JP3316902B2 - Optical fiber drawing furnace and drawing method - Google Patents
Optical fiber drawing furnace and drawing methodInfo
- Publication number
- JP3316902B2 JP3316902B2 JP1142593A JP1142593A JP3316902B2 JP 3316902 B2 JP3316902 B2 JP 3316902B2 JP 1142593 A JP1142593 A JP 1142593A JP 1142593 A JP1142593 A JP 1142593A JP 3316902 B2 JP3316902 B2 JP 3316902B2
- Authority
- JP
- Japan
- Prior art keywords
- optical fiber
- furnace
- concentration
- inert gas
- drawing furnace
- 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.)
- Expired - Fee Related
Links
Classifications
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C03—GLASS; MINERAL OR SLAG WOOL
- C03B—MANUFACTURE, SHAPING, OR SUPPLEMENTARY PROCESSES
- C03B37/00—Manufacture or treatment of flakes, fibres, or filaments from softened glass, minerals, or slags
- C03B37/01—Manufacture of glass fibres or filaments
- C03B37/02—Manufacture of glass fibres or filaments by drawing or extruding, e.g. direct drawing of molten glass from nozzles; Cooling fins therefor
- C03B37/025—Manufacture of glass fibres or filaments by drawing or extruding, e.g. direct drawing of molten glass from nozzles; Cooling fins therefor from reheated softened tubes, rods, fibres or filaments, e.g. drawing fibres from preforms
- C03B37/0253—Controlling or regulating
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C03—GLASS; MINERAL OR SLAG WOOL
- C03B—MANUFACTURE, SHAPING, OR SUPPLEMENTARY PROCESSES
- C03B2205/00—Fibre drawing or extruding details
- C03B2205/60—Optical fibre draw furnaces
- C03B2205/90—Manipulating the gas flow through the furnace other than by use of upper or lower seals, e.g. by modification of the core tube shape or by using baffles
- C03B2205/91—Manipulating the gas flow through the furnace other than by use of upper or lower seals, e.g. by modification of the core tube shape or by using baffles by controlling the furnace gas flow rate into or out of the furnace
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
- Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
- Materials Engineering (AREA)
- Organic Chemistry (AREA)
- Glass Melting And Manufacturing (AREA)
- Manufacture, Treatment Of Glass Fibers (AREA)
Description
【０００１】[0001]
【産業上の利用分野】本発明は、大型光ファイバ母材か
ら光ファイバ強度の低下を抑えた光ファイバを得ること
ができる光ファイバの線引炉及びその線引方法に関す
る。BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical fiber drawing furnace capable of obtaining an optical fiber from a large optical fiber preform with a reduced optical fiber strength, and a method of drawing the same.
【０００２】[0002]
【従来の技術】従来より光ファイバ母材（以下、単に母
材とも称す）を加熱溶融し、線引きして光ファイバを得
るために光ファイバ線引炉が用いられる。図２に従来の
光ファイバの線引炉を表す概略を示す。2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an optical fiber drawing furnace has been used to heat and melt an optical fiber preform (hereinafter, also simply referred to as a preform) and draw an optical fiber. FIG. 2 schematically shows a conventional optical fiber drawing furnace.
【０００３】図２に示すように、線引炉１１において、
炉本体１２には入口部１３と出口部１４とが形成され、
内部に加熱器１５が取付けられている。この炉本体１２
の内部には炉芯管１６が設けられており、この炉芯管１
６内に光ファイバ母材１７を挿入して、加熱器１５によ
り加熱し、線引きして光ファイバ１８を得ている。As shown in FIG. 2, in a drawing furnace 11,
An inlet portion 13 and an outlet portion 14 are formed in the furnace body 12,
A heater 15 is mounted inside. This furnace body 12
Is provided with a furnace core tube 16.
The optical fiber preform 17 is inserted into the tube 6, heated by the heater 15, and drawn to obtain an optical fiber 18.
【０００４】また、炉本体１２の上部近傍からＮ2 ，Ｈ
ｅ等の不活性ガス１９を導入すると共に、炉本体１２内
部のＯ2 濃度を測定するＯ2 濃度計２０を炉本体１２の
上部及び下部近傍に各々設けている。そして、このＯ2
濃度計２０によって測定したＯ2 濃度変化に応じて供給
する不活性ガス１９の供給流量を、制御手段２１を介し
て制御している。Further, N 2 , H
with introducing an inert gas 19 e or the like, and each provided with the O 2 concentration meter 20 for measuring the furnace body 12 inside the O 2 concentration in the upper and lower vicinity of the furnace body 12. And this O 2
The supply flow rate of the inert gas 19 supplied according to the change in the O 2 concentration measured by the densitometer 20 is controlled via the control means 21.
