Optical fibre mfr. for glass optic fibres for coatings from liq. polymer supply - by retaining fibre in protective gas atmos. round fibre and coating(s) to harden or crosslink coating for protection from micro bending

摘要

The mfr. comprises retaining the fibre in a protective gas atmos. with coating(s), until the coating has hardened or crosslinked. Also claimed is an appts. with a protective gas chamber at the outlet of the coating station, with a direct and sealed connection between them. The length of the chamber, in the direction of fibre travel, is shorter than the interval between the outlet of the coating station and the entry to the hardening or crosslinking station. The atmos. is formed by a gas shrouding round the glass optic fibre, developed by the movement of the fibre through the protective gas supply. Adjustment to the gas pressure sets the shrouding of the gas round the fibre w.r.t. the speed of fibre travel. The chamber has a dedicated gas inlet, and the gas outlet is formed by the exit of the fibre from the chamber. The gas inlet is in a distribution ring, with inlet jets at a tangent into the chamber. The protective gas shrouding is carried into the radiation zone with the fibre through the pref. gap between the outlet of the gas chamber and the entry to the hardening or crosslinking station and/or the fibre movement speed. USE/ADVANTAGE - The mfr. is for the prodn. of glass optic fibres, with coating(s) for protection against micro bending. The system forms an effective coating independently of the fibre take-off speed and fibre length drawn out of the assembly.