GB2106008A - Method and apparatus for removing a thin coating layer of fibre - Google Patents

Method and apparatus for removing a thin coating layer of fibre Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2106008A
GB2106008A GB08128124A GB8128124A GB2106008A GB 2106008 A GB2106008 A GB 2106008A GB 08128124 A GB08128124 A GB 08128124A GB 8128124 A GB8128124 A GB 8128124A GB 2106008 A GB2106008 A GB 2106008A
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GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
fibre
ultra
coating layer
violet radiation
layer
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
GB08128124A
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GB2106008B (en
Inventor
David George Dalgoutte
David Edward Brown
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.)
STC PLC
Original Assignee
Standard Telephone and Cables 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 Standard Telephone and Cables PLC filed Critical Standard Telephone and Cables PLC
Priority to GB08128124A priority Critical patent/GB2106008B/en
Publication of GB2106008A publication Critical patent/GB2106008A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2106008B publication Critical patent/GB2106008B/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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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
    • G02B6/245—Removing protective coverings of light guides before coupling

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Surface Treatment Of Glass Fibres Or Filaments (AREA)

Abstract

A method and apparatus for removing a thin coating layer from a fibre, in particular dielectric optical fibre comprising applying intense ultra-violet radiation to the coating layer to destroy it.

Description

SPECIFICATION Method and apparatus for removing a thin coating layer of fibre The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for removing a thin coating layer from a fibre such as a dielectric optical fibre.
Silicone materials are frequently used as fibre primary coatings but have a very low adhesion to bonding agents for example epoxy resins used in the termination process. It is often necessary to remove the coating before two fibres are joined end to end.
Such coatings are conveniently removed by the use of concentrated acids, which, however are not allowed in some environments. Mechanical methods of removai leave a thin layer (possibly a mono layer).
The present invention provides a method for removing a thin coating layer (for example, optical fibre) comprising exposing the coating layer on the fibre to ultra-violet radiation. The coating is removed by the ultra-violet radiation by free ozone which actually oxidises the layer and possibly through photopolymerisation effects.
In a preferred arrangement the bulk of the coating layer is removed mechanically and only the remaining layer of microscopic proportion is removed by means of the ultra-violet radiation.
The ultra-violet radiation is preferably provided by a xenon lamp.
The invention also provides apparatus for removing a thin coating layer surrounding a fibre comprising means for mounting the fibre, and an intense source of ultra-violet radiation, whereby the ultraviolet radiation is applied to the coating layer on the fibre. The source of ultra-violet radiation is preferably a xenon lamp, which is preferably approximately 1000 watt power.
In a preferred method and apparatus of the invention it is intended to remove silicone coating material from the outer surface of a fibre. It is necessary to remove the coating in order to achieve a satisfactory bone strength in a fibre termination.
Most of the coating is removed mechanically by a technique and using a double loop tool as described in our published application 2075764 (A.J. Robertson 2-1X) until there remains a thin layer of coating of microscopic proportions. The fibre is then mounted in a suitable apparatus.
Ultra-violet radiation from a xenon lamp, for example of 1000 watt power is directed at the end of the fibre which is to be subject to termination. The size of the lamp may depend upon the optical arrangement, the important feature being that the energy density at the fibre should be sufficient. In one arrangement a 1000 watt lamp is used which is spaced only a few millimetres from the fibre. In practice the lamp may be connected to the apparatus for mounting the fibre so that they are correctly aligned. When the ultra-violet source is switched on the coating layer of the fibre is subjected to ultraviolet radiation and the remaining microscopic proportion coating is removed by free ozone actually oxidising the layer and probably also through photopolymerisation effects.
It is necessary for all of the coating layer to be removed and this may require relative rotation of the fibre and the ultra-violet radiation source.
The ultra-violet source is switched off and the fibre may be withdrawn and termination of the fibre with another fibre or otherwise may proceed.
1. A method for removing a thin coating layer surrounding a fibre comprising exposing the coating layer on the fibre to ultra-violet radiation.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1 in which the bulk of the coating layer is removed mechanically and only the remaining layer of microscopic proportion is removed by means of the ultra-violet radiation.
3. The method as claimed in claim 1 or 2 in which the ultra-violet radiation is provided by a xenon lamp.
4. The method as claimed in claim 1 substantially as hereinbefore described.
5. Apparatus for removing a thin coating layer surrounding a fibre comprising means for mounting the fibre, and an intense source of ultra-violet radiation, whereby the ultra-violet radiation is applied to the coating layer on the fibre.
6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 in which the source of ultra-violet radiation is a xenon lamp.
7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6 in which the xenon lamp is 1000 watt power.
8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 substantially as hereinbefore described.
