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GB2148537A - Optical fibre splicing - Google Patents

Optical fibre splicing Download PDF

Info

Publication number
GB2148537A
GB2148537A GB08425663A GB8425663A GB2148537A GB 2148537 A GB2148537 A GB 2148537A GB 08425663 A GB08425663 A GB 08425663A GB 8425663 A GB8425663 A GB 8425663A GB 2148537 A GB2148537 A GB 2148537A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
sleeve
plastics material
resin
optical fibres
mould cavity
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status 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 status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB08425663A
Other versions
GB2148537B (en
GB8425663D0 (en
Inventor
Ronal Lester Ralph
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Balfour Beatty PLC
Original Assignee
BICC PLC
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 BICC PLC filed Critical BICC PLC
Publication of GB8425663D0 publication Critical patent/GB8425663D0/en
Publication of GB2148537A publication Critical patent/GB2148537A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2148537B publication Critical patent/GB2148537B/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • GPHYSICS
    • G02OPTICS
    • G02BOPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/24Coupling light guides
    • G02B6/255Splicing of light guides, e.g. by fusion or bonding
    • G02B6/2558Reinforcement of splice joint
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29CSHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C61/00Shaping by liberation of internal stresses; Making preforms having internal stresses; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C61/006Shaping by liberation of internal stresses; Making preforms having internal stresses; Apparatus therefor the force created by the liberation of the internal stresses being used for compression moulding or for pressing preformed material
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29CSHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C70/00Shaping composites, i.e. plastics material comprising reinforcements, fillers or preformed parts, e.g. inserts
    • B29C70/68Shaping composites, i.e. plastics material comprising reinforcements, fillers or preformed parts, e.g. inserts by incorporating or moulding on preformed parts, e.g. inserts or layers, e.g. foam blocks
    • B29C70/74Moulding material on a relatively small portion of the preformed part, e.g. outsert moulding
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29CSHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C35/00Heating, cooling or curing, e.g. crosslinking or vulcanising; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C35/02Heating or curing, e.g. crosslinking or vulcanizing during moulding, e.g. in a mould
    • B29C35/08Heating or curing, e.g. crosslinking or vulcanizing during moulding, e.g. in a mould by wave energy or particle radiation
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29LINDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES
    • B29L2011/00Optical elements, e.g. lenses, prisms
    • B29L2011/0075Light guides, optical cables

Landscapes

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

Abstract

In a method of effecting an end-to-end fusion splice between two optical fibres 1 each having a cladding or protective covering 2 of resin, the cladding or protective covering is removed from an end part 3 of each optical fibre and a sleeve 4 of heat shrinkable plastics material is applied over one of the fibres. The fusion splice is effected between the exposed end parts 3 of the optical fibres 1, the heat shrinkable plastics sleeve 4 is positioned over the fusion splice, and resin 6 in a semi-fluid state is introduced into the mould cavity 5 formed by the sleeve 4 through one end of the sleeve. The sleeve 4 is heated to cause it to shrink to such an extent as to ensure that the mould cavity 5 is filled with resin 6, and the resin is permitted or caused to set and bond to the exposed parts 3 of the optical fibres 1 and to adjacent ends of the claddings or protective coverings 2. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Optical fibre splicing This invention relates to end-to-end fusion splicing of optical fibres and is particularly concerned with end-to-end fusion splicing of optical fibres having a cladding or protective covering of resin or other hardened plastics material.
When effecting an end-to-end fusion splice between two optical fibres each having a cladding or protective covering of resin or other hardened plastics material, it is the general practice to remove the cladding or protective covering from an end part of each optical fibre before effecting the fusion splice.
After the fusion splice has been effected, it is desirable that the exposed fusion-spliced end parts of the optical fibres are re-clad or recovered with resin or other hardened plastics material.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved method of effecting an end-to-end fusion splice between two optical fibres each having a cladding or protective covering of hardened resin or other hardened plastics material, which method can be readily and swiftly effected by semi-skilled or unskilled personnel.
According to the invention the improved method comprises removing the cladding or protective covering of hardened resin or other hardened plastics material from an end part of each optical fibre; applying to one of the two optical fibres a sleeve of heat shrinkable plastics material so that it is spaced from the exposed end part of the optical fibre, the sleeve being of a length greater than the combined lengths of the exposed end parts of the optical fibres; effecting the fusion splice between the exposed end parts of the optical fibres; positioning the heat shrinkable plastics sleeve over the exposed fusion-sliced end parts of the optical fibres so that it overlies the adjacent end of the cladding or protective covering of each optical fibre to form a mould cavity; introducing resin or other hardenable plastics material in a semi-fluid state into the mould cavity through at least one end of the sleeve; heating the sleeve to cause it to shrink to such an extent as to ensure that the mould cavity is substantially filled with resin or other plastics material in a semi-fluid state; and permitting or causing the resin or other plastics material in the mould cavity to set and bond to the exposed fusion spliced end parts of the optical fibres and to the adjacent ends of the claddings or protective coverings of the optical fibres.
The plastics sleeve may be removed or, where desired, it may be retained over the fusion splice as a permanent overall protective covering.
For convenience, resin or other hardenable plastics material in a semi-fluid state is introduced into the mould cavity preferably by means of a syringe. Heating of the sleeve is preferably effected by blowing hot air on to the sleeve. During heating of the sleeve, preferably the fusion-spliced optical fibres are held in tension. Surplus resin squeezed out of the ends of the sleeve when it shrinks can be removed by an absorbent wiper or other means.
The improved method of the invention is especially, but not exclusively, suitable for effecting a protected end-to-end fusion splice between two optical fibres of plastics clad silica which usually have protective coverings of a plastics material harder than that of the optical grade of plastics material of the cladding and which are generally of substantially greater overall diameter than composite optical fibres of glass and, in this case, it is preferred to retain the sleeve as permanent overall protection for the fusion splice.
Preferably, the bore of the sleeve of heat shrinkable plastics material is of substantially circular cross-section and, preferably also, the sleeve is heated to such a temperature and for such a time that it shrinks to such an extent that the resultant diameter of its bore is substantially equal to the overall diameter of the claddings or protective coverings of the optical fibres.
Any suitable heat-shrinkable plastics material may be used for the sleeve but it is preferred to employ cross-linked polyethylene which can be cause to contract to an extent sufficient to grip the adjacent ends of the claddings or protective coverings of the optical fibres when the sleeve is heated to a temperature of about 1 50 C. Other heat-shrinkable plastics materials that may be used for the sleeve include polyolefin, polyvinyl chloride, ethylene-vinyl acetate and a certain grade of polytetrafluoroethylene.
For encapsulating the optical fibre splice it is preferred to employ a resin which is curable by ultra-violet radiation and, in this case, the heat shrinkable material of the sleeve should be transparent to ultra-violet radiation. Where each optical fibre has a cladding of silicone resin, for encapsulating the optical fibre splice it is preferred to employ a silicone resin that can be cured by ultra-violet radiation. Thermally curable resin or other hardenable plastics material may be used for encapsulating the optical fibre splice if the sleeve is heated to such a temperature and for such a time that it is fully shrunk.
The improved method of the invention is especially, but not exclusively, suitable for use where optical fibres of conventional length (say 2 km) are to be spliced in the factory in order to make an optical fibre of abnormally long length (say 10 km) of substantially uniform cross-section and/or where, in the installation in which an optical fibre is to be em ployed, there is insufficient space to accommodate an end-to-end optical fibre splice with protective and/or reinforcing means hitherto proposed and used.
The invention also includes an optical fibre fusion splice made by the improved method as hereinbefore described.
The invention is further illustrated by a description, by way of example, of a preferred method of effecting an end-to-end fusion splice between two optical fibres each having a cladding of silicone resin, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: Figure 1 is a side view partly in section and partly in elevation of the fusion splice after end parts of the optical fibres have been fusion spliced.
Figure 2 is a similar view at a later stage in effecting of the fusion splice, and Figure 3 is a similar view of the completed protected fusion splice.
Referring to the drawing, in effecting an end-to-end fusion splice between two optical fibres 1 each having a cladding 2 of silicone resin, the cladding is removed from an end part 3 of each optical fibre and a sleeve 4 of cross-linked polyethylene is applied over one of the optical fibres so that it is spaced from the exposed end part of the optical fibre. The length of the sleeve 4 is greater than the combined lengths of the exposed end parts 3 of the optical fibres 1. The fusion splice is effected between the exposed end parts 3 of the optical fibres 1 and the sleeve 4 is then positioned over the exposed fusion-spliced end parts so that it overlies the adjacent end of the cladding 2 of each optical fibre to form a mould cavity 5. Silicone resin 6 in a semifluid state is introduced into the mould cavity 5 through one end of the sleeve 4 by means of a syringe 7. The sleeve 4 is then heated by blowing hot air on to the sleeve to cause the sleeve to shrink radially inwardly to such an extent that the mould cavity 5 is reduced in volume and is substantially filled with silicone resin 6 in a semi-fluid state, any excess resin being squeezed out of the ends of the sleeve when it shrinks and removed by an absorbent wipe. The silicone resin 6 in the mould cavity 5 is then caused to set by the application of ultra-violet radiation so that it bonds to the fusion-spliced end parts 3 of the optical fibres 1 and to the adjacent ends of the claddings 2.
The heat-shrunk sleeve 4 is retained over the fusion splice as a permanent overall protective covering.

Claims (9)

1. A method of effecting an end-to-end fusion splice between two optical fibres each having a cladding or protective covering of hardened resin or other hardened plastics material, which method comprises removing the cladding or protective covering of hardened resin or other hardened plastics material from an end part of each optical fibre; applying to one of the two optical fibres a sleeve of heat shrinkable plastics material so that it is spaced from the exposed end part of the optical fibre, the sleeve being of a length greater than the combined lengths of the exposed end parts of the optical fibres; effecting the fusion splice between the exposed end parts of the optical fibres; positioning the heat shrinkable plastics sleeve over the exposed fusion-spliced end parts of the optical fibres so that it overlies the adjacent end of the cladding or protective covering of each optical fibre to form a mould cavity; introducing resin or other hardenable plastics material in a semi-fluid state into the mould cavity through at least one end of the sleeve; heating the sleeve to cause it to shrink to such an extent as to ensure that the mould cavity is substantially filled with resin or other plastics material in a semi-fluid state; and permitting or causing the resin or other plastics material in the mould cavity to set and bond to the exposed fusion spliced end parts of the optical fibres and to the adjacent ends of the claddings or protective coverings of the optical fibres.
2. A method as claimed in Claim 1, wherein, after the resin or other plastics material in the mould cavity has set, the heat shrunk plastics sleeve is removed.
3. A method as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein, during heating of the sleeve, the fusion-spliced optical fibres are held in tension.
4. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein resin or other hardenable plastics material in a fluid state is introduced into the mould cavity through at least one end of the sleeve by means of a syringe.
5. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the sleeve is heated by blowing hot air on to the sleeve.
6. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the bore of the sleeve of heat shrinkable plastics material is of substantially circular cross-section and the sleeve is heated to such a temperature and for such a time that it shrinks to such an extent that the resultant diameter of its bore is substantially equal to the overall diameter of the claddings or protective coverings of the optical fibres.
7. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the sleeve is of a heat shrinkable plastics material which is transparent to ultra-violet radiation, the resin or other hardenable plastics material introduced into the mould cavity is curable by ultra-violet radiation, and the resin or other plastics material in the mould is caused to set by the application of ultra-violet radiation.
8. A method of effecting an end-to-end fusion splice between two optical fibres substantially as hereinbefore described with refer ence to the accompanying drawing.
9. An optical fibre fusion splice made by the method claimed in any one of the preceding Claims.
GB08425663A 1983-10-13 1984-10-11 Optical fibre splicing Expired GB2148537B (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB838327450A GB8327450D0 (en) 1983-10-13 1983-10-13 Optical fibre splicing

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB8425663D0 GB8425663D0 (en) 1984-11-14
GB2148537A true GB2148537A (en) 1985-05-30
GB2148537B GB2148537B (en) 1986-11-26

Family

ID=10550142

Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB838327450A Pending GB8327450D0 (en) 1983-10-13 1983-10-13 Optical fibre splicing
GB08425663A Expired GB2148537B (en) 1983-10-13 1984-10-11 Optical fibre splicing

Family Applications Before (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB838327450A Pending GB8327450D0 (en) 1983-10-13 1983-10-13 Optical fibre splicing

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (2) GB8327450D0 (en)

Cited By (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2177230A (en) * 1985-06-28 1987-01-14 Plessey Co Plc Method and assembly for optical fibre splice protection
US4778242A (en) * 1986-08-05 1988-10-18 Ngk Insulators, Ltd. Reinforcement for optical-fiber joint
FR2620647A1 (en) * 1987-09-17 1989-03-24 Glaenzer Spicer Sa Method of installing a sealing sleeve made of thermoplastic material onto a mechanical component
US4902095A (en) * 1986-12-17 1990-02-20 Focas Limited Optical fibre cable connector
WO1990007808A1 (en) * 1988-12-24 1990-07-12 Schunk Ultraschalltechnik Gmbh Process and device for surrounding a junction point between electrically conductive elements
GB2191873B (en) * 1986-06-18 1990-07-18 Zeiss Stiftung Fibre-optic light guide which is resistant to high temperatures in its end-face region, and process for its manufacture
GB2236866A (en) * 1989-10-14 1991-04-17 Bowthorpe Hellermann Ltd Protecting optical fibre splice
FR2812728A1 (en) * 2000-08-03 2002-02-08 Highwave Optical Tech OPTICAL FIBER REGAINING PROCESS AND PRODUCT THUS OBTAINED
US8939654B2 (en) 2012-09-27 2015-01-27 Adc Telecommunications, Inc. Ruggedized multi-fiber fiber optic connector with sealed dust cap
US9016953B2 (en) 2012-02-20 2015-04-28 Adc Telecommunications, Inc. Fiber optic connector, fiber optic connector and cable assembly, and methods for manufacturing
US9268102B2 (en) 2012-02-07 2016-02-23 Tyco Electronics Raychem Bvba Cable termination assembly and method for connectors
US9304262B2 (en) 2011-11-23 2016-04-05 Commscope Technologies Llc Multi-fiber optic connector
US9720185B2 (en) 2014-05-23 2017-08-01 Commscope Technologies Llc Systems and method for processing optical cable assemblies

