Ring Sealing Apparatus for Glass Preforms with Movable Elements
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing furnace designs for heating glass preforms to draw optical fibers face inefficiencies in sealing due to varying cross-sectional shapes and diameters, leading to gaps or surface damage, and are not adaptable for glass preforms with different dimensions.
Innovation Solution
A sealing apparatus with a plurality of independently movable sealing elements arranged in a ring configuration around a center opening, utilizing overpressure from fluid-filled chambers to ensure optimal contact and sealing, regardless of the glass preform's shape or size, allowing for adjustable contact force to prevent damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a graphite ring is used as a sealing element, then sealing is provided, but the sealing becomes inefficient when the glass preform cross-sectional shape varies, resulting in gaps or surface damage
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing system is divided into multiple independent sealing elements (first sealing element, second sealing element, third sealing element) that can move independently relative to each other. Each sealing element can adjust its position to accommodate variations in the glass preform's cross-sectional shape and diameter, allowing the system to maintain effective sealing across different preform dimensions without requiring a completely different sealing design for each variation.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing elements are designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing them to dynamically adjust their positions and contact forces. The first sealing element can move along the first guide, the second sealing element along the second guide, and the third sealing element along the third guide, enabling the sealing system to adapt to varying glass preform dimensions while maintaining consistent sealing pressure and contact.
2Reliability
If the graphite ring is made tightly fitting, then sealing is improved, but the contact forces become excessive causing surface damage to the glass preform
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing force is distributed across multiple independent sealing elements rather than concentrated in a single tightly-fitting ring. Each sealing element applies a portion of the total sealing force, which reduces the contact pressure at any single location while maintaining overall sealing effectiveness. This segmentation prevents excessive localized contact forces that would damage the glass preform surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows for adjustment of the sealing parameters by moving the sealing elements along their respective guides. This enables optimization of the contact force parameter to achieve the minimum necessary sealing pressure without exceeding the threshold that would cause surface damage to the glass preform. The sealing elements can be positioned to distribute force evenly across the contact surface.
3Device complexity
If a single furnace is designed for a predetermined cross-sectional dimension, then the furnace structure is simplified, but it cannot accommodate glass preforms with varying cross-sectional dimensions
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing system is designed with multiple movable sealing elements that can accommodate glass preforms of varying cross-sectional dimensions within the same furnace. The sealing elements can move along guides to adapt to different preform sizes, allowing a single furnace design to serve multiple functions by handling preforms with different diameters and cross-sectional shapes without requiring structural modifications to the furnace itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing elements are positioned on movable guides that allow them to dynamically adjust their locations and contact forces. This dynamic capability enables the same sealing system to adapt to varying glass preform dimensions, making the furnace versatile enough to handle different preform sizes while maintaining a relatively simple overall furnace structure that does not require redesign for each preform type.
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 solution provides efficient sealing across varying glass preform dimensions, maintaining excellent fiber properties by ensuring a tight seal without damaging the glass preform, and allowing for the use of a single furnace with glass preforms of different cross-sectional dimensions.
Implementation Method 1
an inlet to a fluid source for providing the at least one chamber with fluid in order to generate an overpressure acting on the sections of the sealing elements received in the at least one chamber, and for pressing and moving the sealing surfaces of the sealing elements towards the center opening
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an apparatus. In order to achieve efficient sealing, the apparatus includes a sealing with a plurality of sealing elements arranged generally in a ring configuration around a center opening. Each sealing element includes a sealing surface facing the center opening. At least one chamber is included for receiving sections of the sealing elements. An inlet to a fluid source provides the at least one chamber with fluid in order to generate an overpressure acting on the sections of the sealing elements received in the at least one chamber, and for pressing and moving the sealing surfaces of the sealing elements towards the center opening.