Apparatus and method for passing multiple fibers through a small zone of high intensity radiant energy

摘要

An apparatus for passing multiple fibers having curable coating thereon through a high intensity curing zone comprises an irradiator having a curing zone; a transparent tube enclosing the curing zone; a plurality of coating dies disposed upstream of the irradiator to coat the fibers; and a plurality of take-up mechanisms disposed downstream of the irradiator to guide the fibers through the curing zone. The coating dies and the take-up mechanisms are rotatably displaced relative to each other about a longitudinal axis through the centerline of the curing zone so that the fibers at an intermediate location between the coating dies and the take-up mechanisms define a cylindrical volume having a diameter less than the diameter of the tube so that the multiple fibers can pass simultaneously through the tube.