An optical fiber bundle fusion device and method

Abstract

This invention discloses an optical fiber bundle fusion device and method. The device includes: an optical fiber bundle, a clamp, a quartz tube, a sealed rotating cavity, a vacuum pump, a chiller, an oxyhydrogen flame, and an infrared thermometer. The clamp is disposed inside the sealed rotating cavity, the quartz tube is disposed outside the sealed rotating cavity and communicates with it, the vacuum pump is communicated with the inside of the sealed rotating cavity, and the chiller is connected to the quartz tube. The oxyhydrogen flame heats the quartz tube, and the infrared thermometer works in conjunction with the quartz tube. The optical fiber bundle is fixed in the sealed rotating cavity by the clamp, with one end of the optical fiber bundle disposed inside the quartz tube. This invention features a sealed rotating cavity that allows the optical fiber bundle to rotate and be heated, resulting in a more uniform fusion zone. This invention allows for real-time temperature monitoring, effectively removing air bubbles in the optical fiber bundle fusion zone. This invention is simple to operate, with a small hot zone, rapid temperature rise, and short operation time during fusion. The temperature conducted to the optical fiber coating is low and protected by water cooling, preventing damage to the optical fiber coating, and enabling short-distance local optical fiber bundle fusion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of optical fiber bundle fusion technology, and in particular to an optical fiber bundle fusion apparatus and method. Background Technology

[0002] With the development of industries such as laser projection, laser lithography, and laser lighting, the application of fiber optic bundles is becoming increasingly widespread. Although the power of a single semiconductor laser is not high, multiple semiconductor lasers can be easily concentrated for high-power output through fiber optic bundles. However, the end faces of the fiber optic bundles will be subjected to high temperatures. Common epoxy adhesives used to bond fiber optic bundles have a short-term temperature tolerance of no more than 250℃, and the difference in the coefficients of thermal expansion between the epoxy adhesive and the optical fiber can generate thermal stress, leading to a risk of fiber breakage, easy damage, and a short service life. Therefore, encapsulation of the fiber optic bundle is necessary.

[0003] Chinese patent document CN202210009698.8 discloses a suspended glue-free high-power optical fiber bundle and its manufacturing method. This method effectively improves the temperature resistance of the fiber bundle end face, but the manufacturing process is complex, and the internal gaps of the optical fiber are small, making it impossible to completely clean impurities within the gaps. During use, under conditions such as heat and vibration, impurities can contaminate the end face, leading to laser ablation of the end face.

[0004] Chinese patent document CN202011609077.0 discloses an optical fiber bundle fusion packaging device and its packaging method. A high-frequency induction heating device heats a lateral pressure mold, softening the bare fiber segments of the optical fiber bundle within the mold. Then, circumferential pressure is applied to the softened bare fiber segments through the lateral pressure mold to achieve optical fiber bundle fusion packaging. This method is difficult to operate and has a low yield. Because optical fibers are thin and brittle, it is difficult to coordinate the degree of fiber softening with the circumferential pressure applied during fiber descent, making breakage highly likely. Heating from the bottom of the fiber upwards is time-consuming, and heat conduction through the fiber can damage the upper fiber coating. This method also produces numerous air bubbles at the fusion point, posing a risk of laser leakage. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the problem of poor fusion effect in the packaging of optical fiber bundles in existing technologies, this invention discloses an optical fiber bundle fusion device and method.

[0006] The first aspect of the present invention discloses an optical fiber bundle fusion device, comprising: an optical fiber bundle, a clamp, a quartz tube, a sealed rotating cavity, a vacuum pump, a chiller, an oxyhydrogen flame, and an infrared thermometer;

[0007] The clamp is disposed inside the sealed rotating cavity, the quartz tube is disposed outside the sealed rotating cavity and communicates with the sealed rotating cavity, the vacuum pump is communicated with the inside of the sealed rotating cavity, and the chiller is connected to the quartz tube;

[0008] The oxyhydrogen flame heats the quartz tube, and the infrared thermometer is used in conjunction with the quartz tube.

[0009] The optical fiber bundle is fixed in the sealed rotating cavity by the clamp, and one end of the optical fiber bundle is disposed inside the quartz tube.

[0010] Optionally, the sealing rotary cavity includes a stud, a housing, and a rotary sealing joint;

[0011] The stud is disposed on the top of the housing, and the quartz tube is inserted into the stud and connected to the housing;

[0012] The rotary sealing joint is located at the bottom of the housing, and the vacuum pump is connected to the housing through the rotary sealing joint.

[0013] Optionally, the chiller includes a chiller casing, water pipes, and bearing connectors;

[0014] The chiller box is connected to the water pipe, and the water pipe is connected to the quartz tube through the bearing connector.

