Abstract: A method for cleaving an optical fiber may include generating a laser beam, such as a CO2 laser beam, for a discrete time period. The laser beam may impact an optical fiber and form a discrete crater extending into the optical fiber from the outer surface thereof. The method may further include pausing generation of the laser beam for a discrete time period, and rotating the optical fiber about a longitudinal axis of the optical fiber. The method may further include repeating generation of the laser beam. A plurality of discrete craters disposed in an annular array about a circumference of the optical fiber may be formed. The method may further include separating the optical fiber into a main optical fiber portion and a cleaved portion after formation of the annular array of discrete craters.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes an inner liner, an outer wrapper and a trim breaker that extends between the inner liner and the outer wrapper to define an insulated structural cabinet. The trim breaker includes a plurality of gas-blocking flakes, wherein each gas-blocking flake includes a longitudinal axis that extends substantially parallel with an elongated surface of the respective gas-blocking flake. The longitudinal axis and the elongated surface of each corresponding gas-blocking flake is oriented to be substantially parallel with a portion of an outer surface of the trim breaker located near the respective gas-blocking flake.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for forming optical preforms from silica glass soot are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a method for forming an optical preform may include loading silica glass soot in a mold cavity of a mold body. The mold body may be rotated at a rotational speed sufficient to force the silica glass soot towards an inner wall of the mold body. Thereafter the silica glass soot is compressed in an inward radial direction as the mold body is rotated to form a soot compact layer.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Methods for forming glass compositions from cullet include providing the cullet to a submerged combustion melter and melting the cullet with the aid of heat generated upon the combustion of a hydrocarbon from landfill gas and, in some cases, a polymeric material, in the presence of an oxidant. The melted cullet is then directed to a fiberization unit to generate a glass composition, such as vitreous fiber. The glass composition can be used to form various structural components, such as glass fiber insulation. Methods and systems provided herein can be used to form low global warming potential products.

Abstract: According to the invention, a system for forming glass fiber from molten glass is disclosed. The system may include a tip plate, a plurality of tips, and a plurality of support members. The plurality of tips may include a plurality of rows of tips. Each of the plurality of support members may support the tip plate. Each of the plurality of support members may be located between two of the plurality of rows of tips.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for manufacturing fibres comprising a melting furnace, a crucible within said furnace comprising at least one orifice (6) and at least one induction coil (4) for heating the melting furnace and the crucible. In a typical system according to the invention, the crucible comprises at least a first part (1) made of graphite and comprising said at least one orifice (6). The invention also relates to the use of the system as well as to a method for manufacturing fibres and to said fibres.

Abstract: In a method of producing fibers having property enhancing inclusions, a molten material is supplied to a fiber forming apparatus. A controlled amount of particulate is added to the molten material. The molten material with the added particulate is formed into fibers. An undissolved portion of the added particulate forms inclusions in the fibers, the inclusions having an absorption index in a 2-7 ?m wavelength region that is greater than a corresponding absorption index of the material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and related method for manufacturing an optical preform. The present invention embraces a novel insert tube that is strategically positioned within a quartz substrate tube during the internal vapor deposition process.

Abstract: According to the invention, a system for forming glass fiber from molten glass is disclosed. The system may include a tip plate, a plurality of tips, and a plurality of support members. The plurality of tips may include a plurality of rows of tips. Each of the plurality of support members may support the tip plate. Each of the plurality of support members may be located between two of the plurality of rows of tips.

Abstract: Disclosed is a plasma torch for overcladding a primary preform of an optical fiber. The plasma torch includes a confinement tube for confining an induced plasma and a torch base. The torch base has a ceramic surface internal to the confinement tube. The plasma torch has extended life even at high input powers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for manufacturing fibres comprising a melting furnace, a crucible within said furnace comprising at least one orifice (6) and at least one induction coil (4) for heating the melting furnace and the crucible. In a typical system according to the invention, the crucible comprises at least a first part (1) made of graphite and comprising said at least one orifice (6). The invention also relates to the use of the system as well as to a method for manufacturing fibres and to said fibres.

Abstract: Methods for substantially improving the stability of a melting furnace system including bushings and cooling apparatus for converting molten mineral material to continuous fibers is disclosed. Apparatus and methods for maintaining the molten material throughput and the electrical power load on fiberizing bushings substantially constant are disclosed. The orifice plate, with or without tips or nozzles, is subjected to a more rapid rate of heat removal after the bushing breaks out than it did while the bushing was in a desired fiberizing mode. Apparatus for blowing cooling air upward onto the orifice plate during the time the bushing is breaking out and/or hanging to provide additional cooling is disclosed along with optional additional or alternative apparatus to use for optional additional or alternative cooling is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of making a mineral melt comprising providing a circulating combustion chamber (1) which comprises an upper zone (2), a lower zone (3) and a base zone (4), injecting particulate fuel, particulate mineral material and primary combustion gas which has optionally an oxygen level of at least 25% by volume into the upper zone of the circulating combustion chamber so that the fuel undergoes pyrolysis in the upper zone to produce char, thereby melting the particulate mineral materials to form a mineral melt and generating exhaust gases, injecting secondary combustion gas which has optionally an Oxygen level of at least 25% by volume into the lower zone of the circulating combustion chamber so that the char combusts, thereby completing combustion of the fuel, and separating the mineral melt from the hot exhaust gases so that the hot exhaust gases pass though an outlet in the circulating combustion chamber and the mineral melt collects in the base zone.

Abstract: An inner seal ring 16 is composed by connecting a plurality of inner seal ring pieces 16A, an outer seal ring 17 is composed by connecting a plurality of outer seal ring pieces 17A provided at an outer periphery of the inner seal ring 16, and a coil spring 18 is arranged at an outer periphery of the outer seal ring 17. The inner seal ring 16 and the outer seal ring 17 are piled for two or more stages, respectively. A connecting part of the inner seal ring pieces 16A and a connecting part of the outer seal ring pieces 17 are arranged not to overlap each other. An inner diameter of the inner seal ring 16 is variable in accordance with an outer diameter in vertical direction of a drawing-preform 1 by using a coil spring 18.

Abstract: An optical fiber tip comprises a core and a recess formed in said core at a distal end of the optical fiber tip, said recess having a vertex within said core.

Abstract: An outside chemical vapor deposition apparatus is disclosed for depositing porous glass-forming material onto a target rod to form a cylindrical body, with substantially higher efficiency than could prior apparatus. The apparatus includes two separate burner arrays, one array optimized for depositing the material during an initial stage of the process, when the cylindrical body has a relatively small diameter, and the other array optimized for depositing the material during a later stage of the process, when the cylindrical body has a relatively large diameter. In addition, each burner array can include a plurality of burners, with each burner azimuthally angled relative to the apparatus' air-flow axis, and with adjacent burners angled in opposite directions relative to that axis, to minimize the density gradient within the deposited porous material.

Abstract: A deposition system for depositing a chemical vapor onto a workpiece, including a deposition chamber having a plurality of components for performing chemical vapor deposition on the workpiece. The deposition chamber includes an inner skin made of Hasteloy for sealing the plurality of components and the workpiece from the air surrounding the deposition system, and an outer skin that encloses the inner skin and is separated from the inner skin by an air gap. The outer skin includes vents that create a convection current in the air gap between the inner skin and outer skin of the deposition chamber. The deposition system also has a gas panel for regulating the flow of gases and vapors into the deposition chamber, and a computer for controlling operation of the gas panel and the components in the deposition chamber.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for making densified glass fiber pellets substantially encapsulated in a polymeric shell from chopped segments of multi-filament glass strand is described. The densified pellets may be advantageously produced by hydrating chopped glass strands and then pelletizing them by tumbling in a rotary drum, densifying the resulting pellets by tumbling in a rotating zig-zag or undulating tube, drying the pellets and encapsulating them in a polymeric composition. The resulting pellets exhibit enhanced degradation resistance during bulk storage and handling.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cleaving optical waveguides to precise differential length are described. A first end of a waveguide is coupled to an input port of a reflectometer. A reference mirror is then positioned in a path of radiation propagating through the second end of the waveguide. A waveguide cutting tool is then positioned proximate to the waveguide and at a distance relative to a reference mirror. A first reflectometry measurement is performed on the waveguide to a second end of the waveguide. A second reflectometry measurement is performed on the waveguide to the reference mirror. The waveguide is then positioned relative to the reference mirror and waveguide cutting tool so that the first reflectometery measurement is a measurement increment apart from the second reflectometry measurement. The waveguide is then cut with the cutting tool positioned at the distance relative to the reference mirror.

Abstract: In a method in which a rotating starting rod and glass particle synthesizing burners are relatively reciprocally moved in parallel with each other, so that while a turn-back position of the relative movement is shifted in a predetermined direction, glass particles (soot) are deposited on a surface of the starting rod to thereby produce a glass particles deposit, the deposition of soot is performed under a condition that an interval between a burner located at any one of both ends in a direction of the relative movement and a burner located adjacent thereto is shorter than another interval between any two of intermediate burners other than the two burners located at the both ends.

