Hybrid manufacturing process for optical fibers
US7003984B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 30, 2002 |
| Grant date | Feb 28, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 17, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S65/09
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A hybrid method of and apparatus for producing a structure capable of being drawn into an optical fiber. The method includes the steps of conducting vapor-phase reactants into an interior region of a glass tube, conducting aerosol form reactants into the interior of the glass tube. The tube is exposed to a heat, thereby causing a reaction among the vapor-phase and aerosol reactants. The reaction yields a product, in a solid form, within the tube. The apparatus includes a reaction tube, a vapor-phase reactant conduit, an aerosol-form conduit, and a heat source. The vapor-phase and aerosol-form reactant conduits facilitate introduction of vapor-phase and aerosol-form reactants into the reaction tube. The aerosol-form reactants are introduced proximate to a reaction zone created by the heat source. The aerosol-form reactants conduit and heat source travel the axial length of the reaction tube.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.