GB2183360A - Optical fibre termination having heat sink - Google Patents

Optical fibre termination having heat sink Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2183360A
GB2183360A GB08528884A GB8528884A GB2183360A GB 2183360 A GB2183360 A GB 2183360A GB 08528884 A GB08528884 A GB 08528884A GB 8528884 A GB8528884 A GB 8528884A GB 2183360 A GB2183360 A GB 2183360A
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GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
fibre
capillary tube
secondary coating
ofthe
tube
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
GB08528884A
Other versions
GB8528884D0 (en
GB2183360B (en
Inventor
Kevin Christopher Byron
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
STC 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 STC PLC filed Critical STC PLC
Priority to GB8528884A priority Critical patent/GB2183360B/en
Publication of GB8528884D0 publication Critical patent/GB8528884D0/en
Publication of GB2183360A publication Critical patent/GB2183360A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2183360B publication Critical patent/GB2183360B/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
    • G02B6/36—Mechanical coupling means
    • G02B6/38—Mechanical coupling means having fibre to fibre mating means
    • G02B6/3807—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs
    • G02B6/381—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs of the ferrule type, e.g. fibre ends embedded in ferrules, connecting a pair of fibres
    • G02B6/3813—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs of the ferrule type, e.g. fibre ends embedded in ferrules, connecting a pair of fibres for transmission of high energy beam
    • 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
    • G02B6/36—Mechanical coupling means
    • G02B6/38—Mechanical coupling means having fibre to fibre mating means
    • G02B6/3807—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs
    • G02B6/381—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs of the ferrule type, e.g. fibre ends embedded in ferrules, connecting a pair of fibres
    • G02B6/3814—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs of the ferrule type, e.g. fibre ends embedded in ferrules, connecting a pair of fibres with cooling or heat dissipation means
    • 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
    • G02B6/36—Mechanical coupling means
    • G02B6/38—Mechanical coupling means having fibre to fibre mating means
    • G02B6/3807—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs
    • G02B6/3833—Details of mounting fibres in ferrules; Assembly methods; Manufacture
    • G02B6/3855—Details of mounting fibres in ferrules; Assembly methods; Manufacture characterised by the method of anchoring or fixing the fibre within the ferrule
    • 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
    • G02B6/36—Mechanical coupling means
    • G02B6/38—Mechanical coupling means having fibre to fibre mating means
    • G02B6/3807—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs
    • G02B6/3833—Details of mounting fibres in ferrules; Assembly methods; Manufacture
    • G02B6/3854—Ferrules characterised by materials

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Optical Couplings Of Light Guides (AREA)