Cited By (29)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2177230A (en) * 1985-06-28 1987-01-14 Plessey Co Plc Method and assembly for optical fibre splice protection
US4773728A (en) * 1985-06-28 1988-09-27 Plessey Overseas Limited Method for optical fibre splice protection
GB2191873B (en) * 1986-06-18 1990-07-18 Zeiss Stiftung Fibre-optic light guide which is resistant to high temperatures in its end-face region, and process for its manufacture
US4778242A (en) * 1986-08-05 1988-10-18 Ngk Insulators, Ltd. Reinforcement for optical-fiber joint
US4902095A (en) * 1986-12-17 1990-02-20 Focas Limited Optical fibre cable connector
FR2620647A1 (en) * 1987-09-17 1989-03-24 Glaenzer Spicer Sa Method of installing a sealing sleeve made of thermoplastic material onto a mechanical component
WO1990007808A1 (en) * 1988-12-24 1990-07-12 Schunk Ultraschalltechnik Gmbh Process and device for surrounding a junction point between electrically conductive elements
GB2236866A (en) * 1989-10-14 1991-04-17 Bowthorpe Hellermann Ltd Protecting optical fibre splice
GB2236866B (en) * 1989-10-14 1993-08-18 Bowthorpe Hellermann Ltd Optical fibre splice protection
FR2812728A1 (en) * 2000-08-03 2002-02-08 Highwave Optical Tech OPTICAL FIBER REGAINING PROCESS AND PRODUCT THUS OBTAINED
WO2002012934A3 (en) * 2000-08-03 2002-04-11 Highwave Optical Tech Method for optical fibre re-cladding and resulting product
US9964715B2 (en) 2011-11-23 2018-05-08 Commscope Technologies Llc Multi-fiber fiber optic connector
US9864151B2 (en) 2011-11-23 2018-01-09 CommScope Technologies LCC Multi-fiber fiber optic connector
US12019282B2 (en) 2011-11-23 2024-06-25 Commscope Technologies Llc Multi-fiber fiber optic connector
US11237331B2 (en) 2011-11-23 2022-02-01 Commscope Technologies Llc Multi-fiber fiber optic connector
US9304262B2 (en) 2011-11-23 2016-04-05 Commscope Technologies Llc Multi-fiber optic connector
US9442257B2 (en) 2011-11-23 2016-09-13 Commscope Technologies Llc Multi-fiber fiber optic connector
US10782487B2 (en) 2011-11-23 2020-09-22 Commscope Technologies Llc Multi-fiber fiber optic connector
US10451817B2 (en) 2011-11-23 2019-10-22 Commscope Technologies Llc Multi-fiber fiber optic connector
US10036859B2 (en) 2012-02-07 2018-07-31 CommScope Connectivity Belgium BVBA Cable termination assembly and method for connectors
US9625660B2 (en) 2012-02-07 2017-04-18 CommScope Connectivity Belgium BVBA Cable termination assembly and method for connectors
US9268102B2 (en) 2012-02-07 2016-02-23 Tyco Electronics Raychem Bvba Cable termination assembly and method for connectors
US9016953B2 (en) 2012-02-20 2015-04-28 Adc Telecommunications, Inc. Fiber optic connector, fiber optic connector and cable assembly, and methods for manufacturing
US10353154B2 (en) 2012-02-20 2019-07-16 Commscope Technologies Llc Fiber optic connector, fiber optic connector and cable assembly, and methods for manufacturing
US9470850B2 (en) 2012-02-20 2016-10-18 Commscope Technologies Llc Fiber optic connector, fiber optic connector and cable assembly, and methods for manufacturing
US11125951B2 (en) 2012-02-20 2021-09-21 Commscope Technologies Llc Fiber optic connector, fiber optic connector and cable assembly, and methods for manufacturing
US8939654B2 (en) 2012-09-27 2015-01-27 Adc Telecommunications, Inc. Ruggedized multi-fiber fiber optic connector with sealed dust cap
US9291780B2 (en) 2012-09-27 2016-03-22 Commscope Technologies Llc Ruggedized multi-fiber fiber optic connector with sealed dust cap
US9720185B2 (en) 2014-05-23 2017-08-01 Commscope Technologies Llc Systems and method for processing optical cable assemblies

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2148537B (en) 1986-11-26
GB8327450D0 (en) 1983-11-16
GB8425663D0 (en) 1984-11-14

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PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee