Patent ID: 8973408
Filing Date: 2015-03-10
Classification: C03B,Y02P

Abstract:
1. A method for producing an optical fiber, said method comprising the steps of: drawing a bare optical fiber from a preform in a furnace; reducing pressure in at least one of the furnace and a treatment device such that the pressure in the at least one of the furnace and treatment device is in the range of 0.01 to 0.40 atm; centering the bare optical fiber downstream of the at least one of the furnace and the treatment device, said centering achieved with at least two linear non-contact centering devices, one of said at least two linear non-contact centering devices located on one side of said bare optical fiber, the other of said at least two linear non-contact centering devices located on the other side of said bare optical fiber, said step of centering including applying forced fluid onto the bare optical fiber, wherein the centering devices comprise a channel having a region defined by at least two tapered side walls having an angle between the two tapered side walls in the range of 10° to 60°, wherein the fluid is forced in the region such that the bare optical fiber is retained within the region of the channel and levitated within the channel substantially as a result of a pressure differential which is present below the bare optical fiber within the channel; and coating the bare optical fiber.