US 12,353,037 B2
System and method of refining optical fiber
Edward McKenna, Sebastopol, CA (US); and Gerald Leon Wallace, Jr., Mobile, AL (US)
Assigned to MACLEON, LLC, Mobile, AL (US)
Filed by Macleon, LLC, Mobile, AL (US)
Filed on Jan. 22, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/581,893.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/266,144, filed on Dec. 29, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/140,736, filed on Jan. 22, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2022/0234937 A1, Jul. 28, 2022
Int. Cl. C03B 37/07 (2006.01); C03B 37/10 (2006.01); G02B 6/02 (2006.01); G02B 6/44 (2006.01); G02B 6/38 (2006.01); G02B 6/42 (2006.01); H04B 10/80 (2013.01)
CPC G02B 6/4436 (2013.01) [G02B 6/02395 (2013.01); G02B 6/4401 (2013.01); C03B 37/07 (2013.01); C03B 37/10 (2013.01); G02B 6/3814 (2013.01); G02B 6/3885 (2013.01); G02B 6/4268 (2013.01); G02B 6/4439 (2013.01); H04B 10/806 (2013.01)] 10 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system for reducing imperfections in a length of optical fiber comprising a fiber core and a cladding around the fiber core, the system comprising:
an annealing unit comprising: a spooling system, and a heating chamber comprising a heating element, wherein:
the spooling system is configured to feed the length of optical fiber into the heating chamber, and
the heating chamber is configured to: receive a first segment of the length of optical fiber from the spooling system, and using the heating element, selectively heat the first segment to a first temperature, the first temperature being greater than a crystallization temperature (Tx) of the fiber and less than a molten temperature (Tm) of the fiber; and
an elongated chamber configured to house the annealing unit and have an overall height selected to enable a free fall motion of the annealing unit within the elongated chamber, wherein the elongated chamber comprises a moveable component coupled to the annealing unit and configured to move the annealing unit from an elevated height within the elongated chamber to a lower height within the elongated chamber using a free fall motion,
wherein the heating chamber is further configured to, using the heating element, maintain the first segment at the first temperature during a first time period of said free fall motion,
wherein during a second time period that begins during the free fall motion but after the first time period ends, the heating chamber is configured to, using the heating element, cool the first segment of the optical fiber to a second temperature at a critical cooling rate associated with the fiber, the second temperature being below the crystallization temperature (Tx) and above a glass transition temperature (Tg) of the fiber, and
wherein after the second time period ends:
the spooling system is further configured to transition a second, subsequent segment of the same length of optical fiber into the heating chamber, while transitioning the first segment of the optical fiber out of the heating chamber, and
the moveable component is further configured to move the annealing unit from the lower height to the elevated height.