Sealing component of optical fiber drawing furnace

Abstract

The utility model relates to a sealing part of an optical fiber drawing furnace, and aims to solve the problem of sealing failure of a traditional sealing part caused by reducing of a preform tail handle and a glass rod body in the optical fiber drawing process. By designing the sealing part comprising the sealing cylinder, the precise sealing structure, the flexible connecting rod and the auxiliary design element, comprehensive sealing and protection of the process that the preform enters the optical fiber drawing furnace main body are achieved, the sealing cylinder is tightly connected with the optical fiber drawing furnace main body, and the sealing joint piece and the multi-layer sealing structure are arranged, so that the sealing effect is improved. And the graphite lining and the glass sheet are introduced, so that the heat uniformity is further improved, and the temperature difference disturbance is reduced. In addition, due to the segmented design of the sealing cylinder and the movable installation of the connecting rod, the flexibility and maintainability of the parts are improved. The sealing component can adapt to the diameter change of the preform in the wire drawing process, sealing failure is effectively avoided, the loss of long-term continuous wire drawing is reduced, and the optical fiber manufacturing efficiency and the product quality are improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the technical field of optical fiber production, and particularly to a sealing component for an optical fiber drawing furnace. Background Art

[0002] As the core carrier of information transmission, the quality and production efficiency of optical fibers have become the focus of the communication industry. As a key link in optical fiber manufacturing, the stability and efficiency of the optical fiber drawing process directly determine the final quality and cost of optical fiber products. In this process, the sealing of the preform is regarded as the cornerstone to ensure the stability of the drawing process. It not only relates to the strength stability of the optical fiber, the uniformity of the bare optical fiber diameter, but also directly affects the utilization rate of the preform material and the service life of the key component in the drawing furnace - the graphite component, thereby having a profound impact on the overall economic benefits of optical fiber production.

[0003] The existing sealing design of optical fiber drawing furnaces mainly relies on the wrapping method of quartz rings and quartz wool at the furnace mouth and the tail handle. However, its installation process is cumbersome, and these components are easily damaged during the drawing process and need to be replaced and adjusted regularly, increasing the operation difficulty and cost. For preforms with different diameters or variable diameters, the existing technology requires customized processing. The dust generated during the processing not only affects the cleanliness of the working environment but also may increase the risks of air leakage and preform dropping due to improper handling. When the diameter of the preform is unstable, relying on manual adjustment of the sealing state not only has a high labor intensity but also is difficult to ensure the accuracy and timeliness of the adjustment, thereby affecting the continuity and stability of the drawing process. The extrusion of quartz wool easily causes difficulty in centering the preform, and the integrity of the half-side seal may be damaged during the adjustment process, further exacerbating the instability of the sealing state. Due to the unsatisfactory sealing effect, furnace air leakage occurs frequently, which not only damages the performance of the optical fiber but also accelerates the wear of the graphite component in the furnace, shortens its service life, and increases the replacement frequency and cost.

[0004] The improvement and innovation of the sealing technology for optical fiber drawing furnaces are of great significance for improving the technical level of optical fiber production, reducing production costs, and ensuring product quality. Utility Model Content

[0005] The purpose of this application is to provide a sealing component for an optical fiber drawing furnace, which does not need to consider the sealing problem caused by the variable diameter of the tail handle, can form a good air sealing effect, so that the thermal uniformity will be better, the loss during long-term continuous drawing is small, and the replacement is simple. It ensures that the entire sealing process is always of uniform diameter, guaranteeing the stability of the optical fiber diameter. The sealing component of the optical fiber drawing furnace of this application is used to be arranged in the optical fiber drawing furnace, and the preform enters the optical fiber drawing furnace main body from the sealing component, and includes a sealing cylinder, a sealing structure, and a connecting rod;

[0006] One end of the sealing cylinder is hermetically connected to the optical fiber drawing furnace main body, and the other end is provided with a sealing joint;

[0007] The sealing structure cooperates with the sealing joint to seal the other end of the sealing cylinder;

[0008] A preform mounting structure is provided on the connecting rod for fixing the original tailstock of the preform;

[0009] Wherein, the connecting rod is movably arranged in the sealing cylinder.

[0010] In one embodiment, the sealing joint includes an air sealing structure.

[0011] In one embodiment, the sealing joint further includes a cooling pipeline.

[0012] In one embodiment, the sealing structure includes a metal cover, a graphite hard felt, a graphite soft felt, and a metal base.

[0013] In one embodiment, the sealing cylinder is made of a metal material and includes a water cooling pipeline.

[0014] In one embodiment, a graphite lining is further included, and the graphite lining is arranged inside the sealing cylinder.

[0015] In one embodiment, the inner diameter of the graphite lining is 105%-150% of the preform diameter.

[0016] In one embodiment, the sealing cylinder is vertically and sealingly connected to the preform inlet and outlet position at the top of the optical fiber drawing furnace body.

[0017] In one embodiment, a glass sheet is further included, and the glass sheet is arranged in the reduced diameter area of the preform to reduce the temperature difference disturbance.

[0018] In one embodiment, the sealing cylinder is arranged in sections, and the sections are sealingly assembled and connected.

[0019] Compared with the prior art, the present application has the following beneficial effects: the present application provides a sealing component for an optical fiber drawing furnace, which mainly includes a sealing cylinder, a sealing structure, a connecting rod and a series of auxiliary designs, so as to realize sealing without considering the diameter change of the tail handle and the diameter change of the glass rod body, and improve various performance indicators in the optical fiber manufacturing process. By designing a flexible sealing structure and a sealing joint, the diameter change of the preform rod during the drawing process can be adaptively adapted to ensure the continuous stability of the sealing effect during the entire drawing cycle, and effectively avoid the sealing failure problem caused by the diameter change. The air-sealing structure design in the sealing component, combined with the water-cooling pipe and the graphite lining in the sealing cylinder, forms an efficient airtight layer and a thermal isolation layer, which not only improves the air-sealing effect, but also significantly improves the thermal uniformity in the optical fiber drawing furnace, and reduces the influence of temperature fluctuations on the optical fiber quality. The sealing component adopts a modular design, such as the segmented setting of the sealing cylinder and the movable installation of the connecting rod, so that when replacement or maintenance is required, the disassembly and assembly work can be completed quickly, reducing the maintenance cost and time cost. The optical fiber drawing furnace sealing component provided in the present application can effectively adapt to the diameter change of the tail handle and the glass rod body, improve the sealing effect, thermal uniformity and production efficiency, and reduce the loss of long-term continuous drawing. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a sealing component of an optical fiber drawing furnace according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0021] Figure 2 It is a structural schematic diagram of the placement of preform rods in the sealing component of the optical fiber drawing furnace in the embodiment of the present application.

[0022] Description of reference numerals: 100, wire drawing furnace body; 200, sealing cylinder; 210, sealing joint; 300, sealing structure; 400, connecting rod; 500, preform rod. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] In order to make the above-mentioned purposes, features and advantages of the present application more obvious and easy to understand, the specific implementation methods of the present application are described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present application, rather than to limit the present application. It should also be noted that, for ease of description, only some structures related to the present application are shown in the accompanying drawings, rather than all structures. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative work are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0024] As used in this application, the terms "comprise" and "have" and any variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, product, or apparatus that comprises a series of steps or units is not limited to the listed steps or units, but optionally further comprises steps or units not listed, or optionally further comprises other steps or units inherent to these processes, methods, products, or apparatuses.

[0025] Reference herein to "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment can be included in at least one embodiment of the application. The phrase appears in various places in the specification and does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor is it an independent or alternative embodiment mutually exclusive of other embodiments. Those skilled in the art will explicitly and implicitly understand that the embodiments described herein can be combined with other embodiments.

