WO2023169493A1

WO2023169493A1 - Apparatus for doping base tube containing loose layer

Info

Publication number: WO2023169493A1
Application number: PCT/CN2023/080398
Authority: WO
Inventors: 童朝阳; 顾劭忆; 任军江; 严洒洒
Original assignee: 华为技术有限公司; 上海传输线研究所（中国电子科技集团公司第二十三研究所）
Priority date: 2022-03-09
Filing date: 2023-03-09
Publication date: 2023-09-14
Also published as: CN217479333U

Abstract

Provided in the present application is an apparatus for doping a base tube containing a loose layer, the apparatus comprising a container for containing a solution that contains doping ions, a pumping pump for pumping a solution, and a pipeline for realizing communication between the solution in the container and the pumping pump, whereby the solution in the container is allowed to be in a circularly flowing state under the pumping action of the pumping pump, such that relatively high uniformity of the doping ions in the solution is maintained. In addition, the apparatus further comprises a rotary clamping device for clamping the base tube and driving same to rotate, whereby the base tube is controlled to remain in a rotating state during the doping process. Therefore, the solution can dope the base tube in a rotating state while being in a circularly flowing state, such that that various doping ions in the solution can uniformly and thoroughly permeate into the loose layer of the base tube in all directions; thus, the various doping ions in the loose layer of the doped base tube can be uniformly distributed in the axis direction of the loose layer, and also have excellent uniformity in the circumferential direction and the radial direction of the loose layer.

Description

Equipment for doping substrate tubes containing loose layers

This application claims the priority of the Chinese patent application submitted to the China Patent Office on March 9, 2022, with the application number CN202220498195.7 and the application name "Equipment for doping base pipes containing loose layers", and its entire content incorporated herein by reference.

Technical field

The present application relates to the field of optical fiber manufacturing, and in particular to an equipment for doping a base tube containing a loose layer.

Background technique

Optical fiber is the abbreviation of optical fiber. It is a fiber with a waveguide structure made of glass or plastic and can be used as a light transmission tool. Doped fiber refers to doping modified materials into the core or cladding of the fiber. It is divided into two categories: active doping and passive doping. Passive fiber refers to doping fiber in the core or cladding. The doped ions are mainly used to change the structural properties of optical fiber waveguides (for example, refractive index, numerical aperture, etc.), such as aluminum ions, phosphorus ions, etc.; active optical fiber refers to the doping incorporated into the core or cladding. Ions include not only the above-mentioned ions that can change the structural properties of optical fiber waveguides, but also rare ions that can change the optical properties of optical fiber waveguides, such as ytterbium ions, erbium ions, etc., causing the optical fiber to be "activated" and become an active medium.

There are three main doping methods for optical fibers: gas phase doping, liquid phase doping and gas-liquid mixed doping. Among them, the doping method commonly used in liquid phase doping, the main step is to vertically immerse the substrate tube with a loose layer prepared by the modified chemical vapor deposition (MCVD, Modified Chemical Vapor Deposition) process in rare earth ions and co-doped Doping can be achieved in the mixed ion solution for more than 1 hour.

In the liquid phase doping method used in the prior art, the solution is usually placed in a container, and the base tube with the loose layer is doped through the natural penetration of the solution. However, since the solution contains a variety of ions of different masses, when the solution is left standing for a long time, the ions of different masses will be unevenly distributed in the height direction of the solution under the action of gravity, that is, in the solution Heavier ions tend to move to the lower layer of the solution, while lighter ions tend to be pushed to the upper layer of the solution. As a result, the doping ions are unevenly distributed in the axial direction of the loose layer of the base tube, resulting in low consistency and reproducibility of the optical properties of the optical fiber produced by the base tube, which greatly affects the energy efficiency and output of optical fiber production. Rate.

Contents of the invention

The purpose of this application is to solve the problem in the prior art that when doping a base tube containing a loose layer during liquid phase doping, the doping ions are unevenly distributed on the loose layer, resulting in an optical fiber made of the base tube. Therefore, this application provides a device for doping a substrate tube containing a loose layer, so that during the doping process of the substrate tube, the doping ions in the solution can be uniformly doped and distributed. in the loose layer, thereby ensuring that the optical fiber made of the base tube has good optical performance consistency and reproducibility.

Embodiments of the present application provide an equipment for doping a substrate tube containing a loose layer. The equipment includes a container for holding a solution containing doping ions, so that the substrate tube can be immersed to allow the doping ions to pass through. solution doping infiltration In the loose layer, the equipment also includes a pump for pumping the solution, and a pipeline connecting the solution inside the container and the pump, so that the solution inside the container is in a circulating flow state under the pumping action of the pump. And the loose layer of the base tube is doped.

Using the above technical solution, on the one hand, the solution inside the container is kept in a flowing state relative to the loose layer of the base pipe, so that the solution can penetrate into the loose layer more fully and efficiently. On the other hand, the circulating solution can achieve a self-mixing effect, so that the doping ions of the flowing solution can be fully and evenly distributed in the solution, greatly improving the uniformity of the solution, thereby ensuring that each doping ion When penetrating into the loose layer, it has excellent uniformity in the axial direction of the loose layer.

In some embodiments, the device further includes:

The rotating clamping device is configured to clamp the base tube immersed in the solution and drive the base tube to rotate around its axis. When the solution penetrates into the loose layer, it not only maintains relative motion with the loose layer in the axial direction, but also has relative motion in the circumferential direction of the base tube, making the solution doped in a spiral shape relative to the loose layer, and the base tube rotates at the same time At the same time, it can drive the solution to rotate, further improving the uniformity of the distribution of each doped ion in the solution, thereby ensuring that when each doped ion penetrates into the loose layer, it also has excellent uniformity in the circumferential and radial directions of the loose layer.

