Device and method for supplementing internal air pressure of hollow-core optical fiber

Abstract

The invention discloses a device and method for supplementing air pressure in a hollow-core optical fiber, and the device comprises an air generator which is used for outputting clean air with a certain pressure; a gas path; one end of the air channel is connected with the air generator to access clean air, and the other end is connected with the air guide mechanism and the hollow-core optical fiber; and the gas guide mechanism is used for guiding part of gas in the gas path into the atmosphere. The device has a simple structure, is convenient to use, and can conveniently and quickly realize gas supplementation of the hollow-core optical fibers in batches.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The application belongs to the technical field of hollow core optical fiber, and particularly relates to a hollow core optical fiber internal air pressure supplement device and method. BACKGROUND

[0002] The hollow core optical fiber is composed of micron-sized capillaries and is a new type of optical fiber with a hollow structure. A common preparation method of the hollow core optical fiber is to draw a preform rod from a high-temperature furnace, and the drawing process will cause the temperature of the optical fiber to drop sharply, thereby causing the internal air pressure of the finished hollow core optical fiber to be much lower than the external environment air pressure, that is, the optical fiber is in a negative pressure state. The negative pressure will cause the pollutants in the external environment, such as liquid water, water vapor, carbon dioxide and micro solid particles, to easily invade the inside of the hollow core optical fiber, thereby causing the performance of the optical fiber to be damaged.

[0003] The negative pressure problem of the hollow core optical fiber can be solved by air charging and pressure supplement. However, the devices and methods involved in the existing air supplement schemes are often complex, and large and precise elements such as high-pressure air chambers and high-pressure air sources must be used, which requires a high cost. Therefore, these schemes have certain limitations and are mostly only suitable for indoor conditions such as laboratories or workshops. A more fast and simple hollow core optical fiber pressure supplement scheme is needed to cope with various application scenarios. SUMMARY

[0004] The purpose of the present application is to provide a hollow core optical fiber internal air pressure supplement device and method to realize efficient and convenient supplement of the internal air pressure of the hollow core optical fiber.

[0005] To solve the above technical problems, the present application provides a hollow core optical fiber internal air pressure supplement device, comprising: an air generator for outputting clean air with a certain pressure; an air path; one end of the air path is connected to the air generator to access clean air, and the other end is respectively connected to a gas guiding mechanism and a hollow core optical fiber; the gas guiding mechanism is used to guide part of the gas in the air path to the atmosphere.

[0006] According to the above scheme, the air generator comprises at least one air inlet and at least one air outlet; the air generator inhales air through the air inlet and compresses and purifies the air, and outputs clean air to the air path through the air outlet.

[0007] According to the above scheme, the air pressure of the clean air output by the air generator is greater than 0.3Mpa.

[0008] According to the above scheme, when the rated output air pressure of the air generator is set to 1Mpa or below, the air path is selected to be a polyurethane air pipe; when the rated output air pressure of the air generator is set to be 1Mpa or above, the air path is selected to be a high-pressure nylon pipe or a stainless steel pipe.

[0009] According to the scheme, one end of the gas path is connected with the gas guide mechanism and the hollow optical fiber through the three-way sleeve.

[0010] According to the scheme, the gas guide mechanism comprises a gas guide tool and a capillary microtube; the gas guide tool is hollow, one end of the gas guide tool is connected with the gas path, and the other end is fixedly connected with the capillary microtube; part of the gas in the gas path is guided out to the atmosphere through the gas guide tool and the capillary microtube.

[0011] According to the scheme, the hollow optical fiber is connected with the gas path through the optical fiber tool, and the connection part of the optical fiber tool and the hollow optical fiber is coated with sealing glue; the gas in the gas path enters the inside of the hollow optical fiber through the optical fiber tool.

[0012] According to the scheme, the gas path comprises a main gas path and a plurality of terminal gas paths; one end of the main gas path is connected with the air generator, and the other end is connected with the terminal gas paths through one or more multi-way sleeves; each terminal gas path is connected with a group of gas guide mechanisms and hollow optical fibers; the number of the multi-way sleeves and the terminal gas paths is determined by the number of the hollow optical fibers that need to be supplemented with air pressure at a time; the clean air output by the air generator enters the inside of the hollow optical fiber through the main gas path and the terminal gas paths.

[0013] The application also provides an internal air pressure supplementing method for a hollow optical fiber, which is implemented by using the internal air pressure supplementing device for a hollow optical fiber. S1, connecting and sealingly fixing the hollow optical fiber with the gas path; S2, starting the air generator to supplement the internal air pressure of the hollow optical fiber; S3, judging whether the air pressure supplementing is normal by monitoring whether the gas guide mechanism continuously outputs the gas flow.

[0014] The application also provides a hollow optical fiber, which is prepared by using the internal air pressure supplementing method for a hollow optical fiber.

[0015] The application also provides a hollow optical fiber cable, which is composed of the hollow optical fiber.

[0016] Advantages The air generator is arranged, clean air source with sufficient pressure is provided for air pressure supplement in the hollow core optical fiber, external contaminated gas is effectively prevented from invading the hollow core optical fiber during air supplement, the performance of the optical fiber is ensured to be not affected by pollution, the pressure required by the hollow core optical fiber for internal negative pressure filling is met, and the performance damage problem of the optical fiber caused by negative pressure can be efficiently relieved. The air guide mechanism is arranged, and part of the gas in the air path is discharged. The air guide mechanism discharges part of the gas in the air path to the atmosphere, on one hand, whether the air pressure supplement process is normally performed can be directly and conveniently judged by observing whether the gas flow is continuously output, without the need of additionally adding a complex detection component, and the monitoring process of the air supplement state is simplified; on the other hand, impurity gas in the air path can be discharged through the air guide mechanism, and pollution is avoided. The whole device is cooperated by the air generator, the air path and the air guide mechanism, has a simple and compact structure, does not need to rely on a high-pressure air chamber, a large high-pressure gas source and other complex and precise components, not only reduces the manufacturing cost of the device, but also makes the device more easy to operate and carry, can be adapted to various application scenarios, breaks the limitation that the existing air supplement scheme is only applicable to specific indoor environment, and realizes efficient and convenient air pressure supplement in the hollow core optical fiber. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 、 Figure 5 、 Figure 6 is an air pressure supplement device in a hollow core optical fiber according to an embodiment of the present application; Figure 2 is a schematic view of a cross section of a fiber tool according to an embodiment of the present application; Figure 3 is a schematic view of a cross section of an air guide mechanism according to an embodiment of the present application; Figure 4 is a schematic view of a structure when an end of an air path is connected to a hollow core optical fiber according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0018] In the figure: 1, air generator; 2, air path; 3, fiber tool; 4, air guide tool; 11, air inlet; 12, air outlet; 13, miniature air compressor; 14, internal air path; 15, pressure gauge; 16, air purifier; 21, multi-way clamp sleeve; 22, three-way clamp sleeve; 31, sealing glue; 41, capillary microtube. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] To make the purpose, technical scheme and advantages of the embodiments of the present application more clear, the technical scheme of the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below in combination with the drawings of the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all the embodiments. Based on the described embodiments of the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative labor belong to the protection scope of the present application.

[0020] The embodiment provides an air pressure supplementing device inside a hollow optical fiber, which comprises: an air generator 1 for outputting clean air with a certain pressure; an air path 2; one end of the air path 2 is connected with the air generator 1 to access the clean air, and the other end is connected with a gas guiding mechanism and the hollow optical fiber respectively; the gas guiding mechanism is used for guiding part of the gas in the air path 2 to the atmosphere.

[0021] Further, the air generator 1 comprises at least one air inlet 11 and at least one air outlet 12; the air generator 1 sucks in air through the air inlet 11 and compresses and purifies the air, and outputs the clean air to the air path 2 through the air outlet 12.

[0022] In other embodiments of the present application, the air generator 1 can be replaced by a combination of existing commercial products, as shown in Figure 5 In the example, the air generator 1 is replaced by a combination of a micro air compressor 13, a pressure gauge 15 and an air purifier 16 which are connected with each other through an internal air path 14 to replace the main body part of the air generator 1, so as to realize the approximate effect of the device.

[0023] Further, the air pressure of the clean air output by the air generator 1 is greater than 0.3Mpa.

[0024] Further, when the rated output air pressure of the air generator 1 is set to be 1Mpa or below, the air path 2 is made of polyurethane air pipe; and when the rated output air pressure of the air generator 1 is set to be 1Mpa or above, the air path 2 is made of high-pressure nylon pipe or stainless steel pipe.

[0025] It can be understood that the pipe material of the air path 2 should be determined according to the size of the output air pressure.

[0026] Further, one end of the air path 2 is connected with the gas guiding mechanism and the hollow optical fiber through a three-way sleeve 22.

[0027] Further, the gas guiding mechanism comprises a gas guiding tool 4 and a capillary micro-pipe 41; the gas guiding tool 4 is a hollow structure, one end of the gas guiding tool 4 is connected with the air path 2, and the other end is fixedly connected with the capillary micro-pipe 41; part of the gas in the air path 2 is guided out to the atmosphere through the gas guiding tool 4 and the capillary micro-pipe 41.

[0028] Specifically, when the device is normally replenishing air, a small amount of high-pressure gas will leak out of the outlet end of the capillary microtube 41, so the presence or absence of a continuous air flow at the end of the capillary microtube 41 can be used to determine whether the hollow core optical fiber is being normally replenished with air. In addition, the capillary microtube 41 can also discharge some gas impurities in the air path 2, such as some volatile gas that may be produced after the sealant 31 is cured. These volatile gases will then be discharged through the capillary microtube 41 under the action of high-pressure air, thereby preventing the internal gas of the hollow core optical fiber from being contaminated.

[0029] Further, the hollow core optical fiber is connected to the air path 2 through the fiber tool 3, and the connection between the fiber tool 3 and the hollow core optical fiber is coated with the sealant 31; the gas in the air path 2 enters the hollow core optical fiber through the fiber tool 3. The same fiber tool 3 can be connected to multiple hollow core optical fibers.

[0030] In this embodiment, the gas guide tool 4 and the fiber tool 3 have a hollow structure, and the end connected to the air path 2 can be cylindrical, and the end connected to the capillary microtube 41 or the hollow core optical fiber can be conical.

[0031] Further, the air path 2 includes a main air path and multiple terminal air paths; one end of the main air path is connected to the air generator 1, and the other end is connected to the terminal air paths through one or more multi-pass sleeves 21, and each terminal air path is connected to a group of gas guide mechanisms and a hollow core optical fiber; the number of multi-pass sleeves 21 and terminal air paths is determined by the number of hollow core optical fibers that need to be replenished with air pressure at a time; the clean air output by the air generator 1 enters the hollow core optical fiber through the main air path and the terminal air path in sequence.

[0032] Specifically, referring to Figure 1 , in this example, the air outlet 12 of the air generator 1 is connected to a main air path, and the main air path is divided into two terminal air paths through one multi-pass sleeve 21. Referring to Figure 6 , in this example, the air outlet 12 of the air generator 1 is connected to a main air path, and the main air path is divided into two sub-air paths through one multi-pass sleeve 21, and each sub-air path is divided into two terminal air paths through another multi-pass sleeve 21, so that a total of four terminal air paths are divided. By analogy, the number of multi-pass sleeves 21 can be further increased to complete the air replenishment of a large number of hollow core optical fibers.

[0033] The present application also provides a method for replenishing the internal air pressure of a hollow core optical fiber, which is implemented by using the hollow core optical fiber internal air pressure replenishment device described above, and comprises the following steps: S1, connecting and sealingly fixing the hollow core optical fiber to the air path 2; S2, turning on the air generator 1 to replenish the internal air pressure of the hollow core optical fiber; S3, determining whether the air pressure replenishment is normal by monitoring whether the gas guide mechanism continuously outputs air flow.

[0034] The embodiment also provides an air-core optical fiber prepared by using the air-core optical fiber internal air pressure supplementing method described above.

[0035] The embodiment also provides an air-core optical fiber cable composed of the air-core optical fiber described above.

[0036] The application has the beneficial effects at least including: 1. The internal air pressure of a large number of air-core optical fibers can be supplemented at the same time. First, the optical fiber tool 3 can fix and connect a plurality of air-core optical fibers to the air path. Second, the multi-pass sleeve 21 can divide the air path 2 into a plurality of terminals and connect a plurality of optical fiber tools 3 at the same time. Through a set of equipment, the air pressure supplementing process of a large number of air-core optical fibers can be completed, and the internal negative pressure problem of the air-core optical fiber can be efficiently solved.

[0037] 2. The device is very convenient to operate. First, the air-core optical fiber is inserted into the optical fiber tool 3 of the device and connected to the air path, then the sealant 31 is applied to the top end of the optical fiber tool and the sealant is solidified, and then the air generator 1 is started to supplement the air pressure of the air-core optical fiber. In addition, since the scheme does not include large and medium-sized equipment such as high-pressure air source and does not include precise elements such as high-pressure air chamber, the overall device is simple, light and low in cost.

[0038] It should be noted that according to the needs of implementation, each step / component described in the present application can be split into more steps / components, or two or more steps / components or part of the operation of the steps / components can be combined into a new step / component to achieve the purpose of the present application.

[0039] Those skilled in the art will readily understand that the above description is only the preferred embodiment of the present application and is not intended to limit the present application. Any modification, equivalent replacement and improvement made within the spirit and principle of the present application shall be included in the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A device for replenishing internal air pressure in hollow optical fibers, characterized in that, include: An air generator is used to output clean air at a certain pressure. airway; One end of the gas path is connected to an air generator to access clean air, and the other end is connected to a gas guiding mechanism and a hollow optical fiber; the gas guiding mechanism is used to discharge part of the gas in the gas path into the atmosphere.

2. The air pressure replenishment device inside a hollow optical fiber according to claim 1, characterized in that, An air generator includes at least one air inlet and at least one air outlet; the air generator draws in air through the air inlet, compresses and purifies it, and outputs clean air to the air path through the air outlet.

3. The air pressure replenishment device inside a hollow optical fiber according to claim 1, characterized in that, The clean air output by the air generator has a pressure greater than 0.3 MPa.

4. The air pressure replenishment device inside a hollow optical fiber according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the rated output air pressure of the air generator is set to 1 MPa or below, polyurethane air tubing should be used for the air circuit; when the rated output air pressure of the air generator is set to above 1 MPa, high-pressure nylon tubing or stainless steel tubing should be used for the air circuit.

5. The air pressure replenishment device inside a hollow optical fiber according to claim 1, characterized in that, One end of the gas path is connected to the gas guiding mechanism and the hollow optical fiber via a three-way fitting.

6. The air pressure replenishment device inside a hollow optical fiber according to claim 1, characterized in that, The gas guiding mechanism includes a gas guiding fixture and a capillary tube; the gas guiding fixture has a hollow structure, one end of which is connected to the gas path, and the other end is fixedly connected to the capillary tube; part of the gas in the gas path is guided out to the atmosphere through the gas guiding fixture and the capillary tube.

7. The air pressure replenishment device inside a hollow optical fiber according to claim 1, characterized in that, The hollow optical fiber is connected to the gas path through an optical fiber fixture, and the connection between the optical fiber fixture and the hollow optical fiber is coated with sealant; the gas in the gas path enters the hollow optical fiber through the optical fiber fixture.

8. The air pressure replenishment device for hollow optical fiber according to claim 1, characterized in that, The gas path includes a main gas path and multiple terminal gas paths; one end of the main gas path is connected to the air generator, and the other end is connected to the terminal gas path through one or more multi-port ferrules. Each terminal gas path is connected to a set of air guiding mechanisms and hollow optical fibers. The number of multi-port ferrules and terminal gas paths is determined by the number of hollow optical fibers that need to be replenished with air pressure at a time. The clean air output from the air generator enters the hollow optical fiber through the main air path and the terminal air path in sequence.

9. A method for replenishing internal air pressure in a hollow optical fiber, characterized in that, This method utilizes the internal air pressure replenishment device for hollow optical fibers as described in claim 1, and includes: S1. Connect the hollow optical fiber to the air passage and seal it in place; S2. Turn on the air generator to replenish the internal air pressure of the hollow optical fiber. S3. Check whether the air pressure replenishment is normal by monitoring whether the air delivery mechanism continuously outputs airflow.

10. A hollow-core optical fiber, characterized in that, It is prepared using the internal air pressure replenishment method of hollow optical fiber as described in claim 9.

11. A hollow-core optical fiber cable, characterized in that, It is composed of the hollow optical fiber as described in claim 10.

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