Joining method to obtain elongated coated optical fiber
First Claim
1. A method for joining elongated optical fiber cables each of which including a glass fiber and a coating layer formed over said glass fiber, comprising the steps of:
- preparing a first optical fiber cable by removing said coating layer from an end portion of the cable to provide a first bare glass fiber portion;
preparing a second optical fiber cable by removing said coating layer from an end portion of the cable to provide a second bare glass fiber portion;
splicing and melt-joining said first bare glass fiber portion and second bare glass fiber portion in order to form joined bare glass fiber portions; and
molding a material about the joined bare glass fiber portions in such a manner that the resultant molded portion has a diameter substantially equal to that of said coating layer, the material being chemically compatible with said coating layer.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method for producing an elongated optical fiber element is disclosed. The method envolves preparing two optical fiber elements by removing their outer coating layers to expose bare glass fiber portions. The glass fiber portions are melt-joint together. A material which is chemically compatible with the removed outered layer is then molded about the joined bare glass portions. A thermoplastic resin is then extruded continuously over the molded material in order to form a single elongated optical fiber element. The bonding method produces a structure which can withstand bending stress exerted on the coated optical fiber and prevent the concentration of any stress in the bonded area.
56 Citations
10 Claims
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1. A method for joining elongated optical fiber cables each of which including a glass fiber and a coating layer formed over said glass fiber, comprising the steps of:
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preparing a first optical fiber cable by removing said coating layer from an end portion of the cable to provide a first bare glass fiber portion; preparing a second optical fiber cable by removing said coating layer from an end portion of the cable to provide a second bare glass fiber portion; splicing and melt-joining said first bare glass fiber portion and second bare glass fiber portion in order to form joined bare glass fiber portions; and molding a material about the joined bare glass fiber portions in such a manner that the resultant molded portion has a diameter substantially equal to that of said coating layer, the material being chemically compatible with said coating layer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 10)
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6. A method for joining elongated optical fiber cables each of which including a glass fiber, a first coating layer formed thereover and a second coating layer formed over said first coating layer, comprising the steps of;
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preparing a first optical fiber cable by successively removing said second and first coating layers to provide a first bare glass fiber portion; preparing a second optical fiber cable by successively removing said second and first coating layers to provide a second bare glass fiber portion; splicing and melt-joining said first and second bare glass fiber portions in order to form joined bare glass fiber portions; molding a first material over said joined bare glass fiber portions in such a manner that the resultant molded portion has a diameter substantially equal to that of said first coating layer, said first material being chemically compatible with said first coating layer, and; providing a second material over at least said molded portion to form a coating, said coating having a diameter substantially equal to that of said second coating layer, and said second material being chemically compatible with said second coating layers. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9)
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Specification