[0015] Optionally, the device may also include a high-temperature sealing ring and a nut;

[0016] The high-temperature sealing ring is fitted onto the stud. By tightening the nut, the high-temperature sealing ring is squeezed, and the quartz tube is tightly fitted to the stud.

[0017] Optionally, the rotational speed range of the sealed rotating cavity is 5~30 rpm.

[0018] Optionally, the water temperature of the chiller is 15~30℃.

[0019] Optionally, the heating temperature of the oxyhydrogen flame is 1700℃~3000℃.

[0020] Optionally, the high-temperature sealing ring is made of an elastic high-temperature resistant material, and the sealing rotating cavity is made of stainless steel.

[0021] A second aspect of the present invention discloses a fiber bundle fusion method, the method being applied to the aforementioned fiber bundle fusion apparatus, the method comprising:

[0022] According to the packaging requirements, take a number of quartz optical fibers to obtain an optical fiber bundle; the optical fiber bundle includes bare optical fiber segments, which are obtained by stripping 3-5cm of the coating layer from one end;

[0023] The optical fiber bundle is passed through a stud and fixed in a sealed rotating cavity by a clamp, and the bare fiber segment is inserted into a quartz tube.

[0024] The quartz tube and the stud are sealed together, and the sealed rotating cavity begins to rotate.

[0025] The sealed rotating chamber is evacuated to a vacuum using a vacuum pump;

[0026] Turn on the chiller to cool the quartz tube.

[0027] The quartz tube is heated by an oxyhydrogen flame;

[0028] The temperature of the quartz tube was maintained at 1700℃~3000℃ using an infrared thermometer;

[0029] The quartz tube and the optical fiber bundle are softened and fused according to a preset fusion time, which is 30 to 60 seconds.

[0030] Obtain the packaging of the fiber optic bundle.

[0031] This invention discloses an optical fiber bundle fusion apparatus and method. The apparatus includes: an optical fiber bundle, a clamp, a quartz tube, a sealed rotating cavity, a vacuum pump, a chiller, an oxyhydrogen flame, and an infrared thermometer. The clamp is disposed within the sealed rotating cavity, the quartz tube is disposed outside the sealed rotating cavity and communicates with it, the vacuum pump is communicated with the interior of the sealed rotating cavity, and the chiller is connected to the quartz tube. The oxyhydrogen flame heats the quartz tube, and the infrared thermometer cooperates with the quartz tube. The optical fiber bundle is fixed within the sealed rotating cavity by the clamp, with one end of the optical fiber bundle disposed inside the quartz tube.

[0032] This invention eliminates the need for adhesives during the encapsulation process, allowing direct molding via an oxyhydrogen flame applied to the quartz tube and fiber bundle. The invention features a sealed rotating cavity that rotates and heats the fiber bundle, resulting in a more uniform fusion zone. It allows for real-time temperature monitoring, effectively removing air bubbles from the fiber bundle fusion zone. The invention is simple to operate, with a small hot zone, rapid temperature rise, and short operation time during fusion molding. The temperature conducted to the fiber coating is low and water-cooled for protection, preventing damage to the fiber coating and enabling short-distance local fiber bundle fusion. Furthermore, the fused fiber bundle is made of a single quartz material, eliminating the risk of fiber damage due to thermal stress during use and simplifying subsequent grinding and polishing processes. Attached Figure Description

[0033] To more clearly illustrate the technical solution of the present invention, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, those skilled in the art can obtain other drawings based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0034] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an optical fiber bundle fusion device disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 2 This is another structural schematic diagram of an optical fiber bundle fusion device disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 3 This is another structural schematic diagram of an optical fiber bundle fusion device disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0037] Figure 4 This is another structural schematic diagram of an optical fiber bundle fusion device disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] In the diagram, 1-fiber optic bundle, 2-clamp, 3-quartz tube, 4-sealed rotating cavity, 41-stud, 42-box, 43-rotary sealing joint, 5-vacuum pump, 6-chiller, 61-chiller box, 62-water pipe, 63-bearing connector, 7-oxygen-hydrogen flame, 8-infrared thermometer, 9-high temperature sealing ring, 10-nut. Detailed Implementation

[0039] To address the problem of poor fusion effect in the packaging of optical fiber bundles in existing technologies, this invention discloses an optical fiber bundle fusion device and method.

[0040] The first embodiment of the present invention discloses an optical fiber bundle fusion device, see [link to relevant documentation]. Figure 1 The structural diagram shown includes: fiber bundle 1, clamp 2, quartz tube 3, sealed rotating cavity 4, vacuum pump 5, chiller 6, oxyhydrogen flame 7, and infrared thermometer 8.

[0041] The clamp 2 is disposed inside the sealed rotating cavity 4, the quartz tube 3 is disposed outside the sealed rotating cavity 4 and communicates with the sealed rotating cavity 4, the vacuum pump 5 is communicated with the inside of the sealed rotating cavity 4, and the chiller 6 is connected to the quartz tube 3. The water temperature of the chiller 6 is 15~30℃.

[0042] The oxyhydrogen flame 7 heats the quartz tube 3, and the infrared thermometer 8 works in conjunction with the quartz tube 3. The heating temperature of the oxyhydrogen flame 7 is 1700℃~3000℃. The oxyhydrogen flame 7 is symmetrically distributed on both sides of the quartz tube 3, and the flame size can be adjusted according to the size of the quartz tube.

[0043] The optical fiber bundle 1 is fixed inside the sealed rotating cavity 4 by the clamp 2, and one end of the optical fiber bundle 1 is disposed inside the quartz tube 3. The rotational speed range of the sealed rotating cavity 4 is 5~30 rpm.

[0044] See Figure 2The schematic diagram shows that the sealed rotating cavity 4 includes a stud 41, a housing 42, and a rotary sealing joint 43. The stud 41 is disposed on the housing 42, and the quartz tube 3 passes through the stud 41 and is connected to the housing 42.

[0045] The rotary sealing joint 43 is located below the housing 42, and the vacuum pump 5 is connected to the housing 42 through the rotary sealing joint 43. The rotary sealing joint 43 is a rotatable connector that maintains connection with the vacuum pump 5 when the sealed rotating cavity 4 rotates.

[0046] See Figure 3 The schematic diagram shows that the chiller 6 includes a chiller housing 61, water pipes 62, and a bearing connector 63. The chiller housing 61 is connected to the water pipes 62, and the water pipes 62 are connected to the quartz tube 3 through the bearing connector 63.

[0047] The device also includes a high-temperature sealing ring 9 and a nut 10. See also... Figure 4 The schematic diagram shows that the high-temperature sealing ring 9 is fitted onto the stud 41. By tightening the nut 10, the high-temperature sealing ring 9 is compressed, tightly fitting the quartz tube 3 to the stud 41. The connection between the quartz tube 3 and the sealing rotating cavity 4 is completely sealed. The high-temperature sealing ring 9 is made of an elastic, high-temperature resistant material, and the sealing rotating cavity 4 is made of stainless steel.

[0048] The second embodiment of the present invention discloses a fiber bundle fusion method, which is applied to the aforementioned fiber bundle fusion apparatus, and the method includes:

[0049] According to the packaging requirements, take a number of quartz optical fibers to obtain optical fiber bundle 1; the optical fiber bundle 1 includes bare optical fiber segments, which are obtained by stripping 3-5 cm of the coating layer from one end.

[0050] The optical fiber bundle 1 is passed through the stud 41 and fixed in the sealed rotating cavity 4 by the clamp 2, and the bare fiber segment is inserted into the quartz tube 3.

[0051] The quartz tube 3 and the stud 41 are sealed, and the sealed rotating cavity 4 begins to rotate.

[0052] The sealed rotating chamber 4 is evacuated to a vacuum using vacuum pump 5.

[0053] The quartz tube 3 is heated by an oxyhydrogen flame 7.

[0054] The temperature of the quartz tube 3 is maintained at 1700℃~3000℃ using an infrared thermometer 8.

[0055] The quartz tube 3 and the optical fiber bundle 1 are softened and fused according to a preset fusion time of 30 to 60 seconds.

[0056] Obtain the packaging of the fiber optic bundle.

[0057] Furthermore, the method also includes: turning on the chiller 6 before packaging the optical fiber bundle, and cooling the quartz tube 3 during the packaging process of the optical fiber bundle.

[0058] This invention discloses an optical fiber bundle fusion apparatus and method. The apparatus includes: an optical fiber bundle 1, a clamp 2, a quartz tube 3, a sealed rotating cavity 4, a vacuum pump 5, a chiller 6, an oxyhydrogen flame 7, and an infrared thermometer 8. The clamp 2 is disposed inside the sealed rotating cavity 4. The quartz tube 3 is disposed outside the sealed rotating cavity 4 and communicates with it. The vacuum pump 5 communicates with the interior of the sealed rotating cavity 4. The chiller 6 is connected to the quartz tube 3. The oxyhydrogen flame 7 heats the quartz tube 3, and the infrared thermometer 8 cooperates with the quartz tube 3. The optical fiber bundle 1 is fixed inside the sealed rotating cavity 4 by the clamp 2, and one end of the optical fiber bundle 1 is disposed inside the quartz tube 3.

[0059] This invention eliminates the need for adhesives during the encapsulation process, allowing direct molding via an oxyhydrogen flame applied to the quartz tube and fiber bundle. The invention features a sealed rotating cavity that rotates and heats the fiber bundle, resulting in a more uniform fusion zone. It allows for real-time temperature monitoring, effectively removing air bubbles from the fiber bundle fusion zone. The invention is simple to operate, with a small hot zone, rapid temperature rise, and short operation time during fusion molding. The temperature conducted to the fiber coating is low and water-cooled for protection, preventing damage to the fiber coating and enabling short-distance local fiber bundle fusion. Furthermore, the fused fiber bundle is made of a single quartz material, eliminating the risk of fiber damage due to thermal stress during use and simplifying subsequent grinding and polishing processes.

[0060] The present invention has been described in detail above with reference to specific embodiments and exemplary examples; however, these descriptions should not be construed as limiting the present invention. Those skilled in the art will understand that various equivalent substitutions, modifications, or improvements can be made to the technical solutions and embodiments of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications and improvements fall within the scope of the present invention. The scope of protection of the present invention is defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A fiber bundle fusion device, characterized in that, include: Fiber optic bundle (1), clamp (2), quartz tube (3), sealed rotating cavity (4), vacuum pump (5), chiller (6), oxyhydrogen flame (7) and infrared thermometer (8); The clamp (2) is disposed inside the sealed rotating cavity (4), the quartz tube (3) is disposed outside the sealed rotating cavity (4) and communicates with the sealed rotating cavity (4), and the vacuum pump (5) is communicated with the inside of the sealed rotating cavity (4); The oxyhydrogen flame (7) heats the quartz tube (3), and the infrared thermometer (8) works in conjunction with the quartz tube (3); The optical fiber bundle (1) is fixed in the sealed rotating cavity (4) by the clamp (2), and one end of the optical fiber bundle (1) is disposed inside the quartz tube (3); The sealed rotating cavity (4) includes a stud (41), a housing (42), and a rotating sealing joint (43). The stud (41) is disposed on the housing (42), the quartz tube (3) is inserted into the stud (41) and connected to the housing (42), and the chiller (6) is connected to the stud (41); The rotary sealing joint (43) is located below the housing (42), and the vacuum pump (5) is connected to the housing (42) through the rotary sealing joint (43). The chiller (6) includes a chiller housing (61), water pipes (62), and bearing connectors (63). The chiller box (61) is connected to the water pipe (62), and the water pipe (62) is connected to the stud (41) through the bearing connector (63); The device also includes a high-temperature sealing ring (9) and a nut (10). The high-temperature sealing ring (9) is fitted onto the stud (41). By tightening the nut (10), the high-temperature sealing ring (9) is squeezed, and the quartz tube (3) and the stud (41) are tightly fitted together.

2. The optical fiber bundle fusion device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The rotational speed range of the sealed rotating cavity (4) is 5~30 rpm.

3. The optical fiber bundle fusion device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The water temperature of the chiller (6) is 15~30℃.

4. The optical fiber bundle fusion device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The heating temperature of the hydrogen-oxygen flame (7) is 1700℃~3000℃.

5. The optical fiber bundle fusion device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The high-temperature sealing ring (9) is made of elastic high-temperature resistant material, and the sealing rotating cavity (4) is made of stainless steel.

6. A method for fiber bundle fusion, said method being applied to the fiber bundle fusion apparatus according to claims 1-5, characterized in that, The method includes: According to the packaging requirements, take a number of quartz optical fibers to obtain an optical fiber bundle (1); the optical fiber bundle (1) includes bare optical fiber segments, which are obtained by stripping 3~5cm of the coating layer at one end; The fiber bundle (1) is passed through the stud (41) and fixed in the sealed rotating cavity (4) by the clamp (2), and the bare fiber segment is inserted into the quartz tube (3); The quartz tube (3) is sealed with the stud (41), and the sealed rotating cavity (4) begins to rotate; The sealed rotating cavity (4) is evacuated to a vacuum using a vacuum pump (5); The quartz tube (3) is heated by an oxyhydrogen flame (7); The temperature of the quartz tube (3) was maintained at 1700℃~3000℃ using an infrared thermometer (8); The quartz tube (3) and the optical fiber bundle (1) are softened and fused according to a preset fusion time; the preset fusion time is 30~60 seconds. Obtain the packaging of the fiber optic bundle.

7. The fiber bundle fusion method according to claim 6, characterized in that, The method further includes: turning on the chiller (6) before packaging the optical fiber bundle, and cooling the quartz tube (3) during the packaging process of the optical fiber bundle.

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