【０００５】[0005]
【発明が解決しようとする課題】しかしながら、従来の
線引炉の炉心管内は光ファイバの線引時に２０００℃以
上に加熱される為、炉芯管内に種々のガス、ダスト等が
発生し、光ファイバ母材の表面に付着したりして、光フ
ァイバの表面に傷を付け、光ファイバの強度を著しく低
下させてしまうという問題がある。However, since the inside of the core tube of the conventional drawing furnace is heated to 2000 ° C. or more when drawing the optical fiber, various gases and dusts are generated in the furnace core tube, and the There is a problem that the surface of the optical fiber is scratched by being attached to the surface of the fiber preform and the strength of the optical fiber is significantly reduced.
【０００６】また、この問題は近年において光ファイバ
母材を大型化して線引長の長い光ファイバを得る場合に
特に問題となっている。In addition, this problem has become a particular problem in recent years when an optical fiber preform is enlarged to obtain an optical fiber having a long drawing length.
【０００７】本発明は上記問題に鑑み、光ファイバの強
度を高度に保持することのできる光ファイバの線引炉及
びその線引方法を提供することを目的とする。SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an optical fiber drawing furnace and a method for drawing the optical fiber, which can maintain the strength of the optical fiber at a high level.
【０００８】[0008]
【課題を解決するための手段】前記目的を達成する本発
明に係る光ファイバの線引炉の構成は、入口部と出口部
とが形成されると共に内部に加熱器が設けられて連続的
に流入される不活性ガスで満たされる炉芯管を備えた線
引炉本体を有し、該線引炉本体の入口部から挿入される
光ファイバ母材を加熱溶融してその出口部から光ファイ
バを線引きする光ファイバの線引炉において、上記線引
炉本体内の一酸化炭素（ＣＯ）濃度を測定するＣＯ濃度
計と、当該ＣＯ濃度計からのガス濃度変化に応じて不活
性ガスの供給を制御する制御手段とを設けたことを特徴
とする。In order to achieve the above object, an optical fiber drawing furnace according to the present invention has a structure in which an inlet portion and an outlet portion are formed and a heater is provided inside the furnace. A drawing furnace main body provided with a furnace core tube filled with an inflowing inert gas; an optical fiber preform inserted from an inlet of the drawing furnace main body is heated and melted; A CO concentration meter for measuring the concentration of carbon monoxide (CO) in the main body of the drawing furnace, and supplying an inert gas according to a change in the gas concentration from the CO concentration meter. And control means for controlling
【０００９】一方の、本発明に係る光ファイバの線引方
法は、不活性ガスで満たされる炉芯管を備えた線引炉を
用い、該炉芯管の入口部から挿入される光ファイバ母材
を加熱溶融してその出口部から光ファイバを線引きする
光ファイバの線引方法において、線引炉の一酸化炭素
（ＣＯ）濃度を測定し、ＣＯの濃度変化に応じて線引炉
内に供給する不活性ガスの流量を調整することを特徴と
する。On the other hand, an optical fiber drawing method according to the present invention uses a drawing furnace having a furnace core tube filled with an inert gas, and an optical fiber mother inserted from an inlet of the furnace core tube. In an optical fiber drawing method in which a material is heated and melted and an optical fiber is drawn from an outlet portion thereof, a carbon monoxide (CO) concentration of a drawing furnace is measured, and the carbon monoxide (CO) concentration is changed according to a change in the CO concentration. The flow rate of the supplied inert gas is adjusted.
【００１０】[0010]
【実施例】以下、本発明に係る好適な実施例を図面を参
照して説明する。図１は本実施例に係る光ファイバの線
引炉の概略図である。DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an optical fiber drawing furnace according to the present embodiment.
【００１１】図１に示すように、線引炉３１において、
炉本体１２には入口部１３と出口部１４とが形成され、
内部に加熱器１５が取付けられている。この炉本体１２
の内部には炉芯管１６が設けられており、この炉芯管１
６内に光ファイバ母材１７を挿入して、加熱器１５によ
り加熱し、線引きして光ファイバ１８を得ている。As shown in FIG. 1, in a drawing furnace 31,
An inlet portion 13 and an outlet portion 14 are formed in the furnace body 12,
A heater 15 is mounted inside. This furnace body 12
Is provided with a furnace core tube 16.
The optical fiber preform 17 is inserted into the tube 6, heated by the heater 15, and drawn to obtain an optical fiber 18.
【００１２】また、炉本体１２の上部近傍からＮ2 ，Ｈ
ｅ等の不活性ガス１９を導入すると共に、炉本体１２内
部のＯ2 濃度を測定するＯ2 濃度計２０を炉本体１２の
上部及び下部近傍に各々設けている。Further, N 2 , H
with introducing an inert gas 19 e or the like, and each provided with the O 2 concentration meter 20 for measuring the furnace body 12 inside the O 2 concentration in the upper and lower vicinity of the furnace body 12.
【００１３】さらに、炉本体１２内部の一酸化炭素（Ｃ
Ｏ）濃度を測定するＣＯ濃度計３２を炉本体１２の上部
及び下部近傍に各々設けている。Further, carbon monoxide (C) inside the furnace body 12 is
O) A CO concentration meter 32 for measuring the concentration is provided near the upper part and the lower part of the furnace main body 12, respectively.
【００１４】そしてこのＯ2 濃度計２０によって測定し
たＯ2 濃度変化に応じて並びにＣＯ濃度計３２によって
測定したＣＯ濃度変化に応じて供給する不活性ガス１９
の供給流量を、制御手段３３を介して制御している。The inert gas 19 supplied according to the O 2 concentration change measured by the O 2 concentration meter 20 and the CO concentration change measured by the CO concentration meter 32.
Is controlled via the control means 33.
【００１５】上記構成において、かかる線引炉３１を用
いて光ファイバの線引を行うに際し、不活性ガス１９を
連続的に炉本体１２内に供給し、不要の一酸化炭素や酸
素を排出する。In the above configuration, when drawing an optical fiber using the drawing furnace 31, an inert gas 19 is continuously supplied into the furnace main body 12 to discharge unnecessary carbon monoxide and oxygen. .
【００１６】この状態にて線引を行うが、線引等に不要
なガス等が侵入したかどうかを検出する。In this state, wire drawing is performed, and it is detected whether unnecessary gas or the like has entered the wire drawing or the like.
【００１７】この際、酸素（Ｏ2 ）が侵入すると炉芯管
を構成するカーボン（Ｃ）との反応が開始され、炉本体
１２内では下記「化１」に示す反応が進行する。At this time, when oxygen (O 2 ) enters, a reaction with carbon (C) constituting the furnace core tube is started, and a reaction represented by the following chemical formula 1 proceeds in the furnace body 12.
【００１８】[0018]
【化１】 ５Ｃ＋３Ｏ2 →４ＣＯ＋ＣＯ2 ・・・・・（１） ２Ｃ＋Ｏ2 →２ＣＯ・・・・・・・・・・（２）5C + 3O 2 → 4CO + CO 2 (1) 2C + O 2 → 2CO (2)
【００１９】ここで、炉本体１２内では雰囲気温度が２
０００℃と高温状態になっているので、上記式（２）が
主に反応する。Here, the atmosphere temperature in the furnace body 12 is 2
Since the temperature is as high as 000 ° C., the above equation (2) mainly reacts.
【００２０】よって、微量の酸素が侵入した場合、Ｏ2
濃度計２０で酸素（Ｏ2 ）をモニタしていても、Ｏ2 は
直ちに式（２）の反応が起こり、消費されているので見
かけ上はＯ2 濃度計２０の濃度上昇がない。そこで、Ｃ
Ｏ濃度計３２を用いて、上記式（２）の反応によって発
生したＣＯ濃度を測定することで、カーボン炉芯管の劣
化状態をすぐ監視できることとした。Therefore, when a small amount of oxygen enters, O 2
Even if oxygen (O 2 ) is monitored by the densitometer 20, the reaction of O 2 immediately occurs in the formula (2) and O 2 is consumed, so there is no apparent increase in the concentration of the O 2 densitometer 20. So, C
By measuring the CO concentration generated by the reaction of the above formula (2) using the O concentration meter 32, the deterioration state of the carbon furnace core tube can be immediately monitored.
【００２１】すなわち、一酸化炭素（ＣＯ）が発生して
ＣＯ濃度変化が検出されたなら、制御装置３３により例
えばＮ2 ，Ｈｅ等の不活性ガス１９が直ちに炉本体１２
内に供給され、炉本体１２内部は常に高レベルのクリー
ンな状態が維持される。That is, when carbon monoxide (CO) is generated and a change in CO concentration is detected, the controller 33 immediately causes the inert gas 19 such as N 2 , He, etc.
And the inside of the furnace main body 12 is always maintained in a high-level clean state.
【００２２】次に、炉本体１２内部のＣＯ濃度と線引さ
れた光ファイバの平均破断長との関係について説明す
る。Next, the relationship between the CO concentration inside the furnace main body 12 and the average breaking length of the drawn optical fiber will be described.
【００２３】上述した図１に示す線引炉３１を用い、炉
本体１２内部のＣＯ濃度を下記「表１」に示す濃度とし
た場合において、１０００ｇの荷重をかけて破断する
「平均破断長」を測定した。その結果を「表１」に示
す。When the wire drawing furnace 31 shown in FIG. 1 is used and the CO concentration inside the furnace main body 12 is set to the concentration shown in the following "Table 1", the wire breaks under a load of 1000 g. Was measured. The results are shown in Table 1.
【００２４】[0024]
【表１】 [Table 1]
【００２５】表１の結果より、ＣＯ濃度が１０００ppm
以上となると平均破断長が著しく低下することが確認さ
れた。From the results shown in Table 1, the CO concentration was 1000 ppm.
It was confirmed that when the above was reached, the average breaking length was significantly reduced.
【００２６】よって、線引時においては炉本体１２内の
ＣＯ濃度を１０００ppm 以下の所定濃度となるように制
御することで、光ファイバの強度を高度に保持した線引
が可能となる。Therefore, by controlling the CO concentration in the furnace main body 12 to be a predetermined concentration of 1000 ppm or less at the time of drawing, it is possible to draw while maintaining the strength of the optical fiber at a high level.
【００２７】[0027]
【発明の効果】以上、実施例と共に詳しく述べたよう
に、本発明によればＣＯ濃度を所定濃度となるよう制御
することで平均破断長の向上した光ファイバの線引きを
行うことができる。またカーボン炉芯管の寿命管理が容
易となり、カーボン炉芯管の劣化に伴う光ファイバ強度
の低下が抑えられる。As described above in detail with the embodiments, according to the present invention, it is possible to draw an optical fiber having an improved average breaking length by controlling the CO concentration to a predetermined concentration. Further, the life control of the carbon furnace core tube is facilitated, and a decrease in the optical fiber strength due to the deterioration of the carbon furnace core tube is suppressed.
【図１】本実施例に係る光ファイバ線引炉の概略図であ
る。FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an optical fiber drawing furnace according to the present embodiment.
【図２】従来例に係る光ファイバ線引炉の概略図であ
る。FIG. 2 is a schematic view of an optical fiber drawing furnace according to a conventional example.
１１，３１ 線引炉 １２ 炉本体 １６ 炉芯管 １７ 光ファイバ母材 １８ 光ファイバ １９ 不活性ガス ２０ 酸素（Ｏ2 ）濃度計 ３２ 一酸化炭素（ＣＯ）濃度計 ３３ 制御手段11, 31 Drawing furnace 12 Furnace main body 16 Furnace core tube 17 Optical fiber preform 18 Optical fiber 19 Inert gas 20 Oxygen (O 2 ) concentration meter 32 Carbon monoxide (CO) concentration meter 33 Control means
───────────────────────────────────────────────────── フロントページの続き (58)調査した分野(Int.Cl.7，ＤＢ名) C03B 37/00 - 37/16 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on front page (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. 7 , DB name) C03B 37/00-37/16
Claims (3)
部に加熱器が設けられて連続的に流入される不活性ガス
で満たされる炉芯管を備えた線引炉本体を有し、該線引
炉本体の入口部から挿入される光ファイバ母材を加熱溶
融してその出口部から光ファイバを線引きする光ファイ
バの線引炉において、上記線引炉本体内の一酸化炭素
（ＣＯ）濃度を測定するＣＯ濃度計と、当該ＣＯ濃度計
からのガス濃度変化に応じて不活性ガスの供給を制御す
る制御手段とを設けたことを特徴とする光ファイバの線
引炉。1. A drawing furnace main body provided with a furnace core tube having an inlet portion and an outlet portion formed therein, a heater provided therein, and being filled with an inert gas which is continuously introduced, In an optical fiber drawing furnace for heating and melting an optical fiber preform inserted from an inlet portion of the drawing furnace main body and drawing an optical fiber from an outlet portion thereof, carbon monoxide (CO) in the drawing furnace main body is used. 2.) An optical fiber drawing furnace, comprising: a CO concentration meter for measuring the concentration; and control means for controlling the supply of the inert gas in accordance with a change in the gas concentration from the CO concentration meter.
線引炉を用い、該炉芯管の入口部から挿入される光ファ
イバ母材を加熱溶融してその出口部から光ファイバを線
引きする光ファイバの線引方法において、線引炉の一酸
化炭素（ＣＯ）濃度を測定し、ＣＯの濃度変化に応じて
線引炉内に供給する不活性ガスの流量を調整することを
特徴とする光ファイバの線引方法。2. A drawing furnace provided with a furnace core tube filled with an inert gas, wherein an optical fiber preform inserted from an inlet portion of the furnace core tube is heated and melted, and an optical fiber is passed through the outlet portion. In the method for drawing an optical fiber to be drawn, the carbon monoxide (CO) concentration in the drawing furnace is measured, and the flow rate of the inert gas supplied into the drawing furnace is adjusted according to the change in the CO concentration. Optical fiber drawing method.
スの流量を調整することを特徴とする光ファイバの線引
方法。 3. The inert gas according to claim 2, wherein the CO concentration is 1000 ppm or less.
Of optical fiber characterized by adjusting the flow rate of the fiber
Method.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP1142593A JP3316902B2 (en) | 1993-01-27 | 1993-01-27 | Optical fiber drawing furnace and drawing method |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP1142593A JP3316902B2 (en) | 1993-01-27 | 1993-01-27 | Optical fiber drawing furnace and drawing method |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| JPH06219766A JPH06219766A (en) | 1994-08-09 |
| JP3316902B2 true JP3316902B2 (en) | 2002-08-19 |
Family
ID=11777714
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP1142593A Expired - Fee Related JP3316902B2 (en) | 1993-01-27 | 1993-01-27 | Optical fiber drawing furnace and drawing method |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JP3316902B2 (en) |
-
1993
- 1993-01-27 JP JP1142593A patent/JP3316902B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| JPH06219766A (en) | 1994-08-09 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| CN1111751A (en) | Temperature measuring device and method using optical fiber | |
| JP3481466B2 (en) | Optical fiber drawing furnace and optical fiber drawing method using the same | |
| CN102348654B (en) | Manufacturing method of optical fiber base material | |
| EP1655271A2 (en) | Method and apparatus for drawing a class ingot | |
| JP3316902B2 (en) | Optical fiber drawing furnace and drawing method | |
| WO2002098807A1 (en) | Methods and apparatus for forming and controlling the diameter of drawn optical glass fiber | |
| US4746289A (en) | Heat treating process, hood for carrying out this process, and its use in heat treating furnaces | |
| JPH06199536A (en) | Optical fiber draw furnace | |
| JP2002097031A (en) | Method and unit for producing long quartz glass | |
| JPH0710548A (en) | Method for manufacturing fluoride glass | |
| JP2710433B2 (en) | Single crystal pulling device | |
| JP5014555B2 (en) | In-furnace observation method of molten iron refining furnace | |
| JP3519750B2 (en) | Method and apparatus for drawing optical fiber | |
| JPS5852932B2 (en) | Manufacturing method of optical glass for optical communication | |
| JPH05279070A (en) | Optical fiber drawing furnace | |
| JP2803542B2 (en) | Converter operation method | |
| US20080006058A1 (en) | Process and apparatus for producing porous quartz glass base | |
| JPH05208840A (en) | Method for optical fiber spinning and equipment therefor | |
| JP2004026637A (en) | Method for manufacturing glass tubes | |
| JPH0826890A (en) | Method of pulling silicon single crystal with uniform oxygen concentration over the entire length | |
| JPS62226834A (en) | Optical fiber drawing device | |
| JPH0717739A (en) | Optical fiber drawing method | |
| KR100641942B1 (en) | Furnace for manufacturing optical fiber base material by quartz chemical vapor deposition | |
| JPH035335A (en) | Method for drawing optical fiber | |
| JPH05279068A (en) | Optical fiber spinning device |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| A01 | Written decision to grant a patent or to grant a registration (utility model) |
Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: A01 Effective date: 20020514 |
|
| LAPS | Cancellation because of no payment of annual fees |