Multielectrode fiber processing systems and methods with individual arc capability

Abstract

A multielectrode system, comprising a plurality of electrodes arranged around a workpiece region, is provided, wherein each electrode is configured to generate a heated arc with at least one adjacent electrode, a circuit is configured to power and / or ground each electrode, and a microcontroller is configured to control each of the plurality of electrodes via the circuit. The microcontroller is configured to cause the plurality of electrodes to operate in a uniform heated field mode that provides a substantially uniform heated field around in the workpiece region and to cause at least some of the electrodes to operate in an individual arc control mode that provides an arc between two adjacent electrodes, but not between all electrodes in the plurality of electrodes. Methods of processing an optical fiber via a multielectrode system are further provided.

Description

Attorney Docket No. SAE-043-PCTMULTIELECTRODE FIBER PROCESSING SYSTEMS AND METHODS WITH INDIVIDUAL ARC CAPABILITYRELATED APPLICATION

[0001] The present application is related to, claims priority to, and claims the benefit of United States Provisional Patent Application No. U.S. 63 / 703,548, filed October 4, 2024, entitled “Multi el ectrode Fiber Processing System with Individual Arc Capability,” the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF INTEREST

[0002] The present inventive concepts relate to systems and methods for processing optical fibers, such as splicing and shaping optical fibers of various types and dimensions.BACKGROUND

[0003] Earlier and less complex optical fusion splicers used a single arc discharge between a pair of electrodes to heat optical fibers, which often caused uneven heating in an uncontrolled way. Advanced fusion splicers use technologies to heat the fiber evenly around its circumference, such as the Ring of Fire™ technology by 3SAE Technologies. In most cases this provides ideal results.

[0004] The Ring of Fire™ technology is part of a multi el ectrode system that provides an intense heat source for processing optical fibers; such processing can include shaping and splicing. A plurality of electrodes is used to create even heating around the circumference of the fiber. This is a strong advantage for most fiber optic splicing and forming applications. However, some specialized applications require deliberately uneven heating during part of the process for best results.

[0005] There are special cases, however, in which a user may want to deliberately heat the fiber more intensely at one point along its circumference, or to do such localized heating at different points along the circumference during a process. There has not been an existing means of conveniently performing this operation. Various methods of mechanically displacing the fiber from the center of the heated region have been unsatisfactory.Attorney Docket No. SAE-043-PCTSUMMARY

[0006] In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, provided is a multi el ectrode system that includes functionality to produce individual arcs at different points around the fiber circumference, with accurate control of time and arc power.

[0007] The present inventive concepts are directed to an improved multi-electrode arc discharging unit that enables a fiber optic fusion splicer, for example, to be configured for circumferentially localized heating of a fiber or other workpiece. The heated zone can be rapidly displaced along the fiber under software control. In preferred embodiments, the established multi el ectrode capability to produce circumferentially uniform heating remains unchanged, and the two modes can be selected according to the user’s requirements, without mechanical readjustment. No existing device offers this capability.

[0008] In various embodiments, the existing Ring of Fire multi el ectrode technology, as an example, is improved by the addition of one or more of these three operating modes:1. One of the driven electrodes is operated normally. The other driven electrode’s drive circuit is operated so that transformer primary is in open circuit. This allows the transformer secondary’s full inductance to present a very high impedance to ground. This causes the arc discharge to be present only between the driven electrode and the grounded electrode.2. The second mode is the same as the first, except that the roles of driven electrode and high-impedance electrode are swapped.3. In a third mode, the two driven electrodes are operated at equal amplitude, but in exactly opposite polarity (180° phase difference). This causes the arc discharge to be directly between the two driven electrodes. . For best results, the phase of any power supply ripple should be maintained at a constant with respect to the output drive waveform, preferably at a frequency twice that of the output drive waveform.

[0009] In various embodiments, the firmware of the systems allows for each of these modes to be selected at the beginning of arc discharging, or to be changed dynamically during arc discharging, while maintaining accurate control of arc intensity.

[0010] While specific use cases herein may refer to splicers and splicing processing operations, there may be many other types of use cases and processing operations for which the present invention may prove advantageous.Attorney Docket No. SAE-043-PCT

[0011] The multi electrode system can include a microcontroller that can be configurable by a user, through the loading of a set of parameters that control the driving of electrodes from the plurality of electrodes. The system can further comprise a user interface configured to receive the set of parameters that control the driving of electrodes from the plurality of electrodes.

