Abstract: An apparatus (1) for recoating uncoated and spliced end portions of optical fibers (17) comprises two mold blocks (21a, 22b), each of which includes a groove (22a, 22b), the mold blocks being arrangable in a closed state, wherein the grooves cooperate to form a mold cavity for the fiber end portions, and in an open state, wherein the fiber end portions are insertable into the grooves. The apparatus further includes an injection system (5) for injecting a recoating material into the mold cavity, and a UV curing system (6) for irradiating the recoating material with UV light, thus curing the recoating material. At least one mold block is made of a plastic material comprising a fluoroplastic, e.g. PCTFE, the plastic material being at least partly transparent to UV light to enable the curing system to irradiate the UV curable recoating material with UV light through this mold block.

Abstract: When stripping an optical fiber ribbon (7) from its polymer coating the ribbon is clamped at some distance from its end in a cutting and tension unit (3). When the lid (23) of this unit is folded down knifes are pressed into the coating at a side of the unit. The end portion of the ribbon (7) is then clamped in a heating unit (1) which before this clamping operation is moved, against the force from an elastically biased rod (31) extending from the cutting and tension unit, the movement being guided by guide rods (11), to be located directly at the side of the cutting and tension unit (3). The end of the ribbon in the heating unit is heated by a heating plate (5). When the end has become sufficiently hot and the coating is softened, the cutting and tension unit (3) automatically starts to move away from the heating unit (1) by the action of the elastically biased rod (31). Then the knifes start to separate the coating on the end portion from the rest of ribbon.

Abstract: A packaging assembly for protecting splices of optical fibers comprises an inner heat-shrinkable tube, an outer thinner heat-shrinkable tube and a reinforcing rod. The reinforcing rod has a metal layer on a flat surface thereof. When heating the assembly for applying it tightly to a splice an electrical current is passed through the metal layer. Then heat is developed which causes the tubes to shrink. The metal layer can be applied to have a larger resistance in its central region where it then will be heated first, the shrinking of the tubes then also starting in the central region, as seen in the longitudinal direction of the tubes. The metal layer can be made to act like an electrical fuse, being evaporated when the heat is sufficiently intensive and then automatically interrupting the electrical current.

Abstract: A device is for fixating a fiber ribbon cable in a ribbon fiber cutting machine. A fixture or jig holding a stripped fiber ribbon cable is placed on the cutting machine in a predetermined position, by placing the jig in a machine-mounted holder and pressing the jig against one side thereof. The jig is positioned so that the ribbon fibers will enter respective V-grooves on a first support and engage a resilient surface on a second support. The fibers can be linearised in the grooves on said support surface, despite possibly being deformed when stripping the cable, by angling the jig in relation to said V-grooves on said support surface. The fibers are pressed down into the grooves, thereby fixating the fibers in both a vertical and a lateral direction. The fibers will also be parallel with one another in the space between said support. Arranged in said space is a knife by means of which a fracture line or weakening is made on the fibers.

Abstract: In splicing optical fibers using an electric glow discharge generated between electrodes, the electric power in the glow discharge is maintained constant at varying ambient conditions, such as a varying atmospheric pressure. A signal representing the welding voltage is tapped at the middle terminal of a voltage divider circuit, and a signal representing the welding current is produced over a resistor. The signals are inputs to a multiplying circuit, the output signal of which is fed to one input of a comparator. A reference voltage is fed to the other input of the comparator. The error voltage from the comparator is an input signal to a control circuit providing a control signal to circuits for generating the voltage between the electrodes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrostatic air blower which is preferably intended for use in cleaning optofibers without risking the contamination of said fibers with, e.g., metal particles that may have been loosened from electrodes used in a cleaning process. The ends of optofibers can be cleaned simply and reliably prior to welding said ends together, with the aid of said electrostatic air blower. The electrostatic air blower includes two ceramic plasma caoons (11, 12) which face towards one another at a given distance apart. Each plasma cannon includes a ceramic tube which houses an electrode. Repeated discharges between the electrodes in the tubes causes pressure waves to be generated in the air present between the tube orifices.