Wherein, the pipeline includes a first delivery pipe and a second delivery pipe, the first communication end of the pumping pump is connected to one end of the first delivery pipe, the second communication end of the pumping pump is connected to one end of the second delivery pipe, and The other end of the first conveying pipe is arranged to extend into the base pipe clamped by the rotating clamping device, and the other end of the second conveying pipe is arranged to be located outside the base pipe clamped by the rotating clamping device and within the container. Located below the other end of the first delivery pipe in the height direction. This allows the solution in a circulating flow state to flow through the interior of the base tube and uniformly dope the loose layer of the base tube.

In some embodiments, the base tube includes a connected connecting section and a doped section with a loose layer; and the connecting section is located above the doped section.

The rotating clamping device is used to clamp the connecting section of the fixed base pipe. The other end of the first conveying pipe is used to extend into the connecting section clamped by the rotating clamping device. The other end of the second conveying pipe is arranged to: below the doping section, and the first conveying pipe and the second conveying pipe are located entirely outside the doping section.

Adopting the above technical solution, on the one hand, it is convenient for the rotating clamping device to clamp and rotate the connecting section of the base tube, thereby reducing the risk of damage to the doped section containing the loose layer by the rotating clamping device. On the other hand, when the other end of the first conveying pipe extends into the base pipe, the risk of the other end of the first conveying pipe touching the loose layer and thereby damaging the loose layer is avoided. Improved the yield rate of equipment when doping substrate tubes.

In some embodiments, one end of the first delivery pipe is connected to the first communication end of the pump through a first buffer pipe, and is used to absorb the vibration transmitted between the first delivery pipe and the pump, and the second delivery pipe One end of the pipe is connected to the second communication end of the pump through a second buffer pipe, and is used to absorb vibration transmitted between the second delivery pipe and the pump. When the first conveying pipe and the second conveying pipe are conveying the solution, the impact of the vibration of the pump on the stability of the first conveying pipe and the second conveying pipe can be reduced, thereby ensuring that the first conveying pipe and the second conveying pipe can be stable. ,continuous delivery of solution.

In some embodiments, one end of the first delivery pipe and the first communication end of the pump are connected through a bendable movable pipe. The first delivery pipe is allowed to move freely relative to the pump, thereby improving the flexibility of inserting the other end of the first delivery pipe into the base pipe.

In some embodiments, a through hole is provided at the bottom of the container, the other end of the second delivery pipe is connected to the through hole, and a one-way valve is provided in the through hole, and the one-way valve is configured to conduct only along the circulation direction of the solution. .

In some embodiments, the rotary clamping device includes a clamping assembly for removably clamping the fixed substrate tube and a clamping assembly for releasably clamping the fixed substrate tube. a driving assembly that drives the clamping assembly to rotate;

The clamping assembly includes a clamping member for detachably clamping and fixing the base pipe, and a rotating gear connected to the outer wall surface of the clamping member; the driving assembly includes a driving motor with an output shaft and a driving gear arranged at the end of the output shaft, The driving gear meshes with the rotating gear to rotate in conjunction with the rotating gear, thereby driving the clamping member and the base tube fixed on the clamping member to rotate.

In some embodiments, the rotary clamping device further includes a housing for supporting the rotation of the clamping assembly, and the clamping member is detachable relative to the rotating gear and the housing; so that the clamping member can be detached from the housing and the rotating gear. Clamping or dismantling the base pipe under the condition of the rotating clamping device improves the flexibility of the process of installing or disassembling the base pipe on the rotating clamping device.

The upper end of the clamping member is provided with an outwardly extending flange edge. The flange edge is set up on the housing and is rotatable relative to the housing. Thus, the clamping member can be stably supported on the housing.

The rotating gear is sleeved on the lower end of the clamping member, and one of the wall surfaces between the inner wall surface of the rotating gear and the outer wall surface of the lower end of the clamping member is provided with at least one engaging protrusion, and the other side wall surface is provided with at least one engaging protrusion. The engaging protrusion can be detachably matched with at least one engaging groove. When the at least one engaging protrusion is engaged with the at least one engaging groove, the rotating gear can drive the clamping member to rotate around the axis of the clamping member; when the at least one engaging protrusion is engaged with the at least one engaging groove, When the engaging protrusion is decoupled from the at least one engaging groove, the clamping piece can be separately removed from the rotary clamping device.

In some embodiments, the inner wall surface of the clamping member is provided with a plurality of elastic protrusions. The plurality of elastic protrusions are used to clamp and fix the base pipe, and enable the base pipe to be taken out of the clamping member under the action of external force.

In some embodiments, the container is provided with an opening for the base pipe to penetrate, and an annular buffer is provided around the inner wall of the opening, and the annular buffer is used to wrap the outer wall of the base pipe. When the doped base tube is taken out of the solution, the annular buffer can wipe away and absorb the solution attached to the outer wall of the base tube, thereby preventing the solution from dripping after the base tube is taken out and causing pollution to the processing environment.

Description of the drawings

Figure 1 is a schematic flow chart of the optical fiber preparation method;

Figure 2a is a schematic cross-sectional view of the structure of a base pipe containing a loose layer;

Figure 2b is a schematic structural diagram of a cross-section of a base pipe containing a loose layer;

Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the principle of doping with the equipment according to the embodiment of the present application;

Figure 4a is a schematic diagram of the distribution of different ions in the solution before the pump operation of the device according to the embodiment of the present application;

Figure 4b is a schematic diagram of the distribution of different ions in the solution along a circulation flow direction when the pump is operating in the device according to the embodiment of the present application;

Figure 4c is a schematic diagram of the distribution of different ions in the solution along another circulation flow direction when the pump is operating in the device according to the embodiment of the present application;

Figure 5 is a schematic structural cross-sectional view of the equipment according to the embodiment of the present application;

Figure 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the structure of the equipment during doping according to the embodiment of the present application;

Figure 7 is a schematic structural diagram of the rotating clamping device in the equipment according to the embodiment of the present application;

Figure 8 is a schematic structural diagram of another rotary clamping device in the equipment according to the embodiment of the present application;

Figure 9 is a schematic structural diagram of a device equipped with a movable tube during doping according to an embodiment of the present application;

Figure 10 is a schematic structural diagram of the equipment in Figure 9 using another pipeline structure for doping.

Explanation of reference symbols:

11. Loose layer; 12. Cladding; 13. Base pipe;

101. Connecting section; 102. Doping section;

2. Equipment;

21. Container;

211. Opening; 212. Through hole; 213. Annular buffer; 214. One-way valve;

22. Rotating clamping device; 201. Clamping component; 202. Driving component;

221. Clamping piece; 222. Rotating gear; 2221. Roller; 223. Driving motor; 224. Driving gear;

225. Shell;

226. Bearing; 227. Flange edge; 228. Rotating part; 229. Elastic protrusion; 2201. Engagement protrusion; 2202. Engagement groove;

23. Pipeline; 231. First conveying pipe; 232. Second conveying pipe; 233. Movable pipe; 234. First buffer pipe; 235. Second buffer pipe;

24. Pumping pump; 241. First communication end; 242. Second communication end;

3. Solution; 31. Light ions; 32. Heavy ions.

Detailed ways

The implementation of the present application is described below with specific examples. Those skilled in the art can easily understand other advantages and effects of the present application from the content disclosed in this specification. Although the description of this application will be introduced in conjunction with some embodiments, this does not mean that the features of this application are limited to this embodiment. On the contrary, the purpose of introducing the application in conjunction with the embodiments is to cover the possible claims based on this application. Extended options or modifications. In order to provide an in-depth understanding of the application, the following description contains many specific details. The application may be implemented without these details. Furthermore, some specific details will be omitted from the description in order to avoid confusing or obscuring the focus of the present application. It should be noted that, as long as there is no conflict, the embodiments and features in the embodiments of this application can be combined with each other.

It should be noted that in this specification, similar reference numerals and letters represent similar items in the following drawings. Therefore, once an item is defined in one drawing, it does not need to be referenced in subsequent drawings. for further definition and explanation.

In the description of this application, it should be noted that the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "inner", "outer", etc. The indicated orientation or positional relationship is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings. It is only for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description. It does not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation or a specific orientation. construction and operation, and therefore should not be construed as limitations on this application. In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and are not to be understood as indicating or implying relative importance.

In the description of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise clearly stated and limited, the terms "installation", "connection" and "connection" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it can be a fixed connection or a detachable connection. Connection, or integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; it can be an internal connection between two components. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in this application can be understood on a case-by-case basis.

In the description of this application, it should be understood that "decoupling" in this application can be understood as releasing the cooperation relationship between components. Among them, those skilled in the art can understand that the cooperation relationship refers to a connection relationship in which two or more components have close cooperation and mutual influence. In order to make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of the present application clearer, the embodiments of the present application will be described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Please refer to Figures 1 to 2b. Figure 1 is a schematic flow diagram of an optical fiber preparation method. Figure 2a is a structural cross-sectional view of a base pipe containing a loose layer according to an embodiment of the present application. Figure 2b is a structural cross-sectional view of a base pipe containing a loose layer according to an embodiment of the present application. Cross-sectional structural diagram.

As shown in Figure 1, the preparation method of optical fiber includes the following steps:

Step 100: Prepare a base pipe containing a loose layer through an MCVD lathe. Among them, the base pipe containing a loose layer can be understood as a base pipe with a loose layer deposited on the inner wall surface. Please refer to Figures 2a and 2b, which illustrate a structure of a base pipe 13 containing a loose layer 11. As shown in FIGS. 2a and 2b , the base tube 13 includes a connected connecting section 101 and a doped section 102 with a loose layer 11 . Among them, the cladding layer 12 and the loose layer 11 are deposited on the inner wall surface of the doped section 102 of the base tube 13 in sequence, forming three layers: the outermost layer is the base tube 13, the middle layer is the cladding layer 12, and the innermost layer is the loose layer 11. structure. Moreover, the loose layer 11 may have a porous capillary structure or a loose pore structure, so that the solution containing doping ions can easily penetrate into the loose layer 11 to achieve solution doping of the base tube 13 containing the loose layer 11 .

In one embodiment, the base tube 13 can be made of quartz, or can also be made of partially doped modified materials (for example: silicon dioxide doped with germanium dioxide, silicon dioxide doped with phosphorus pentoxide, silicon dioxide Doped with boron trioxide, etc.).

In one embodiment, the connection section 101 and the doping section 102 of the base tube 13 are integrally formed. Therefore, during the process of picking up, moving or rotating the substrate tube 13, only the external force is applied to the connecting section 101 of the substrate tube 13 to avoid the external force from causing damage to the loose layer 11 of the doped section 102, thus Affects the effect of solution doping. Those skilled in the art can understand that when picking up, installing, moving or rotating the substrate tube 13 , the connecting section 101 plays a role in withstanding external forces, thereby avoiding the impact of external forces on the doped section 102 of the substrate tube 13 Risk of damage to the inner loose layer 13. Therefore, in other embodiments, the connecting section 101 and the doping section 102 of the base tube 13 can be arranged in a separate structure. For example, the connecting section 101 can also adopt a tubular structure wrapped and fixed at the end of the base tube 13 . In an alternative embodiment, since the base pipe 13 itself has a certain strength and rigidity, the base pipe 13 may not be provided with the connecting section 101 , so that when operations such as picking, installing, moving or rotating the base pipe 13 are performed, Directly exert force on the outer wall surface of the doped section 102 of the base tube 13 .

