Optical waveguides – Miscellaneous
Patent
1992-03-20
1993-03-02
Gonzalez, Frank
Optical waveguides
Miscellaneous
385 53, 65 1, G02B 636
Patent
active
051916339
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a connector to be used in the production of optical fibre preforms for connecting a process steam and gas supply pipe rotatably to a silica tube to be formed into a preform, comprising a generally cylindrical body part provided with a through-going bore for the supply pipe, said bore comprising one or more annular expansions for a ring seal or ring seals sealing the supply pipe with respect to the body part.
When producing optical fibre preforms e.g. by MCVD process, in which the preform is grown inside a silica tube, it is necessary to provide a rotating connection between a pipe supplying process steam and gases, usually a pipe of stainless steel, and a silica tube to be formed into a preform. In a conventional arrangement the silica tube itself is first supported between the jaws of a so-called lathe rotating it. This takes place at a distance from the end of the silica tube. The process steam and gas supply pipe is attached to the end of the silica tube by means of a suitable connector allowing rotation. When the silica tube is supported in this way to the lathe rotating it, the rotating connection is subjected not only to rotary motion but also to axial and radial forces. For this reason, it has been necessary to provide the process steam and gas supply pipe with a bellows allowing these movements; on the other hand, the structure of the connector has been relatively complicated. Further, this way of supporting the silica tube means that the silica tube portion between the supporting jaws and the rotating connection cannot be utilized. Due to the high price of silica tube, this involves a substantial waste of material.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the present invention is to provide a connector which eliminates the above-mentioned problems. The connector of the invention is characterized in that one end of the body part is expanded to form an abutment for a ring seal sealing the body part against the inside of the silica tube, the connector further comprising a tightening means for pressing the ring seal sealing the body part with respect to the silica tube against its abutment to expand the seal radially. Preferably the tightening means comprises a sleeve arranged to slide on the body and a nut to be screwed on an outer thread formed on the other end of the body part.
When using the connector of the invention, the silica tube can be clamped between the jaws of the lathe rotating it in the area of the connector, since the connector is now supported to the inner surface of the silica tube. So the provision of a rotating connection does no longer require extra length from the substrate tube. Due to this way of support, the connection of the invention is not subjected to vibration, whereby the vibration cannot deteriorate its tightness. In addition, the process steam and gas supply pipe does no longer need to be provided with means allowing flexing.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
In the following the connector of the invention will be described in greater detail with reference to the attached drawing, in which the FIGURE shows a connection between a supply pipe provided with a connector of the invention and a silica pipe when fitted in a lathe rotating the silica tube.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The FIGURE shows a rotating connection of the invention between a pipe supplying process steam and gases and a silica tube 2 to be formed into an optical fibre preform. The outer surface of the silica tube 2 is clamped in a conventional way between jaws 11 of a lathe rotating the tube. The jaws 11 can be clamped around the outer surface of the silica tube 2 by turning a clamping part 12 attached to them. The jaws 11 with their clamping part 12 are supported rotatably by means of bearings 13 to a lathe body 14. The rotary motion of the jaws 11 is effected, e.g., by chain drive through teeth 16 provided on a frame portion 15 connected to the jaws.
The connector of the invention is positioned at the end of the silica tube 2 i
REFERENCES:
patent: 4347069 (1982-03-01), Haney et al.
patent: 5113035 (1992-05-01), Wittmann et al.
patent: 5131936 (1992-07-01), Cognolato et al.
Gonzalez Frank
Nokia Kaapeli Oy
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