Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100135621 | MULTI-ELECTRODE SYSTEM WITH VIBRATING ELECTRODES - A multi-electrode system includes a fiber holder that holds at least one optical fiber, a plurality of electrodes arranged to generate a heated field to heat the at least one optical fiber, and a vibration mechanism that causes at least one of the electrodes from the plurality of electrodes to vibrate. The electrodes can be disposed in at least a partial vacuum. The system can be used for processing many types of fibers, such processing including, as examples, stripping, splicing, annealing, tapering, and so on. Corresponding fiber processing methods are also provided. | 06-03-2010 |
20100226613 | MULTI-ELECTRODE SYSTEM - A multi-electrode system comprises a fiber support configured to hold at least one optical fiber and a set of electrodes disposed about the at least one optical fiber and configured to generate arcs between adjacent electrodes to generate a substantially uniform heated field to a circumferential outer surface of the at least one optical fiber. The electrodes can be disposed in at least a partial vacuum. | 09-09-2010 |
20110052135 | LIQUID METAL CLAMP AND FIBER CLEAVING USING SAME - The present invention is directed to a liquid metal clamp, and a clamp system and method including same. A clamp system includes a first clamp configured to hold a first portion of a set of fibers and a second clamp configured to hold a second portion of the set of fibers, the second clamp comprising a liquid metal that takes a liquid form at a first temperature for receipt of the second portion of the set of fibers and that takes a solid form at a second temperature to secure the second of the set of fibers. The set of fibers can be a single fiber or a plurality of fibers. The fiber or fibers can have a circular or non-circular cross section. | 03-03-2011 |
20110277511 | MULTI-ELECTRODE SYSTEM WITH VIBRATING ELECTRODES - A multi-electrode system includes a fiber holder that holds at least one optical fiber, a plurality of electrodes arranged to generate a heated field to heat the at least one optical fiber, and a vibration mechanism that causes at least one of the electrodes from the plurality of electrodes to vibrate. The electrodes can be disposed in at least a partial vacuum. The system can be used for processing many types of fibers, such processing including, as examples, stripping, splicing, annealing, tapering, and so on. Corresponding fiber processing methods are also provided. | 11-17-2011 |
20120183265 | THERMAL MECHANICAL DIFFUSION SYSTEM AND METHOD - Provided is a thermal mechanical diffusion system and method. In accordance with the present invention, one end of a fiber under tension is vibrated while a portion of the fiber is heated. A push-pull action of one end of the fiber forces increased (or rapid) diffusion of dopants in the portion of the fiber that is in a heat zone, which receives the heat. By controlling the amplitude and frequency of the vibration, a diffusion profile of one or more fibers can be dictated with precision. Heat sources having narrower thermal profiles can enable greater precision in dictating the diffusion profile. As an example, this can be particularly useful for creating a diffusion taper within a fiber to be spliced, where the taper is a result of thermal expansion of the fiber core. Diffusion can occur much more rapidly than is typical. | 07-19-2012 |
20120183266 | MULTI-STAGE FIBER PROCESSING SYSTEM AND METHOD - A multi-stage fiber processing system comprises first and second fiber holders configured to hold respective portions of at least one fiber and a plurality of heat sources arranged between the first and second fiber holders and configured to provide a heat zone that axially extends about the at least on fiber. The first and second fiber holders can be configured to translate away from each other for tapering. The plurality of heat sources can include two 3 electrode heat sources that deliver an extended, substantially isothermic heat field axially about the fiber. All but one heat source can be turned off to splice the fiber. The two 3 electrode heat sources can generate 9 arcs to from the heat zone, wherein arcs between the two 3 electrode heat sources can be rotated about the at least one fiber. | 07-19-2012 |
20130228021 | LOAD FLEXURE ASSEMBLY - In accordance with present invention, a load flexure assembly is provided. The load cell assembly includes a plurality of load cells (i.e., two or more) connected between a top plate and a bottom plate. The top plate and bottom plate can be arranged substantially in parallel, one above the other, with the plurality of load cells coupled in between the two. | 09-05-2013 |
20140331719 | MULTI-ELECTRODE SYSTEM WITH VIBRATING ELECTRODES - A multi-electrode system includes a fiber holder that holds at least one optical fiber, a plurality of electrodes arranged to generate a heated field to heat the at least one optical fiber, and a vibration mechanism that causes at least one of the electrodes from the plurality of electrodes to vibrate. The electrodes can be disposed in at least a partial vacuum. The system can be used for processing many types of fibers, such processing including, as examples, stripping, splicing, annealing, tapering, and so on. Corresponding fiber processing methods are also provided. | 11-13-2014 |
20150040615 | PARTIAL VACUUM OPERATION OF ARC DISCHARGE FOR CONTROLLED HEATING - An electrical discharge, suitable for heating optical fibers for processing, is made in a controlled partial vacuum, such that saturation of available ionizable gas molecules is reached. The workpiece temperature is thereby made to be a stably controlled function of the absolute air pressure and is insensitive to other conditions. A system and method accomplishing the foregoing are provided. | 02-12-2015 |