Method and apparatus for drying and consolidating a preform for optical fibres

The method and apparatus for optical fiber preform manufacturing address the inefficiency of lengthy furnaces by using a short dehydration zone and an extension tube for consolidation, enabling efficient processing of longer preforms with reduced furnace length and improved efficiency.

USRE50249E1Active Publication Date: 2024-12-31PRYSMIAN SPA
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Patent Information

Application Number
US17/965365
Authority / Receiving Office
US · United States
Patent Type
Patents(United States)
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2022-10-13
Publication Date
2024-12-31
Estimated Expiration
2038-01-18

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing methods for manufacturing optical fiber preforms require lengthy furnaces to accommodate different temperature zones for dehydration and consolidation, making them cumbersome and inefficient, especially for processing longer preforms.

Method used

A method and apparatus that utilize a furnace tube with a short heating zone for dehydration and a separate extension tube for consolidation, allowing the preform to be partially inserted and extended outside the furnace for processing, reducing the overall length of the furnace needed and enabling efficient dehydration and consolidation of longer preforms.

Benefits of technology

This approach allows for the efficient processing of longer optical fiber preforms with a significantly shorter furnace length, reducing complexity and space requirements while maintaining effective dehydration and consolidation, thus improving manufacturing efficiency.

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Abstract

A process and an apparatus for drying and consolidating an optical fibre preform in a furnace tube comprising a heating chamber, wherein an extension tube having an extension chamber configured to house at least a length portion of the preform is removably joined to the furnace tube and the drying process starts with the preform not completely inserted into the furnace tube, an upper length portion of the preform being surrounded by the extension tube joint to the furnace tube.
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Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • Optical fibre preform production

    AU576374B

  • Method for preparing low water peak optical fiber preform

    CN103663958A

  • Method of manufacturing performs for optical fibres having low water peak

    CN104955778A

  • Method of manufacturing preforms for optical fibres having low water peak

    CN104968622A

  • Apparatus for heating optical fiber preform and method for manufacturing optical fiber preform

    CN1636903A