Abstract

An optical fibre termination, intended for use where relatively high optical power is conveyed by the fibre has the end (3) of the fibre cable stripped of its secondary coating 2, 10 near its end. A capillary tube 4, 12, of e.g. glass, whose refractive index is at least equal to that of the core (3) is collapsed onto the coating and core at the end. This tube may have a counter-bore to accommodate the secondary coating, and is fitted into a heat sink 5, 13. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Optical fibre termination This invention relatesto a terminationforan optical fibre,especiallyforsuch afibreusedforthe transmission of power.
With conventional optical fibre terminations, there is a risk that the amount of power conveyed by the fibre will cause excessive heating ofthe fibre end.
This could have inconvenient results since some melting of the associated elements at the fibre end could occur, and damagetothefibre may occur.
An object of the invention isto provide an optical fibre termination in which the above difficulties are minimised.
According to the present invention, there is provided an optical fibre termination, in which secondary coating is removed from an end of the fibre and the bared end, and possibly also part ofthe secondary coating is sealed into a capillary tube of an optically transparent material whose refractive index is at least equal to that of the fibre core, and in which the capillary tube is secured into a hole in a heat sink, the tube being a close fit in the hole in the heat sink.
Embodiments ofthe invention will now be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2 ofthe accompanying drawing, each ofwhich is a cross-section of an optical fibre termination embodying the invention.
Theterminationsshown in the accompanying drawing are intended for use with so-called "fat" fibres, i.e. optical fibres whose cores have outside diameters in the range of 150-300 microns, the light to be conveyed having wavelengths in the range of 0.7 to 1.7 microns.
Referring first to Figure 1,thefibre 1 has its secondary coating removed for a portion of its length to expose a short length 3 of the fibre which forms the actual termination of the fibre. This end portion is enclosed in a length of glass capillary tube 4, which has a portion drilled out at one end. This is then fitted over the end of the fibre with the drilled-out portion overthe end ofthe secondary coating. The capillary tube is then collapsed, by heat treatment, over the fibre.
Priorto the fitting ofthe capillary tube 4, epoxy is placed in the capillary tube so that a good seal is effected. The capillary tube has a refractive index which is equal to or largerthan that ofthefibrecore.
This enhances the lighttransmissivity ofthe termination.
The fibre as fitted with the capillary tube is accommodated in a hole in a metal heat-sink 5, which is a portion of a cylindrical tu be whose dimensions are compatible with demountable connector designs.
The other end of the capillary tube 4 is sealed to the optical fibre's secondary coating by heat-shrinkable tube 6, our a potting compound.
As will be seen, the end ofthefibre and its capillary tube is slightly proud of the end face of the heat sink.
This end is, at the receiving end forthefibre, "aimed" at a light-receiving device to convertthe power conveyed in light form into electricity. At the other end, the light source, usually a laser, is "aimed" atthefibre end, usually byfocussing via a suitable lens system. The larger diameters produced by the capillary tube in each case enhances the conveyance of light into and out ofthefibre.
In this arrangement the capillary tube 4 has a "pre-collapse" outside diameter of 4mm and a bore atthe right-hand end of0.4mm. Its length is 50mm, and it is made of a borosilicate glass. As already mentioned, its other end is drilled to fit overthe secondary coating 2.
The heat-shrinkable tubing which secures the fibre to the capillary tube is a standard polyolefin heat-shrinktube. If potting compound is used, it could,for instance, beAraldite.
In some cases difficulty may be experienced with melting ofthe secondary coating when the capillary tube is collapsed; if this should apply,thenthe arrangementof Figure2is used. This hasthe secondary coating 10 of the fibre 11 cut backfurther, so that the capillary tube 12 does not have to be counter-bored (or drilled back). The heat sink onto which the capillary tube 12fitsisa metal on plastics tube 1 3which is glued onto the capillarytube, and the rear portion 1 4 of the tube 13 is filled with a potting compound.
Although we have described arrangements in which the capillary tube is collapsed on to thefibre end, other methods could be used forthis purpose.
Forinstance,the capillary tube could be of a material which is shrunk on to the fibre and possibly also the secondary coating.
The difficulties experienced with many conventional fibre ends due to heat are overcome in both the above-described arrangements, because of the avoidance of low melting point materials which tend to contaminatethefibre end. Further, no glues or epoxies are used at the actual fibre end.
1. An optical fibretermination, in which secondary coating is removed from an end of the fibre and the bared end, and possibly also part ofthe secondary coating is sealed into a capillary tube of an optically transparent material whose refractive index is at least equal to that of the fibre core, and in which the capillary tu be is secured into a hole in a heat sink, thetube being a close fit in the hole in the heat sink 2. An optical fibre termination, in which secondary coating is removed from an end of the fibre and a capillary tube collapsed on tothefibre end, in which the capillarytube is of an optically transparent material whose refractive index is at least equal to that ofthe fibre core, and in which the capillarytube is secured into a hole in a heatsink,the collapsed tube being a close fit in the hole in the heat sink.
3. An optical fibre termination, in which secondarycoating is removed from an end of the fibre and a capillary tube collapsed on tothefibre end and the adjacent secondary coating, in which the capillary tube is of an optically transparent material
**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (10)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Optical fibre termination This invention relatesto a terminationforan optical fibre,especiallyforsuch afibreusedforthe transmission of power. With conventional optical fibre terminations, there is a risk that the amount of power conveyed by the fibre will cause excessive heating ofthe fibre end. This could have inconvenient results since some melting of the associated elements at the fibre end could occur, and damagetothefibre may occur. An object of the invention isto provide an optical fibre termination in which the above difficulties are minimised. According to the present invention, there is provided an optical fibre termination, in which secondary coating is removed from an end of the fibre and the bared end, and possibly also part ofthe secondary coating is sealed into a capillary tube of an optically transparent material whose refractive index is at least equal to that of the fibre core, and in which the capillary tube is secured into a hole in a heat sink, the tube being a close fit in the hole in the heat sink. Embodiments ofthe invention will now be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2 