Patent ID: 6518551
Filing Date: 2003-02-11
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
A method of heating a protective member for protecting a fusion splicing part of optical fibers, said heating method comprising the steps of:putting a protective member covering with an optical fiber fusion splicing part along a heater, said heater including a plate-shaped member which is made of heat-resistive and insulated material and an elongated shape extending in a longitudinal direction, a first heating conductor pattern disposed in a central portion of said plate-shaped member in the longitudinal direction, and a second heating conductor pattern disposed in both end portions of said plate-shaped member in the longitudinal direction; heating said first heating conductor pattern to attain a predetermined temperature; keeping said predetermined temperature of said first heating conductor pattern for a predetermined time; stopping the heating of said first heating conductor pattern; heating said second heating conductor pattern to be a preset temperature; keeping said preset temperature of said second heating conductor pattern for a preset time; stopping the heating of said second heating conductor pattern to return a temperature of the optical fiber fusion splicing part covered with said protective member to ambient temperature.