Porous Glass Preform Deposition Control Using Flame Imaging Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for producing porous and transparent glass preforms face challenges in controlling the deposition shape and refractive index profile, leading to inconsistencies in the quality of optical fibers.
Innovation Solution
A production apparatus and method that utilizes CCD cameras and image processing to monitor and control the deposition of glass fine particles, combined with a sintering process to create transparent glass preforms, and an abnormality detection system to ensure adherence to optical fiber standards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If glass fine particles are deposited using conventional burners without real-time monitoring, then the production process is simpler, but the deposition shape and refractive index profile cannot be precisely controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements real-time monitoring of the deposition surface shape and flame state using imaging devices, with the captured images processed to provide feedback on deposition quality. This feedback mechanism enables precise control of the deposition process by adjusting parameters based on actual deposition conditions, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing precision and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical measurement methods with optical imaging and image processing techniques to monitor deposition shape and flame characteristics. This substitution enables non-contact, real-time measurement of deposition parameters, achieving precise control without adding complex mechanical measurement systems.
2Productivity
If the lifting speed of the starting material is increased to improve productivity, then more preforms can be produced per unit time, but the deposition shape becomes difficult to control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses real-time image processing to monitor the deposition surface shape and provides feedback on the deposition quality. This feedback mechanism allows the system to maintain precise control over deposition shape even at higher lifting speeds by adjusting process parameters dynamically, thus resolving the contradiction between productivity and manufacturing precision.
3Manufacturing precision
If image processing is performed at high frequency to achieve real-time control, then deposition shape control is improved, but the computational load and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs image processing in advance during the deposition process to monitor and control deposition shape in real-time. By conducting preliminary analysis of deposition conditions through continuous imaging, the system can make timely adjustments without delaying the overall production process, thus reducing the effective processing time loss.
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 system achieves precise control over the deposition and refractive index distribution, resulting in high-quality optical fibers that meet predetermined optical characteristics.
Implementation Method 1
a CCD camera 71 is arranged outside the chamber 20, images the deposition surface of glass fine particles in the starting material
Implementation Method 2
a core forming burner 40 and cladding forming burners 50 and 60 which generate glass fine particles
Implementation Method 3
a sintering apparatus 200, and an abnormality detection apparatus 400. The porous glass preform 1 deposited by the production apparatus 10 is then heated in an electric furnace of the sintering apparatus 200 to be dehydrated and vitrified into transparent glass
Implementation Method 4
the lift rotation apparatus 90 rotates the starting material around a vertical axis
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a production method for a porous glass preform which forms the porous glass preform by depositing glass fine particles, which are generated by burner flame from a burner, on a tip of a starting material rotating about a vertical axis, and lifting the starting material, the production method including: imaging, with one or more cameras, a deposition surface of the glass fine particles in the starting material and the burner flame, and acquiring image data obtained by projecting an image of the deposition surface and an image of the burner flame on a same coordinate plane; and performing image processing on the image data to calculate a feature quantity of a spatial relationship between the deposition surface and the burner flame.