US4124364A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for making glass sleeve fiber splice
Assignee: International Standard Electric Corp
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Filing: 1976-12-02
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Granted: 1978-11-07
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Expires: 1996-12-02
Abstract
Abstract A pair of optical fibers is connected by means of a glass sleeve having a lower melting point than the fibers and a bore having a clearance fit over the ends of the fibers to be joined. One fiber is inserted into one end of the sleeve and the sleeve is heated to collapse over the fiber end. Index matching fluid is introduced into the other end of the sleeve before inserting the other fiber therein.
Inventors
- 👤 David G. Dalgoutte
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 12:56
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/255; G02B6/2555; G02B6/2551; G02B6/36; G02B6/38; G02B6/3807; G02B6/381; G02B6/3818; G02B6/382
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
169 words
A method of butt joining a pair of glass optical fibres which method includes the steps of introducing a bare end of one member of the pair of optical fibres into one end of a glass sleeve having a melting point lower than that of the fibre and a bore that is a clearance fit over the bare fibre, of heating the sleeve in the region intermediate said one end of the sleeve and the end of the fibre so as to collapse said region on to the fibre and to cause said collapsed region to propagate to substantially the end of the fibre, of introducing the end of the outer member of the pair of optical fibres into the other end of the sleeve, and of securing the two fibres in substantially butting relationship with an index matching medium between their ends, said index matching medium being an ultra-violet curing adhesive also being disposed to secure said other member to said sleeve after being exposed to ultra-violet light.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
169 words
A method of butt joining a pair of glass optical fibres which method includes the steps of introducing a bare end of one member of the pair of optical fibres into one end of a glass sleeve having a melting point lower than that of the fibre and a bore that is a clearance fit over the bare fibre, of heating the sleeve in the region intermediate said one end of the sleeve and the end of the fibre so as to collapse said region on to the fibre and to cause said collapsed region to propagate to substantially the end of the fibre, of introducing the end of the outer member of the pair of optical fibres into the other end of the sleeve, and of securing the two fibres in substantially butting relationship with an index matching medium between their ends, said index matching medium being an ultra-violet curing adhesive also being disposed to secure said other member to said sleeve after being exposed to ultra-violet light.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method as claim 1 including the step of providing a hole in the wall of the sleeve which hole is positioned beyond the end of the fibre on to which the sleeve is collapsed by heating.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein after the sleeve is collapsed by heating on to one member of the pair of fibres a fillet of adhesive is applied to that fibre at its point of emergence from the sleeve.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
49 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the fibres are plastics coated fibres and wherein the plastics coating is stripped from the fibre ends to a distance sufficient to enable the bared fibres to be inserted into opposite ends of the sleeve and to be butted together therein.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
49 words
A method as claimed in claim 4 wherein a tubular reinforcement member is slipped over one end of the fibres prior to the securing of the two fibres within the sleeve, which reinforcement member is later slipped over the sleeve and secured to the plastics coating of each fibre.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as claimed in claim 5 wherein the reinforcement member is a length of heat shrinkable plastics tubing which is secured to the plastics coating of each fibre by heat shrinking.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method as claimed in claim 5 wherein the reinforcement member is a rigid tube secured to the plastics coating of each fibre by fillets of adhesive applied to both ends of the tube.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US3906221A
Cited
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Cited
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Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-11-06 | 1982-05-08 | 1982-11-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-11-06 | 1986-05-08 | 1986-11-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-11-06 | 1990-05-08 | 1990-11-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |