Automatic butt welding appts. for optical waveguide fibres - where motor driven micrometer head and limit stops control movement of one fibre towards the other

摘要

Two fibres to be joined together coaxially are each held in a clamp, so their bared ends rest on anvils but are sepd. from each other by a retractable spacer. One clamp is stationary, but the other moves one fibre axially when the spacer is removed. The position of the mobile clamp is controlled by three limit stops employed in conjunction with a micrometer head driven by a motor; and the fibre ends are heated, e.g. by an electric arc, to make the weld. The mobile clamp is pref. first held against one limit stop by a lock, which is released so a spring can press the clamp against the micrometer head. Accurate butt welded joints are obtd. with a min. amt. of scrap.