METHODS OF AND APPARATUS FOR RECOATING SPLICED END PORTIONS OF OPTICAL FIBERS

摘要

METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR RECOATING SPLICED END PORTIONS OF OPTICAL FIBERS : In order to recoat bared end portions of optical fibers which have been spliced together, the spliced portions of the fibers and portions adjacent thereto are positioned in a groove of a base plate of a mold and enclosed with a cover. The cover is slidably moveable relative to the groove to allow an injection nozzle which extends through the cover to become aligned with the fiber. Coating material is introduced through the nozzle into engagement with the spliced end portions after which the cover is moved relative to the base plate to shear through the coating material along the interface between the cover and the base plate. Movement is discontinued when a channel in the cover becomes aligned with the recoated splice. This allows the coating material to be solidified in the presence of a free surface which avoids the formation of bubbles in the coating material and causes the recoated portion to remain in engagement with the original coated portions adjacent to the spliced end portions.