US4389428A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of rejacketing a fusion splice in an ultraviolet light curable resin jacketed optical fiber
Assignee: U S Holding Co Inc
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Filing: 1982-03-15
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Granted: 1983-06-21
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Expires: 2002-03-15
Abstract
Abstract The method of rejacketing a fusion splice in an ultraviolet light curable resin jacketed optical fiber comprises the steps of forming a disposable ultraviolet transparent mold including a cylindrical passageway having a diameter equal to the diameter of the jacketed optical fiber; placing the jacketed optical fiber in the passageway with the splice without a jacket thereon being disposed a predetermined distance from the mold; applying an ultraviolet curable resin to an end of the passageway adjacent the splice; pulling the splice very slowly through the resin into the passageway along with a portion of the resin; curing the resin under an ultraviolet lamp; and removing the mold in a destructive manner from the optical fiber after the splice has been completely rejacketed.
Inventors
- 👤 Frederick T. McDuffee
- 👤 Carrie L. Kozikowski
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 06:29
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/255; G02B6/2558; B; B29; B29C; B29C33/00; B29C33/0033; B29C33/38; B29C33/40; B29C35/00; B29C35/02; B29C35/08; B29C35/0888; B29C70/00; B29C70/68; B29C70/84; B29C70/845; B29C35/0805; B29C2035/0827; B29L; B29L2011/00; B29L2011/0075; B29L2031/00; B29L2031/757
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
121 words
A method of rejacketing a fusion splice in an ultraviolet light curable resin jacketed optical fiber comprising the steps of forming an ultraviolet light transparent mold including a cylindrical passageway having a diameter equal to the diameter of said jacketed optical fiber; placing said jacketed optical fiber in said passageway with said splice without a jacket thereon being disposed a predetermined distance from said transparent mold; applying an ultraviolet curable resin to an end of said passageway adjacent said splice; pulling said splice very slowly through said resin into said passageway along with a portion of said resin; curing said resin under an ultraviolet lamp; and removing said transparent mold from said optical fiber after said splice has been completely rejacketed.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
121 words
A method of rejacketing a fusion splice in an ultraviolet light curable resin jacketed optical fiber comprising the steps of forming an ultraviolet light transparent mold including a cylindrical passageway having a diameter equal to the diameter of said jacketed optical fiber; placing said jacketed optical fiber in said passageway with said splice without a jacket thereon being disposed a predetermined distance from said transparent mold; applying an ultraviolet curable resin to an end of said passageway adjacent said splice; pulling said splice very slowly through said resin into said passageway along with a portion of said resin; curing said resin under an ultraviolet lamp; and removing said transparent mold from said optical fiber after said splice has been completely rejacketed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
66 words
A method according to claim 1, further including the steps of pulling said splice from said passageway between said curing step and said removing step; inspecting said rejacketed area of said optical fiber; and repeating said applying, pulling and curing steps if large gaps in said cured resin are visible during said inspecting step, the last three steps being repeated until said splice is completely rejacketed.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
34 words
A method according to claims 1 or 2, wherein said transparent mold is a disposable transparent mold; and said step of removing includes the step of tearing said transparent mold from said optical fiber.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
127 words
A method according to claims 1 or 2, wherein said step of forming includes making an outer mold around a metal object, curing said outer mold, removing said metal object to provide a cavity in said outer mold, slitting opposite sides of said outer mold to hold a straight piece of said jacketed optical fiber, pouring an ultraviolet transparent material into said cavity, placing said straight piece of said jacketed optical fiber in said slits and said material, curing said material at a given temperature for a given period of time, removing said cured material and said straight piece of said jacketed optical fiber from said outer mold, and removing said straight piece of said jacketed optical fiber from said cured material to provide said transparent mold.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 4, wherein said given temperature is 150° C. and said given period of time is two hours.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method according to claim 5, further including the step of trimming said cured material after said step of removing said straight piece of said jacketed optical fiber therefrom so all sides of said transparent mold are smooth and straight.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method according to claim 6, further including the step of deairing said ultraviolet transparent material after said step of placing to prevent entrapment of air bubbles around said straight piece of said optical fiber.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method according to claim 7, wherein said mold is a disposable mold, and said step of removing said transparent mold from said optical fiber includes the step of tearing said transparent mold from said optical fiber.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method according to claim 4, further including the step of trimming said cured material after said step of removing said straight piece of said jacketed optical fiber therefrom so all sides of said transparent mold are smooth and straight.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method according to claim 9, further including the step of deairing said ultraviolet transparent material after said step of placing to prevent entrapment of air bubbles around said straight piece of said optical fiber.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method according to claim 10, wherein said mold is a disposable mold, and said step of removing said transparent mold from said optical fiber includes the step of tearing said transparent mold from said optical fiber.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method according to claim 4, further including the step of deairing said ultraviolet transparent material after said step of placing to prevent entrapment of air bubbles around said straight piece of said optical fiber.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method according to claim 12, wherein said mold is a disposable mold, and said step of removing said transparent mold from said optical fiber includes the step of tearing said transparent mold from said optical fiber.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method according to claim 4, wherein said mold is a disposable mold, and said step of removing said transparent mold from said optical fiber includes the step of tearing said transparent mold from said optical fiber.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
22 words
A method according to claims 1 or 2, further including the step of deairing said curable resin prior to said pulling step.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
125 words
A method according to claim 15, wherein said step of forming includes making an outer mold around a metal object, curing said outer mold, removing said metal object to provide a cavity in said outer mold, slitting opposite sides of said outer mold to hold a straight piece of said jacketed optical fiber, pouring an ultraviolet transparent material into said cavity, placing said straight piece of said jacketed optical fiber in said slits and said material, curing said material at a given temperature for a given period of time, removing said cured material and said straight piece of said jacketed optical fiber from said outer mold, and removing said straight piece of said jacketed optical fiber from said cured material to provide said transparent mold.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 16, wherein said given temperature is 150° C. and said given period of time is two hours.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method according to claim 17, further including the step of trimming said cured material after said step of removing said straight piece of said jacketed optical fiber therefrom so all sides of said transparent mold are smooth and straight.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method according to claim 18, further including the step of deairing said ultraviolet transparent material after said step of placing to prevent entrapment of air bubbles around said straight piece of said optical fiber.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method according to claim 19, wherein said mold is a disposable mold, and said step of removing said transparent mold from said optical fiber includes the step of tearing said transparent mold from said optical fiber.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method according to claim 16, further including the step of trimming said cured material after said step of removing said straight piece of said jacketed optical fiber therefrom so all sides of said transparent mold are smooth and straight.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method according to claim 21, further includes the step of deairing said ultraviolet transparent material after said step of placing to prevent entrapment of air bubbles around said straight piece of said optical fiber.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method according to claim 22, wherein said mold is a disposable mold, and said step of removing said transparent mold from said optical fiber includes the step of tearing said transparent mold from said optical fiber.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method according to claim 16, further including the step of deairing said ultraviolet transparent material after said step of placing to prevent entrapment of air bubbles around said straight piece of said optical fiber.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method according to claim 24, wherein said mold is a disposable mold, and said step of removing said transparent mold from said optical fiber includes the step of tearing said transparent mold from said optical fiber.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method according to claim 16, wherein said mold is a disposable mold, and said step of removing said transparent mold from said optical fiber includes the step of tearing said transparent mold from said optical fiber.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-06-20 | 1986-12-20 | 1987-06-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-06-20 | 1990-12-20 | 1991-06-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-06-20 | 1994-12-20 | 1995-06-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |