Penetration assembly for bringing an optical fiber cable through a vessel wall
US4553812A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 3, 1983 |
| Grant date | Nov 19, 1985 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 3, 2003 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/4428
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A penetration assembly for an optical fiber cable includes a pair of axially-aligned cylindrical sleeves surrounding an optical fiber cable. An air-tight seal is formed between the optical fiber cable and the sleeves by means of glass connectors connected to the optical fiber cable and flexible metal connectors connected between the glass connectors and the inside of the sleeves. Each glass connector comprises a plurality of cylindrical sections each having a different coefficient of thermal expansion having a value between that of the optical fiber cable and that of the flexible metal connector. The coefficient of thermal expansion of the glass connector changes in a step-wise manner from the section connected to the optical fiber cable to the section connected to the flexible metal connector. This step-wise change in coefficient of thermal expansion reduces the thermal stresses exerted on each section and prevents cracks due to thermal stress, a common problem with the resinous materials presently used to form air-tight seals in penetration assemblies. Since the air-tight seal between the optical fiber cable and the sleeves is formed from glass and metal, it is more resistant to …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.