drawing speed is made a function of said branching ratio.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 96 words
A method of producing an optical-fiber coupler comprising the steps of: contacting a plurality of optical fibers to form a coupler forming portion; heating the coupler forming portion with a flaming gas from a heat source; drawing the optical fibers at a drawing speed under constant tension; measuring the branching ratio of said coupler continuously during said drawing; measuring said drawing speed; and regulating the quantity of said flaming gas proportional to the difference between said drawing speed and a preset drawing speed, wherein said preset drawing speed is made a function of said branching ratio.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 32 words
The method of producing an optical-fiber coupler according to claim 1, wherein said function is calculated so that said drawing speed approaches zero as said branching ratio approaches a final target value.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 36 words
The method of producing an optical-fiber coupler according to claim 1, wherein said heating step comprises the step of heating with a plurality of gas ejection outlets arranged along the axial direction of said optical fibers.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3847579A Cited
US4682994A Cited
US4765816A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1996-01-05 1996-07-06 1997-01-05 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2000-01-05 2000-07-06 2001-01-05 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2004-01-05 2004-07-06 2005-01-05 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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