[0026] Please refer to Figures 1 to 2 As shown, the sealing component of the optical fiber drawing furnace in a preferred embodiment of the present application is applicable to the sealing problem caused by the variable diameter of the tailstock to obtain a good airtight effect, so that the thermal uniformity will be better. The sealing component of the optical fiber drawing furnace is used to be arranged in the optical fiber drawing furnace, and the preform 500 enters the main body 100 of the optical fiber drawing furnace from the sealing component, and includes a sealing cylinder 200, a sealing structure 300, and a connecting rod 400.

[0027] One end of the sealing cylinder 200 is hermetically connected to the main body 100 of the optical fiber drawing furnace, and a sealing joint 210 is arranged at the other end; the sealing cylinder 200 is made of a high temperature-resistant and corrosion-resistant material, and one end thereof is completely sealed with the main body 100 of the optical fiber drawing furnace through precise flange connection or welding technology, effectively isolating the interference of the external environment on the pure atmosphere in the furnace.

[0028] The sealing structure 300 cooperates with the sealing joint 210 to seal the other end of the sealing cylinder 200;

[0029] A preform mounting structure is provided on the connecting rod 400 for fixing the original tailstock of the preform 500. Due to the arrangement of the connecting rod 400, compared with the prior art, it is not necessary for the preform 500 to pass through the sealing structure 300, and no additional adjustment is required for the case of variable diameter, which can avoid the risks of air leakage and rod dropping. Among them, the connecting rod 400 is movably arranged in the sealing cylinder 200. This arrangement includes completely arranging the connecting rod 400 inside the sealing cylinder 200, or arranging the driving structure outside the sealing cylinder 200 and passing the connecting rod 400 through the sealing structure 300. Since the connecting rod 400 is manufactured according to a fixed size, compared with passing the preform 500 through the sealing structure 300, the influence caused by size change can be avoided. The preform mounting structure is integrated on the connecting rod 400, which can firmly lock the original tailstock of the preform 500 and ensure the stable transmission of the preform 500 during the wire drawing process. The connecting rod 400 itself is designed to move inside the sealing cylinder 200, and through the guide rail and slider mechanism, precise adjustment of the connecting rod 400 in the vertical or horizontal direction can be achieved to adapt to the installation requirements of preforms 500 of different specifications.

[0030] Specifically, the sealing joint 210 includes an air sealing structure. The sealing material and air sealing principle are adopted to further improve the sealing efficiency and stability of the sealing components of the optical fiber drawing furnace. The design of the air sealing structure closely fits the surface profile of the preform 500. By forming a small and uniform sealing gap, it effectively prevents the direct exchange of high-temperature gas in the furnace and the external environment, ensuring that the wire drawing process is carried out in a highly pure and stable atmosphere. The introduction of the air sealing structure makes the sealing interface between the sealing joint 210 and the preform 500 tighter and more continuous, significantly reducing the risk of gas leakage. This sealing effect not only ensures the purity of the atmosphere in the furnace but also helps to improve the quality stability and yield of optical fiber drawing. Since the air sealing structure can effectively prevent external impurities and corrosive gases from entering the furnace, the wear and corrosion of the sealing components are reduced, and their service life is extended. At the same time, the stable sealing environment also helps to protect other key components in the furnace, such as graphite parts, further improving the overall durability of the equipment.

[0031] Specifically, the sealing joint 210 further includes a cooling pipeline. In order to further improve the performance and durability of the sealing components of the optical fiber drawing furnace, a cooling pipeline system is innovatively integrated on the sealing joint 210. This design cleverly combines the two functions of sealing and cooling. Through the circulating coolant, an efficient heat exchange network is formed inside the sealing joint 210, effectively reducing the heat stress concentration and component thermal fatigue problems caused by the high-temperature working environment. The cooling pipeline system not only improves the temperature resistance performance of the sealing components but also ensures their stability and reliability under long-term and high-load operating conditions. The introduction of the cooling pipeline system enables the sealing joint 210 to maintain a relatively low working temperature in a high-temperature environment, effectively reducing the material expansion, softening, or performance degradation phenomena caused by high temperature. This helps to maintain the geometric accuracy and sealing performance of the sealing components and ensures the continuity and stability of the optical fiber drawing process.

[0032] Specifically, the sealing structure 300 includes a metal cover, graphite hard felt, graphite soft felt, and a metal base. Adopting a multi-layer composite design, the sealing structure 300 sequentially includes a metal cover, a graphite hard felt layer, a graphite soft felt layer, and a metal base from the outside to the inside. This multi-level structure not only enhances the sealing performance but also takes into account high temperature resistance, corrosion resistance, and good compression and rebound characteristics. As the outermost layer of the sealing structure 300, the metal cover provides a strong mechanical support and protection, effectively resisting the erosion of the external environment and mechanical shocks. Its excellent thermal conductivity also helps to quickly conduct the heat generated inside, maintaining the overall stability of the sealing structure 300. Immediately below the metal cover is the graphite hard felt layer, which has a high hardness and density and can maintain a stable shape under high-temperature and high-pressure environments, preventing the sealing structure 300 from being easily crushed or deformed. At the same time, the graphite material itself has excellent high-temperature resistance, ensuring that the sealing structure 300 can still work normally under extreme temperature conditions. Located between the graphite hard felt layer and the metal base is the graphite soft felt layer. The design of this layer cleverly utilizes the good compression and resilience and sealing performance of the graphite soft felt. When subjected to external pressure, the graphite soft felt can deform to fill the micro-gaps, forming a more tightly sealed interface. When the pressure is released, it can quickly return to its original state, maintaining the long-term effectiveness of the seal.

[0033] Specifically, the sealing cylinder 200 is made of metal material and includes a water-cooling pipeline. To meet the requirements for sealing performance and thermal management in high-temperature environments, the sealing cylinder 200 is precisely manufactured using high-strength metal materials and integrated with an efficient water-cooling pipeline system. This design not only ensures the structural integrity and sealing effect of the sealing cylinder 200 under extreme temperature conditions but also effectively reduces the temperature of the sealing cylinder 200 and the surrounding environment through the internal circulating water-cooling mechanism, improving the overall system stability and safety. The high-strength metal materials used for the sealing cylinder 200, such as stainless steel or heat-resistant alloys, have excellent high-temperature resistance, corrosion resistance, and good mechanical strength characteristics. Inside the sealing cylinder 200 or closely attached to its outer wall, an efficient water-cooling pipeline network is arranged. Through design, these pipelines achieve uniform distribution and efficient circulation of cooling water. As an independent heat dissipation unit, the water-cooling pipeline system is isolated from the main operating system of the equipment, avoiding potential pollution of the internal environment of the equipment by the cooling medium. At the same time, this system can automatically adjust the flow rate and temperature of the cooling water according to the actual working conditions to achieve precise temperature control, ensuring that the sealing cylinder 200 and its internal components are always in the best working state.

[0034] Specifically, it further includes a graphite lining, and the graphite lining is arranged inside the sealing cylinder 200. To further optimize the high-temperature resistance, corrosion resistance, and sealing effect of the sealing cylinder 200, a graphite lining is introduced in this application. The graphite lining is arranged inside the sealing cylinder 200. Graphite can maintain its structural stability and chemical inertness at extremely high temperatures, effectively resisting thermal stress and oxidation erosion in high-temperature environments, thereby protecting the metal material from high-temperature damage. Graphite has excellent resistance to a variety of corrosive media and can effectively prevent the erosion of the inner wall of the sealing cylinder 200 by corrosive substances such as acids and alkalis, extending the service life of the equipment.

[0035] Specifically, the inner diameter of the graphite lining is 105% - 150% of the diameter of the preformed rod 500. This design method provides an appropriate gap that allows the preformed rod 500 to be free within it while ensuring that the graphite lining can tightly wrap the preformed rod 500 to prevent medium leakage. A too-small gap may limit the thermal expansion of the preformed rod 500, resulting in stress concentration; while a too-large gap may affect the air flow effect. This range not only meets the sealing requirements but also provides a relatively balanced temperature change. The appropriate gap also facilitates the installation and disassembly of the preformed rod 500, reducing installation problems and additional costs caused by size mismatches.

