Multi-electrode system with vibrating electrodes

US8721196B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• 3SAE TECHNOLOGIES, INC. · US

Inventors

• Robert G. Wiley · Frankfort, US
• Brett Clark · Whites Creek, US
• Jared C. Meitzler · Spring Hill, US
• Clyde J. Troutman · Spring Hill, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 18, 2011
• Grant date: May 13, 2014
• Expiry date: Aug 13, 2031

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G02B6/262
• WIPO field: Optics
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A multi-electrode system includes a fiber holder that holds at least one optical fiber, a plurality of electrodes arranged to generate a heated field to heat the at least one optical fiber, and a vibration mechanism that causes at least one of the electrodes from the plurality of electrodes to vibrate. The electrodes can be disposed in at least a partial vacuum. The system can be used for processing many types of fibers, such processing including, as examples, stripping, splicing, annealing, tapering, and so on. Corresponding fiber processing methods are also provided.