ofthe accompanying drawing, each ofwhich is a cross-section of an optical fibre termination embodying the invention. Theterminationsshown in the accompanying drawing are intended for use with so-called "fat" fibres, i.e. optical fibres whose cores have outside diameters in the range of 150-300 microns, the light to be conveyed having wavelengths in the range of 0.7 to 1.7 microns. Referring first to Figure 1,thefibre 1 has its secondary coating removed for a portion of its length to expose a short length 3 of the fibre which forms the actual termination of the fibre. This end portion is enclosed in a length of glass capillary tube 4, which has a portion drilled out at one end. This is then fitted over the end of the fibre with the drilled-out portion overthe end ofthe secondary coating. The capillary tube is then collapsed, by heat treatment, over the fibre. Priorto the fitting ofthe capillary tube 4, epoxy is placed in the capillary tube so that a good seal is effected. The capillary tube has a refractive index which is equal to or largerthan that ofthefibrecore. This enhances the lighttransmissivity ofthe termination. The fibre as fitted with the capillary tube is accommodated in a hole in a metal heat-sink 5, which is a portion of a cylindrical tu be whose dimensions are compatible with demountable connector designs. The other end of the capillary tube 4 is sealed to the optical fibre's secondary coating by heat-shrinkable tube 6, our a potting compound. As will be seen, the end ofthefibre and its capillary tube is slightly proud of the end face of the heat sink. This end is, at the receiving end forthefibre, "aimed" at a light-receiving device to convertthe power conveyed in light form into electricity. At the other end, the light source, usually a laser, is "aimed" atthefibre end, usually byfocussing via a suitable lens system. The larger diameters produced by the capillary tube in each case enhances the conveyance of light into and out ofthefibre. In this arrangement the capillary tube 4 has a "pre-collapse" outside diameter of 4mm and a bore atthe right-hand end of0.4mm. Its length is 50mm, and it is made of a borosilicate glass. As already mentioned, its other end is drilled to fit overthe secondary coating 2. The heat-shrinkable tubing which secures the fibre to the capillary tube is a standard polyolefin heat-shrinktube. If potting compound is used, it could,for instance, beAraldite. In some cases difficulty may be experienced with melting ofthe secondary coating when the capillary tube is collapsed; if this should apply,thenthe arrangementof Figure2is used. This hasthe secondary coating 10 of the fibre 11 cut backfurther, so that the capillary tube 12 does not have to be counter-bored (or drilled back). The heat sink onto which the capillary tube 12fitsisa metal on plastics tube 1 3which is glued onto the capillarytube, and the rear portion 1 4 of the tube 13 is filled with a potting compound. Although we have described arrangements in which the capillary tube is collapsed on to thefibre end, other methods could be used forthis purpose. Forinstance,the capillary tube could be of a material which is shrunk on to the fibre and possibly also the secondary coating. The difficulties experienced with many conventional fibre ends due to heat are overcome in both the above-described arrangements, because of the avoidance of low melting point materials which tend to contaminatethefibre end. Further, no glues or epoxies are used at the actual fibre end. CLAIMS
1. An optical fibretermination, in which secondary coating is removed from an end of the fibre and the bared end, and possibly also part ofthe secondary coating is sealed into a capillary tube of an optically transparent material whose refractive index is at least equal to that of the fibre core, and in which the capillary tu be is secured into a hole in a heat sink, thetube being a close fit in the hole in the heat sink
2.An optical fibre termination, in which secondary coating is removed from an end of the fibre and a capillary tube collapsed on tothefibre end, in which the capillarytube is of an optically transparent material whose refractive index is at least equal to that ofthe fibre core, and in which the capillarytube is secured into a hole in a heatsink,the collapsed tube being a close fit in the hole in the heat sink.
3. An optical fibre termination, in which secondarycoating is removed from an end of the fibre and a capillary tube collapsed on tothefibre end and the adjacent secondary coating, in which the capillary tube is of an optically transparent material whose refractive index is at least equal to that ofthe fibre core, and in which the capillary tube is secured into a hole in a metallic heat sink, thecollapsed tube being a closefitinthe hole inthe heatsink.
4. An optical fibre termination as claimed in claim 2, in which the capillary tu be is counter-bored priorto being fitted to thefibreto accommodatethe secondary coating, and in which an optically compatible material such as an epoxy is placed insidethetube prior to collapse.
5. An optical fibre termination as claimed in claim 3 or4, and which has an outer cover of heat shrunktubeora potting compound overthe inner end ofthe collapsed tube.
6. An optical fibre termination as claimed in claim 5, in which the portion ofthe capillary tube which receives the optical fibre is of constant bore, in which the heat sink is a metal on plastics tube into which the capillary tube fits, and in which the heat sinktube is sealed to the fibre and its secondary coating buy a potting compound.
7. An optical fibre termination substantially as described with reference to Figure 1 or Figure 2 ofthe accompanying drawing.
Amendments to the claims have been filed, and have the following effect: (b) Newclaims have been filed asfollows:
8. An optical fibre termination for a fibre whose core has an outside diameter in the range of 150-300 microns forth conveyance of lightwhose wavelength is in the range of 0.7 to 1.7 microns, in which secondary coating is removed from an end of thefibre and a capillary tube collapsed on tothe bared end and possibly also on to part ofthe secondary coating, in which the capillarytube is of an opticallytransparent material whose refractive index is at least equal to that ofthe core, and in which the capillarytube is secured into a hole in a heat sink, the collapsed tube being a closefit into the hole in the heat sink.
9. An optical fibre termination as claimed in claim 8, in which the capillary tube is counter-bored prior to being fitted to the fibre to accommodate the secondary coating, in which an optically compatible material such as an epoxy is placed inside the tube priorto collapse, and in which an outer cover of heat-shrunktube or a potting compound is provided overthe inner end ofthe collapsed tube.
10. An optical fibre termination as claimed in claim 8, in which the portion ofthe capillary tube which receivesthe optical fibre end is of constant bore, in which the heat sink is a metal-on-plastics tube into which the capillary tube fits, and in which the heatsinktube is sealed to the fibre end and its secondary coating buy a potting compound.
GB8528884A 1985-11-23 1985-11-23 Optical fibre termination having a heat sink Expired GB2183360B (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB8528884A GB2183360B (en) 1985-11-23 1985-11-23 Optical fibre termination having a heat sink

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB8528884A GB2183360B (en) 1985-11-23 1985-11-23 Optical fibre termination having a heat sink

Publications (3)

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GB8528884D0 GB8528884D0 (en) 1986-01-02
GB2183360A true GB2183360A (en) 1987-06-03
GB2183360B GB2183360B (en) 1989-10-11

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Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
AT396183B (en) * 1988-06-28 1993-06-25 Hrabalek Ernst BRACKET FOR RECEIVING A FINAL SECTION OF A BUNCH OF PLASTIC LIGHT GUIDES
GB2450116A (en) * 2007-06-13 2008-12-17 Gsi Group Ltd Termination of an optical fibre comprising angled capillary and cladding mode stripper
WO2008153468A1 (en) * 2007-06-13 2008-12-18 Optoskand Ab Pn 15
US7839902B2 (en) 2006-06-23 2010-11-23 Gsi Group Ltd. Fibre laser system
EP2778728A1 (en) * 2013-03-15 2014-09-17 OFS Fitel, LLC Apparatus for removing unwanted light from high-power optical systems

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1343566A (en) * 1972-04-13 1974-01-10 Standard Telephones Cables Ltd Laser light source
US3790791A (en) * 1972-07-20 1974-02-05 Bunker Ramo Optoelectronic cable assembly
GB1541495A (en) * 1976-05-27 1979-03-07 Standard Telephones Cables Ltd Coupling optical fibres to optical devices
GB1580518A (en) * 1977-04-13 1980-12-03 Thomson Csf Sealed enclosing arrangement for coupling n optoelectronic device and an optical fibre
EP0069351A2 (en) * 1981-07-02 1983-01-12 Sumitomo Electric Industries Limited Hand piece for use with surgical laser knife device
EP0133224A2 (en) * 1983-07-21 1985-02-20 ABB Management AG Coupler for an optical fibre

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1343566A (en) * 1972-04-13 1974-01-10 Standard Telephones Cables Ltd Laser light source
US3790791A (en) * 1972-07-20 1974-02-05 Bunker Ramo Optoelectronic cable assembly
GB1541495A (en) * 1976-05-27 1979-03-07 Standard Telephones Cables Ltd Coupling optical fibres to optical devices
GB1580518A (en) * 1977-04-13 1980-12-03 Thomson Csf Sealed enclosing arrangement for coupling n optoelectronic device and an optical fibre
EP0069351A2 (en) * 1981-07-02 1983-01-12 Sumitomo Electric Industries Limited Hand piece for use with surgical laser knife device
EP0133224A2 (en) * 1983-07-21 1985-02-20 ABB Management AG Coupler for an optical fibre

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
AT396183B (en) * 1988-06-28 1993-06-25 Hrabalek Ernst BRACKET FOR RECEIVING A FINAL SECTION OF A BUNCH OF PLASTIC LIGHT GUIDES
US7839902B2 (en) 2006-06-23 2010-11-23 Gsi Group Ltd. Fibre laser system
GB2450116A (en) * 2007-06-13 2008-12-17 Gsi Group Ltd Termination of an optical fibre comprising angled capillary and cladding mode stripper
WO2008153468A1 (en) * 2007-06-13 2008-12-18 Optoskand Ab Pn 15
US8189278B2 (en) 2007-06-13 2012-05-29 Optoskand Ab Optical system
US8213753B2 (en) 2007-06-13 2012-07-03 Gsi Group Ltd. System for delivering the output from an optical fibre
EP2778728A1 (en) * 2013-03-15 2014-09-17 OFS Fitel, LLC Apparatus for removing unwanted light from high-power optical systems

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB8528884D0 (en) 1986-01-02
GB2183360B (en) 1989-10-11

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PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee