A fiber optic protection feedthrough adapter suitable for ultra-high vacuum environments

Abstract

This invention discloses an optical fiber protection feedthrough adapter suitable for ultra-high vacuum environments, comprising an optical fiber feedthrough component, an internal cavity fixing component, a first pre-tightening device, and a second pre-tightening device. The optical fiber feedthrough component is a cylindrical structure with a coaxially arranged through-tube cavity, one end of which has a necked section. One end of the internal cavity fixing component is open and detachably and sealingly connected to one end of the optical fiber feedthrough component. The other end of the internal cavity fixing component has a first connection port, to which the first pre-tightening device is detachably connected, and the first pre-tightening device has a first smooth hole coaxial with the first connection port and the cavity. The second pre-tightening device is detachably connected to a second connection port at the other end of the optical fiber feedthrough component. This invention can effectively improve optical fiber polarization-maintaining performance, measurement accuracy, and transmission efficiency, reduce optical fiber wear, and increase optical fiber lifespan, thereby better meeting the application requirements in precision optomechanical instruments.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of feedthrough adapter technology, and more specifically to an optical fiber protection feedthrough adapter suitable for ultra-high vacuum environments. Background Technology

[0002] The information disclosed in the background section of this invention is intended only to enhance the understanding of the overall background of the invention and is not necessarily to be construed as an admission or in any way implying that such information constitutes prior art known to those skilled in the art.

[0003] Fiber optic cable is a type of communication optical cable. With the development of science and technology, fiber optics, as a channel for data and information transmission, have placed higher demands on their security protection to adapt to information transmission and exchange functions in various environments. Currently, fiber optics are widely used in industrial engineering equipment communication and data transmission, thus requiring higher environmental adaptability.

[0004] Laser interferometer feedthroughs require optical fibers with high polarization-maintaining performance and good alignment accuracy. In ultra-high vacuum cavity fiber optic communication applications, fiber feedthrough flange adapters are currently commonly used, which suffers from high optical power loss and insufficient alignment accuracy of the polarization-maintaining fiber's fast and slow axes, leading to reduced measurement accuracy in laser interferometers. However, in precision optomechanical instrument applications, even higher requirements are placed on the transmission efficiency and polarization-maintaining performance of the polarization-maintaining fiber feedthrough. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the aforementioned problems, this invention provides an optical fiber protection feedthrough adapter suitable for ultra-high vacuum environments. This adapter effectively improves optical fiber polarization-maintaining performance, measurement accuracy, and transmission efficiency, reduces fiber wear, and extends fiber lifespan, thereby better meeting the application requirements in precision optomechanical instruments. Specifically, this invention discloses the following technical solution.

[0006] A fiber optic protection feedthrough adapter suitable for ultra-high vacuum environments includes: a fiber optic feedthrough component, an internal fixing component, a first sealing ring, a first pre-tightening device, and a second pre-tightening device. The fiber optic feedthrough component is a cylindrical structure with a coaxially arranged through-cavity. One end of the cavity has a necked section for applying sealant to seal the fiber optic cable. One end of the internal fixing component is open, and its sealing element is detachably connected to one end of the fiber optic feedthrough component, with the first sealing ring positioned between them to enhance sealing. The other end of the internal fixing component has a first connection port, and the first pre-tightening device is detachably connected to this first connection port. The first pre-tightening device has a first smooth hole coaxial with the first connection port and the cavity. The second pre-tightening device is detachably connected to a second connection port at the other end of the fiber optic feedthrough component, and this second pre-tightening device has a second smooth hole coaxial with the cavity. The first and second pre-tightening devices are used to fix the two fiber optic segments located in the first and second smooth holes, respectively.

[0007] Furthermore, both the first and second connectors have several slits on their sidewalls, with one end of each slit extending to the end face of the first connector. The first and second pre-tightening devices are threadedly connected to the outer sidewalls of the first and second connectors, respectively, thereby compressing the connectors to reduce the slits and thus reducing the diameter of the connectors, thereby securing the optical fiber therein.

[0008] Furthermore, the outer wall of the optical fiber feedthrough has a first circumferential groove arranged along its circumference, the first sealing ring is fitted in the first circumferential groove, the open end of the cavity fixing member is threadedly connected to the outer wall of the optical fiber feedthrough, and the first sealing ring is tightly fitted to the inner wall of the open end of the cavity fixing member, thereby achieving a sealed connection.

[0009] Furthermore, it also includes a flange. An annular limiting plate is sleeved on the outer wall of the optical fiber feeder, and the flange is sleeved on the optical fiber feeder, and the flange is clamped between the side wall of the annular limiting plate and the open end face of the cavity fixing member.

[0010] Furthermore, a second sealing ring is provided between the flange and the side wall of the annular limiting plate to increase the sealing between them.

[0011] Furthermore, the sidewall of the annular limiting plate has a second circumferential groove arranged along its circumference, and the second sealing ring is embedded in the second circumferential groove.

[0012] Furthermore, the flange has connection holes to secure the feedthrough adapter of the present invention to the vacuum device.

[0013] Furthermore, it also includes two optical fibers. One end of the first optical fiber passes through the first smooth hole, the first connector, and the necked section in sequence and is located in the cavity. One end of the second optical fiber passes through the second smooth hole and is aligned with the end face of the first optical fiber in the cavity. The first optical fiber and the necked section are sealed and fixedly connected by sealant. The first optical fiber is fastened in the first connector, and the second optical fiber is fastened in the second connector.

[0014] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has at least the following beneficial effects:

[0015] (1) The fiber optic feedthrough component of the fiber optic protection feedthrough adapter suitable for ultra-high vacuum environments of the present invention not only has a cavity for accommodating the optical fiber, but also sets one end of the cavity as a necked section, thereby enabling a good sealed connection between the optical fiber and the cavity. Simultaneously, the sealing ring between the fiber optic feedthrough component and the cavity fixing component achieves vacuum sealing inside the fiber optic protection feedthrough adapter of the present invention, ensuring an ultra-high vacuum environment, improving the polarization-maintaining performance of the optical fiber, reducing optical loss, and improving the transmission efficiency and measurement accuracy of the polarization-maintaining fiber. This fiber optic protection feedthrough adapter adopts a multi-layer nested structure, which has the advantages of convenient assembly and replacement, and is suitable for mass production.

[0016] (2) The fiber protection feedthrough adapter of the present invention, which is suitable for ultra-high vacuum environment, uses the first pre-tightening device and the second pre-tightening device to respectively fasten the two fiber segments used for splicing in the cavity into the first connection port of the cavity fixing component and the second connection port of the fiber feedthrough component, thereby ensuring the stable operation of the fiber in the adapter, ensuring the safe use of the fiber, and at the same time reducing fiber wear and improving the service life of the fiber. Attached Figure Description

[0017] The accompanying drawings, which form part of this invention, are used to provide a further understanding of the invention. The illustrative embodiments of the invention and their descriptions are used to explain the invention and do not constitute an improper limitation of the invention.

[0018] Figure 1 The following is a schematic diagram of the structure of an optical fiber protection feedthrough adapter suitable for ultra-high vacuum environments in the embodiments below.

[0019] Figure 2 The following is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of an optical fiber protection feedthrough adapter suitable for ultra-high vacuum environments in the embodiments below.

[0020] Figure 3 The following is a schematic diagram of the structure of the fiber optic feeder in the embodiments.

[0021] Figure 4 The following is a schematic diagram of the internal fixation device in the embodiment.

[0022] Figure 5 The following is a schematic diagram of the fiber optic protection feedthrough adapter suitable for ultra-high vacuum environments in its operational state, as shown in the embodiments below.

[0023] The reference numerals in the figure represent: 1-fiber feedthrough component, 2-cavity fixing component, 3-first sealing ring, 4-first pre-tightening device, 5-second pre-tightening device, 6-first smooth hole, 7-second smooth hole, 8-gap, 9-first circumferential groove, 10-flange, 11-second sealing ring, 12-second circumferential groove, 13-connection hole, 14-first fiber segment, 15-second fiber segment, 16-vacuum device, 101-cavity, 102-neck section, 103-annular limiting plate, 201-first connection port, 202-second connection port. Detailed Implementation

[0024] It should be noted that the following detailed description is illustrative and intended to provide further explanation of the invention. Unless otherwise specified, all technical and scientific terms used in this invention have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains.

[0025] For ease of description, the terms "up," "down," "left," and "right" appearing in this invention only indicate that they correspond to the up, down, left, and right directions in the accompanying drawings. They do not limit the structure and are merely used to facilitate the description of the invention and to simplify the description. They do not indicate or imply that the device or component referred to needs to have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of the invention. Furthermore, any methods and materials similar to or equivalent to those described can be applied to the methods of this invention.