**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (8)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Method and apparatus for removing a thin coating layer of fibre The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for removing a thin coating layer from a fibre such as a dielectric optical fibre. Silicone materials are frequently used as fibre primary coatings but have a very low adhesion to bonding agents for example epoxy resins used in the termination process. It is often necessary to remove the coating before two fibres are joined end to end. Such coatings are conveniently removed by the use of concentrated acids, which, however are not allowed in some environments. Mechanical methods of removai leave a thin layer (possibly a mono layer). The present invention provides a method for removing a thin coating layer (for example, optical fibre) comprising exposing the coating layer on the fibre to ultra-violet radiation. The coating is removed by the ultra-violet radiation by free ozone which actually oxidises the layer and possibly through photopolymerisation effects. In a preferred arrangement the bulk of the coating layer is removed mechanically and only the remaining layer of microscopic proportion is removed by means of the ultra-violet radiation. The ultra-violet radiation is preferably provided by a xenon lamp. The invention also provides apparatus for removing a thin coating layer surrounding a fibre comprising means for mounting the fibre, and an intense source of ultra-violet radiation, whereby the ultraviolet radiation is applied to the coating layer on the fibre. The source of ultra-violet radiation is preferably a xenon lamp, which is preferably approximately 1000 watt power. In a preferred method and apparatus of the invention it is intended to remove silicone coating material from the outer surface of a fibre. It is necessary to remove the coating in order to achieve a satisfactory bone strength in a fibre termination. Most of the coating is removed mechanically by a technique and using a double loop tool as described in our published application 2075764 (A.J. Robertson 2-1X) until there remains a thin layer of coating of microscopic proportions. The fibre is then mounted in a suitable apparatus. Ultra-violet radiation from a xenon lamp, for example of 1000 watt power is directed at the end of the fibre which is to be subject to termination. The size of the lamp may depend upon the optical arrangement, the important feature being that the energy density at the fibre should be sufficient. In one arrangement a 1000 watt lamp is used which is spaced only a few millimetres from the fibre. In practice the lamp may be connected to the apparatus for mounting the fibre so that they are correctly aligned. When the ultra-violet source is switched on the coating layer of the fibre is subjected to ultraviolet radiation and the remaining microscopic proportion coating is removed by free ozone actually oxidising the layer and probably also through photopolymerisation effects. It is necessary for all of the coating layer to be removed and this may require relative rotation of the fibre and the ultra-violet radiation source. The ultra-violet source is switched off and the fibre may be withdrawn and termination of the fibre with another fibre or otherwise may proceed. CLAIMS
1. A method for removing a thin coating layer surrounding a fibre comprising exposing the coating layer on the fibre to ultra-violet radiation.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1 in which the bulk of the coating layer is removed mechanically and only the remaining layer of microscopic proportion is removed by means of the ultra-violet radiation.
3. The method as claimed in claim 1 or 2 in which the ultra-violet radiation is provided by a xenon lamp.
4. The method as claimed in claim 1 substantially as hereinbefore described.
5. Apparatus for removing a thin coating layer surrounding a fibre comprising means for mounting the fibre, and an intense source of ultra-violet radiation, whereby the ultra-violet radiation is applied to the coating layer on the fibre.
6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 in which the source of ultra-violet radiation is a xenon lamp.
7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6 in which the xenon lamp is 1000 watt power.
8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 substantially as hereinbefore described.
GB08128124A 1981-09-17 1981-09-17 Method and apparatus for removing a thin coating layer of fibre Expired GB2106008B (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB08128124A GB2106008B (en) 1981-09-17 1981-09-17 Method and apparatus for removing a thin coating layer of fibre

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB08128124A GB2106008B (en) 1981-09-17 1981-09-17 Method and apparatus for removing a thin coating layer of fibre

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB2106008A true GB2106008A (en) 1983-04-07
GB2106008B GB2106008B (en) 1985-05-30

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB08128124A Expired GB2106008B (en) 1981-09-17 1981-09-17 Method and apparatus for removing a thin coating layer of fibre

Country Status (1)

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GB (1) GB2106008B (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5948202A (en) * 1994-02-03 1999-09-07 Corning Incorporated Method for removing a protective coating from optical fibers and making a photonic device
US6379746B1 (en) 1999-02-02 2002-04-30 Corning Incorporated Method for temporarily protecting glass articles

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5948202A (en) * 1994-02-03 1999-09-07 Corning Incorporated Method for removing a protective coating from optical fibers and making a photonic device
US6123801A (en) * 1994-02-03 2000-09-26 Corning Incorporated Method and apparatus for stripping coatings from optical fibers
US6379746B1 (en) 1999-02-02 2002-04-30 Corning Incorporated Method for temporarily protecting glass articles

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2106008B (en) 1985-05-30

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
732 Registration of transactions, instruments or events in the register (sect. 32/1977)
PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee