Fabrication of glass shapes incorporating optical fibres involves introducing the optical fibers into channels formed by refractory ribbons between two glass shapes which are removed after fusion and cooling

摘要

Fabrication of glass shapes incorporating optical fibres involves: placing a first glass shape on the sole of a furnace or in a part of a mould (1); arranging some ribbons of refractory material at desired places following straight or curved outlines; placing on these ribbons a second glass shape (4); introducing the assembly into a furnace and heating to melt the glass shapes; after cooling, eliminating the ribbons of refractory material; introducing into the channels (6) thus created by the ribbons, the chosen optical fibres (7); and electrically connecting the optical fibres integrated in the glass. Independent claims are also included for: (a) a mechanism for implementing this method of fabrication; (b) glass shapes produced by this method and incorporating rectilinear channels or curves defining a design to receive optical fibres thus integrated into the thickness of the glass.