[0026] refer to Figures 1 to 4 Example of an optical fiber protection feedthrough adapter suitable for ultra-high vacuum environments, comprising: an optical fiber feedthrough component 1, an internal fixing component 2, a first sealing ring 3, a first pre-tightening device 4, and a second pre-tightening device 5. The optical fiber feedthrough component 1 is a cylindrical structure with a through-cavity 101 along its central axis. The left side portion of the through-cavity 101 has a necked section 102 for applying sealant to seal the optical fiber.

[0027] The cavity fixing member 2 is a cylindrical structure with an inner cavity, the right end of which is an open end, and the inner wall of the open end has internal threads. The outer wall of the optical fiber feedthrough member 1 has a first circumferential groove 9 arranged along its circumference, and the first sealing ring 3 is embedded in the first circumferential groove 9. The open end of the cavity fixing member 2 is threadedly connected to the outer wall of the left end of the optical fiber feedthrough member 1, and the first sealing ring 3 is tightly fitted to the inner wall of the open end of the cavity fixing member 2, thereby achieving a sealed connection.

[0028] The left end of the cavity fixing member 2 is a closed surface, on which a first connection port 201 is fixedly connected. The other end of the optical fiber feedthrough member 1 has a second connection port 202. Four slots 8 are evenly distributed on the sidewalls of both the first and second connection ports 201 and 202, extending through the sidewalls. One end of each slot 8 extends to the end face of the first connection port 201. Both the first and second pre-tightening devices 4 and 5 are cylindrical structures with smooth holes. Specifically, the first pre-tightening device 4 has a first smooth hole 6 coaxial with the first connection port 201 and the cavity 101, and the second pre-tightening device 5 has a second smooth hole 7 coaxial with the cavity 101. The first and second pre-tightening devices 4 and 5 are threadedly connected to the outer sidewalls of the first and second connection ports 201 and 202, respectively, thereby compressing the connection port 201 to reduce the size of the slots 8, and thus reducing the diameter of the connection port 201, thereby securing the optical fiber passing through it.

[0029] Reference when using Figure 5It also includes two optical fibers, namely, the first optical fiber 14 and the second optical fiber 15. The coating on the surface of the first optical fiber 14 is a high-temperature resistant coating, while the coating on the surface of the second optical fiber 15 is a conventional coating. This is because when the optical fiber protection feedthrough adapter of this embodiment is fixed on the vacuum device 16 and a vacuum is drawn, the temperature rises during the process of forming a vacuum inside the cavity fixing member 2. Therefore, it is necessary to replace the left segment of the second optical fiber 15, which originally had a conventional coating, with the first optical fiber 14, which has a high-temperature resistant coating. This results in the need to feed through the two optical fibers and require both optical fibers to have high polarization maintenance and alignment accuracy. One end of the first optical fiber 14 passes through the first smooth hole 6, the first connector 201, and the necked section 102 in sequence before being located in the cavity 101. One end of the second optical fiber 15 passes through the second smooth hole 7 and the second connection port 202 and is aligned with the end face of the first optical fiber 14 in the cavity 101. The first optical fiber 14 and the necked section 102 are sealed and fixedly connected with sealant to isolate the cavity fixing member 2 from the right side of the cavity 101, thereby isolating it from the outside world. This facilitates the use of the vacuum device 16 to create a supervacuum environment on the left side of the necked section 102. At the same time, the first optical fiber 14 is clamped and fixed in the first connection port 201, and the second optical fiber 15 is clamped and fixed in the second connection port 202. The first pre-tightening device 4 and the second pre-tightening device 5 respectively secure the two optical fibers used for docking in the cavity 101 in the first connection port 201 of the cavity fixing member 2 and the second connection port 202 of the optical fiber feedthrough member 1, thereby ensuring stable operation of the optical fiber in the adapter, ensuring safe use of the optical fiber, reducing optical fiber wear, and improving the service life of the optical fiber. The fiber optic feedthrough component 1 in this embodiment not only has a cavity 101 for accommodating the optical fiber, but also sets one end of the cavity 101 as a necked section 102, thereby enabling a good sealed connection between the optical fiber and the cavity 101. Simultaneously, the sealing ring between the fiber optic feedthrough component 1 and the cavity fixing component 2 achieves vacuum sealing inside the fiber optic protection feedthrough adapter of this invention, ensuring an ultra-high vacuum environment, improving the polarization-maintaining performance of the optical fiber, reducing optical loss, and improving the transmission efficiency and measurement accuracy of the polarization-maintaining fiber.

[0030] refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2In another embodiment, the fiber optic protection feedthrough adapter suitable for ultra-high vacuum environments described in the above embodiments further includes a flange 10. An integrated, fixed annular limiting plate 103 is sleeved on the outer wall of the fiber optic feedthrough component 1. The flange 10 is sleeved on the fiber optic feedthrough component 1. As the open end of the cavity fixing member 2 is threaded onto the left outer wall of the fiber optic feedthrough component 1, the flange 10 is clamped between the side wall of the annular limiting plate 103 and the open end face of the cavity fixing member 2 as the cavity fixing member 2 moves to the right. The flange 10 is used for connecting and fixing the fiber optic protection feedthrough adapter to the vacuum device. Therefore, the flange 10 has a connection hole 13 to fix the feedthrough adapter to the vacuum device 16 (see reference). Figure 5 ).

[0031] refer to Figure 3 In another embodiment, in the fiber optic protection feedthrough adapter suitable for ultra-high vacuum environments described in the above embodiments, a second sealing ring 11 is provided between the flange 10 and the sidewall of the annular limiting plate 103. The sidewall of the annular limiting plate 103 has a second circumferential groove 12 arranged along its circumference. The second sealing ring 11 is embedded in the second circumferential groove 12, and the second sealing ring 11 helps to further increase the sealing between the two.

[0032] Finally, it should be noted that any modifications, equivalent substitutions, or improvements made within the spirit and principles of this invention should be included within the scope of protection of this invention. Although specific embodiments of this invention have been described above in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, this is not intended to limit the scope of protection of this invention. Those skilled in the art should understand that various modifications or variations that can be made by those skilled in the art without creative effort based on the technical solutions of this invention are still within the scope of protection of this invention.

Claims

1. A fiber optic protection feedthrough adapter suitable for ultra-high vacuum environments, characterized in that, include: Optical fiber feedthrough, cavity fixing component, first sealing ring, first pre-tightening device and second pre-tightening device; The optical fiber feedthrough is a cylindrical structure with a coaxially arranged through-cavity, one end of which has a necked section; one end of the cavity fixing member is open, and its sealing is detachably connected to one end of the optical fiber feedthrough, with the first sealing ring provided between the two. The other end of the cavity fixing component has a first connection port, the first pre-tightening device is detachably connected to the first connection port, and the first pre-tightening device has a first smooth hole coaxial with the first connection port and the cavity; the second pre-tightening device is detachably connected to the second connection port at the other end of the optical fiber feedthrough component, and the second pre-tightening device has a second smooth hole coaxial with the cavity. It also includes two optical fibers. One end of the first optical fiber passes through the first smooth hole, the first connector, and the necked section in sequence and is located in the cavity. One end of the second optical fiber passes through the second smooth hole and is aligned with the end face of the first optical fiber in the cavity. The first optical fiber and the necked section are sealed and fixedly connected by sealant. The first optical fiber is fastened in the first connector and the second optical fiber is fastened in the second connector.

2. The fiber optic protection feedthrough adapter suitable for ultra-high vacuum environments according to claim 1, characterized in that, Both the first and second connection ports have several slits on their sidewalls, with one end of each slit extending to the end face of the first connection port; the first pre-tightening device and the second pre-tightening device are threadedly connected to the outer sidewalls of the first and second connection ports, respectively.

3. The fiber optic protection feedthrough adapter suitable for ultra-high vacuum environments according to claim 1, characterized in that, The outer wall of the optical fiber feedthrough has a first circumferential groove arranged along its circumference. The first sealing ring is fitted in the first circumferential groove. The open end of the cavity fixing member is threadedly connected to the outer wall of the optical fiber feedthrough. The first sealing ring is tightly fitted to the inner wall of the open end of the cavity fixing member.

4. The fiber optic protection feedthrough adapter suitable for ultra-high vacuum environments according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a flange; an annular limiting plate is sleeved on the outer wall of the optical fiber feeder, the flange is sleeved on the optical fiber feeder, and the flange is clamped between the side wall of the annular limiting plate and the open end face of the cavity fixing member.

5. The fiber optic protection feedthrough adapter suitable for ultra-high vacuum environments according to claim 4, characterized in that, A second sealing ring is provided between the flange and the side wall of the annular limiting plate.

6. The fiber optic protection feedthrough adapter suitable for ultra-high vacuum environments according to claim 5, characterized in that, The annular limiting plate has a second circumferential groove on its side wall, and the second sealing ring is embedded in the second circumferential groove.

7. The fiber optic protection feedthrough adapter suitable for ultra-high vacuum environments according to claim 4, characterized in that, The flange has connection holes for fixing the feedthrough adapter of the present invention onto a vacuum device.

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