Metal-Coated Fiber-Optic Splice for Hydrogen-Tight Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fiber-optic splice methods using polymer adhesives face issues with hydrogen and water ingress, leading to damage and increased complexity.
Innovation Solution
A fiber-optic splice using metal tubes with a metal coating in the overlap section to create a hydrogen-tight seal, facilitated by pre-coating the splice tube with a malleable metal material to ensure a tight seal and improved electrical contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If polymer adhesive is used to splice fiber-optic metal tubes, then the splicing procedure is simplified, but hydrogen and water ingress occurs leading to damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from polymer adhesive to metal coating (such as zinc, aluminum, or their alloys), fundamentally altering the chemical and physical properties of the sealing material to achieve both ease of application and hydrogen/water tightness
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite structure by combining the metal coating material with the metal tube surface, forming a metallurgical bond that provides both mechanical strength and hermetic sealing against hydrogen and water ingress
2Strength
If polymer adhesive is applied onto the metal tube surface during splicing, then bonding is achieved, but the splicing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The metal coating is applied to the metal tube surface in advance, before the splicing operation. This preliminary coating eliminates the need for complex adhesive application procedures during splicing, as the coating is already in place to provide bonding and sealing
Solution Approach 2:
The metal coating performs multiple functions automatically: it provides bonding between tubes, creates a hermetic seal against hydrogen and water, and enhances electrical contact, eliminating the need for separate adhesive application and additional sealing steps
3Reliability
If metal coating is applied to the splice tube, then hydrogen-tight seal is achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical sealing systems with a metal coating approach, where the coating is applied through deposition or galvanization processes that create a uniform, hermetic seal without requiring complex mechanical assembly or adjustment
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
The metal coating provides a reliable hydrogen-tight seal, reduces splicing complexity, and enhances electrical contact between cables, suitable for harsh environments.
Implementation Method 1
the inner surface of the splice tube or the inner surface of the first metal tube comprises a first radial deformation providing contact between the splice tube and the first metal tube via the first coating in the overlap section
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A fiber-optic splice (1; 1'; 1") comprising a first fiber-optic cable (2) comprising a first metal tube (5), the first metal tube (5) comprising a first metal material, a splice tube (7, 7', 7") comprising a second metal material, wherein the splice tube (7, 7') is arranged around the first metal tube (5), or wherein the first metal tube (5) is arranged around the splice tube (7"), thereby forming a first overlap section (8) between the splice tube (7, 7', 7") and the first metal tube (5), and a first coating (10; 10'; 10") comprising a third metal material, the third metal material being different from the first metal material and the second metal material, the first coating (10; 10'; 10") being arranged at an inner surface of the splice tube (7, 7') or at an outer surface of the splice tube (7") in the first overlap section (8), and wherein the inner surface of the splice tube (7, 7', 7") or the inner surface of the first metal tube (5) comprises a first radial deformation (9) providing contact between the splice tube (7, 7', 7") and the first metal tube (5) via the first coating (10; 10'; 10") in the overlap section (8), so that a hydrogen tight seal is achieved between the first metal tube (5) and the splice tube (7, 7', 7").