[0012] Further provided are methods of processing an optical fiber via a multi el ectrode system. For example, a method of processing an optical fiber via a multi el ectrode system may include arranging a plurality of electrodes of the multielectrode system around a workpiece region, which may include the optical fiber. Each of the plurality of electrodes may be designed to generate a heated arc with at least one adjacent electrode of the plurality of electrodes. The method may further include controlling, by a microcontroller of the multi el ectrode system, each of the plurality of electrodes via a circuit of the multi el ectrode system. The circuit may be designed to power or ground each of the plurality of electrodes. Controlling each of the plurality of electrodes may include causing the plurality of electrodes to operate in a uniform heated field mode and / or causing at least some of the plurality of electrodes to operate in an individual arc control mode. The uniform heated field mode may provide a substantially uniform heated field around the workplace region. The individual arc control mode may provide the heated arc between two adjacent electrodes, but not between all electrodes, of the plurality of electrodes.

[0013] In some embodiments, the plurality of electrodes comprises three electrodes.

[0014] In some embodiments, the three electrodes comprise first and second individually drivable electrodes and a grounded electrode.

[0015] In some embodiments, the methods further comprise individually driving, via the microcontroller, the first or second individually drivable electrode to generate a first arc between the first or second individually drivable electrode and the grounded electrode.

[0016] In some embodiments, the methods further comprise individually driving, via the microcontroller, at least one of the plurality of electrodes to generate a single arc between two of the plurality of electrodes.

[0017] In some embodiments, the methods further comprise causing, via the microcontroller, the plurality of electrodes to generate a single arc between a first pair of the plurality of electrodes while not generating arc between at least a second pair of the plurality of electrodes.

[0018] In some embodiments, the methods further comprise: causing, via the microcontroller, at a first time, the plurality of electrodes to generate a first arc between a firstAttorney Docket No. SAE-043-PCT pair of electrodes; and causing, via the microcontroller, at a second time, the plurality of electrodes to generate a second arc between a second pair of electrodes while not generating the first arc between the first pair of electrodes.

[0019] In some embodiments, the methods further comprise selectively driving, via the microcontroller, one or more electrodes of the plurality of electrodes.

[0020] In some embodiments, the methods further comprise causing, via the microcontroller, a plurality of single arcs to be generated between different pairs of the plurality of electrodes without generating arcs between all of the plurality of electrodes at the same time.

[0021] In some embodiments, the methods further comprise operating, via the microcontroller, the multi el ectrode system in the uniform heated field mode, the individual arc control mode, or an alternating combination of the uniform heated field mode and the individual arc control mode.

[0022] In some embodiments, the microcontroller is configurable, by a user, via loading of a set of parameters for controlling the driving of one or more electrodes of the plurality of electrodes.

[0023] In some embodiments, the methods further comprise receiving, via a user interface of the multi el ectrode system, the set of parameters.

[0024] Accordingly, the methods described herein may provide for improved processing of optical fibers over existing methods.Attorney Docket No. SAE-043-PCTBRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] The present inventive concepts will become more apparent in view of the attached drawings and accompanying detailed description. The embodiments depicted therein are provided by way of example, not by way of limitation, wherein like reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating aspects of the inventive concepts . In the drawings:

[0026] FIG. 1 is an embodiment of a circuit diagram for a multi-electrode system, in accordance with the prior art;

[0027] FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of a multielectrode system producing a uniform heated field;

[0028] FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C show an embodiment of a multi el ectrode system producing a single arc between to electrodes;

[0029] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an example method of processing an optical fiber via a multi el ectrode system in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure; and

[0030] FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an example method of configuring a microcontroller of a multielectrode system in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0031] Various aspects of the inventive concepts will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some exemplary embodiments are shown. The present inventive concept may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the exemplary embodiments set forth herein.

[0032] It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. are used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used to distinguish one element from another, but not to imply a required sequence of elements. For example, a first element can be termed a second element, and, similarly, a second element can be termed a first element, without departing from the scope of the present inventive concepts. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0033] It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “on” or “connected” or “coupled” to another element, it can be directly on or connected or coupled toAttorney Docket No. SAE-043-PCT the other element or intervening elements can be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on” or “directly connected” or “directly coupled” to another element, there are no intervening elements present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.).

[0034] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the inventive concepts. As used herein, the singular forms "a,” "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises," "comprising," "includes" and / or "including," when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0035] Spatially relative terms, such as "beneath," "below," "lower," "above," "upper" and the like may be used to describe an element and / or feature's relationship to another element(s) and / or feature(s) as, for example, illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use and / or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as "below" and / or "beneath" other elements or features would then be oriented "above" the other elements or features. The device may be otherwise oriented (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

[0036] Exemplary embodiments are described herein with reference to cross-sectional illustrations that are schematic illustrations of idealized exemplary embodiments (and intermediate structures). As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and / or tolerances, are to be expected. Thus, exemplary embodiments should not be construed as limited to the particular shapes of regions illustrated herein but are to include deviations in shapes that result, for example, from manufacturing.

[0037] To the extent that functional features, operations, and / or steps are described herein, or otherwise understood to be included within various embodiments of the inventive concept, such functional features, operations, and / or steps can be embodied in functional blocks, units, modules, operations and / or methods. And to the extent that such functional blocks, units, modules, operations and / or methods include computer program code, suchAttorney Docket No. SAE-043-PCT computer program code can be stored in a computer readable medium, e.g., such as non- transitory memory and media, that is executable by at least one computer processor.

[0038] Existing Multielectrode System (e.g., Ring of Fire) hardware:

[0039] FIG. 1 is an embodiment of a circuit diagram for a multi-electrode system, such as, for example, the Ring of Fire™ multi el ectrode technology. Although there are many possible implementations of the Ring of Fire™ multi el ectrode technology, the preferred implementation for most uses includes:1. Three (3) pointed electrodes (El, E2, E3) composed of tungsten alloy, with the pointed tips arranged in an equilateral or Isosceles triangle. This arrangement places the electrode tips at the vertices of a triangle around the circumference of an optical fiber or fibers, with the plane of the triangle generally perpendicular to the axis of the fiber in preferred embodiments.2. One of the three electrodes (e.g., E3) is near ground potential, being connected to the machine ground through a current sensing network.3. The other two electrodes (e.g., El, E2) are each connected to separate step-up transformer units (Tl, T2), which produce the high voltage needed to make the plasma discharge arcs between adjacent electrode tips. These transformer units may include voltage multiplier circuits and other components which improve the initial starting of the arc discharge. These circuits, which are generally known in the art, are not shown, as they are not integral to the Ring of Fire technology.4. One terminal of the secondary of each step-up transformer is connected to one of the two driven electrodes. The other terminal of each transformer secondary is returned to ground through a current sensing network.5. The primary of each transformer has a center-tap which is supplied with a variable DC power supply. These power supplies are buck converters of conventional design. Clock signals provided by the Microcontroller synchronize the switching frequency of the buck converters.6. The end terminals of each transformer primary are driven by a pair of MOSFETs which alternately pull current from the variable DC power supply to ground. Each MOSFET’s gate is driven by a square wave with a frequency of from 10 kHz to 200 kHz, depending on the application. The two MOSFETs in a pair, e.g., QI and Q2, are driven in opposite polarity to each other.Attorney Docket No. SAE-043-PCT7. Current steering diodes (D1-D8) are used to protect the MOSFETs and the transformer primary against voltage spikes which would otherwise occur, due to the inductance of the transformer.8. A Microcontroller controls both the MOSFET gates and the operation of the two Variable DC Power Supplies. The Current Sensing Networks provide feedback to the Microcontroller. Normally, the Microcontroller controls each Variable DC Power Supply so that the operating current in each transformer is substantially constant. The magnitude of this current is programmable according to the required level of heating power.

[0040] Multielectrode system control operation: Uniform Field

[0041] FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of arc discharge generated by the multi el ectrode system 100 of FIG. 1, where a substantially uniform heated field Fl surrounds the optical fiber OF1. To produce the arc discharge, the drive signals to the two pairs of MOSFETs (Q1 / Q2, Q3 / Q4) are driven at the same frequency, but with a phase delay which may be dynamically varied by the Microcontroller under software control. The simplest possible version might use a constant phase difference of 60 degrees, but a better implementation uses a constantly varying phase over the range of +120 degrees to -120 degrees. The exact timing and phase variation for optimum results depends on many factors, such as electrode spacing, fiber size, and desired heating intensity. Therefore, the phase has both automatic and manual controls implemented in the Microcontroller.

[0042] Single arc operation versus prior Uniform Field operation:

[0043] In the previously described implementations of the multi el ectrode technology, as shown in FIG. 2, the electrodes produce three arc discharges effectively simultaneously, or near simultaneously. The plasma discharges occur between each pair of electrodes (i.e. E1&E2, E2&E3, E3&E1) in a manner that creates and maintains a unform heat distribution around the outer surface of the fiber.

[0044] Fiber optic fusion splicers without such multi el ectrode technology use a single arc discharge between two electrodes. In various embodiments, some implementations of the multielectrode, e.g., Ring of Fire™, technology can include the capability of producing a nominally single arc in a special mode, under control of the Microcontroller. An approach to achieve this result could be by simply inactivating the MOSFET drive of one driven electrode. The result would be a discharge primarily in a single arc, but with some discharge often occurring to the nominally inactive electrode. Furthermore, in existing and prior embodiments,Attorney Docket No. SAE-043-PCT there was no capability to select different pairs of electrodes for the single arc operation. The multi el ectrode system was not readily configurable in this way.

[0045] Flexible individual arc control operation:

[0046] With the following improvements, a multi el ectrode system, such as the Ring of Fire™ device, can be constructed and configured with the ability to fire any of the three arcs on command, and to switch smoothly between them. FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C show examples where only one arc is generated. In various embodiments, there are two sets of operations involved:

[0047] 1. To produce an arc between Electrode El and Electrode E2 (the two driven electrodes): a. The two Variable DC supplies are set to provide the same current. There may be an adjustment to the current required. See the section below on matching current settings. b. The clock signals for the two Buck Converters must be synchronized. The clock frequency of the buck converters should be exactly twice the frequency of the output MOSFET drive. This causes the ripple of the power supply to be in the same phase for the two driven outputs. c. The two sets of MOSFETs must be operated in exactly opposite polarity (180 degrees out of phase).

[0048] Explanation: In this mode, the two driven electrodes are operated so that the voltage waveform on each driven electrode is always equal but opposite in sign. So, for example, if at one moment the voltage on El is +310V, the voltage on E2 is -310V. Since the voltage difference between the two driven electrodes is always greater than the voltage from either driven electrode to the grounded electrode, there will be little or no arc discharge to the ground electrode.

[0049] If the transformer units include voltage multiplying circuitry, the DC offset of the voltage multipliers cannot be canceled by this means, so a small arc discharge to the grounded electrode will still occur. This can be eliminated by inverting the DC voltage of one of the voltage multiplier circuits by, for example, reversing the polarity of the diodes in the voltage multiplier.

[0050] 2. In various embodiments, to produce an arc between a single driven electrode (either El or E2) and the grounded electrode (E3):Attorney Docket No. SAE-043-PCT a. The Variable DC Power Supply clocks are synchronized at twice the output drive frequency as above. This is necessary to enable smooth changes between selected active arcs. b. The Variable DC Power Supply for the driven electrode to be active is set for normal operation to maintain the programmed current. c. The Variable DC Power Supply for the electrode to be kept inactive is set to produce the maximum voltage, which is the system input voltage, typically 24V - 30V. d. The MOSFETs for the electrode to be inactive are left in the off state. e. The MOSFETs for the electrode to be active are switched at the normal frequency, with no variation in phase.

[0051] Explanation: When operated in this mode, the arc discharge will occur between the active electrode and the grounded electrode. The inactive electrode will not exhibit any arc discharge. The inductance of the secondary winding of the transformer in the inactive channel causes the inactive electrode to exhibit a high impedance to ground.

[0052] The mutual inductance of the transformer causes a voltage to appear on the primary winding of the inactive channel, but since the center-tap of the primary is at 24V or higher, and the MOSFETs are off, the current steering diodes remain reverse-biased, so there is no path for significant currents to flow in the primary winding. This is necessary, because current flow in the inactive primary winding would reduce the impedance of the secondary winding, making an unwanted path for the arc discharge.

[0053] Matching current settings: It is desirable to be able to form a single arc discharge in any of the three positions with equal intensity. In the case of the two possible discharges from a driven electrode to the grounded electrode (E1-E3 or E2-E3), the intensity is accurately controlled by the system of controlling the DC voltage at the primary center-tap based on sensing of the current through the Current Sensing Network. These two cases are symmetrical, so the intensity should be the same at the same current setting.

[0054] In the case of the E1-E2 arc discharge, there are some special considerations. Since the two driving circuits are effectively in series, the voltage required from the Variable DC Power Supplies is approximately half of that when only one driving circuit is used. The linearity of the current control loop is imperfect at lower voltages, so an adjustment offset may be applied to the current setting in this mode to adjust the arc intensity.Attorney Docket No. SAE-043-PCT

[0055] Another effect noted in the E1-E2 mode is that the two current control circuits may interact at higher frequencies, creating excessive audible noise. This may be resolved by averaging the outputs of the two Current Sensing Networks, so that the same feedback value is present in both control loops.

[0056] Transitioning between arc modes: With the individual arc procedures as described above, a smooth transition between operating one arc configuration to another can be affected in accordance with aspects of the inventive concepts. Using the circuit of FIG. 1, this can be accomplished using the following steps:

[0057] 1. To transition between E1-E3 arc and E2-E3 arc: a. Change the E2 Variable DC power supply to normal operation b. Stop the drive signals to the MOSFETs on the El circuit (leaving them in the off state) and immediately begin driving the MOSFETs on the E2 circuit at the normal frequency c. Drive the El Variable DC Power Supply to the maximum value

[0058] 2. To transition between E1-E3 to E1-E2 a. Change the E2 Variable DC power supply to normal operation b. Apply any empirically determined current adjustment c. Begin driving the MOSFETs on the E2 circuit 180 degrees in phase from El

[0059] 3. To transition from E1-E2 to E1-E3 a. Stop clocking the MOSFETs for E2 and set them to the off state b. Stop applying any current adjustment c. Drive the Variable DC Power Supply for E2 to the maximum value.

[0060] In all three cases, the operation to change to / from E2-E3 is the same as E1-E3, except to exchange the instructions for each circuit.

[0061] Referring now to FIGS. 4-5, methods of processing an optical fiber via a multi el ectrode system are provided. It will be understood by those having ordinary skill in the art that the multi el ectrode systems mentioned or described with respect to any of FIGS. 4-5 may be the same as, or similar to, any of the multi el ectrode systems described elsewhere in the present application or may be any other multi el ectrode system in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The same may be said of any components of such multi el ectrode systems. It will further be understood that any of the steps described below with respect to anyAttorney Docket No. SAE-043-PCT of the provided example methods may be performed in any order or may be optional or excluded in some embodiments.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 4, and in brief overview, a method of processing an optical fiber via a multi el ectrode system is provided. The multi el ectrode system may include a plurality of electrodes, a circuit, a microcontroller, and / or a user interface (e.g., such as the multi el ectrode systems described with respect to FIGS. 1, 2, and / or 3A-3C). Method 400 may include steps 402, 404, 406, 408, and / or 410, or any other suitable combination of steps for processing an optical fiber via a multi el ectrode system in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0063] For example, at step 402, a plurality of electrodes may be arranged around a workpiece region, which may include an optical fiber. Each of the plurality of electrodes may be designed to generate a heated arc with at least one adjacent electrode of the plurality of electrodes.

[0064] At step 404, each of the plurality of electrodes may be controlled via a circuit of the multi el ectrode system. The circuit may be designed to power and / or ground each of the plurality of electrodes. For example, at step 406, the microcontroller may be used to control the plurality of electrodes via the circuit by causing the plurality of electrodes to operate in a uniform heated field mode, which may provide a substantially uniform heated field around the workplace region. Alternatively, or in addition, at step 408, the microcontroller may be used to control the plurality of electrodes via the circuit by causing at least some of the plurality of electrodes to operate in an individual arc control mode, which may provide the heated arc between two adjacent electrodes, but not between all electrodes, of the plurality of electrodes. The multi el ectrode system may be operated, via the microcontroller, in the uniform heated field mode, the individual arc control mode, or an alternating combination of the uniform heated field mode and the individual arc control mode depending on any number of characteristics relating to the workpiece region, user preferences, technical requirements for processing the optical fiber, or the like.

[0065] The plurality of electrodes may include any number of individually drivable and / or grounded electrodes. For example, the plurality of electrodes may include three electrodes. The three electrodes may include first and second individually drivable electrodes and a grounded electrode. The plurality of electrodes may be designed to be individually driven, via the microcontroller, in any of various manners, combinations, or orders to generate one or more heated arcs between one electrode and another.Attorney Docket No. SAE-043-PCT

[0066] At step 410, for example, the first or second individually drivable electrode may be individually driven, via the microcontroller, to generate a first arc between the first or second individually drivable electrode and the grounded electrode. It will be understood that numerous other manners of driving the plurality of electrodes and / or generating heated arcs between various electrodes are provided for by the present disclosure, as well. For example, at least one of the plurality of electrodes may be individually driven via the microcontroller to generate a single arc between two of the plurality of electrodes. Alternatively, or in addition, one or more electrodes of the plurality of electrodes may be selectively driven via the microcontroller. In some scenarios, the plurality of electrodes may be caused, via the microcontroller, to generate a single arc between a first pair of the plurality of electrodes while not generating arc between at least a second pair of the plurality of electrodes. In similar or other scenarios, the plurality of electrodes may be caused, via the microcontroller, to generate a first arc between a first pair of electrodes at a first time and / or to generate a second arc between a second pair of electrodes at a second time while not generating the first arc between the first pair of electrodes. In various scenarios, a plurality of single arcs may be caused, via the microcontroller, to be generated between different pairs of the plurality of electrodes without generating arcs between all of the plurality of electrodes at the same time.

[0067] As shown in FIG. 5, and in brief overview, a method of configuring a microcontroller of a multi el ectrode system for processing an optical fiber is provided. The multi el ectrode system may include a plurality of electrodes, a circuit, a microcontroller, and / or a user interface (e.g., such as the multielectrode systems described with respect to FIGS. 1, 2, 3A-3C, and / or 4). Method 500 may include steps 502 and / or 504, or any other suitable combination of steps for configuring a microcontroller of a multi el ectrode system in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0068] For example, at step 502, a user may configure the microcontroller via loading of a set of parameters for controlling the driving of one or more electrodes of the plurality of electrodes of the multi el ectrode system. The set of parameters may include any number of parameters associated with processing an optical fiber via a multi el ectrode system (e.g., parameters associated with splicing or repairing a damaged optical fiber). For example, the set of parameters may include one or more parameters associated with optimally splicing particular types of fiber optic cables that might otherwise be challenging or impossible to splice using prior technology (e.g., hollow core fibers).Attorney Docket No. SAE-043-PCT

[0069] At step 504, the set of parameters may be received via a user interface of the multi el ectrode system. The user interface may have any form or design suitable for receiving input from and / or providing feedback to a user in association with the processing of an optical fiber via a microcontroller. As such, the microcontroller may be configurable and customizable in a manner that provides for improved processing of the optical fiber based on any number of user preferences or functional requirements.

[0070] While the foregoing has described what are considered to be the best mode and / or other preferred embodiments, it is understood that various modifications can be made therein and that the inventive concepts may be implemented in various forms and embodiments, and that they may be applied in numerous applications, only some of which have been described herein. It is intended by the following claims to claim that which is literally described and all equivalents thereto, including all modifications and variations that fall within the scope of each claim.

[0071] It is appreciated that certain features of the inventive concepts, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the inventive concepts which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination.

[0072] For example, it will be appreciated that all of the features set out in any of the claims (whether independent or dependent) can be combined in any given way.

Claims

Attorney Docket No. SAE-043-PCTWhat is claimed is:

1. A multielectrode system, comprising: a plurality of electrodes arranged around a workpiece region, wherein each electrode is configured to generate a heated arc with at least one adjacent electrode; a circuit configured to power and / or ground each electrode; and a microcontroller configured to control each of the plurality of electrodes via the circuit, including: cause the plurality of electrodes to operate in a uniform heated field mode that provides a substantially uniform heated field around in the workpiece region; and cause at least some of the electrodes to operate in an individual arc control mode that provides an arc between two adjacent electrodes, but not between all electrodes in the plurality of electrodes.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of electrodes comprises three electrodes.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the three electrodes include two electrodes that can be individually driven and a grounded electrode.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the microcontroller is configured to execute instructions that individually turn one of the two electrodes to generate an arc between the individually driven electrode and the grounded electrode.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the microcontroller is configured to execute instructions that individually drives at least one of the plurality of electrodes to generate a single arc between two electrodes.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the microcontroller is further configured to execute instructions that cause the plurality of electrodes to generate a single arc between two electrodes while not generating arc between at least two other electrodes.Attorney Docket No. SAE-043-PCT7. The system of claim 1, wherein the microcontroller is further configured to execute instructions that cause the plurality of electrodes to generate a single arc between a first set of two electrodes and then, at a time different time, generate an arc between a second set of two electrodes while not generating the arc between the first set of two electrodes.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the microcontroller is configured to selectively drive one or more electrodes from the plurality of electrodes.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the microcontroller is further configured to execute instructions that cause a plurality of single arcs to be generated between different pairs electrodes, without generating arcs between all of the plurality of electrodes at the same time.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the microcontroller is configured to receive and execute instructions to operate in either the uniform heated field mode, the individual arc control mode, or switch between the uniform heated field mode and the individual arc control mode.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the workpiece is at least one optical fiber.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the microcontroller is configurable by a user, through the loading of a set of parameters that control the driving of electrodes from the plurality of electrodes.

13. The system of claim 12, further comprising: a user interface configured to receive the set of parameters that control the driving of electrodes from the plurality of electrodes.Attorney Docket No. SAE-043-PCT14. A method of processing an optical fiber via a multielectrode system, the method comprising: arranging a plurality of electrodes of the multielectrode system around a workpiece region including the optical fiber, wherein each of the plurality of electrodes is configured to generate a heated arc with at least one adjacent electrode of the plurality of electrodes; and controlling, by a microcontroller of the multi el ectrode system, each of the plurality of electrodes via a circuit of the multi el ectrode system configured to power or ground each of the plurality of electrodes, including: causing the plurality of electrodes to operate in a uniform heated field mode, wherein the uniform heated field mode provides a substantially uniform heated field around the workplace region; and causing at least some of the plurality of electrodes to operate in an individual arc control mode, wherein the individual arc control mode provides the heated arc between two adjacent electrodes, but not between all electrodes, of the plurality of electrodes.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the plurality of electrodes comprises three electrodes.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the three electrodes comprise first and second individually drivable electrodes and a grounded electrode.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising: individually driving, via the microcontroller, the first or second individually drivable electrode to generate a first arc between the first or second individually drivable electrode and the grounded electrode.

18. The method of claim 14, further comprising: individually driving, via the microcontroller, at least one of the plurality of electrodes to generate a single arc between two of the plurality of electrodes.Attorney Docket No. SAE-043-PCT19. The method of claim 14, further comprising: causing, via the microcontroller, the plurality of electrodes to generate a single arc between a first pair of the plurality of electrodes while not generating arc between at least a second pair of the plurality of electrodes.

20. The method of claim 14, further comprising: causing, via the microcontroller, at a first time, the plurality of electrodes to generate a first arc between a first pair of electrodes; and causing, via the microcontroller, at a second time, the plurality of electrodes to generate a second arc between a second pair of electrodes while not generating the first arc between the first pair of electrodes.

21. The method of claim 14, further comprising: selectively driving, via the microcontroller, one or more electrodes of the plurality of electrodes.

22. The method of claim 14, further comprising: causing, via the microcontroller, a plurality of single arcs to be generated between different pairs of the plurality of electrodes without generating arcs between all of the plurality of electrodes at the same time.

23. The method of claim 14, further comprising: operating, via the microcontroller, the multi el ectrode system in the uniform heated field mode, the individual arc control mode, or an alternating combination of the uniform heated field mode and the individual arc control mode.

24. The method of claim 14, wherein: the microcontroller is configurable, by a user, via loading of a set of parameters for controlling the driving of one or more electrodes of the plurality of electrodes.

25. The method of claim 24, further comprising: receiving, via a user interface of the multi el ectrode system, the set of parameters.

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