The specific process of preparing the base pipe containing the loose layer through the MCVD lathe is to insert the hollow base pipe 13 (at this time, the base pipe 13 has not yet been deposited with the cladding 12 and the loose layer 11) into an MCVD (Modified Chemical Vapor Deposition) lathe. , and perform high-temperature polishing on the base tube 13 on an MCVD lathe, and use the MCVD process to uniformly deposit the cladding layer 12 and the loose layer 11 on the inner wall surface of the base tube 13. The common MCVD process uses ultrapure oxygen as a carrier to remove SiCl ₄ Raw materials such as SiCl ₄ and dopants such as GeCl 4 are fed into the rotating and heated base tube 13, causing the raw materials such as SiCl ₄ and dopants such as GeCl ₄ to undergo oxidation-reduction reactions inside the base tube 13 at high temperatures (about 1500°C). , and particles are formed at a certain radial position on the inner wall of the base pipe 13, and are uniformly deposited on the inner wall of the base pipe 13 through thermophoretic migration motion, completing the deposition of the cladding 12.

After the deposition of the cladding layer 12 is completed, the temperature is lowered to about 1100° C., and the loose layer 11 is continued to be deposited, and finally the base pipe 13 containing the loose layer 11 is prepared. The chemical reaction equation of its redox is:
SiCl ₄ +O ₂ →SiO ₂ +2Cl ₂
GeCl ₄ +O ₂ →GeO ₂ +2Cl ₂

Step 200: Remove the base tube containing the loose layer and put it into the equipment for doping. Specifically, the base tube 13 containing the loose layer 11 is removed from the MCVD lathe and loaded into the solution doping equipment for doping, and the doped section 102 of the base tube 13 containing the loose layer 11 is immersed in the solution. Thereby utilizing the penetration of the solution, various doped ions in the solution can fully penetrate into the loose layer 11 with the solution, and be adsorbed into the loose layer 11 under the capillary action of the loose layer 11, thereby completing the treatment of the loose layer containing the loose layer. 11 The base tube 13 is doped with the solution.

Step 300: Drain the doped substrate tube and load it into an MCVD lathe for drying. When the base tube 13 containing the loose layer 11 is fully soaked in the solution 3 and the doping is completed, the base tube 13 containing the loose layer 11 is taken out of the solution and drained to avoid containing loose layers. The solution attached to the outer wall of the base tube 13 of layer 11 drips, contaminating the optical fiber preparation environment. The drained base pipe 13 is then reconnected to the MCVD lathe, and the adsorbed solution in the loose layer 11 is dried through the MCVD lathe to remove the solvent in the solution and allow the doped ions to adhere to the network pores of the loose layer 11 middle.

Step 400: After the drying is completed, the loose layer of the base tube is vitrified and heat-shrunk through an MCVD lathe to obtain a solid optical fiber preform. After the loose layer 11 of the base pipe 13 is dried, the loose layer 11 of the base pipe 13 is vitrified by using an MCVD lathe at a high temperature (1300°C to 1800°C). The temperature of vitrification can be between 1300°C and 1800°C. between 1300°C, 1500°C, 1600°C, 1800°C, etc., and then the vitrified base tube 13 is shrunk through a shrinking process to shrink the hollow base tube 13 in multiple passes at high temperatures to form a solid optical fiber preform. , the shrinkage temperature can be between 1800°C and 2300°C, for example, 1980°C, 2000°C, 2100°C, 2200°C, 2300°C, etc., and depends on the type and concentration of doped ions, as well as the actual process conditions Different from the lathe state, the glass transition temperature and shrinkage temperature can be very different. At this time, the loose layer 11 forms the core layer of the optical fiber preform after vitrification and shrinkage, has a high refractive index, and serves as a medium for light propagation. The cladding layer 12 has a low refractive index after shrinking, and is arranged around the core layer to confine light within the core layer.

Step 500: Make the optical fiber preform into a finished optical fiber through a drawing process. Finally, through the drawing process, the optical fiber preform is drawn at high speed at high temperature, and finally an optical fiber with a suitable diameter is made. In some embodiments, the optical fiber preform is one to several meters long, and a single optical fiber preform can be made into thousands of kilometers of optical fiber through a wire drawing process.

The structure of the device 2 in step 200 is described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 3 to 10 , and the doping process is explained with reference to the structure of the device 2 .

Please refer to Figures 3 to 4c. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the principle of doping with the equipment according to the embodiment of the present application. Figure 4a is a schematic diagram of the distribution of different ions in the solution before the pump operation of the equipment according to the embodiment of the present application. Figure 4b and Figure 4c is a schematic diagram of the distribution of different ions in the solution when the pump is operating in the device according to the embodiment of the present application.

As shown in Figure 3, the preparation for doping the base tube 13 containing the loose layer 11 includes a container 21 for holding the solution 3, a rotating clamping device 22 for clamping and fixing the base tube 13, and a Pipe 23 for pumping solution 3 and pump 24 .

