Systems and methods for fabricating low-loss, high-strength optical fiber transmission lines
US6899470B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 17, 2002 |
| Grant date | May 31, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 30, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF23D14/40
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Systems and techniques are described for fabricating a low-loss, high-strength optical transmission line. In one described technique, a first fiber is spliced to a second fiber at a splice point. The spliced fibers are loaded into a heat treatment station, where a gas torch flame is used to thermally treat a splice region including the splice point, with the thermal treatment reducing splice loss between the first and second fibers. While heating the splice region, a dry gas is purged around the torch flame during the heat treatment process to avoid water at the surface of the spliced fibers. According to further described techniques, a purging gas is fed to the torch flame to purge dust particles from the flame, and after the heat treatment has been completed, the torch flame is used to restore the glass surface of the spliced fibers. Additionally described are torch assemblies for fabricating low-loss, high-strength optical fiber transmission lines.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.