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WO2002039164A2 - Gaine pour fibres optiques haute temperature - Google Patents

Gaine pour fibres optiques haute temperature Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2002039164A2
WO2002039164A2 PCT/US2001/030621 US0130621W WO0239164A2 WO 2002039164 A2 WO2002039164 A2 WO 2002039164A2 US 0130621 W US0130621 W US 0130621W WO 0239164 A2 WO0239164 A2 WO 0239164A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
splint
inner sleeve
support member
high temperature
optical fiber
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2001/030621
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO2002039164A3 (fr
Inventor
Abdessamad Elyamani
Original Assignee
Tycom (Us) Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Tycom (Us) Inc. filed Critical Tycom (Us) Inc.
Priority to AU2002211318A priority Critical patent/AU2002211318A1/en
Publication of WO2002039164A2 publication Critical patent/WO2002039164A2/fr
Publication of WO2002039164A3 publication Critical patent/WO2002039164A3/fr

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
    • G02B6/255—Splicing of light guides, e.g. by fusion or bonding
    • G02B6/2558—Reinforcement of splice joint
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
    • G02B6/255—Splicing of light guides, e.g. by fusion or bonding
    • G02B6/2551—Splicing of light guides, e.g. by fusion or bonding using thermal methods, e.g. fusion welding by arc discharge, laser beam, plasma torch

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to optical fiber splints. More specifically, the present invention relates to high temperature optical fiber splints that can withstand substantially high temperatures without substantially deforming or causing the inner adhesive to melt and substantially go out of the splint.
  • optical fiber splints are used to protect those types of splices.
  • optical fiber splints like those disclosed in U.S.
  • Patent No. 5,731,051 hereby incorporated by reference, include a hot-melt tube and one or more support elements disposed within a heat shrinkable tube.
  • the materials used for the hot-melt tube and heat shrinkable tube components of the splints disclosed in the '051 patent include common materials such as ethylene vinyl acetate and cross-linked polyethylene, respectively.
  • Using splints comprised of these materials presents drawbacks, especially if the splints are utilized in high temperature applications where the splints may be exposed to temperatures above approximately 120°C. In these higher temperature applications, the splints need to be able to withstand periods of increased temperature without deforming or permitting a significant amount of the inner adhesive go out of the splint.
  • the splint described in the '051 patent is not adequate for use in a high reliability system, e.g., submarine or undersea.
  • the reliability requirement is typically 25 years because submarine systems are generally subjected to greater stresses than, for example, terrestrial systems during installation and are not easily accessible once installed. Accordingly, there is a need for a high temperature optical fiber splice splint that is capable of withstanding high temperatures without substantially deforming.
  • a high temperature optical fiber splice splint comprised of a material capable of withstanding an ambient temperature of at least 130 +/- 5 °C without deforming.
  • Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a high temperature fiber optic splice splint in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention
  • Fig. 2 is partial perspective view of the high temperature splint of Fig. l j
  • Fig. 3 is a side view of the high temperature splint of Fig. 1;
  • Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the high temperature splint as taken along line 4-4 of Fig. 3;
  • Fig. 5 is a partial cut-away view of a joint incorporating the high temperature fiber optic splint of Fig. 1.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of the high temperature fiber optic splice splint in accordance with one aspect of the present invention.
  • the high temperature splint 10 includes an inner sleeve 110, a first support member 120, a second support member 130, and an outer sleeve 140.
  • the high temperature splint 10 of the present invention can withstand temperatures of about 130 +/- 5 °C without deforming as a result of the materials used to comprise the high temperature splint 10.
  • the outer sleeve 140 of the splint can be formed of modified Polyvinylidene Fluoride or PVDF, commonly l ⁇ iown as KYNAR ® as well as PTFE (outer sleeve 140).
  • the inner sleeve 110 of the splint can be formed of nylon multi-polymer resin, commonly l ⁇ iown as EL V AMIDE ® 8063 made by Dupont (inner sleeve 110).
  • first and second support members 120 and 130 can be quartz (first support member 120) and polyetherimide or PEI, commonly known as ULTEM ® (second support member 130).
  • the present high temperature splint is not limited to these materials, but can be made using any high temperature materials that will withstand temperatures of about 130 +/- 5 °C without deforming.
  • the high temperature splint of the present invention is used to protect mass fusion splices of up to about 12 optical fibers. These fibers can be either single-mode or multi-mode fibers. However, the present invention is not limited to any particular type of optical fiber.
  • Figures 2-4 further illustrate the structure and materials used in an embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 2 shows a partial perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention in which fiber optic splice(s) 150-155 are threaded through inner sleeve 110 of the splint 10.
  • the inner sleeve 110 can be ELVAMIDE 7 8063 produced by Dupont as described above.
  • ELVAMIDE 7 8063 has a melting temperature of approximately 158°C and a tensile strength of approximately 7.5 kpsi. Its specific gravity is approximately 1.08 and it has a Flexcural modulus of approximately 131 kpsi.
  • first support member 120 and second support member 130 Surrounding the inner sleeve 110, are first support member 120 and second support member 130. These support members help to protect the fibers from bending forces that may be applied to the splint when the splint is placed into its final application.
  • the support members 120 and 130 can be made from any one of a wide variety of materials, for example, quartz and PEI as described above.
  • outer sleeve 140 Surrounding the support members 120, 130 and the inner sleeve 110, which includes the optical fibers 150-155, is outer sleeve 140.
  • the outer sleeve 140 in this embodiment, as previously described, can be made from PVDF.
  • PVDF has excellent resistance to common fuels, oils, solvents, acids, and the like, is self-extinguishing and has a continuous operating temperature between approximately -55°C to 175°C.
  • the diameter of the PVDF sleeve prior to shrinkage is approximately 0.220 inches with a wall thickness of approximately 0.010 inches.
  • the shrinkage temperature of PVDF is approximately 175°C and it has a tensile strength of approximately 5500 psi.
  • the inner sleeve 110 has an elliptical shape and defines an inner elongated aperture of length Lj that is approximately 40.00 ⁇ 0.20mm.
  • the height Hj of the inner sleeve 110 is approximately 1.3 ⁇ 0.10 mm and the width is approximately 1.9mm.
  • the first and second support members 120 and 130 respectively, which add strength to the splint.
  • the first support member 120 which in this embodiment is quartz, is disposed on a first portion 112 of the inner sleeve 110 and includes a first flat side 122 and a second semi-circular side 124.
  • the first support member has a height H 2 of approximately 2.00 ⁇ O.lOmm, a width of approximately 4.0 ⁇ O.lOmm and a length of approximately 40.00 ⁇ 0.20mm.
  • the second support member 130 is similar in shape to the first support member 120, but is formed of polyetherimide in this embodiment.
  • the second support member is disposed on a second portion 114 of the inner sleeve 110 and has a height H of approximately 1.95 ⁇ O.lOmm, a width of approximate 3.90 ⁇ O.lOmm and a length of approximately 40.00 ⁇ 0.25mm.
  • the width W t of the high temperature splint ranges from approximately 4.13mm to approximately 4.
  • outer sleeve 140 Surrounding this inner sleeve 110, and thus support members 120, 130, is outer sleeve 140 which has an elongated tubular structure.
  • the splint 10 is heat cured.
  • inner sleeve 110 is melted and outer sleeve 140 is heat shrunk.
  • support members 120 and 130 are securely positioned between the inner sleeve 110 and the outer sleeve 140.
  • Outer sleeve 140 is initially a heat shrinkable plastic tube, which can shrink to approximately 50% its diameter and approximately 10% longitudinally when heated. Heat is applied at the splint center first and then gradually applied towards the ends of the splint in order to prevent air bubbles from forming within the splint during heat curing.
  • the inner sleeve 110 can reach approximately 130 +/- 5 °C or greater and the outer sleeve 140 can reach approximately 165 +/- 5 °C or greater.
  • two parallel heated surfaces can be used. One surface is placed above the splint and one surface is placed below the splint. The surfaces are set to approximately 170 ⁇ 5°C for approximately 75 ⁇ 5 seconds.
  • the high temperature splint 10 is nearly cylindrical with an approximate diameter of 6.00 mm .
  • some of the adhesive material present between the fibers 150-155 and the inner sleeve 110 will be expelled and adhered to the fiber coating at each end of the splint.
  • the high temperature splint might have a slight amber color tint following curing.
  • the high temperature properties of the splint 10 are utilized in numerous applications.
  • One such application is a fiber optic cable joint, as illustrated in Figure 5.
  • the joint includes an outer tube assembly 510 covered by molded polyethylene, with first and second strain reliefs 520 and 530 surrounding a splice box 540.
  • Splice box 540 contains at least one high temperature splint of the present invention.
  • the splint box 540 and other internal guides for the optical cables contained within the assembly 510 are placed within a mold cavity.
  • the temperature of the mold itself is regulated in order to balance the fluid properties of the polyethylene.
  • the mold is heated and fluid polyethylene is injected into the mold to surround the assembly 510.
  • the assembly 510 is checked to see if the polyethylene has completely surrounded the assembly 510. If there are any blank spots, holes, or weak spots where the polyethylene did not cover the entire assembly 510 then up to another two molding cycles can be completed. However, if after the third time, the assembly 510 is not completely covered with polyethylene, then the entire assembly 510 has to be taken apart and each piece is reassembled in another joint where the molding will be attempted again.
  • the mold and the assembly 510 sitting within the mold cavity are heated in order for the polyethylene to flow and surround the assembly 510.
  • the outer portions of the assembly can see temperatures of around 500°F and the internal portions of the splice box 540, and specifically the high temperature splint, can see temperatures of around 130 ⁇ 5°C.
  • the splint of the present invention must be capable of withstanding an ambient temperature of at least 130 +/- 5 °C without deforming, in order to protect the spliced fibers.
  • the high temperature splint of the present invention does not soften or lose its shape. Instead, by maintaining its structure, the spliced optical fibers of the splint described in Figures 1 to 4 remain stationary and supported. Therefore the high temperature splint of the present invention does not deform at high temperatures.
  • the inner material is not melted and expelled out of the splint, which keeps the splices covered and eliminates a direct contact with the strength members. This direct contact might create microbending and consequently a high optical loss and might cause the fibers to beak at the splices .

