Reel to reel manufacturing line

• US 20050185911A1
• Filed: 04/13/2005
• Published: 08/25/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/26/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Weatherford Canada Limited (Weatherford International PLC)
• Original Assignee: LxDATA Inc. (Weatherford International PLC)
• Inventors: Lefebvre, Paul
• Granted Patent: US 7,164,841 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 385/135
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2220/02 indicating an entity which is controlled, adjusted or changed by a control process, i.e. output
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2515/60 Optical characteristics, e.g. colour, light
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2701/32 Optical fibres or optical cables
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 49/02 Methods or apparatus in which packages do not rotate
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 54/2896 Flyers
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 57/20 Flyers for inserting twist D01H
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2006/12107 Grating
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/02123 characterised by the method of manufacture of the grating photolithography G03F7/0005
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/02152 involving moving the fibre or a manufacturing element, stretching of the fibre G02B6/02147 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4457 Bobbins; Reels
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4479 Manufacturing methods of optical cables

Abstract

The invention relates to a line for processing an optical fiber having first and second ends, the line comprising a support for receiving a reel with the fiber wounded thereon; a de-winder for unwinding the fiber without substantial rotation of the reel; and a processing station for receiving the optical fiber from said de-winder to perform a processing on a portion of the optical fiber. The invention also relates to a method for writing a grating on a fiber having first and second ends, the fiber being wounded on a first reel and being capable of being wounded on a second reel, the method comprising connecting the first end of the fiber to a circulator; connecting said circulator to a source of light and to a first measurement means; de-winding the fiber from the first reel without rotation of the reel; writing a grating on the fiber with a source of radiation; and measuring reflection spectra of the grating with said first measurement means. The method also comprises winding the fiber on the second reel without rotation of the reel

Claims

1-51. -51. (canceled)

52. An apparatus for handling an optical fiber having a first end, a second end, and an intermediate section between the first end and the second end, the intermediate section being at least partially wound on a reel, said apparatus comprising:

an optical device for coupling with the first end to allow an optical signal to be exchanged between said optical device and the optical fiber; and

a de-winding mechanism for transferring optical fiber off the reel while an optical signal is exchanged between said optical device and the optical fiber.

53. An apparatus as defined in claim 52, wherein said optical device generates the optical signal and the optical signal propagates along the optical fiber.

54. An apparatus as defined in claim 53, wherein the optical signal propagates along the optical fiber and is output at the first end, said optical device receiving the optical signal.

55. An apparatus as defined in claim 52, wherein the reel is a first reel, said apparatus capable of receiving a second reel, said apparatus including a winder mechanism for transferring optical fiber that has been transferred off the first reel, on the second reel.

56. An apparatus as defined in claim 55, wherein said apparatus includes a processing station for receiving a length of optical fiber located between the first reel and the second reel.

57. An apparatus as defined in claim 56, wherein said apparatus includes a source of electromagnetic radiation to produce a grating on the length of optical fiber in said processing station.

58. An apparatus as defined in claim 57, wherein the optical signal is indicative of at least one characteristic of the grating.

59. An apparatus as defined in claim 58, wherein said optical device receives the optical signal from the first end and measures at least in part on the basis of the optical signal a reflection spectrum of the grating.

60. An apparatus as defined in claim 55, wherein the optical signal is output by said optical device and propagates along the optical fiber, the optical signal being released at the second end of the optical fiber.

61. An apparatus as defined in claim 55, wherein said winder mechanism includes a rotating member.

62. A method for handling an optical fiber having a first end, a second end, and an intermediate section between the first end and the second end, the intermediate section being at least partially wound on a reel, said method comprising:

a) coupling the first end to an optical device to allow an optical signal to be exchanged between the optical device and the optical fiber; and

b) transferring optical fiber off the reel while an optical signal is exchanged between the optical device and the optical fiber.

63. A method as defined in claim 62, wherein the optical device generates the optical signal and the optical signal propagates along the optical fiber.

64. A method as defined in claim 63, wherein the optical signal propagates along the optical fiber and is output at the first end, said optical device receiving the optical signal.

65. A method as defined in claim 62, wherein the reel is a first reel, said method including transferring optical fiber that has been transferred off the first reel, on a second reel.

66. A method as defined in claim 65, wherein said method includes processing a length of optical fiber located between the first reel and the second reel.

67. A method as defined in claim 66, wherein said processing includes generating electromagnetic radiation to produce a grating on the length of optical fiber.

68. A method as defined in claim 67, wherein the optical signal is indicative of at least one characteristic of the grating.

69. A method as defined in claim 68, wherein the optical device receives the optical signal from the first end and assesses at least in part on the basis of the optical signal a reflection spectrum of the grating.

70. A method as defined in claim 65, wherein the optical signal is output by said optical device and propagates along the optical fiber, the optical signal being released at the second end of the optical fiber.

