Glass manufacturing – Processes – Forming product or preform from molten glass
Patent
1988-08-12
1990-08-14
Kratz, Peter
Glass manufacturing
Processes
Forming product or preform from molten glass
65 33, 65 101, 65 12, C03C 2504
Patent
active
049484060
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The invention relates to a process for covering an optical fiber with a metallic sleeve, particularly an aluminum sleeve.
It is known that it is desirable to protect the optical fibers from corrosion caused by atmospheric agents which gradually impair their light transmission properties and their resistance qualities with respect to mechanical forces. An aluminum sleeve of a thickness of from 10 to 150 .mu.m, preferably deposited by Passing the fiber through melted aluminum which adheres to the fiber and solidifies on contact, constitutes a good protection.
Thus the J-57 106.542 (FURUKAWA) text describes the stripping of optical fibers (for example, by burning their protective organic-resin sleeve) and covering them with aluminum by passing them through a bath of this melted metal.
The J-57 071.840 (FURUKAWA) text describes the covering of optical fibers with metals by means of an extrusion process according to which the covering metal (Al-Cu alloy) is maintained in a semi-melted phase (in which the proportion of the solid phase is 80-90%). In this case, the temperature at which the fiber is put in contact with the melted metal is reduced as much as possible, since this elevation of temperature has a negative influence on its mechanical qualities.
The J-58 074.543 (FUJITSU) text discloses the circulating of an optical fiber in a melted-metal bath (Sn, Al, etc.), with the object of covering it by depositing this type of a metal, the thus covered fiber being instantly cooled by sprinkling with cold water or by a gas current.
The J-58 027.977 (FURUKAWA) document describes the plating of filamentous materials, particularly optical fibers. According to this process, a heatable tube is placed on the surface of a melted-metal bath contained in a double-walled crucible; the metal is heated above its melting point, and the tube is heated to a temperature that is slightly above that of the melted metal; then the filament is circulated in the tube while the pressure is reduced there in order to promote an evaporation in a vacuum. Thick metallic covering layers are obtained by means of this technique.
The J-58 045.133 (FUJITSU) text discloses the depositing of metallic films on optical fibers as soon as they are drawn. The used metals contain Al and Sn. Cu prevents the oxidizing of the metal by acting under the protection of an inert gas, such as nitroqen or arqon. The thus obtained fibers exhibit low losses with respect to the transmission and a high tensile strength.
The J-58 045.134 (FUJITSU) text describes the covering of optical fibers with metals, in which case the used process includes putting the fibers coming out of the drawing furnace in contact with a current of hot gas. This gas current, which is applied to the fibers while the covering metal is still liquid, makes it possible to control the thickness and the uniformity of the covering and results in fibers with low losses with respect to transmission.
The J-59 035.046 (FUJITSU) describes the application of a metallic covering to optical fibers by passing them through a nose piece or nozzle containing melted metal and subjecting it to ultrasonics. This treatment is suitable for freshly drawn fibers and furnishes adhering metallic films which can be welded, which permits the connecting of the fibers among one another.
The J-60 194.041 (SUMITOMO) text teaches the covering of optical fibers with a metallic film by passing them, under a reduced pressure, through melted metal, the temperature of the fiber being lower than or equal to that of the melted metal. After the depositing of the melted metal, the fiber is passed through a wire gauge.
Although the techniques of the prior art permit the solving of a large number of problems concerning the plating of optical fibers with melted metal, certain problems remain nevertheless, or rather, certain suggested solutions are difficult to apply and should be simplified. In particular, the control of plating conditions is always difficult to implement as well as the uniformity of the thickness and the regularity of the
REFERENCES:
patent: 2928716 (1960-03-01), Whitehurst et al.
patent: 4606608 (1986-08-01), Wysocki
patent: 4812150 (1989-03-01), Scott
Chemical Abstracts, vol. 101, Nr. 10-Sep. 1984 (Columbus, Ohio U.S.), see page 301, Abstract 77645a, & JP,A,5952203 (Fujikura Cable Works Ltd.), Mar. 26, 1984.
Patent Abstract of Japan, vol. 10, Nr. 103 (C-340) (2160), Apr. 18, 1986 & JP, A, 6023957 (Shinkou Kousen Kogyo K.K.), Nov. 21, 1985.
Battelle (Memorial Institute)
Kratz Peter
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