In the process of doping the base tube 13, firstly, the solution 3 containing the doping ions is poured into the container 21. The solution 3 containing the doping ions can be a rare earth ion chloride or oxide solution. In other alternative embodiments, it may also be a mixed solution of rare earth ions and co-dopants. Further, the rare earth ions can be erbium, ytterbium, thulium, holmium, etc., and the co-dopants can include aluminum compounds and phosphorus compounds, as well as other rare earth ions as co-dopants such as lanthanum, cerium, etc., and also include transition ions, such as bismuth, etc. Among them, the doping ions described in this application are rare earth ions and/or co-doped ions in solution 3, including but not limited to: Al ³⁺ , Er ³⁺ , Yb ³⁺ , La ³⁺ , Tm ³⁺ , Ho ³⁺ etc. As shown in Figure 4a, since solution 3 can contain a variety of ions with different molecular weights and masses, in the solution When liquid 3 stands still for a long time, under the action of gravity, heavy ions 32 with larger molecular weight and mass will tend to move toward the bottom of solution 3, while light ions 31 with smaller molecular weight and mass will tend to move toward the top of solution 3 , resulting in uneven distribution of different ions in solution 3 when solution 3 is left standing.

Then, the base pipe 13 after depositing the loose layer 11 is removed from the MCVD lathe, and one end of the base pipe 13 is fixed on the rotating clamping device 22 so that the part of the base pipe 13 containing the loose layer 11 is completely immersed in the container 21 solution 3, thereby completing the installation of the base pipe 13. Then extend one end of the pipeline 23 in the equipment 2 into the base pipe 13 from the upper end of the installed base pipe 13, and make the other end of the pipeline 23 located in the solution 3 outside the base pipe 13. Thus, the pipeline 23 connects the solution 3 inside the container 21 with the pump 24 .

Finally, the pumping pump 24 and the rotating clamping device 22 are started, so that the solution 3 in the container 21 can flow into the pumping pump from one end of the pipeline 23 inside the base pipe 13 under the pumping action of the pumping pump 24 24, and leave it at the other end of the pipe 23 outside the base pipe 13, so as to maintain the circulating flow along the axial direction in the base pipe 13. At the same time, the base tube 13 is driven by the rotating clamping device 22 to rotate around the axis of the base tube 13 . In one embodiment, the pumping rate of the pumping pump 24 can be 1-3000mL/min, for example, 10mL/min, 500mL/min, 1000mL/min, 1500mL/min, 2200mL/min, 3000mL/min, etc.; basically The rotation speed of the tube 13 can be controlled from 0.1 to 60 rpm, for example, 0.5 rpm, 1 rpm, 10 rpm, 30 rpm, 50 rpm, 60 rpm, etc.

At this time, as shown in Figures 4b and 4c, the solution 3 containing doped ions in the base tube 13 performs a spiral upward or spiral downward movement relative to the loose layer 11, so that the doped ions are distributed in a static state. The uneven solution 3 maintains a circulating flow and self-stirring state under the joint action of the pump 24 and the rotating clamping device 22, so that the doped ions of different molecular weights and masses in the solution 3 are evenly distributed in the solution 3. This allows the different doping ions in the solution 3 to maintain uniformity in the circumferential direction and the axial direction of the base tube 13 inside the base tube 13 , so that the concentration of the doping ions that the solution 3 penetrates into each position of the loose layer 11 remains extremely high. High uniformity. After the doping is completed, the doping ions in the solution 3 can fully and uniformly penetrate into the loose layer 11 , so that various doping ions in the loose layer 11 of the base tube 13 in the axial direction, circumferential direction and radial direction All have extremely high uniformity, where the circumferential direction refers to the direction of the loose layer 11 around its axis, and the radial direction refers to the thickness direction of the loose layer 11 . This makes the optical performance of the optical fiber prepared by the base tube 13 to be highly consistent at various positions, thereby improving the light-guiding capability of the optical fiber. At the same time, the equipment 2 can ensure the same distribution of doping ions between the loose layers 11 of different substrate tubes 13 that have been doped in the same solution 3, so that different ions prepared from different substrate tubes 13 that have been doped in the same solution 3 are different. Optical fibers have the same or similar optical properties, thus ensuring high reproducibility during optical fiber preparation. Improved optical fiber production energy efficiency and productivity.

Please refer to FIGS. 5 and 6 . FIG. 5 is a structural cross-sectional view of the equipment according to the embodiment of the present application, and FIG. 6 is a structural cross-sectional view of the equipment according to the embodiment of the present application when doping is performed. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, and understood in conjunction with Figures 4a to 4c, the pipeline 23 of the equipment 2 includes a first delivery pipe 231 and a second delivery pipe 232, and the pump 24 has a first communication end 241 and a second delivery pipe 232. Two communication ends 242, and the first communication end 241 is connected with one end of the first transportation pipe 231, and the second communication end 242 is connected with one end of the second transportation pipe 232. When the rotating clamping device 22 clamps the substrate tube 13 for doping, the other end of the first transport tube 231 extends into the clamped substrate tube 13 . The other end of the second conveying pipe 232 is located outside the clamped base pipe 13 and is located below the other end of the first conveying pipe 231 in the height direction of the container 21 . As shown in Figure 4b, under the pumping action of the pumping pump 24, the solution 3 is pumped into the pumping pump 24 from the other end of the second delivery pipe 232 outside the base pipe 13, and is pumped into the pumping pump 24 inside the base pipe 13. The other end of a transport pipe 231 is transported to the inside of the base pipe 13 so that the circulating solution 3 can flow through the inside of the base pipe 13 and dope the loose layer 11 inside the base pipe 13 to ensure that various doped ions are uniform. And fully penetrate into the loose layer 11. Technology in this field Personnel can understand that the pumping pump 24 is used to provide energy for the circulating flow of the solution 3, so the pumping pump 24 can be any type of water pump, such as a vane water pump, a positive displacement water pump, a jet water pump, etc. At the same time, multiple pumping pumps 24 can also be provided according to the layout of the pipeline 23 . Furthermore, those skilled in the art can understand that the function of the pump 24 and the pipeline 23 is to keep the solution 3 in the container 21 in a circulating flow state, and there is no limit on the circulation direction of the solution 3, as shown in Figure 4c , in other alternative embodiments, the pump 24 can also pump the solution 3 into the pump 24 from the other end of the first delivery pipe 231 inside the base pipe 13, and pump the solution 3 into the pump 24 from the other end of the second delivery pipe 232. One end is output to the outside of the base tube 13 .

In one embodiment, when the substrate tube 13 is clamped by the rotating clamping device 22 for doping, the other end of the first transport tube 231 is located in the connecting section 101 inside the substrate tube 13 , thereby avoiding the need for the first transport tube 13 . The other end of the tube 231 extends into the base tube 13 or touches the loose layer 11 during the pumping of the solution 3, which causes damage to the loose layer 11 and causes defects in the prepared optical fiber preform, thereby reducing the quality of the optical fiber preparation. rate decreases. The other end of the second conveying pipe 232 extends to the bottom of the container 21, so that when the pump 24 first starts working, the other end of the second conveying pipe 232 can pump the solution 3 containing more heavy ions 32 in the bottom of the container 21 through the pump. The pumping action of the transport pump 24 is pumped out from the other end of the first delivery pipe 231 in the connecting section 101 of the base pipe 13, so that the solution 3 containing more heavy ions 32 can quickly communicate with the solution 3 containing light ions in the connecting section 101 of the base pipe 13. 31 More solutions 3 are mixed, which improves the efficiency when the solutions 3 are mixed evenly, thereby improving the processing efficiency of the equipment 3 in the doping process.

Please refer to Figure 7, which is a schematic structural diagram of a rotary clamping device according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 7, and understood in conjunction with Figure 3, the rotary clamping device 22 includes a structure for detachably clamping and fixing the base pipe. The clamping assembly 201 of 13 and the driving assembly 202 for driving the rotation of the clamping assembly 201; wherein, the clamping assembly 201 includes a clamping member 221 for detachably clamping the fixed base pipe, and a clamping member 221 outside the clamping member 221. The rotating gear 222 is fixedly connected to the wall. The driving assembly 202 includes a driving motor 223 with an output shaft and a driving gear 224 provided at the end of the output shaft. The driving gear 224 meshes with the rotating gear 222 to rotate in conjunction with the rotating gear 222, thereby driving the clamping member 221 and being fixed on the clamping member 221. The base tube 13 on piece 221 is rotated.

In one embodiment, the clamping member 221 is arranged in a tubular shape, the inner diameter of the clamping member 221 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the base tube 13 , and a plurality of elastic protrusions 229 are provided on the inner wall of the clamping member 221 . When installing the base pipe 13 on the clamping member 221, you only need to extend the end of the connecting section 101 of the base pipe 13 into the clamping member 221, and make the plurality of elastic protrusions 229 press against the outer wall surface of the base pipe 13 , so that the connecting section 101 of the base pipe 13 is fixed in the clamping member 221 under the elastic clamping of the plurality of elastic protrusions 229 . Those skilled in the art can understand that the clamping member 221 is used to detachably fix the base pipe 13 and drive the base pipe 13 to rotate around its axis. Therefore, in other alternative embodiments, the clamping member 221 may also be used. Clamping structures such as rings and clamping claws.

In one embodiment, the clamping member 221 is disposed in the housing 225 through at least one bearing 226 so that the clamping member 221 is rotatable relative to the housing 225 . At the same time, the outer wall surface of the lower end of the clamping member 221 is fixedly connected to the rotating gear 222. The rotating gear 222 meshes with the driving gear 224 on one side, so that the driving motor 223 can drive the clamping and fixing through the transmission function of the rotating gear 222 and the driving gear 224. The clamp 221 of the base tube 13 rotates within the housing 225 .

Please refer to FIG. 8 , which is a schematic structural diagram of another rotary clamping device in the equipment according to the embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 8 and understood in conjunction with FIG. 3 , the rotation clamping device 22 includes a clamping assembly 201 that detachably clamps the fixed base pipe 13 and a driving assembly 202 for driving the clamping assembly 201 to rotate.

The clamping assembly 201 includes a clamping member 221 for detachably clamping and fixing the base pipe 13, and a rotating gear 222 detachably connected to the outer wall of the clamping member 221; the upper end of the clamping member 221 is provided with an outwardly extending Flange 227, France The flange 227 is supported on the housing 225 through the rotating member 228, so that the clamping member 221 can rotate relative to the housing 225 around the axis of the clamping member 221, and the flange 227 is only in contact with the rotating member 228, so that the clamping member 227 is in contact with the rotating member 228. The piece 221 is removable relative to the housing 225 . The lower end of the clamping member 221 is covered with a rotating gear 222, and one of the wall surfaces between the inner wall surface of the rotating gear 222 and the outer wall surface of the lower end of the clamping member 221 is provided with at least one engaging protrusion 2201, and the other side wall surface is provided with at least one engaging protrusion 2201. At least one engaging groove 2202 is provided with at least one engaging protrusion 2201 to detachably cooperate. Both sides of the rotating gear 222 are connected to the housing 225 through rollers 2221, so that the rotating gear 222 is rotatable relative to the housing 225.

When at least one engaging protrusion 2201 engages with at least one engaging groove 2202, the rotating gear 222 can drive the clamping member 221 to rotate around the axis of the clamping member 221; when at least one engaging protrusion 2201 engages with at least one When the groove 2202 is decoupled, the clamping element 221 can be removed individually from the rotating clamping device 22 . This enables the clamping member 221 to install or remove the base pipe 13 without being separated from the housing 225 and the rotating gear 222, thereby improving the flexibility of the process of installing or removing the base pipe 13 on the rotating clamping device 22.

In one embodiment, the inner wall surface of the rotating gear 222 is provided with an engaging protrusion 2201, and the outer wall surface of the lower end of the clamping member 221 is provided with an engaging groove 2202 matching the engaging protrusion 2201, and the clamping member 221 is provided with an engaging protrusion 2201 on the inner wall surface. The engaging groove 2202 at the lower end of the member 221 can engage or decouple with the engaging protrusion 2201 along the axial direction of the clamping member 221 . During the process of clamping the base pipe 13, the clamping member 221 can first be taken out from the housing 225 along the axis direction, and then one end of the base pipe 13 can be inserted into the inner wall of the clamping member 221 and fixed, and then the clamping member 221 can be clamped. The clamping member 221 of 13 extends into the housing 225, and the engaging groove 2202 at the lower end of the clamping member 221 engages with the engaging protrusion 2201 of the rotating gear 222. Therefore, the driving motor 223 can drive the clamping member 221 that clamps the fixed base pipe 13 to rotate in the housing 225 through the transmission function of the rotating gear 222 and the driving gear 224.

Please refer to FIG. 9 , which is a schematic structural diagram of a device equipped with a movable tube during doping according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 9, the top surface of the container 21 has an opening 211 for the base pipe 13 to penetrate. The diameter of the opening 211 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the base pipe 13, so that the opening 211 can freely pass through the base pipe 13. The cross-sectional area of the opening 211 is reduced as much as possible to reduce the risk of impurities in the air entering the container 21 and contaminating the solution 3 . Those skilled in the art can understand that the main purpose of the container 21 is to hold the solution 3 containing doped ions and for the substrate tube 13 to be immersed in it. Therefore, in other alternative embodiments, the container 21 may adopt other structures capable of holding the solution 3 , for example, the container 21 may also adopt a barrel-shaped, bowl-shaped or other structure.

In one embodiment, an annular buffer 213 is fixedly provided on the inner wall of the opening 211 . The annular buffer 213 can be made of elastic water-absorbing material such as sponge. In other embodiments, the annular buffer 213 can also be Made of highly elastic materials such as rubber, it can also be made of woven materials with water absorption and cushioning properties. And the inner diameter of the annular buffer member 213 is smaller than the outer diameter of the base tube 13 . This enables the base pipe 13 to press against the outer wall of the base pipe 13 when penetrating the opening 211, preventing collision between the inner wall of the opening 211 and the outer wall of the base pipe 13, thereby damaging the loose layer 11 inside the base pipe 13, and thus failing to produce a qualified product. of optical fiber preforms, resulting in a decrease in the yield rate of optical fiber manufacturing. In addition, when the base pipe 13 is removed from the solution 3 after doping, the annular buffer 213 on the inner wall of the opening 211 can adsorb or wipe away the remaining solution 3 on the outer wall of the base pipe 13, thereby draining the base pipe 13 quickly and efficiently. The solution 3 remaining on the outer wall surface prevents the solution 3 from dripping when the base tube 13 is taken out, thus causing pollution to the optical fiber production environment.

In one embodiment, the first conveying pipe 231 in the pipeline 23 can be a rigid glass tube, so that when one end of the first conveying pipe 231 extends into the base pipe 13, it can be clamped and fixed to prevent the first conveying pipe 231 from being One end shakes during the pumping process, which affects the stability of the pumping of the solution 3 inside the base tube 13, resulting in a decrease in the doping uniformity of the solution 3. In other alternative embodiments, the first delivery pipe 231 can also be made of other materials, such as: rubber, Plastic etc.

In addition, one end of the first delivery pipe 231 is connected to the first communication end 241 of the pump 24 through a bendable movable pipe 233 . The movable tube 233 can adopt a bellows structure, or be made of flexible materials such as rubber, so that the movable tube 233 can be bent freely. When the base pipe 13 is clamped by the rotating clamping device 22 , the pumping pump 24 can maintain a fixed relative position to the base pipe 13 , and the first delivery pipe 231 outside the base pipe 13 can move freely relative to the pumping pump 24 , and after the base pipe 13 is clamped and fixed, it extends into the interior of the base pipe 13 . At the same time, when the base pipe 13 is doped and needs to be taken out, one end of the first conveying pipe 231 can be directly taken out from the inside of the base pipe 13 to avoid the first conveying pipe 231 extending into the base pipe 13 from taking out the base pipe 13 Process creates limitations.

In one embodiment, the bottom of the container 21 is provided with a through hole 212 corresponding to the position of the opening 211 for connecting the second delivery pipe 232 . The other end of the second delivery pipe 232 is connected with the through hole 212 at the bottom of the container 21. When the base pipe 13 is disposed in the opening 211, the through hole 212 directly corresponds to the inside of the base pipe 13, so that the solution 3 can be transported along the shortest path. The path is circulated and flows through the inside of the base tube 13, so that the solution 3 inside the base tube 13 can be fully mixed evenly, and at the same time, the doping efficiency of the solution 3 is improved.

In one embodiment, a one-way valve 214 is provided in the through hole 212 , and the one-way valve 214 is configured to conduct communication only along the circulation direction of the solution 3 . This enables the solution 3 to maintain a circular flow in the same direction during the circulation process, and avoids the backflow of the solution 3 during the circulation process, thereby generating convection in the base pipe 13 and impacting the loose layer 11 in the base pipe 13, resulting in the loose layer 11 of destruction.

Please refer to Figure 10. Figure 10 is a schematic structural diagram of the equipment in Figure 9 using another pipeline structure for doping. As shown in FIG. 10 , in one embodiment, the first conveying pipe 231 and the second conveying pipe 232 of the pipeline 23 are both made of rigid glass tubes. In other alternative embodiments, the second conveying pipe 232 can also be made of rigid glass tubes. Made of other materials, such as rubber, plastic, etc. At the same time, one end of the first delivery pipe 231 is connected to the first communication end 241 of the pump 24 through the first buffer pipe 234, and one end of the second transfer pipe 232 is connected to the second connection end 242 of the pump 24. Communicated through the second buffer tube 235. The vibration generated by the pumping pump 24 during the pumping process can be absorbed by the first buffer pipe 234 and the second buffer pipe 235, which greatly reduces the impact of the vibration of the pumping pump 24 on the first delivery pipe 231 and the second delivery pipe 232. Impact. This ensures that the first conveying pipe 231 and the second conveying pipe 232 can maintain a continuous stable state in the process of conveying the solution 3, and improves the uniformity of the doping of the solution 3 in the circulating flow state. Furthermore, the first buffer pipe 234 and the second buffer pipe 235 can effectively prevent the vibration generated by the pump 24 during the pumping process from being transmitted to the solution 3 through the first delivery pipe 231 and the second delivery pipe 232, preventing the solution 3 from being Vibration is generated and impacts the loose layer 11 inside the base pipe 13, causing the structure of the loose layer 11 to be damaged. This greatly avoids the failure of the optical fiber preform due to damage to the loose layer 11 during the doping process, and improves the yield rate of optical fiber manufacturing.

Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications to the present application without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application. In this way, if these modifications and variations of the present application fall within the scope of the claims of the present application and equivalent technologies, the present application is also intended to include these modifications and variations.

Claims

An equipment for doping a substrate tube containing a loose layer, the equipment includes a container, the container is used to hold a solution containing doping ions for the substrate tube to be immersed, so that the doping ions are doped through the solution. The impurities penetrate into the loose layer, and it is characterized in that the equipment also includes a pump for pumping the solution, and a pipeline connecting the solution inside the container and the pump, so that the container The internal solution is in a circulating flow state under the pumping action of the pumping pump, and the loose layer of the base pipe is doped.
The device of claim 1, further comprising:

a rotating clamping device configured to clamp the base tube immersed in the solution and drive the base tube to rotate around its axis;

Wherein, the pipeline includes a first conveying pipe and a second conveying pipe, the first communicating end of the pumping pump is connected to one end of the first conveying pipe, and the second communicating end of the pumping pump is connected to the first communicating end of the pumping pump. One end of the second conveying pipe is connected, and the other end of the first conveying pipe is configured to extend into the base pipe clamped by the rotating clamping device, and the other end of the second conveying pipe is configured to : Located outside the base pipe clamped by the rotary clamping device and below the other end of the first delivery pipe in the height direction of the container.
The device of claim 2, wherein the base tube includes a connected connecting section and a doped section with the loose layer; and the connecting section is located above the doped section;

The rotating clamping device is used to clamp and fix the connecting section of the base pipe, and the other end of the first delivery pipe is used to extend into the connecting section clamped by the rotating clamping device. , the other end of the second conveying pipe is disposed below the doping section, and the first conveying pipe and the second conveying pipe are located entirely outside the doping section.
The device of claim 2, wherein the one end of the first delivery pipe and the first communication end of the pump are connected through a first buffer pipe and used to absorb the first The vibration transmitted between the conveying pipe and the pumping pump, the one end of the second conveying pipe and the second communication end of the pumping pump are connected through a second buffer pipe and used to absorb the third The vibration is transmitted between the two delivery pipes and the pumping pump.
The device of claim 2, wherein the one end of the first delivery pipe and the first communication end of the pump are connected through a bendable movable pipe.
The device of claim 2, wherein a through hole is provided at the bottom of the container, the other end of the second conveying pipe is connected to the through hole, and a single through hole is provided in the through hole. One-way valve, the one-way valve is configured to conduct conduction only along the circulation direction of the solution.
The apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the rotating clamping device includes a clamping assembly for detachably clamping and fixing the base pipe and a clamping assembly for driving the clamping assembly. rotating drive assembly;

The clamping assembly includes a clamping member for detachably clamping and fixing the base pipe, and a rotating gear connected to the outer wall of the clamping member; the driving assembly includes a driving motor with an output shaft and a device The driving gear at the end of the output shaft meshes with the rotating gear to link the rotation of the rotating gear, thereby The clamping member and the base tube fixed on the clamping member are driven to rotate.
The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the rotating clamping device further includes a housing for supporting the clamping assembly to rotate, and the clamping member is relative to the rotating gear and the The shell is removable;

The upper end of the clamping member is provided with an outwardly extending flange. The flange is set up on the housing and is rotatable relative to the housing, so that the clamping member can be supported on the housing. on the housing and capable of rotating relative to the housing about the axis of the clamp;

The rotating gear is sleeved on the lower end of the clamping member, and one of the wall surfaces between the inner wall surface of the rotating gear and the outer wall surface of the lower end of the clamping member is provided with at least one engaging protrusion, and the other wall surface is provided with at least one engaging protrusion. One side wall is provided with at least one engaging groove that can detachably cooperate with the at least one engaging protrusion. When the at least one engaging protrusion engages with the at least one engaging groove, the rotating gear can The clamping member is driven to rotate around the axis of the clamping member; when the at least one engaging protrusion is decoupled from the at least one engaging groove, the clamping member can be independently separated from the rotating clamping member. removed from the device.
The device according to claim 7, wherein the inner wall surface of the clamping member is provided with a plurality of elastic protrusions, and the plurality of elastic protrusions are used to clamp and fix the base tube, and make the base tube The tube can be removed from the holder under the action of external force.
The device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the container is provided with an opening for the base pipe to penetrate, and an annular buffer is arranged around the inner wall of the opening, and the annular buffer is The buffer member is used to wrap the outer wall of the base pipe.