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Plasma & Fusion (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Coupling Of Light Guides (AREA)

Abstract

Cette invention concerne une gaine pour fibres optiques haute température qui est constituée par un matériau capable de supporter une température ambiante d'au moins 135 ±5 °C sans se déformer.
PCT/US2001/030621 2000-11-09 2001-10-01 Gaine pour fibres optiques haute temperature WO2002039164A2 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2002211318A AU2002211318A1 (en) 2000-11-09 2001-10-01 High temperature fiber optic splint

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US70913800A 2000-11-09 2000-11-09
US09/709,138 2000-11-09

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2002039164A2 true WO2002039164A2 (fr) 2002-05-16
WO2002039164A3 WO2002039164A3 (fr) 2003-09-25

Family

ID=24848636

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2001/030621 WO2002039164A2 (fr) 2000-11-09 2001-10-01 Gaine pour fibres optiques haute temperature

Country Status (2)

Country Link
AU (1) AU2002211318A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2002039164A2 (fr)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2002057818A3 (fr) * 2001-01-17 2003-08-14 Tycom Us Inc Structure de retenue de fibres optiques et procede de fabrication associe
JP2013047748A (ja) * 2011-08-29 2013-03-07 Furukawa Electric Co Ltd:The 補強スリーブおよび光ファイバ心線の融着接続方法
WO2014002558A1 (fr) * 2012-06-26 2014-01-03 住友電気工業株式会社 Gaine protectrice
JP7585056B2 (ja) 2021-01-19 2024-11-18 古河電気工業株式会社 補強スリーブ及び光ファイバ接続部の補強構造

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CA1202508A (fr) * 1981-05-07 1986-04-01 Norio Murata Enveloppe et technique de protection pour fibres optiques
US5832162A (en) * 1995-12-15 1998-11-03 Tii Industries, Inc. Multiple fiber fusion splice protection sleeve

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2002057818A3 (fr) * 2001-01-17 2003-08-14 Tycom Us Inc Structure de retenue de fibres optiques et procede de fabrication associe
JP2013047748A (ja) * 2011-08-29 2013-03-07 Furukawa Electric Co Ltd:The 補強スリーブおよび光ファイバ心線の融着接続方法
WO2014002558A1 (fr) * 2012-06-26 2014-01-03 住友電気工業株式会社 Gaine protectrice
CN103907039A (zh) * 2012-06-26 2014-07-02 住友电气工业株式会社 保护套筒
CN103907039B (zh) * 2012-06-26 2015-11-25 住友电气工业株式会社 保护套筒
JP7585056B2 (ja) 2021-01-19 2024-11-18 古河電気工業株式会社 補強スリーブ及び光ファイバ接続部の補強構造

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU2002211318A1 (en) 2002-05-21
WO2002039164A3 (fr) 2003-09-25

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