Device for preparing preform

By designing an optical fiber preparation device including a mold sleeve, a gas supply mechanism and a rotating mechanism, the problem that existing equipment cannot prepare non-cylindrical optical fiber preforms is solved, and the preparation and production efficiency of special-shaped preforms are improved.

CN222923063UActive Publication Date: 2025-05-30WEIHAI CHANGHE LIGHT GUIDE TECH CO LTD +2
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Patent Information

Application Number
CN202421602628.4
Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Utility models(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2024-07-08
Publication Date
2025-05-30
Estimated Expiration
2034-07-08

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

The existing optical fiber preparation equipment can only prepare cylindrical fiber preforms, but cannot produce optical fiber preforms of other shapes. The 3D printing method is slow in preparing preforms and has not been applied on a large scale.

Method used

A device for preparing preformed rods is designed, including a mold sleeve, a gas supply mechanism and a rotating mechanism. A deposition cavity is provided in the mold sleeve. The shape of the deposition cavity is adapted to the shape of the preformed rod. The gas supply mechanism sends raw gas into the deposition cavity through the gas supply pipe. The rotating mechanism drives the mold sleeve to rotate to ensure the uniformity of the raw gas in the deposition cavity.

Benefits of technology

Through this device, preform rods with special cross-sections can be produced, which improves the shape diversity and production efficiency of optical fiber preform rods and ensures the reliable quality of the generated preform rods.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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    Figure CN222923063U_ABST
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Abstract

The utility model provides a device for preparing a preform, and relates to the technical field of optical fiber manufacturing, the device is provided with a die sleeve, an air supply mechanism and a rotating mechanism, a deposition cavity is arranged in the die sleeve, and the shape of the deposition cavity is matched with that of the preform; the air supply mechanism is provided with an air supply pipe which is communicated with the deposition cavity; the rotating mechanism is provided with a rotating sleeve and a rotating disc, the rotating disc is rotatably arranged in the rotating sleeve, and the die sleeve is linked with the rotating disc; the gas supply mechanism sends raw material gas into the deposition cavity through the gas supply pipe, the raw material gas subjected to flow distribution through the gas supply pipe is subjected to a chemical reaction, is deposited in the deposition cavity and continuously deposits and grows to generate a preform matched with the deposition cavity in shape, and the rotating mechanism drives the die sleeve to rotate, so that the uniformity of the raw material gas in the deposition cavity is ensured; the quality of the produced preform is ensured; and by designing the shape of the shaping cavity, the preform with the special-shaped cross section can be produced.
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application belongs to the technical field of optical fiber manufacturing. More specifically, it relates to a device for preparing a preform. Background Art

[0002] The preform is the core raw material for optical fiber production. After wire drawing processing, it constitutes the core structure of the innermost layer of the optical fiber. The material composition and structure of the optical fiber preform vary according to the type of optical fiber and can be regarded as a geometric magnification of the quartz part in the optical fiber. Like the optical fiber, it includes two parts: the core layer and the cladding layer.

[0003] Conventional optical fiber materials are mainly composed of amorphous silica (SiO2), while special optical fibers require different preparation techniques to change the relevant parameters of the fiber core and cladding, forming the primary special optical fiber preparation technique and the secondary special optical fiber preparation technique. The primary special optical fiber preparation technique is a method for directly preparing special optical fibers, that is, special optical fibers are prepared by processes such as direct wire drawing or rod making and wire drawing. The direct wire drawing methods include the tube-rod technique, the double crucible technique, the sol-gel technique, etc. The secondary special optical fiber preparation technique is a special optical fiber made by further processing the existing optical fiber.

[0004] The rod making and wire drawing process technologies can be roughly divided into two stages: the manufacture of the optical fiber preform and the wire drawing of the preform. Among them, the most important is the manufacture of the preform. Different special optical fibers correspond to different preform preparation and wire drawing technologies. Therefore, when preparing special optical fibers, various optical fiber parameters should be designed first, such as the core diameter, cladding diameter, refractive index distribution, etc. Then, different process parameters are controlled in the manufacturing process, such as doping components, doping concentration, deposition temperature, rod receiving temperature, rod feeding speed, wire drawing temperature, wire drawing speed, etc.

[0005] The devices for preparing preforms mainly have the following disadvantages: The optical fiber preparation equipment can only prepare cylindrical optical fiber preforms and cannot produce preforms of other shapes to meet different requirements; The method of preparing preforms by 3D printing is slow and inefficient, and it is still in the laboratory stage and has not been applied on a large scale. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of the present utility model is to make up for the deficiencies of the existing technology and provide a device for preparing a preform. The technical solution adopted in this application is:

[0007] A device for preparing a preform is provided with a die sleeve, a gas supply mechanism, and a rotating mechanism. A deposition cavity is arranged in the die sleeve, and the shape of the deposition cavity is adapted to the shape of the preform; The gas supply mechanism is provided with a gas supply pipe, and the gas supply pipe is communicated with the deposition cavity; The rotating mechanism is provided with a rotating sleeve and a rotating disk. The rotating disk is rotatably arranged in the rotating sleeve, and the die sleeve is linked with the rotating disk.

[0008] Preferably, the gas supply pipe is provided with a gas supply port which communicates with the deposition chamber; the die sleeve is arranged on the side surface of the rotating disk, and the gas supply port is arranged on the rotating disk.

[0009] Preferably, the rotating sleeve is provided with a first rotating sleeve and a second rotating sleeve, the rotating disk is provided with a first rotating disk and a second rotating disk, the first rotating disk is rotatably arranged in the first rotating sleeve, and the second rotating disk is rotatably arranged in the second rotating sleeve; the die sleeve is arranged between the first rotating disk and the second rotating disk.

[0010] Preferably, the gas supply pipe is further provided with an air inlet and a communication groove, both the air inlet and the gas supply port communicate with the communication groove; the air inlet is arranged on the rotating sleeve, the communication groove is arranged between the rotating sleeve and the rotating disk, and the communication groove is annular.

[0011] Preferably, there are a plurality of air inlets which are evenly distributed along the circumferential direction of the rotating sleeve.

[0012] Preferably, there are a plurality of gas supply ports which are evenly distributed along the circumferential direction of the rotating disk.

[0013] Preferably, the die sleeve is provided with a plurality of split sleeves which are distributed along the axial direction of the die sleeve, and adjacent split sleeves are fixedly and sealingly connected to each other.

[0014] Preferably, the split sleeve is provided with an upper shell and a lower shell, the upper shell abuts against the lower shell, and the upper shell and the lower shell are fixedly and sealingly connected to each other.

[0015] Preferably, a heater is further provided, and the heater is arranged outside the die sleeve and close to the die sleeve.

[0016] Preferably, a traction mechanism is further provided, the traction mechanism is provided with a traction track and a traction block, and the traction block can move back and forth along the traction track; the direction of the traction track is parallel to the axial direction of the die sleeve, and the heater is linked with the traction block.

[0017] The advantages of the present utility model are as follows:

[0018] The gas supply mechanism sends the raw material gas into the deposition chamber through the gas supply pipe. After the raw material gas is distributed by the gas supply pipe, a chemical reaction occurs, and it is deposited in the deposition chamber and continuously deposited and grown to generate a preform adapted to the shape of the deposition chamber. The rotating mechanism drives the die sleeve to rotate to ensure the uniformity of the raw material gas in the deposition chamber and ensure the quality of the generated preform; by designing the shape of the sizing cavity, a preform with a special-shaped cross section can be produced;

[0019] When the rotating disk rotates in the rotating sleeve, the arrangement of the communication groove ensures that the air inlet and the gas supply port are always communicated with the communication groove, thereby ensuring the stable flow of the raw material gas transported into the deposition chamber and ensuring the reliable quality of the generated preform;

[0020] The die sleeve adopts a split structure, decomposing the structure of the die sleeve, reducing the weight of a single component, improving the safety of production, and facilitating the assembly operation of the split sleeve. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present application. For those of ordinary skill in the art, without creative efforts, other drawings can also be obtained according to these drawings.