71. An apparatus for handling a continuous length of an optical fiber, a first portion of the continuous length being wound on a first reel, a second portion of the continuous length being wound on a second reel, said apparatus comprising:

a signal source to introduce an optical signal in the optical fiber such that the optical signal propagates in the first and second portions of the continuous length; and

a mechanism for transferring optical fiber from the first reel to the second reel while the optical signal propagates in the first and second portions of the continuous length.

72. An apparatus as defined in claim 71, further comprising a processing station for receiving a length of optical fiber located between the first reel and the second reel.

73. An apparatus as defined in claim 72, wherein said apparatus includes a source of electromagnetic radiation to produce a grating on the length of optical fiber in said processing station.

74. An apparatus as defined in claim 73, wherein the optical signal is indicative of at least one characteristic of the grating.

75. A method for handling a continuous length of an optical fiber, a first portion of the continuous length being wound on a first reel, a second portion of the continuous length being wound on a second reel, said method comprising:

a) introducing an optical signal in the optical fiber such that the optical signal propagates in the first and second portions of the continuous length;

b) transferring optical fiber from the first reel to the second reel while the optical signal propagates in the first and second portions of the continuous length.

76. A method as defined in claim 75, further comprising processing optical fiber located between the first reel and the second reel.

77. A method as defined in claim 76, wherein said processing includes generating electromagnetic radiation to produce a grating on the optical fiber located between the first reel and the second reel.

78. A method as defined in claim 77, wherein the optical signal is indicative of at least one characteristic of the grating.

79. In combination:

a) an optical fiber length having a first end, a second end, and an intermediate section between the first end and the second end, the intermediate section being at least partially wound on a reel;

b) an optical device in a condition of optical coupling with said first end to allow an optical signal to be exchanged between said optical device and the optical fiber; and

c) a de-winding mechanism for transferring optical fiber off the reel while said condition of optical coupling exists.

80. A combination as defined in claim 79, wherein said optical device generates the optical signal and the optical signal propagates along the optical fiber.

81. A combination as defined in claim 79, wherein the optical signal propagates along the optical fiber and is output at the first end, said optical device receiving the optical signal.

82. A combination as defined in claim 79, wherein the reel is a first reel, said combination including a winder mechanism for transferring optical fiber that has been transferred off the first reel, on a second reel.

83. A combination as defined in claim 82, including a processing station for receiving a length of optical fiber located between the first reel and the second reel.

84. A combination as defined in claim 83, including a source of electromagnetic radiation to produce a grating on the length of optical fiber in said processing station.

85. A combination as defined in claim 84, wherein the optical signal is indicative of at least one characteristic of the grating.

86. A combination as defined in claim 85, wherein said optical device receives the optical signal from the first end and assesses at least in part on the basis of the optical signal a reflection spectrum of the grating.

87. A combination as defined in claim 79, wherein the optical signal is output by said optical device and propagates along the optical fiber, the optical signal being released at the second end.

88. A method for handling an optical fiber length having a first end, a second end, and an intermediate section between the first end and the second end, the intermediate section being at least partially wound on a reel, the method comprising:

a) establishing a condition of optical coupling between an optical device and the first end to allow an optical signal to be exchanged between the optical device and the optical fiber; and

b) transferring optical fiber off the reel while the condition of optical coupling exists.

89. An apparatus for handling an optical fiber having an end, said apparatus comprising:

a) an optical device for coupling with the end to allow an optical signal to be exchanged between said optical device and the optical fiber; and

b) a winding mechanism for winding optical fiber on a reel while an optical signal is exchanged between said optical device and the optical fiber, said winding mechanism including a rotating member.

90. An apparatus as defined in claim 89, wherein the reel is a first reel, said apparatus capable of receiving a second reel, said apparatus including a de-winder mechanism for unwinding optical fiber from the second reel.

91. An apparatus as defined in claim 90, wherein said apparatus includes a processing station for receiving a length of optical fiber between the first reel and the second reel.

92. An apparatus as defined in claim 91, wherein said apparatus includes a source of electromagnetic radiation to produce a grating on the length of optical fiber in said processing station.

93. An apparatus as defined in claim 92, wherein the optical signal is indicative of at least one characteristic of the grating.

94. A method for handling an optical fiber having an end, said method comprising:

a) coupling the end to an optical device to allow an optical signal to be exchanged between the optical device and the optical fiber; and

b) winding optical fiber on a reel while an optical signal is exchanged between the optical device and the optical fiber.

95. In combination:

a) an optical fiber having an end;

b) an optical device in a condition of optical coupling with said end to allow an optical signal to be exchanged between said optical device and the optical fiber; and

c) a winding mechanism for winding the optical fiber on a reel while said condition of optical coupling exists.