GB2377766A - Optic fibre assembly hermetically sealed in a feedthrough - Google Patents
Optic fibre assembly hermetically sealed in a feedthrough Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2377766A GB2377766A GB0126385A GB0126385A GB2377766A GB 2377766 A GB2377766 A GB 2377766A GB 0126385 A GB0126385 A GB 0126385A GB 0126385 A GB0126385 A GB 0126385A GB 2377766 A GB2377766 A GB 2377766A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- optic fibre
- fibre assembly
- protective sleeve
- pieces
- feedthrough
- 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.)
- Withdrawn
Links
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
- G02B6/42—Coupling light guides with opto-electronic elements
- G02B6/4201—Packages, e.g. shape, construction, internal or external details
- G02B6/4248—Feed-through connections for the hermetical passage of fibres through a package wall
-
- 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
- G02B6/3628—Mechanical coupling means for mounting fibres to supporting carriers
- G02B6/3632—Mechanical coupling means for mounting fibres to supporting carriers characterised by the cross-sectional shape of the mechanical coupling means
- G02B6/3636—Mechanical coupling means for mounting fibres to supporting carriers characterised by the cross-sectional shape of the mechanical coupling means the mechanical coupling means being grooves
-
- 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
- G02B6/3628—Mechanical coupling means for mounting fibres to supporting carriers
- G02B6/3648—Supporting carriers of a microbench type, i.e. with micromachined additional mechanical structures
- G02B6/3652—Supporting carriers of a microbench type, i.e. with micromachined additional mechanical structures the additional structures being prepositioning mounting areas, allowing only movement in one dimension, e.g. grooves, trenches or vias in the microbench surface, i.e. self aligning supporting carriers
-
- 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
- G02B6/42—Coupling light guides with opto-electronic elements
- G02B6/4201—Packages, e.g. shape, construction, internal or external details
- G02B6/4219—Mechanical fixtures for holding or positioning the elements relative to each other in the couplings; Alignment methods for the elements, e.g. measuring or observing methods especially used therefor
- G02B6/4236—Fixing or mounting methods of the aligned elements
- G02B6/4238—Soldering
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Optics & Photonics (AREA)
- Light Guides In General And Applications Therefor (AREA)
Abstract
A method of preparing an optic fibre assembly including at least one optic fibre supported in a protective sheath, comprises adapting a first length of the optic fibre assembly for hermetic clamping between two half-pieces, including at least removing the protective sheath from the first length of the optical fibre assembly to expose the at least one optic fibre 4; clamping at least a portion of the thus adapted first length of optic fibre assembly between two half-pieces 6; fitting the thus clamped structure into a protective sleeve 18; hermetically sealing the gap 14 between the two half-pieces in which the at least one optic fibre is located; and hermetically sealing the gap 16 between the half-pieces and the protective sleeve; the outer surface of the protective sleeve 18 providing a continuous surface suitable for creating a hermetic seal between the resulting optic fibre assembly and the inner surface of a feedthrough 22.
Description
<Desc/Clms Page number 1>
OPTIC FIBRE STRUCTURE AND METHOD FOR PREPARING THE
SAME The present invention relates to a method for preparing an optic fibre assembly
for hermetic fitting into a feed through, a method for hermetically fitting an ZD optic fibre assembly in a feedthrough, and an optic fibre structure for hermetic fitting into a feedthrough.
Optic devices typically have at least an optic input or output that is connected to one or more optic fibres. Optic devices, particularly integrated optic devices, may be required to be hermetically packaged, which requires those optic fibres for connection to the device to be hermetically fed through the package wall.
For this purpose a feedthrough is typically provided in a wall of the package.
It is an aim of the present invention to provide an optic fibre assembly suitable for hermetic fitting into such a feedthrough.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of preparing an optic fibre assembly for hermetically fitting into a feedthrough, the optic fibre assembly including at least one optic fibre supported in a protective sheath; the method including the steps of : adapting a first length of the optic fibre assembly for hermetic clamping between two half-pieces, including at least removing the protective sheath from the first length of the optical fibre assembly to expose the at least one optic fibre; clamping at least a portion of the thus adapted first length of optic fibre assembly between two half-pieces; fitting the thus clamped structure into a protective sleeve; hermetically sealing the gap between the two half-pieces in which the at least one optic fibre is located; and hermetically sealing the gap between the halfpieces and the protective sleeve; the outer surface of the protective sleeve providing a continuous surface suitable for creating a hermetic seal between the resulting optic fibre assembly and the inner surface of a feedthrough.
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In a preferred embodiment, only a central portion of the first length of optic fibre assembly is hermetically clamped between the two-half pieces ; and wherein the protective sleeve extends beyond the first length of the optic fibre assembly so as to receive a sheathed portion of the fibre assembly in each end thereof ; and including the step of packing the ends of the protective sleeve with a support material to provide strain relief to those portions of the first length of the fibre assembly that extend beyond the half-pieces.
The packing step is preferably carried out by filling the ends of the protective sleeve with a curable liquid encapsulant, such as epoxy, followed by curing at a low temperature technique so as to avoid thermal damage to the jacket of the optic fibre assembly.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of hermetically fitting an optic fibre assembly in a feedthrough, the method including the steps of preparing the optic fibre assembly as described above, inserting the thus prepared optic fibre assembly into the feedthrough; and creating a hermetic seal between the outer surface of the protective sleeve and the inner surface of the feedthrough.
The hermetic seal between the outer surface of the protective sleeve and inner surface of the feedthrough may be created by, for example, a soldering, gluing and crimping technique or using a compression olive.
At least one of the two half-pieces preferably has a clamping face provided with at least one groove for retaining an optic fibre of the optic fibre assembly.
In one embodiment, the first length of the optic fibre assembly is adapted for hermetic clamping between the two half-pieces by removing the protective sheath and metallising the thus exposed at least one optic fibre.
<Desc/Clms Page number 3>
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an optic fibre structure for hermetically fitting into a feedthrough; the structure including an optic fibre assembly including at least one optic fibre supported in a protective sheath and having a first length from which the protective sheath is removed; two half-pieces hermetically clamped about at least a portion of the first length thereof ; and a protective sleeve into which the thus clamped structure is hermetically fitted; the outer surface of the protective sleeve providing a continuous surface suitable for creating a hermetic seal between the resulting structure and the inner surface of a feedthrough.
An embodiment of the present invention is described below, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which :-
Figure 1 shows the parts employed in an embodiment of the method according to the present invention;
Figure 2 is an enlarged view of the half-ferrule shown in Figure 1;
Figure 3 is an axial cross-sectional view of an optic fibre assembly prepared for insertion into a hermetic feedthrough according to an embodiment of the method of the present invention; and
Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of an optic fibre assembly inserted into a feedthrough according to an embodiment of the method of the present invention.
With reference to the figures, an optic fibre ribbon 2 is stripped of its protective sheath along a portion thereof distanced from one end to expose the array of optic fibres 4. The exposed optic fibres 4 are then metalized As shown in Figure 2, the clamping face 12 of each of two complementary semi-cylindrical Kovar half-ferrules 6 is provided with V-grooves 10 for retaining the optic fibres 4. The clamping faces 12 of the half-ferrules 6 are provided coated with a layer of solder 14, and then a central portion of the stripped length of fibre ribbon is clamped between the clamping faces 12. A layer of solder 16 is also coated on the outer surface of the half-ferrules, and the resulting structure is then inserted into a cylindrical swagelock tube 18. The term"swagelock tube"
<Desc/Clms Page number 4>
refers to tubing ground to an accurate shape with a good surface finish of the kind compatible with or obtained from existing gas-tight plumbing systems such as Swagelock.
The resulting structure is then heated locally to reflow the solder layers 14,16 and hermetically seal the gap between the clamping faces of the two half- ferrules 6, and the gap between the outer surface of the half-ferrules 6 and the inner surface of the swagelock tube 18. The earlier metallization of the optic fibres facilitates the sealing process. The swagelock tube 18 is thus sealed hermetically thus preventing the passage of any gaseous or other material through it.
In one variation, the gap between the two half-ferrules 6 could be hermetically sealed prior to the fitting of the clamped structure into the swagelock tube 18.
As shown in Figure 4, only a central portion of the stripped length of optic fibre assembly is clamped between the half-ferrules 6. This has the advantage of making it possible to prevent thermal damage to the protective plastic sheath 3 of the fibre ribbon 2 during the process of reflowing the solder layer 14.
To relieve the strain on the stripped optic fibres at the point where they exit the half-ferrules 6 at each axial end, the following technique is employed. The length of the swagelock tube 18 is selected such that, as shown in Figure 4, a portion of the unstripped optic fibre ribbon is received within the Swagelock tube 18 at each end. The vacant portions of the Swagelock tube at each end are then potted by, for example, using epoxy adhesive 20 or another encapsulant. The epoxy can be cured using a low temperature technique since the epoxy is not required to provide a hermetic seal ; the hermetic seal is provided by the solder layers 14,16.
The continuous outer surface of the Swagelock tube 18 is suitable for forming a hermetic seal between it and the inner surface of a feedthrough 22 in the wall
<Desc/Clms Page number 5>
26 of an optic device package. As shown in Figure 4, the optic fibre structure is fitted into the feedthrough 22. The hermetic seal between the outer surface of the Swagelock tube 18 and the inner surface of the feedthrough 22 could be achieved by a number of techniques, such as soldering or gluing. One alternative technique, as shown in Figure 4, involves the use of a compression cap 24 through which the optic fibre structure is fed prior to fitting in the package feedthrough 22. The compression cap 24 is used to either crimp the feedthough 22 to the swagelock tube 18 or is used together with a compression olive to create a hermetic seal. Alternatively, a crimp seal could be achieved without the use of a cap by, for example, tooling inducing a permanent set.
Claims (11)
1. A method of preparing an optic fibre assembly for hermetically fitting into a feedthrough, the optic fibre assembly including at least one optic fibre supported in a protective sheath; the method including the steps of : adapting a first length of the optic fibre assembly for hermetic clamping between two half- pieces, including at least removing the protective sheath from the first length of the optical fibre assembly to expose the at least one optic fibre ; clamping at least a portion of the thus adapted first length of optic fibre assembly between two half-pieces ; fitting the thus clamped structure into a protective sleeve; hermetically sealing the gap between the two half-pieces in which the at least one optic fibre is located; and hermetically sealing the gap between the half- pieces and the protective sleeve; the outer surface of the protective sleeve providing a continuous surface suitable for creating a hermetic seal between the resulting optic fibre assembly and the inner surface of a feedthrough.
2. A method according to claim 1, wherein only a central portion of the first length of optic fibre assembly is clamped between the two-half pieces; and wherein the protective sleeve extends beyond the first length of the optic fibre assembly so as to receive a sheathed portion of the fibre assembly in each end thereof ; and including the step of packing the ends of the protective sleeve with a support material to provide strain relief to those portions of the first length of the fibre assembly that extend beyond the half-pieces.
3. A method according to claim 2 wherein the packing step is carried out by filling the ends of the protective sleeve with a curable liquid encapsulant followed by curing at a low temperature technique so as to avoid thermal damage to the sheath of the optic fibre assembly.
4. A method according to claim 3 wherein the encapsulant is epoxy.
<Desc/Clms Page number 7>
5. A method of hermetically fitting an optic fibre assembly in a feedthrough, the method including the steps of preparing the optic fibre assembly according to any preceding claim, inserting the thus prepared optic fibre assembly into the feedthrough; and creating a hermetic seal between the outer surface of the protective sleeve and the inner surface of the feedthrough.
6. A method according to claim 5 wherein the hermetic seal between the outer surface of the protective sleeve is created by a technique selected from the group consisting of soldering, gluing and crimping.
7. A method according to claim 5 wherein the hermetic seal between the outer surface of the protective sleeve is created using a compression olive.
8. A method according to any preceding claim wherein at least one of the two half-pieces has a clamping face provided with at least one groove for retaining an optic fibre of the optic fibre assembly.
9. A method according to any preceding claim wherein the first length of the optic fibre assembly is adapted for hermetic clamping between the two halfpieces by removing the protective jacket and metallising the thus exposed at least one optic fibre.
10. A method according to any preceding claim wherein the step of hermetically sealing the gap between the two half-pieces in which the optic fibre is located is carried out after inserting the clamped structure into the protective sleeve.
11. An optic fibre structure for hermetically fitting into a feedthrough; the structure including an optic fibre assembly including at least one optic fibre supported in a protective sheath and having a first length from which the protective sheath is removed ; two half-pieces hermetically clamped about at least a portion of the first length thereof; and a protective sleeve into which the
<Desc/Clms Page number 8>
thus clamped structure is hermetically fitted ; the outer surface of the protective sleeve providing a continuous surface suitable for creating a hermetic seal between the resulting structure and the inner surface of a feedthrough.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0126385A GB2377766A (en) | 2001-11-02 | 2001-11-02 | Optic fibre assembly hermetically sealed in a feedthrough |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0126385A GB2377766A (en) | 2001-11-02 | 2001-11-02 | Optic fibre assembly hermetically sealed in a feedthrough |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB0126385D0 GB0126385D0 (en) | 2002-01-02 |
| GB2377766A true GB2377766A (en) | 2003-01-22 |
Family
ID=9925061
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0126385A Withdrawn GB2377766A (en) | 2001-11-02 | 2001-11-02 | Optic fibre assembly hermetically sealed in a feedthrough |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2377766A (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2424129A (en) * | 2004-12-24 | 2006-09-13 | Checkmate Uk Ltd | Cable gland having waterproof insert, sleave and clamping member |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JP6965758B2 (en) * | 2018-01-10 | 2021-11-10 | 住友電気工業株式会社 | Optical module |
Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP0389435A1 (en) * | 1989-03-21 | 1990-09-26 | "Brugg"-Kabel Ag | Feedthrough with a lightwave guide cable |
| US5680495A (en) * | 1996-07-12 | 1997-10-21 | Bloom; Cary | Fiber optic device sealed by compressed metal seals and method for making the same |
| US5764833A (en) * | 1993-03-31 | 1998-06-09 | Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. | Optical fiber array |
-
2001
- 2001-11-02 GB GB0126385A patent/GB2377766A/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP0389435A1 (en) * | 1989-03-21 | 1990-09-26 | "Brugg"-Kabel Ag | Feedthrough with a lightwave guide cable |
| US5764833A (en) * | 1993-03-31 | 1998-06-09 | Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. | Optical fiber array |
| US5680495A (en) * | 1996-07-12 | 1997-10-21 | Bloom; Cary | Fiber optic device sealed by compressed metal seals and method for making the same |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2424129A (en) * | 2004-12-24 | 2006-09-13 | Checkmate Uk Ltd | Cable gland having waterproof insert, sleave and clamping member |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB0126385D0 (en) | 2002-01-02 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |