Optical Fiber Cooling Nozzle Assembly for Vibration Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in optical fiber processing is to slow cool optical fibers at reduced pressures below ambient pressure without inducing vibrations and altering the cooling rate, which can lead to increased signal attenuation due to high fictive temperatures and fiber defects.
Innovation Solution
A system and method involving a nozzle assembly with multiple baffle plates defining nozzle chambers, where the pressure in each chamber is sequentially changed to control the air flow and reduce the velocity of the air jet, ensuring the optical fiber is cooled at a slow rate and reduced pressure, thereby minimizing vibrations and defects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If air flow into the treatment device is increased to maintain cooling rate, then cooling efficiency is improved, but vibrations in the optical fiber increase causing undesirable contact with device components
Solution Approach 1:
The treatment device is divided into multiple sealed zones (first treatment zone, second treatment zone, third treatment zone) with independent pressure control. Each zone can be pressurized separately to control air flow progression, allowing the fiber to transition through different pressure environments without sudden air jet impacts that cause vibrations.
Solution Approach 2:
A nozzle assembly with multiple nozzles acts as an intermediary between the pressurized air source and the optical fiber. The nozzles are configured to direct pressurized air along the fiber path in a controlled manner, preventing direct high-velocity air jet impact on the fiber while still achieving the desired cooling effect through distributed air flow.
2Temperature
If pressure differential between interior and exterior of treatment device is increased to control air flow, then cooling rate is improved, but air flow velocity increases inducing vibrations in the optical fiber
Solution Approach 1:
The treatment device is divided into multiple sealed zones (first treatment zone, second treatment zone, third treatment zone) with independent pressure control. Each zone can be pressurized separately to control air flow progression, allowing the fiber to transition through different pressure environments without sudden air jet impacts that cause vibrations.
Solution Approach 2:
A nozzle assembly with multiple nozzles acts as an intermediary between the pressurized air source and the optical fiber. The nozzles are configured to direct pressurized air along the fiber path in a controlled manner, preventing direct high-velocity air jet impact on the fiber while still achieving the desired cooling effect through distributed air flow.
3Reliability
If the optical fiber is cooled at reduced pressure below ambient pressure, then fictive temperature is reduced improving fiber quality, but air flow control becomes more difficult to prevent vibrations
Solution Approach 1:
The treatment device is divided into multiple sealed zones (first treatment zone, second treatment zone, third treatment zone) with independent pressure control. Each zone can be pressurized separately to control air flow progression, allowing the fiber to transition through different pressure environments without sudden air jet impacts that cause vibrations.
Solution Approach 2:
A nozzle assembly with multiple nozzles acts as an intermediary between the pressurized air source and the optical fiber. The nozzles are configured to direct pressurized air along the fiber path in a controlled manner, preventing direct high-velocity air jet impact on the fiber while still achieving the desired cooling effect through distributed air flow.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach effectively reduces the fictive temperature of the optical fiber, lowering signal attenuation and minimizing fiber defects by controlling the cooling rate and air flow, resulting in improved optical fiber quality.
Implementation Method 1
cooling the optical fiber at a reduced pressure below ambient pressure and at a slow cooling rate less than an ambient cooling rate
Implementation Method 2
Air flow into the treatment device can alter the cooling rate of the optical fiber, which may affect the properties of the optical fiber. The amount and speed of air flow into the treatment device can increase as a pressure differential between the interior and exterior of the treatment device increases.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for processing an optical fiber includes a treatment device disposed downstream of a furnace and including a treating zone. The treating zone includes a fiber inlet and fiber outlet and is configured to cool the optical fiber at a reduced pressure below ambient pressure and at a slow cooling rate less than an ambient cooling rate. A nozzle assembly is disposed at one or more of the fiber inlet, the fiber outlet, upstream of the treating zone, and downstream of the treating zone. The nozzle assembly includes multiple baffle plates defining a number of nozzle chambers, each nozzle chamber having a nozzle chamber pressure, wherein each baffle plate includes an orifice having a predetermined effective orifice diameter through which the optical fiber passes. Each nozzle chamber is configured to sequentially change a nozzle chamber pressure between the reduced pressure and ambient pressure.