Abstract: A roll coater for placing binder on the fibers prior to being wound around a rotating drawing drum. The drawing drum draws fibers out of orifices in the bottom of a slowly reciprocating furnace. The fibers form a mat on the drawing drum that is later removed and expanded. The roll coater includes a graphite or other material coating drum that rotates in a bath of liquid binder and/or wetting agents, and reciprocates with the furnace. The fibers scrape over the surface of the coating drum after being formed but before winding around the drawing drum. The binder and/or wetting agent picked up on the surface of the coating drum coats the fibers with binder and/or wetting agent. Liquid binder and/or wetting agent is replenished in the bath in which the coating drum is partially submerged by a float, sensor, pump and large container of binder/wetting agent.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for sealing the top of an optical waveguide draw furnace is disclosed. The apparatus includes an assembly constructed and arranged to removably cover the top of the draw furnace while mating with the downfeed handle. The apparatus includes an elongated sleeve having a base and a sealing mechanism positioned on the sleeve at a location remote from the base. The sleeve defines a chamber for receiving the downfeed handle, and the sealing mechanism is arranged with respect to the sleeve to mate with the downfeed handle received in the chamber. In one aspect of the invention, the apparatus further includes an inert gas purge for providing an inert atmosphere within the chamber. A method of sealing the top of an optical waveguide draw furnace is also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus for manufacturing fibrous insulation includes a porous conveyor mounted for transporting fibrous material in a machine direction in the form of pack. A pack lift blower is positioned beneath the porous conveyor, in a direction transverse to the machine direction, to direct gases upwardly through the porous conveyor to fluff the fibers within the pack. The pack lift blower has a nozzle that is readily removable and replaceable for cleaning without requiring interruption in the motion of the conveyor. The nozzle may also include slots which allow the passage of air and a reciprocal member which cleans the slots.

Abstract: Apparatus for manufacturing fibrous insulation includes a porous conveyor mounted for transporting fibrous material in a machine direction in the form of pack. A pack lift blower is positioned beneath the porous conveyor, in a direction transverse to the machine direction, to direct gases upwardly through the porous conveyor to fluff the fibers within the pack. The pack lift blower has a nozzle that is readily removable and replaceable for cleaning without requiring interruption in the motion of the conveyor. The nozzle may also include slots which allow the passage of air and a reciprocal member which cleans the slots.

Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus for supporting a preform manufactured in an installation for manufacturing or building up preforms having supporting cores, said installation including at least rotation means having a horizontal axis of rotation and two mounting points between which the supporting core of the preform to be manufactured or built up is mounted, plasma-torch and material-supply means disposed radially relative to said supporting core and being mounted to move in axial translation relative to and parallel to the supporting core so as to make said preform around said supporting core, said apparatus being wherein it includes controlled support means constituting additional localized abutment points between said mounting points for said preform being manufactured or built up.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for producing glass fiber product from scrap glass fibers comprising at least one crusher having at least one pair of rotatable rollers which rotate at essentially the same speed, the rollers having intermeshing protuberances for crushing scrap glass fibers passing therebetween; a dryer for drying the crushed glass fibers to form dried glass fibers having a mean average moisture content of less than about one weight percent; and a separating device for separating the crushed glass fibers into (1) a first portion of crushed glass fibers having a mean average length of less than about 5 millimeters and (2) oversize dried waste material.

Abstract: A device for drawing down an optical fiber preform (2) connected at one end to a feed rod (3) having an equal or smaller diameter. A chamber (11) in which the preform is drawn has an upper part (11A) with an opening (12). The opening engages the preform to seal the chamber. An enclosure (5) has a seal (6) at its upper part (5A) for sealing around the feed rod. A lower part (5B) of the enclosure contacts the upper part of the chamber to seal the chamber while the feed rod is passing through the opening.

Abstract: A hollow cylinder is held in a vertical orientation and sent continuously through a heating zone for sintering. In a first phase of the sintering operation, the hollow cylinder stands on a support while the upper end (12) of the cylinder is being sintered. In a second phase the cylinder hangs from a hanging element while its lower end (10) is sintered. A vertical rod is fixed to the base on which the lower end is supported, and extends through the hollow cylinder. A retaining ring is fixed inside the upper end of the hollow cylinder. During the first phase, the upper end vitrifies and contracts so that the retaining ring engages the vertical rod. Longitudinal contraction causes the lower end to lift off the base so that the cylinder is suspended during the second phase.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for forming a glass preform which can be directly drawn into a single or multi-mode optical fiber. Single or multi-mode fibers drawn from the preforms described herein have high quality core-clad interfaces since the core and cladding materials are not exposed to crystallization temperatures upon the addition of the core material to cladding material.