Method and apparatus for curing a fiber having at least two fiber coating curing stages
US7322122B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 1, 2002 |
| Grant date | Jan 29, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 24, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB29L2011/0075
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for curing a coated fiber, comprising either two fiber coating curing stages separated by a cooling stage, or two fiber coating curing stages separated by a distinct time interval, or both. One of the two fiber coating curing stages responds to the coated fiber, and provides a partially cured fiber coating. The other of the two fiber coating curing stages responds to the partially cured coated fiber for further curing the coating of the fiber. In one embodiment of the invention, a cooling stage is placed between the two curing stages, while in the other the curing stages are placed a set distance apart such that polymerization of the coating initiated by the first curing stage has time to complete prior to the coating being irradiated by the second curing stage. The cooling stage is used to actively remove heat generated during the cure process from the fiber coating, while the time delay is used to allow complete polymerization to occur before subsequent irradiations. These embodiments of the present invention can be used separately or in combination to achieve optimal fiber coating cure.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.