Optical fiber entry strain relief interface for compression-molded structures
US5604836A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 11, 1995 |
| Grant date | Feb 18, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 11, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/3644
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An optical fiber entry strain relief interface includes a composite structure (lay-up) 10 having an optical fiber 20 embedded therein. The optical fiber 20 enters (or exits) the lay-up 10 at at least one point 24 and passes through transition layers 47 comprising an adhesive film 42, a thin rubber sealing layer 44, and a thick rubber strain relief layer 46, and through a polymer plug 48 located above the layer 46. The lay-up is consolidated by heating the lay-up over a temperature profile and applying pressure through mostly closed compression molding tools 30,32. The adhesive film 42 bonds the adjacent layer 44 to the upper surface of the lay-up 10, the sealing layer 44 becomes soft enough to seal around the fiber 20 at a temperature lower than the temperature at which the resin 16 exhibits a low enough viscosity to leak out of the lay-up 10, thereby preventing the resin from leaking out of the lay-up 10 during lay-up consolidation, the strain relief layer 46 provides a rubber strain relief for the optical fiber 20, and the plug 48 supports the layers 47 during consolidation.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.