Method for making optical probe
First Claim
1. Method for making an optical fiber bundle, the method comprisingbending each of a plurality of optical fibers to form a fiber bend,suspending the plurality of fibers at the fiber bends over a suspension member,holding the fibers taut under tension to maintain the fiber bends,applying first potting encapsulating material to a portion of the fibers adjacent the fiber bends,curing the first potting encapsulating material,after removing the plurality of fibers from the suspension member applying second potting encapsulating material to the fiber bends, andcuring the second potting encapsulating material.
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Abstract
A method for making an optical fiber bundle which, in one aspect, includes bending each of a plurality of optical fibers to form a bend therein and then suspending the fibers over a suspension member; holding the fibers taut under tension; applying potting material to the fiber bends and curing it; and removing the fibers from the suspension member.
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Citations
34 Claims
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1. Method for making an optical fiber bundle, the method comprising
bending each of a plurality of optical fibers to form a fiber bend, suspending the plurality of fibers at the fiber bends over a suspension member, holding the fibers taut under tension to maintain the fiber bends, applying first potting encapsulating material to a portion of the fibers adjacent the fiber bends, curing the first potting encapsulating material, after removing the plurality of fibers from the suspension member applying second potting encapsulating material to the fiber bends, and curing the second potting encapsulating material.
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15. Method for making an optical fiber bundle, the method comprising
bending each of a plurality of optical fibers to form a fiber bend in each fiber, suspending the plurality of fibers over a first circular spider having a central opening traversed by a plurality of spokes, the spokes secured to the first circular spider, one fiber section disposed between each pair of spokes, with the ends of the fibers distant from the fiber bends received in and held by a clamping means for holding the fibers taut under tension, applying first potting encapsulating material to a portion of the fibers adjacent the fiber bends, curing the first potting encapsulating material with intermittent pulses of ultraviolet radiation, removing the plurality of fibers from the first circular spider and from the clamping means, applying second potting encapsulating material to the fiber bends, and curing the second potting encapsulating material.
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16. Method for making an optical fiber sensor probe, the method comprising
bending each of a plurality of optical fibers to form a fiber bend in each fiber, suspending the plurality of fibers over a suspension means secured to a probe fabrication apparatus, with the ends of the fibers distant from the fiber bends received in and held by a clamping means for holding the fibers taut under tension, the clamping means secured to the probe fabrication apparatus, applying first potting encapsulating material to a portion of the fibers adjacent the fiber bends, curing the first potting encapsulating material with intermittent pulses of ultraviolet radiation, removing the plurality of fibers from the suspension means and from the clamping means, applying second potting encapsulating material to the fiber bends, curing the second potting encapsulating material, forming gaps in each of the fibers for receiving and holding a chemical indicator which reacts to a particular chemical, coating the fibers and the gaps with protective coating material, emplacing chemical indicator material in each gap, and applying a semi-permeable membrane material over each gap, the membrane material permitting the passage therethrough of only the particular chemical to which the chemical indicator in the gap reacts.
Specification