Non-Contact Pneumatic Levitation for Optical Fiber Manufacturing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for manufacturing optical fibers face challenges in handling and drawing compact fibers due to high attenuation and sensitivity to heat, leading to increased computational complexity and Rayleigh scattering, which are not effectively addressed by prior art.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus using non-contact pneumatic levitation with a tubular block and slit walls to create a containment zone for the optical fiber, facilitating cooling and reducing attenuation by directing fluid at controlled mass flow rates through side and bottom slits, allowing the fiber to levitate and be drawn without contact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If optical fibers are made compact to reduce occupancy area, then space efficiency is improved, but handling and drawing difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoccupancy areaVSAvoidhandling difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical contact-based handling systems with acoustic levitation technology. Acoustic waves create pressure nodes that suspend optical fibers in mid-air, eliminating the need for physical contact during drawing and handling operations. This solves the contradiction by maintaining compact fiber dimensions while removing mechanical interaction that causes handling difficulty and contamination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces acoustic waves as an intermediary medium between the handling system and the optical fiber. These acoustic waves create a levitation field that mediates the interaction, allowing fibers to be transported and manipulated without direct mechanical contact. This intermediary approach preserves fiber integrity while enabling easy handling of compact fibers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If conventional handling methods are used, then device complexity is reduced, but attenuation loss increases due to heat aging and Rayleigh scattering

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidattenuation loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical handling systems with acoustic levitation, eliminating friction, contact heat, and contamination that cause Rayleigh scattering and heat aging. The acoustic field provides contactless manipulation, significantly reducing attenuation loss while the modular acoustic generator design keeps system complexity manageable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses acoustic pressure fields (a form of pneumatic principle using sound waves) to levitate and transport optical fibers. The acoustic waves create pressure nodes that hold fibers suspended, providing a non-contact method to reduce mechanical stress and thermal effects that contribute to attenuation loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

3Adaptability or versatility

If optical fibers are exposed to temperature fluctuations, then manufacturing process flexibility is improved, but heat aging increases causing attenuation increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocess flexibilityVSAvoidheat aging resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical heating/cooling systems with acoustic levitation for temperature control. The contactless acoustic field allows precise thermal management during manufacturing, providing process flexibility while minimizing unwanted thermal effects that cause heat aging and attenuation increase in optical fibers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 reduces attenuation and computational complexity, enabling stable levitation and cooling of optical fibers, thereby improving the handling and manufacturing of optical fibers with reduced Rayleigh scattering and heat sensitivity.

Implementation Method 1

apparatus for manufacturing an optical fiber using non-contact pneumatic levitation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic levitation: Acoustic Levitation

Implementation Method 2

directing fluid at controlled mass flow rates through side and bottom slits, allowing the fiber to levitate and be drawn without contact

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection cooling: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS20230399250A1Apparatus and method for manufacturing an optical fiber using non-contact pneumatic levitation

Publication Date: 2023.12.14 STERLITE TECHNOLOGIES LTD

AI summary

The present disclosure provides an apparatus to levitate an optical fiber having a tubular block defined by a central cavity and a plurality of slit walls. In particular, the tubular block has a reservoir that is adapted to store a fluid at a positive pressure. Each slit wall of the plurality of slit walls comprises one or more side slits and the plurality of slit walls defines a bottom slit such that the one or more side slits and the bottom slit provide one or more paths between the reservoir and the central cavity.