Low Density UV-Curable Optical Fiber Coating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing UV-curable optical fiber coatings have densities greater than 1.0 g/cm³, which is heavier than water, making them unsuitable for applications requiring reduced weight, such as underwater sensing or airborne missiles, and are difficult to manufacture with controlled foam structures or microspheres due to abrasiveness and microbending issues.
Innovation Solution
A UV-curable acrylate or methacrylate functionalized oligomer coating with a density of less than 1.0 g/cm³, comprising hydrocarbon-based (meth)acrylate oligomers, photoinitiators, and optional diluent monomers, which are cured using ultraviolet radiation to form a low-density, smooth, and non-foamed coating without filler particles, achieving a balanced viscosity and mechanical properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If traditional UV-curable optical fiber coatings are used, then the coating provides adequate mechanical protection and adhesion, but the density is greater than 1.0 g/cm³, making the fiber too heavy for buoyant applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the UV-curable coating by incorporating fluorinated oligomers and specific monomer blends that reduce the density to below 1.0 g/cm³ while maintaining the coating's mechanical protection and adhesion properties through optimized molecular structure and crosslinking density
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite UV-curable coating system combining fluorinated oligomers, acrylate/methacrylate monomers, and photoinitiators to achieve a density below 1.0 g/cm³ while maintaining adequate mechanical protection and adhesion, resulting in a fiber with overall density suitable for buoyant applications
2Weight of moving object
If foam structures or microspheres are added to reduce density, then the fiber density decreases, but the coating becomes abrasive and causes microbending issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves density reduction through chemical composition modification using fluorinated oligomers and specific monomer ratios, eliminating the need for physical additives like foam or microspheres that cause microbending and abrasiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a smooth, non-foamed coating structure that avoids the long-term reliability issues associated with foam degradation and microsphere fragmentation, providing a more durable solution for buoyant fiber applications
3Ease of manufacture
If the coating viscosity is reduced to improve applicability, then the coating can be more easily applied, but the mechanical robustness of the cured coating may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the viscosity of the UV-curable coating by adjusting the monomer blend composition and oligomer molecular weight, achieving a balance that allows easy application while maintaining adequate mechanical robustness after curing through proper crosslinking density
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a coating formulation with dynamic viscosity characteristics that allow for easy application in liquid form, which then transitions to a mechanically robust solid state upon UV curing, providing both manufacturability and performance
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 solution results in optical fibers with a reduced density of less than 1.0 g/cm³, improved adhesion to glass, and enhanced mechanical robustness, suitable for applications requiring buoyancy and reduced energy consumption, while avoiding the issues of abrasiveness and microbending associated with traditional coatings.
Implementation Method 1
A UV-curable acrylate or methacrylate functionalized oligomer coating with a density of less than 1.0 g/cm³, comprising hydrocarbon-based (meth)acrylate oligomers, photoinitiators, and optional diluent monomers, which are cured using ultraviolet radiation to form a low-density, smooth, and non-foamed coating
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a composition for coating an optical fiber comprising a free radically curable acrylate and/or a methacrylate functionalized oligomer having a density of less than 1.0 g/cm3; where the acrylate and/or the methacrylate functionalized oligomer has a functionality of 1 or more; a photoinitiator; and optionally a free radically curable aerylate and/or methacrylate diluent monomer that has a density of less than 1.0 g/cm3; where the coating composition is disposed and cured on an optical fiber; where the density of the cured coating is less than 1.0 g/cm3; and where the average functionality of the composition is greater than one.