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.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 8, 2013
Date of Patent:
January 24, 2017
Assignee:
3SAE Technologies, Inc.
Inventors:
Robert G. Wiley, Brett Clark, John Lower, Jason Troyer, Clyde J. Troutman
Abstract: 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.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 7, 2008
Date of Patent:
March 2, 2010
Assignee:
3SAE Technologies, Inc.
Inventors:
Brett Clark, Robert Wiley, Jared C. Meitzler, Clyde J. Troutman
Abstract: 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.
Type:
Application
Filed:
January 15, 2010
Publication date:
June 3, 2010
Applicant:
3SAE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Inventors:
Robert G. Wiley, Brett Clark, Jared C. Meitzler, Clyde J. Troutman