Method for introducing controlled spin in optical fibers

The present invention relates to the manufacture of optical fibers. Optical fiber is provided with a periodically reversing spin while the fiber is pulled through a melt zone. A cooled region of the fiber downstream from the melt zone passes between a pair of opposed elements. The opposed elements a...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors Blaszyk, Paul E, Christoff, William R, Gallagher, Daniel E, Hawk, Robert M, Kiefer, William J
Format Patent
LanguageEnglish
Published 22.04.2003
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Summary:The present invention relates to the manufacture of optical fibers. Optical fiber is provided with a periodically reversing spin while the fiber is pulled through a melt zone. A cooled region of the fiber downstream from the melt zone passes between a pair of opposed elements. The opposed elements are moved so that surface regions engaging the fiber move in opposite lateral directions relative to one another, thus spinning the fiber about its axis. The lateral movement of the engaged surface portions is periodically reversed to reverse the spin direction. The opposed elements may include belts or rollers, which can be tilted to orientations oblique to the longitudinal direction of the fiber.