[0022] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the device for preparing the preform;

[0023] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the rotating mechanism and the gas supply mechanism;

[0024] Figure 3 is Figure 2 the sectional view taken along A-A in

[0025] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the upper housing;

[0026] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the lower housing.

[0027] Symbol Explanation in the Figures:

[0028] 1 is the die sleeve, 11 is the deposition chamber, 12 is the split sleeve, 121 is the upper housing, 122 is the lower housing, 123 is the connecting flange, 1231 is the connecting projection, 1232 is the connecting groove, 1233 is the mounting groove, 124 is the connecting flange, 1241 is the positioning projection, 1242 is the positioning groove;

[0029] 2 is the gas supply mechanism, 21 is the gas supply pipe, 211 is the gas supply port, 212 is the air inlet, 213 is the communication groove, 214 is the connecting channel;

[0030] 3 is the rotating mechanism, 31 is the rotating sleeve, 311 is the first rotating sleeve, 312 is the second rotating sleeve, 32 is the rotating disk, 321 is the first rotating disk, 322 is the second rotating disk, 33 is the bracket, 331 is the driver, 34 is the connecting frame;

[0031] 4 is the heater;

[0032] 5 is the traction mechanism, 51 is the traction track, 52 is the traction block. Detailed Embodiments

[0033] In order to make the technical problems, technical solutions and beneficial effects to be solved by this application more clear and understandable, the following further details this application in combination with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain this application and are not used to limit this application.

[0034] Now, the device for preparing a preform provided by the embodiment of this application will be described.

[0035] Embodiment

[0036] As Figures 1 to 5 shown, a device for preparing a preform is provided with a die sleeve 1, a gas supply mechanism 2 and a rotating mechanism 3. A deposition cavity 11 is provided in the die sleeve 1, and the shape of the deposition cavity 11 is adapted to the shape of the preform; the gas supply mechanism 2 is provided with a gas supply pipe 21, and the gas supply pipe 21 is communicated with the deposition cavity 11; the rotating mechanism 3 is provided with a rotating sleeve 31 and a rotating disk 32, the rotating disk 32 is rotatably arranged in the rotating sleeve 31, and the die sleeve 1 is linked with the rotating disk 32.

[0037] The gas supply mechanism 2 sends the raw material gas composed of dopants such as SiCl4, O2, GeCl4, C2F4, etc. into the deposition cavity 11 through the gas supply pipe 21. The raw material gas after flow distribution through the gas supply pipe 21 undergoes a chemical reaction, deposits in the deposition cavity 11, and continuously deposits and grows to generate a preform adapted to the shape of the deposition cavity 11. The rotating mechanism 3 drives the die sleeve 1 to rotate to ensure the uniformity of the raw material gas in the deposition cavity 11 and ensure the quality of the generated preform.

[0038] In this embodiment, the shaping cavity 11 is in the shape of a column with an elliptical cross-section and is used to prepare a columnar optical fiber preform with an elliptical cross-section. The cross-section of the shaping cavity 11 can also be triangular, rectangular or other special-shaped cross-sections.

[0039] The rotating mechanism 3 is further provided with a bracket 33 and a connecting frame 34, and the connecting frame 34 is arranged between the brackets 33; the rotating sleeve 31 is arranged on the bracket 33, and a driver 331 for driving the rotating disk 32 to rotate is arranged on the bracket 33; in this embodiment, the driver 331 adopts a driving motor, and the rotating disk 32 is linked with the output shaft of the driving motor.

[0040] The gas supply pipe 21 is provided with a gas supply port 211, and the gas supply port 211 is communicated with the deposition cavity 11; the die sleeve 1 is arranged on the side surface of the rotating disk 32, and the gas supply port 211 is arranged on the rotating disk 32.

[0041] The rotating sleeve 31 is provided with a first rotating sleeve 311 and a second rotating sleeve 312, and the rotating disk 32 is provided with a first rotating disk 321 and a second rotating disk 322. The first rotating disk 321 is rotatably arranged in the first rotating sleeve 311, and the second rotating disk 322 is rotatably arranged in the second rotating sleeve 312; the die sleeve 1 is arranged between the first rotating disk 321 and the second rotating disk 322, and sealing rings are arranged between the first rotating disk 321 and the second rotating disk 322 and the die sleeve 1.

[0042] The gas supply pipe 21 is further provided with an air inlet 212 and a communication groove 213. Both the air inlet 211 and the air supply port 212 are communicated with the communication groove 213; the air inlet 211 is arranged on the rotating sleeve 31, and the communication groove 213 is arranged between the rotating sleeve 31 and the rotating disk 32, and the communication groove 213 is in a circular ring shape.

[0043] When the rotating disk 32 rotates in the rotating sleeve 31, the arrangement of the communication groove 213 ensures that the air inlet 211 and the air supply port 212 are always communicated with the communication groove 213, thereby ensuring the stable flow of the raw material gas conveyed into the deposition chamber 11 and ensuring the reliable quality of the preform produced.

[0044] In this embodiment, the communication groove 213 is arranged on the periphery of the rotating disk 32, and the air inlet 211 penetrates through the rotating sleeve 31 and is communicated with the communication groove 213; sealing rings are also arranged on both sides of the communication groove 213 to prevent gas from flowing out through the gap between the rotating disk 32 and the rotating sleeve 31.

[0045] There are multiple air inlets 212 which are evenly distributed along the circumferential direction of the rotating sleeve 31. In this embodiment, both the first rotating sleeve 311 and the second rotating sleeve 312 are provided with 4 air inlets 212, and the number of the air inlets 212 can also be selected as other numbers different from 4.

[0046] There are multiple air inlets 212 which are evenly distributed along the circumferential direction of the rotating sleeve 31, so that the raw material gas can enter the shaping cavity 11 from multiple directions, increasing the uniformity of gas distribution and improving the flow rate of the raw material gas, thereby improving the production efficiency.

[0047] There are multiple air supply ports 211 which are evenly distributed along the circumferential direction of the rotating disk 32. A connection channel 214 is arranged between the air supply port 211 and the communication groove 213, and the connection channel 214 is arranged inside the rotating disk 32. In this embodiment, both the first rotating disk 321 and the second rotating disk 322 are provided with 4 air supply ports 211, and the number of the air supply ports 211 can also be adjusted according to the shape and size of the preform.

[0048] The die sleeve 1 is provided with a plurality of split sleeves 12, which are distributed along the axial direction of the die sleeve 1. The adjacent split sleeves 12 are fixedly and sealingly connected to each other, and a sealing ring is also provided between the adjacent split sleeves 12. The split sleeves 12 at both ends are respectively fixed to the inner sides of the first rotating disc 321 and the second rotating disc 322.

[0049] In this embodiment, the die sleeve 1 is provided with 3 split sleeves 12. By selecting different numbers of split sleeves 12, the length of the preform produced can be adjusted.

[0050] Both ends of the split sleeve 12 are provided with connecting flanges 123. The connecting flanges 123 of the adjacent split sleeves 12 are abutted against each other, and bolts are provided to penetrate the connecting flanges 123 and cooperate with nuts to fix the split sleeves 12 together. The connecting flange 123 is provided with a connecting protrusion 1231 and a connecting groove 1232. The connecting protrusion 1231 is inserted into the connecting groove 1232 to ensure the axial concentricity of the adjacent split sleeves 12. Among them, an installation groove 1233 for installing a sealing ring is also provided on the inner side of the connecting flange 123.

[0051] The die sleeve 1 adopts a split structure, which decomposes the structure of the die sleeve 1, reduces the weight of a single component, improves the safety of production, and is convenient for the assembly operation of the split sleeve 12.

[0052] The split sleeve 12 is provided with an upper shell 121 and a lower shell 122. The upper shell 121 abuts against the lower shell 122, and the upper shell 121 and the lower shell 122 are fixedly and sealingly connected to each other; a sealing strip is provided between the upper shell 121 and the lower shell 122.

[0053] Both the upper shell 121 and the lower shell 122 are also provided with connecting flanges 124. The connecting flanges 124 of the upper shell 121 and the lower shell 122 are abutted against each other, and bolts are provided to penetrate the connecting flanges 124 and cooperate with nuts to fix the upper shell 121 and the lower shell 122 together. The connecting flange 124 is provided with a positioning protrusion 1241 and a positioning groove 1242. The positioning protrusion 1241 is inserted into the positioning groove 1242 to ensure accurate positioning between the upper shell 121 and the lower shell 122.

[0054] The split sleeve 12 adopts a design scheme of splicing the upper shell 121 and the lower shell 122, which is convenient for taking out the preform.

[0055] A heater 4 is also provided. The heater 4 is arranged outside the die sleeve 1 and close to the die sleeve 1.

[0056] The heater 4 heats the die sleeve 1, the temperature in the deposition chamber 11 rises, the raw material gas undergoes a chemical reaction at high temperature, deposits in the deposition chamber 11, and continuously deposits and grows to form a preform.

[0057] A traction mechanism 5 is further provided. The traction mechanism 5 is provided with a traction track 51 and a traction block 52. The traction block 52 can move back and forth along the traction track 51. The direction of the traction track 51 is parallel to the axial direction of the die sleeve 1. The heater 4 is linked with the traction block 52. In this embodiment, a lead screw is used to drive the traction block 52 to move back and forth through a screw drive method.

[0058] The traction mechanism 5 drives the heater 4 to move back and forth along the axial direction of the die sleeve 1, so that the temperature in the deposition chamber 11 is uniform, and the raw material gas is uniformly deposited and continuously deposited and grown in the deposition chamber 11, further ensuring the quality of the generated preform.

[0059] The above is only a preferred embodiment of the present application and is not intended to limit the present application. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, improvements, etc. 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 preparing a preform rod, comprising a mold sleeve, an air supply mechanism and a rotating mechanism, characterized in that: A deposition cavity is provided in the mold sleeve, and the shape of the deposition cavity is adapted to the shape of the preform rod; the air supply mechanism is provided with an air supply pipe, and the air supply pipe is connected with the deposition cavity; the rotating mechanism is provided with a rotating sleeve and a rotating disk, and the rotating disk is rotatably provided in the rotating sleeve, and the mold sleeve is linked with the rotating disk; the mold sleeve is provided with a plurality of split sleeves, and the split sleeves are distributed along the axial direction of the mold sleeve, and adjacent split sleeves are fixed to each other and sealed.

2. The device for preparing a preform according to claim 1, characterized in that: The air supply pipe is provided with an air supply port, and the air supply port is communicated with the deposition chamber; the mold sleeve is arranged on the side of the rotating disk, and the air supply port is arranged on the rotating disk.

3. The device for preparing a preform according to claim 2, characterized in that: The rotating sleeve is provided with a first rotating sleeve and a second rotating sleeve, the rotating disk is provided with a first rotating disk and a second rotating disk, the first rotating disk is rotatably arranged in the first rotating sleeve, and the second rotating disk is rotatably arranged in the second rotating sleeve; the mold sleeve is arranged between the first rotating disk and the second rotating disk.

4. The device for preparing a preform according to claim 3, characterized in that: The air supply pipe is also provided with an air inlet and a connecting groove, and the air inlet and the air supply port are both connected with the connecting groove; the air inlet is arranged on the rotating sleeve, and the connecting groove is arranged between the rotating sleeve and the rotating disk, and the connecting groove is in a circular ring shape.

5. The device for preparing a preform according to claim 4, characterized in that: The air inlets are provided in plurality and are evenly distributed along the circumferential direction of the rotating sleeve.

6. The device for preparing a preform according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that: The air supply ports are provided in plurality and are evenly distributed along the circumferential direction of the rotating disk.

7. The device for preparing a preform according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The split sleeve is provided with an upper shell and a lower shell, the upper shell is abutted against the lower shell, and the upper shell and the lower shell are fixed to each other and sealed.

8. The device for preparing a preform according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: A heater is also provided, and the heater is arranged outside the mold sleeve and close to the mold sleeve.

9. The device for preparing a preform according to claim 8, characterized in that: A traction mechanism is also provided, which is provided with a traction track and a traction block. The traction block can move back and forth along the traction track. The direction of the traction track is parallel to the axial direction of the mold sleeve, and the heater is linked with the traction block.