Optical fiber production heating furnace capable of reducing helium flow

Abstract

The utility model discloses an optical fiber production heating furnace capable of reducing helium flow, which comprises a furnace body and a lower chimney arranged at the lower end of the furnace body, a furnace core tube is arranged in the furnace body, an optical fiber preform is arranged in the furnace core tube, and heaters are arranged in the furnace body around the furnace core tube. A plurality of first annular holes are formed in the upper end of the furnace core pipe in the circumferential direction, the furnace core pipe is connected with an external helium supply system through the first annular holes, a Y-shaped center pipe communicating with the lower end of the furnace core pipe is arranged in the lower chimney, and a plurality of second annular holes are formed in the Y-shaped center pipe in the circumferential direction. And the Y-shaped central pipe is connected with an external argon supply system through a plurality of second annular holes, and a dynamic argon barrier for slowing down helium dissipation is formed at the second annular holes through argon, so that the downward dissipation speed of helium is slowed down, and the consumption of helium is effectively reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of optical fiber processing equipment technology, specifically to an optical fiber production heating furnace that can reduce the flow rate of helium. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, inert gas argon is commonly used as a protective and heat-conducting gas in optical fiber production furnaces to reduce production costs. However, in order to reduce the diameter fluctuation of bare optical fibers and improve control accuracy, some production processes still require the use of helium. In traditional technology, helium is introduced into the optical fiber production furnace at a large flow rate, filling the furnace and wrapping the optical fiber preform. Finally, the helium overflows through the opening at the bottom of the furnace. To ensure the uniformity of the bare optical fiber diameter, a large helium flow rate is required, resulting in high helium consumption and high production costs. Utility Model Content

[0003] To address the aforementioned shortcomings of existing technologies, this utility model provides a fiber optic production heating furnace that can reduce helium flow, thus solving the problem of high production costs caused by high helium consumption.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted by this utility model is as follows:

[0005] A fiber optic production heating furnace with reduced helium flow is provided, comprising a furnace body and a lower chimney located at the lower end of the furnace body. A core tube is disposed within the furnace body, and an optical fiber preform is disposed within the core tube. Heaters are disposed within the furnace body surrounding the core tube. A plurality of first annular holes are disposed circumferentially at the upper end of the core tube, and the core tube is connected to an external helium supply system through the plurality of first annular holes. A Y-shaped central tube communicating with the lower end of the core tube is disposed within the lower chimney. A plurality of second annular holes are disposed circumferentially at the Y-shaped central tube, and the Y-shaped central tube is connected to an external argon supply system through the plurality of second annular holes. Argon gas forms a dynamic argon barrier at the plurality of second annular holes to slow down helium escape.

[0006] Furthermore, an upper chimney is provided at the upper end of the furnace body, and an upper chimney center tube is provided inside the upper chimney. An extension rod is provided inside the upper chimney center tube. The upper end of the extension rod is sealed and penetrates the upper chimney center tube, and the lower end of the extension rod is fixedly connected to the upper end of the optical fiber preform. The gap between the optical fiber preforms is provided inside the furnace core tube.

[0007] Furthermore, the outer wall of the Y-shaped central tube and the inner wall of the lower chimney are spaced apart and together form an annular cavity.

[0008] Furthermore, an airflow channel is provided at the lower end of the furnace body, which is connected to the argon supply system. The furnace core tube is connected to the Y-shaped central tube through a quartz ring. Several connecting holes are provided on the circumferential direction of the outer edge of the quartz ring, and the airflow channel is connected to the annular cavity through several connecting holes.

[0009] Furthermore, an I-shaped central tube connected to the lower end of the Y-shaped central tube is installed inside the lower chimney, and several third annular holes are provided in the circumferential direction of the I-shaped central tube.

[0010] Furthermore, the central tube of the upper chimney, the core tube, the Y-shaped central tube, and the I-shaped central tube are all made of graphite material.

[0011] Furthermore, flow regulating valves are installed on the connecting pipelines between the furnace core tube and the helium supply system, and between the Y-shaped central tube and the argon supply system.

[0012] Furthermore, an infrared temperature measuring device is installed on the furnace body, which can accurately measure the heating temperature inside the furnace.

[0013] The beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows:

[0014] 1. This scheme heats the optical fiber preform by introducing helium gas into the furnace core tube as a heat conduction gas and forming an inert gas protective environment. It has strong controllability and is conducive to reducing the diameter fluctuation during the optical fiber drawing process. At the same time, argon gas forms a dynamic argon gas barrier at several second annular holes on the Y-shaped central tube to slow down the downward escape rate of helium gas, thereby effectively reducing the consumption of helium gas.

[0015] 2. This solution, through the setting of the central tube of the upper chimney and the extension rod, allows the optical fiber preform to be intermittently placed inside the furnace core tube, which is beneficial for the complete encapsulation of the optical fiber preform by helium.

[0016] 3. This scheme allows argon gas to form a dynamic barrier while simultaneously filling the annular cavity and forming an annular thermal insulation layer with Y-shaped and I-shaped central tubes.

[0017] 4. This solution can extend the axial length of the Y-shaped central tube through the I-shaped central tube, which is beneficial to the formation of the drawn optical fiber; at the same time, argon gas can be re-formed into a dynamic argon gas barrier through several third annular holes, thereby forming a multi-layer gas barrier and further slowing down the escape rate of helium gas.

[0018] 5. In this scheme, the flow rates of helium and argon in the furnace core tube can be controlled separately through flow regulating valves, thereby reducing diameter fluctuations during the optical fiber drawing process. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the heating furnace for optical fiber production in this scheme.

[0020] The components are as follows: 1. Furnace body; 2. Lower chimney; 3. Furnace core tube; 4. Optical fiber preform; 5. Heater; 6. First annular hole; 7. Helium supply system; 8. Y-shaped central tube; 9. Second annular hole; 10. Argon supply system; 11. Upper chimney central tube; 12. Extension rod; 13. Airflow channel; 14. Quartz ring; 15. Connecting hole; 16. I-shaped central tube; 17. Third annular hole; 18. Flow regulating valve. Detailed Implementation

[0021] The specific embodiments of this utility model are described below to enable those skilled in the art to understand this utility model. However, it should be understood that this utility model is not limited to the scope of the specific embodiments. For those skilled in the art, as long as various changes are within the spirit and scope of this utility model as defined and determined by the appended claims, these changes are obvious. All utility model creations utilizing the concept of this utility model are within the scope of protection.

[0022] like Figure 1 As shown, the fiber optic production heating furnace with reduced helium flow includes a furnace body 1 and a lower chimney 2 located at the lower end of the furnace body 1. A core tube 3 is installed inside the furnace body 1, and an optical fiber preform 4 is installed inside the core tube 3. A heater 5 is installed inside the furnace body 1 around the core tube 3. Several first annular holes 6 are arranged in the circumferential direction at the upper end of the core tube 3, and the core tube 3 is connected to an external helium supply system 7 through several first annular holes 6. A Y-shaped central tube 8 connected to the lower end of the core tube 3 is installed in the lower chimney 2. Several second annular holes 9 are arranged in the circumferential direction of the Y-shaped central tube 8, and the Y-shaped central tube 8 is connected to an external argon supply system 10 through several second annular holes 9. Argon gas forms a dynamic argon barrier at several second annular holes 9 to slow down helium escape.

[0023] This scheme introduces helium into the furnace core tube 3. Helium, as a heat-conducting gas, is highly controllable. The heater can heat the optical fiber preform 4 with helium. Helium can also form an inert gas environment for drawing optical fibers, which helps to reduce diameter fluctuations during the fiber drawing process. At the same time, argon gas forms a dynamic argon barrier at several second annular holes 9 on the Y-shaped central tube 8. The density of argon gas is much greater than that of helium gas, which slows down the downward escape rate of helium gas, thereby effectively reducing the consumption of helium gas.

[0024] As an optional implementation, an upper chimney is provided at the upper end of the furnace body 1, and an upper chimney center tube 11 is provided inside the upper chimney. An extension rod 12 is provided inside the upper chimney center tube 11. The upper end of the extension rod 12 is sealed through the upper chimney center tube 11, and the lower end of the extension rod 12 is fixedly connected to the upper end of the optical fiber preform 4. The gap of the optical fiber preform 4 is provided inside the furnace core tube 3, which is conducive to the complete coverage of the optical fiber preform 4 by helium.

[0025] As an optional implementation, the outer wall of the Y-shaped central tube 8 and the inner wall of the lower chimney 2 are spaced apart and together form an annular cavity. An airflow channel 13 is provided at the lower end of the furnace body 1, and the airflow channel 13 is connected to the argon supply system 10. The furnace core tube 3 and the Y-shaped central tube 8 are connected by a quartz ring 14. Several connecting holes 15 are provided circumferentially on the outer edge of the quartz ring 14, and the airflow channel 13 communicates with the annular cavity through these connecting holes 15. An I-shaped central tube 16, communicating with the lower end of the Y-shaped central tube 8, is provided inside the lower chimney 2. The I-shaped central tube 16 is arranged circumferentially... There are several third annular holes 17; this scheme can lengthen the axial length of the Y-shaped central tube 8 through the I-shaped central tube 16, which is beneficial to the forming of the drawn optical fiber; at the same time, argon gas can be formed again through several third annular holes 17 to form a dynamic argon gas barrier, thereby forming a multi-layer gas barrier, further slowing down the escape rate of helium gas; at the same time, by utilizing the inert gas properties of argon gas, while forming a dynamic barrier, argon gas can fill the annular cavity and form an annular heat insulation layer for the Y-shaped central tube 8 and the I-shaped central tube 16, protecting the Y-shaped central tube and the I-shaped central tube from oxidation at high temperatures.

[0026] As an optional implementation, the upper chimney center tube 11, furnace core tube 3, Y-shaped center tube 8 and I-shaped center tube 16 are all made of graphite material, giving them excellent high temperature resistance.

[0027] As an optional implementation, the furnace body 1 is equipped with an infrared temperature measuring device, which can accurately measure the heating temperature inside the furnace body 1; flow regulating valves 18 are installed on the connecting pipes between the furnace core tube 3 and the helium supply system 7, and between the Y-shaped central tube 8 and the argon supply system 10. The flow regulating valves 18 can be used to regulate the flow of helium and argon to reduce fluctuations in the helium flow, thereby reducing the diameter fluctuations in the optical fiber drawing process.

Claims

1. A fiber optic production heating furnace capable of reducing helium flow rate, characterized in that, The system includes a furnace body and a lower chimney located at the lower end of the furnace body. A core tube is installed inside the furnace body, and an optical fiber preform is installed inside the core tube. Heaters are installed around the core tube within the furnace body. Several first annular holes are arranged circumferentially at the upper end of the core tube, and the core tube is connected to an external helium supply system through these first annular holes. A Y-shaped central tube, connected to the lower end of the core tube, is installed inside the lower chimney. Several second annular holes are arranged circumferentially on the Y-shaped central tube, and the Y-shaped central tube is connected to an external argon supply system through these second annular holes. Argon gas forms a dynamic argon barrier at the second annular holes to mitigate helium escape.

2. The optical fiber production furnace capable of reducing helium gas flow according to claim 1, wherein The upper end of the furnace body is provided with an upper chimney, and the upper chimney center tube is provided inside the upper chimney. An extension rod is provided inside the upper chimney center tube. The upper end of the extension rod is sealed through the upper chimney center tube, and the lower end of the extension rod is fixedly connected to the upper end of the optical fiber preform. The gap of the optical fiber preform is set inside the furnace core tube.

3. The optical fiber production furnace capable of reducing helium gas flow according to claim 2, wherein The outer wall of the Y-shaped central tube and the inner wall of the lower chimney are spaced apart and together form an annular cavity.

4. The optical fiber production furnace capable of reducing helium gas flow according to claim 3, wherein The lower end of the furnace body is provided with an airflow channel, which is connected to the argon supply system. The furnace core tube is connected to the Y-shaped central tube through a quartz ring. Several connecting holes are provided on the circumferential direction of the outer edge of the quartz ring, and the airflow channel is connected to the annular cavity through several connecting holes.

5. The optical fiber production furnace capable of reducing helium gas flow according to claim 4, wherein The lower chimney is provided with an I-shaped central tube that communicates with the lower end of the Y-shaped central tube, and the I-shaped central tube is provided with several third annular holes in its circumferential direction.

6. The optical fiber production furnace capable of reducing helium gas flow according to claim 5, wherein The central tube of the upper chimney, the furnace core tube, the Y-shaped central tube, and the I-shaped central tube are all made of graphite material.

7. The fiber production furnace capable of reducing helium flow rate according to claim 1, wherein Flow regulating valves are installed on the connecting pipelines between the furnace core tube and the helium supply system, and between the Y-shaped central tube and the argon supply system.

8. The fiber production furnace capable of reducing helium flow rate according to claim 1, wherein An infrared temperature measuring device is installed on the furnace body.

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