Disposable optical fiber splice sleeve and method for applying same
US6485199B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 13, 2000 |
| Grant date | Nov 26, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 13, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/255
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A recoating splice sleeve is provided to protect fused or jointed optical fibers, at and adjacent their point of fusion, against environmental damage and to restore adequate strength at the splice after the fusion. The recoating splice sleeve includes an inner tube, and an outer tube having a portion with diminished structure integrity such that the portion is easily broken to facilitate removal of the outer tube. The inner tube is made of a fiber recoating material. The splice sleeve is positioned over the point of fusion of the fibers. The splice sleeve, together with the fused optical fibers, are heated in order to melt the fiber recoating material around the fused fibers. Once the fiber recoating material of the inner tube has cured around the fused fibers, the outer tube is separated along a tube separation assist feature such as a portion having diminished structural integrity, removed and discarded.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.