초록 ▼

A substantially continuous method of and apparatus for forming an article suitable for an optical waveguide preform wherein the starting member is continuously removed is disclosed. The preform is formed by providing a starting member or bait and applying the particulate material to the exterior sur

A substantially continuous method of and apparatus for forming an article suitable for an optical waveguide preform wherein the starting member is continuously removed is disclosed. The preform is formed by providing a starting member or bait and applying the particulate material to the exterior surface of the starting member to form a coating thereon. The coating is longitudinally translated while simultaneously additional particulate material is applied to the coating to form a preform body with the preform body thereafter being longitudinally translated. While longitudinally translating the preform body and applying additional particulate material to the end thereof, the starting member is continuously removed from the preform body leaving a longitudinal aperture remaining in the preform body. The particulate material may be applied by one or more burners, the output of which may be controlled to provide a predetermined desired cross sectional composition variation of the resulting preform body. The so formed preformed body may thereafter be suitably heated, consolidated, and drawn into an optical waveguide.

대표청구항 ▼

A substantially continuous method of forming an article comprising the steps of providing a starting member or bait, applying particulate material to the exterior surface of said starting member to form a coating thereon, longitudinally translating said coating while simultaneously applying addition

A substantially continuous method of forming an article comprising the steps of providing a starting member or bait, applying particulate material to the exterior surface of said starting member to form a coating thereon, longitudinally translating said coating while simultaneously applying additional quantities of said particulate material to said coating whereby a body is formed, said body being thereafter longitudinally translated, and continuously removing said starting member from said body by said longitudinal translation of said body as said additional quantities of said particulate material is applied, a longitudinal aperture remaining in said body following said removal of said starting member.