[0036] Specifically, the sealing cylinder 200 is vertically and sealingly connected to the inlet and outlet position of the preform 500 at the top of the optical fiber drawing furnace body 100. Connecting the sealing cylinder 200 and the optical fiber drawing furnace body 100 in a vertical layout can ensure that the preform 500 remains vertical when entering and leaving the furnace body, reducing friction and resistance caused by angular deviation. At the same time, it is convenient for the precise operation of automated equipment. The connection between the sealing cylinder 200 and the optical fiber drawing furnace body 100 adopts high-standard sealing technologies, such as flange connection combined with high-temperature sealing gaskets, etc., to ensure good sealing performance in high-temperature and high-pressure environments, preventing the leakage of furnace gas or the intrusion of external impurities.

[0037] Specifically, it also includes a glass sheet, and the glass sheet is arranged in the variable diameter area of the preform 500 to reduce temperature difference disturbance. The glass sheet is placed in the variable diameter area of the preform 500. Its function is to effectively reduce the disturbance generated in this area due to temperature changes through its excellent thermal conductivity and thermal stability, thereby ensuring the continuity and quality of optical fiber drawing. The selected glass sheet needs to have high purity, low expansion coefficient, and good heat conduction performance to ensure that it can withstand temperature changes in a high-temperature environment and reduce stress concentration and deformation caused by temperature differences. The glass sheet is precisely placed in the variable diameter area of the preform 500. This area is the transition section where the diameter of the preform 500 changes, and it is also the most sensitive and complex part of temperature change. By setting the glass sheet here, the influence of irregular air flow arrangement at the variable diameter is reduced, making the air flow and temperature distribution the same at the same diameter of the preform 500, and specifically alleviating the temperature difference disturbance in this area.

[0038] Specifically, the sealing cylinder 200 is segmented, and the segments are assembled and connected in a sealed manner. To improve the overall sealing performance and flexibility of the system, a segmented design of the sealing cylinder 200 structure is adopted. The sealing cylinder 200 is carefully divided into multiple independent segments, each of which has an independent sealing function and is tightly connected through precise assembly connection technology. Dividing the sealing cylinder 200 into multiple segments not only facilitates manufacturing and installation but also can adjust the length and material of each segment according to actual needs to adapt to different working environments and process requirements. High-precision seals and fastening devices are used for assembly connection between each segment of the sealing cylinder 200 to ensure no leakage at the connection and guarantee the stability and durability of the overall structure. These seals may include O-rings, gaskets, threaded locking rings, etc. The specific selection depends on factors such as working pressure, medium characteristics, and working environment. Moreover, the segmented design enables the length and material of the sealing cylinder 200 to be adjusted according to actual needs, improving the flexibility and adaptability of the system.

[0039] As can be seen from the above, the present application proposes an innovative sealing component for an optical fiber drawing furnace, which solves the sealing problems faced by traditional sealing components when dealing with the tail handle of the preform and the diameter change of the glass rod body, ensuring high efficiency, stability and precise control in the optical fiber manufacturing process. The sealing component is designed specifically for the optical fiber drawing furnace. Through precise construction and optimized functional layout, it realizes comprehensive sealing and protection of the process of the preform entering the main body of the optical fiber drawing furnace. Specifically, the sealing component consists of a sealing cylinder, a precision sealing structure, a flexible connecting rod, etc. One end of the sealing cylinder is tightly and reliably sealed to the main body of the optical fiber drawing furnace, and the other end is ingeniously equipped with a sealing joint. This joint not only closely cooperates with the sealing structure to form an impregnable sealing barrier, but also integrates an air sealing structure and a cooling pipeline, further enhancing the sealing performance and heat management ability. The inside of the sealing structure adopts a multi-layer design, including a metal cover, graphite hard felt, graphite soft felt and a metal base. The selection and combination of these materials ensure the high temperature resistance, wear resistance and excellent sealing effect of the sealing structure.

[0040] Furthermore, the present application also introduces a graphite lining, the inner diameter of which is carefully set between 105% and 150% according to the diameter of the preform. This design not only effectively adapts to the diameter change of the preform during the drawing process, but also improves the thermal uniformity through the excellent thermal conductivity of the graphite material, reducing the quality fluctuation of the optical fiber caused by temperature difference disturbance. In addition, the setting of the glass sheet cleverly solves the temperature difference problem in the diameter change area of the preform, further ensuring the stability and continuity of optical fiber drawing. To achieve higher flexibility and maintainability, this sealing component adopts a modular design concept. The sealing cylinder is segmented, and each segment is connected through precise sealing assembly. This design not only facilitates adjusting the length of the sealing cylinder according to actual needs, but also enables easy and rapid disassembly and assembly when replacement or maintenance is required, greatly reducing the maintenance cost and time cost. At the same time, the preform installation structure set on the connecting rod allows the connecting rod to move flexibly in the sealing cylinder, thus better adapting to the dynamic changes of the preform during the drawing process.

[0041] In summary, the sealing component for the optical fiber drawing furnace provided by the present application, through a series of design and optimization measures, realizes effective adaptation and sealing protection for the tail handle of the preform and the diameter change of the glass rod body, significantly improving the sealing effect, thermal uniformity and production efficiency in the optical fiber manufacturing process. This sealing component not only reduces the loss during long-term continuous drawing, but also improves the quality and stability of optical fiber products.

[0042] The above is only a specific embodiment of the present application, and any improvement made on the premise of the concept of the present application is regarded as the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A sealing component of an optical fiber drawing furnace, which is used to be arranged in the optical fiber drawing furnace, and a preform (500) enters the optical fiber drawing furnace body (100) from the sealing component, characterized in that: It comprises a sealing cylinder (200), a sealing structure (300), and a connecting rod (400); One end of the sealing cylinder (200) is sealedly connected to the optical fiber drawing furnace body (100), and the other end is provided with a sealing joint (210); The sealing structure (300) cooperates with the sealing joint (210) to seal the other end of the sealing cylinder (200); The connecting rod (400) is provided with a preform rod mounting structure for fixing the original tail handle of the preform rod (500); Wherein, the connecting rod (400) is movably arranged on the sealing cylinder (200).

2. The sealing component of the optical fiber drawing furnace according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sealing joint (210) comprises an air sealing structure.

3. The sealing component of the optical fiber drawing furnace according to claim 2, characterized in that: The sealing joint (210) also includes a cooling pipeline.

4. The sealing component of the optical fiber drawing furnace according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sealing structure (300) comprises a metal cover, a hard graphite felt, a soft graphite felt and a metal base.

5. The sealing component of the optical fiber drawing furnace according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sealing cylinder (200) is made of metal material and includes a water cooling pipe.

6. The sealing component of the optical fiber drawing furnace according to claim 5, characterized in that: It also comprises a graphite liner, wherein the graphite liner is arranged in the sealing cylinder (200).

7. The sealing component of the optical fiber drawing furnace according to claim 6, characterized in that: The inner diameter of the graphite liner is 105%-150% of the diameter of the preform rod (500).

8. The sealing component of the optical fiber drawing furnace according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sealing cylinder (200) is vertically and sealingly connected to the inlet and outlet positions of the preform rod (500) on the top of the optical fiber drawing furnace body (100).

9. The sealing component of the optical fiber drawing furnace according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a glass sheet, which is arranged in the diameter-changing region of the preform rod (500) to reduce temperature difference disturbance.

10. The sealing component of the optical fiber drawing furnace according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sealing cylinder (200) is arranged in sections, and each section is sealed and assembled to be connected.

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